S52 IFA Recap

 Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

We've recently covered the Rule 4 draft players, so it's only fair that we do the same with the IFA signings this season. 

1. Akinori Cho the starting pitcher from Japan signed with the Helena Hot Dogs for $26.2M. He shouldn't have any issues with control or against Righties, but whether he makes it in the majors will all depend on how he handles Lefties. The scouts agree that we shouldn't expect too many strike outs with this guy, so I hope the defense behind him is ready to play. His 4-seam fastball ranks up there and has potential to be near top in the league. He's a slightly S52 Arismendy Costilla who just this past offseason signed a max deal. Not a bad comp and I'm sure Cho hopes to one day make the same money. 
2. Giancarlo Gutierrez is looking to make his mark as a Shortstop after signing a $23.6M deal with the Tacoma Aroma....let's hope he doesn't stink it up. He should make good contact versus both Lefties and Righties and has a decent enough to pass at the ML level. Fantastic health and should prove to be rather durable, maybe missing a game or two all season for a little extra rest. I'd expect him to hit 20ish home runs and might steal 15 bases a season but it's getting on base and setting the table for the power guys behind him. He's probably a mix of Rip Bromberg and Vin Melhuse; both of whom are former #1 picks. Like Rip, I expect him to shift over to the hot corner before being promoted to the majors. 
3. Miguel Pena is next and yet another who signed over the $20M mark though only by an additional $500k. He was also the third IFA signing of the season, so the Atlanta Expos jumped on him quick. And I don't blame them considering how pricey IFAs got last season. Top notch control paired with fantastic 4-seasom fastball should help earn quite a few strikeouts over the course of a season. With that control, I wouldn't expect many free bases either. I'd probably look to Season 42's #2 pick, Brian Fukudome as a soft comp. Fantastic add for a team who already has the best pitching staff, and one who has plenty of arms still in the minors. The biggest question will be if this guy makes it to the majors as a Expo or if he's traded before then. My money is on a trade within the next two seasons. 
4. Yet another pitcher in Horacio Marrero has the next largest contract signing, just missing the $20M mark, coming in at $19.5M for the Hartford Rising Stars. He has ML talent, but it might be more of a back of the rotation type. As long as his 4-seam fastball and his ability to pitch against Righties develops, he should be alright. Austin's Roger Walsh would be the one to watch, though he's been roughed up a bit this year; his prior years had a 3.55 ERA on a 1.30 WHIP. 
5. The fantastic pitch calling of Miguel Romero was signed by Huntington Tropics to the tune of $16.1M. But I hope their Bench Coach is ready for a few passed balls with his limited range and he might see a few DL trips in his career, but sometimes you never know about that. The power is there but he'll struggle to make contact, especially against Lefties. Scouts seem to agree that he only walks down the base paths instead of run; consider he's only 5'-11" and 170 lbs that's surprising. His way on base could be through many walks as well. His owner should be thinking Shannon Bunch without all that power. 
6. So far the steal of the IFA period has been Houston Space Cowboys' $12.5M signing of Dominican Republic's Bengie Ramirez. Especially consider he's the better bat than Romero mentioned above and came nearly $4M cheaper - the cost of a first round draft pick. He might only be a future DH, but the guy can hit and for power. Solid contact and handles both handed pitchers well. Outside of Ground Rule Doubles, I wouldn't expect any extra base hits with his speed. Some of our games best power hitters are just out of reach for comps. Though he'll hit lefties better than Omar and righties better than Alex. Keith Halter on the other hand might be a good one, though Bengie will have a worse eye, FAR worse speed, and slightly less power. Similar comps also have Alex Perez and Yangervis Rosa on the list. Rosa matches up much better with speed, though Bengie will handle Righties better maybe slightly less contact.