Rockies to sign power-packed prospect Calaz (sources)

January 15th, 2023

The Rockies are in the process of landing a power-hitting center fielder that has a chance to roam the outfield in big league stadiums one day.

According to industry sources, the club has agreed to a $1.7 million deal with outfielder Robert Calaz, the No. 24 prospect on the international Top 50 Prospects list. The Rockies, who have a base signing pool of $5,825,500, have not confirmed the agreement. The deal is pending a physical.

The young and physical Calaz, who trains at Academy Sanchez, has a ton of projection and a chance to be a difference maker in the future. The tools are evident and there is a lot to like about him.

Specifically, the teen has the potential to have plus raw power and be a plus runner if he continues to develop. The hit tool is a work in progress, but that’s normal for a prospect his age. And like other top international players, he’s still working on fine-tuning his abilities as he develops. What’s certain is that there is no denying the 17-year-old Calaz’s upside and overall potential.

An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year -- in practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2006, will be eligible to sign in the upcoming signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible to sign.

Teams are allowed to trade international bonus pool money starting Jan. 15.