Rays Set To Sign International Shortstop Prospect Adrian Rondon

This would be a big pick-up for the Rays but as usual, you're going to have to wait -- Rondon is 15 years old!!! Unbelievable. At that price, you have to be right. Comps are to Starlin Castro, let's hope the mean from the neck down.



from baseballnewssource.com

Rays Set To Sign International Shortstop Prospect Adrian Rondon:

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to sign international shortstop prospect Adrian Rondon, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, but technically cannot sign the the youngster until July 7 because he has yet to turn 16. Thats right, he is 15 years old.

Rondon was considered the top prospect in the 2014 International Draft. He projects to be a shortstop at the Major League level. He is a slick defender and has shown gap to gap power at the plate.

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from Baseball America:

1. Adrian Rondon, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: July 7, 1998. Height: 6-2. Weight: 180. B-T: R-R.

Some scouts consider Rondon the most advanced hitter in the class. He has good bat speed and a quick, compact stroke, showing a knack for barreling the ball with good plate coverage to make plenty of contact in games. He has good rhythm and balance with the ability to square up high-end velocity. He will chase hard breaking pitches off the plate at times, but he has a mature hitting approach for his age, working deep counts and using the whole field. He’s more of a line-drive hitter than a power threat, but there’s loft in his swing and projection in his frame, so his doubles should turn into more home runs with more strength.

Rondon also has the attributes that should allow him to stick at shortstop. He’s more of a steady defender than a flashy one, with speed and arm strength that both grade out as 50-55 tools on the 20-80 scale. Given that he’s still 15 and has a live, athletic frame, both of those tools could tick up, although that’s always tricky to project. Rondon will have to improve his footwork, but he has good hands and plays under control with a knack for slowing the game down on both sides of the ball.

Scouts highest on Rondon think he could make a rapid rise, along the lines of Starlin Castro. Sources believe the Rays are so enamored with Rondon that they are willing to shatter their international bonus pool to make sure they get him, which is why they’re seen as the favorites to sign him.