The amateur draft draws lots of headlines and we all know the Yankees don’t have a problem paying top dollar for talent, but for years their international scouting crew has brought in top notch prospects that continue to be among the best in the farm system. Until now, teams only were able to scout Latin American amateurs in workouts – bullpen sessions, batting practice, etc. – and not game situations, but as Jorge Arangure Jr. notes, big league scouts will soon have a new league to follow.
In what it is unofficially being called the Dominican Prospect League, teams made up of young players available on the international market will play once a week at various MLB club owned and operated complexes. Stats will be kept, and of course, profit will be made. Several big league clubs are backing the league, and Yanks’ farm director Mark Newman is on the league’s advisory board.
Before dropping $3M+ on a kid like Gary Sanchez, the Yanks will now have a chance to watch how he handles an actual live game. Sounds simple, but teams were not able to do this before. Frankly, it’s is long overdue, but better late than never.
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