BALTIMORE -- The Orioles announced Tuesday that they have agreed to terms with a pair of international players: infielder Moises Ramirez and right-handed pitcher Carlos del Rosario.
Ramirez is a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, while Del Rosario -- also out of the D.R. -- is 19.
"Today's signings are part of a coordinated plan for the Orioles to re-establish the club in the international recruiting arena," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a news release. "Ramirez has all the tools to be a solid offensive player in the middle of the diamond, and del Rosario has the size and pitches to develop into a Major League pitcher. Our player-development staff looks forward to working with them to further develop their skills."
The O's are making a concerted effort to invest internationally after years of trading away their allotted funds in the area. As part of the rebuild, the club is looking to beef up scouting and analytics, slashing the Major League payroll to reallocate those resources elsewhere.
The Orioles entered this week with more international money to spend than any team in baseball, and they're rumored to be serious contenders for coveted Cuban outfielder Victor Victor Mesa once he's eligible to be a free agent.
Tuesday's pair of signings are unlikely to take the O's out of the running, though it obviously will diminish their pool. Baltimore also reportedly sent $750,000 to Philadelphia on Monday in exchange for Minor League first baseman Jack Zoellner.