Rangers ink Dominican prospect Alonzo for $350K
Infielder, 16, was ranked No. 18 on MLB.com's Top International Prospects list
The Rangers have agreed to terms with 16-year-old Dominican infield prospect Yimmelvyn Alonzo for $350,000, according to an industry source.
The contract with Alonzo, ranked No. 18 on MLB.com's Top International Prospects list, is expected to be finalized early next week.
A star in Major League Baseball's Amateur Prospect League, the right-handed-hitting shortstop has the hands and arm to stay at shortstop, but there is some thought that he might be better suited for a different position in the infield. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Alonzo impressed with his raw power and his ability to show some of that power in games. What's more, Alonzo's quick hands help him hit balls to all fields.
The Rangers began the 2013 international signing period on July 2 with $1.94 million to spend, and they signed right-hander Marcos Diplan (ranked No. 8), outfielder Jose Almonte (No. 13) and shortstops Yeyson Yrizarri (No. 23) and Michael DeLeon (No. 27) on the first day. Diplan signed for $1.3 million, while Almonte agreed to a $1.8 million deal. Yrizarri signed for $1.35 million and DeLeon for $550,000.
The Rangers have exceeded their pool by at least 15 percent, so they are not allowed to sign a player for more than $250,000 during the next signing period and have to pay 100 percent tax on the pool overage.