Valera, Bracho among Tribe's int'l haul

July 2nd, 2017

The defending American League champions are making their presence felt on the international market.
The club agreed on Sunday, the first day of the 2017-18 international signing period, to a $1.3 million deal with outfielder George Valera of the Dominican Republic and a $1.5 million deal with shortstop Aaron Bracho of Venezuela.
Valera and Bracho are ranked No. 21 and No. 22 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, respectively.
In addition to Valera and Bracho, the Indians inked five other players. They agreed to a $400,000 deal with shortstop Jose Tena of the Dominican Republic. They landed infielders Cesar Idrogo and Brayan Rocchio from Venezuela and outfielder Marlin Made and infielder Wilfri Peralta from the Dominican Republic. The club is also the favorite to sign right-handed pitcher Victor Soteldo and outfielder Alexfri Planez, both from Venezuela, when they turn 16 and become eligible to sign in August.
Complete breakdown of where Top 30 international prospects landed
Valera is considered among the best outfielders on the market and one of the best overall hitters in the class. On offense, the teenager has a smooth and loose left-handed swing with some whip to it. He makes hard contact and can spray the ball to all fields. He projects to hit for average with some power. On defense, he has displayed an above-average arm, an above-average glove and solid defensive actions.

Bracho has been praised for his balanced hitting approach at the plate, quick hands and short swing. The switch-hitting infielder has shown the ability to drive the ball into the gaps from both sides of the plate. He makes hard contact and has also shown the ability to hit for power.
Bracho has also displayed solid infield actions and a decent glove. His footwork on defense continues to improve.

"George and Aaron project as high-ceiling offensive players with a combination of hit-ability and power to go along with athleticism," Paul Gillispie, the Indians senior director of international scouting, said in a release. "We think they have the ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively."
"We're incredibly excited about this year's signing class, and we're looking forward to this group of players matriculating into our organization," he added. "Our scouts have worked diligently over the last calendar year to identify and intimately know these players, and we're proud of the tireless effort they've put into the process."
According to the new rules established by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, every team gets at least $4.75 million to spend on international prospects. Any team receiving a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the Draft gets $5.25 million in international bonus pool money. Additionally, teams receiving a Competitive Balance Round B pick get $5.75 million to spend.
A club can trade as much of its international pool money as it would like, but there is a limit -- 75 percent of a team's initial pool -- to how much one team can acquire.
Cleveland's pool total for this year's signing period is $5.75 million.
Here's a list of players the Indians have agreed to terms with for the 2017-18 international signing period so far:
Aaron Bracho, SS, Venezuela, $1,500,000 -- No. 22 on MLB Pipeline Top 30 list
George Valera, OF, Dominican Republic, $1,300,000 -- No. 21 on MLB Pipeline Top 30 list
Jose Tena, SS, Dominican Republic, $400,000
Wilfri Peralta, SS, Dominican Republic, $300,000
Brayan Rocchio, SS, Venezuela, $125,000
Cesar Idrogo, IF, Venezuela, $90,000
Marlin Made, OF, Dominican Republic, $75,000