BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: International Affairs: Top 20 International Prospects For July 2

It has to be so hard to scout the international pool of talent. I don't know how anyone looking at the clips of these two guys hitting can tell whether either one will end up more like Angel Villalona and Rafael Rodriguez (more bust than boom) or Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco (serviceable to solid major leaguers).

To look at the clips, I see guys with better technique all the time so the athleticism better be off the charts and the hitting coaches at the lower levels of the organization better be ready to roll up their sleeves. Development of hitting prospects has not been an organizational strength in the past (and NO, Buster Posey does not count as a prospect "developed" by the Giants).

You have to be in the game at some level to find the future Pablo Sandoval's, but this has got to be a tough way to earn a living.


from Baseball America:
BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: International Affairs: Top 20 International Prospects For July 2:

5. Gustavo Cabrera, cf, Dominican RepublicHt.: 6-0. Wt.: 190. B-T: R-R.

Cabrera followed in the footsteps of Ronald Guzman and Nomar Mazara, a pair of 2011 Rangers bonus babies who in August 2010 led the Dominican Republic to a junior division RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) World Series championship in Jupiter, Fla. Last summer, Cabrera also played in the RBI World Series at Target Field in Minnesota and led the Dominicans to the title, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a steal in the championship game to earn MVP honors.

In terms of raw tools and athleticism, there's nobody in Latin America who is ahead of Cabrera, a 16-year-old from La Romana who trains with Christian "Niche" Batista and plays in the Dominican Prospect League. He's an explosive athlete with plus-plus speed, which gives him excellent range in center field along with a solid arm. He has a heavier body type that may lead him to lose a step or two eventually, so some scouts think Cabrera may end up in a corner, but others think he will be a good defender in center field.

At the plate, Cabrera has terrific bat speed and above-average raw power, but nearly every scout comes back with the same report: Love the tools, not sure if he'll hit in games. Cabrera doesn't have the natural hitting instincts of someone like Barreto or Torrens, as he's still learning to stay balanced and cut down on the length of his swing. If a team thinks its hitting coaches can help Cabrera click at the plate, there may be significant upside. Because of that, many teams believe Cabrera could get the biggest bonus in the international class. The Nationals may be the favorite, though another team could try to jump into the mix.

'via Blog this'

Another third baseman who played well at the PG International Series was Dominican third baseman Natanael Javier (video), who was named MVP of the showcase's all-tournament game after going 3-for-3 with a double. Javier's hitting has been inconsistent, but he has an extra-large frame (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and shows flashes of raw power. His older brother, Sony Javier, spent three years playing for the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays before the organization released him earlier this year. Sources believe the Giants are showing the most interest in Javier.