The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with 16-year-old Mexican southpaw Julio Urias. The terms of the deal remain unknown, but according to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Urias signed for an amount that will only partially count against the Dodgers’ $2.9MM international bonus pool for 2012-13. Urias’ rights were transferred from Mexico City of the Mexican League, so only a limited percentage of the bonus applies to the Dodgers’ pool. That bodes well for the Dodgers who have done very well with international prospects and the first-year player draft in 2o12.
Many scouts have considered Urias to be one of the best pitching prospects available right now. He has reached 92 mph on the radar gun and his change-up is one of the best secondary pitches in this year’s class, according to Baseball America. Badler had speculated last month that some teams would sign Urias  for more than $1MM and maybe closer to $2MM. As I have said on multiple occasions recently, the new ownership group is committed to player development once again, especially in the international market. This is a great approach as the new owners are operating the Dodgers like a baseball team once again, committed to building a franchise that nobody will want to play.
Badler’s scouting report says, “He has a good delivery, a loose arm, he’s able to cut his fastball and throw it for strikes, which is why some scouts prefer him to Venezuelan lefthander Jose Castillo. His changeup is one of the best secondary pitches in this year’s class, throwing the pitch in the high-70s and earning plus to plus-plus future grades from scouts.”
Another great international signing by the Dodgers. Not only is Mark Walter and company committed to winning now, but for years to come. Smell that? That’s the smell of winning my friends.
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