Reds sign Venezuelan hurler

by Thundering Turtle on Nov 3, 2011 3:02 PM EDT

Baseball America reports the Cincinnati Reds have signed RHP Soid Marquez. No figures were disclosed on how much the 16-year-old Venezuelan received as a signing bonus.

BA ranked Marquez (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) the 38th-best prospect available internationally this year, although some scouts consider him one of the top two or three pitchers in Latin America. The biggest knock on Marquez is an inconsistent fastball that has hit 89, but often ranges from 85 to 88. Marquez is projectable, however, and figures to reach the low 90s in time.

Marquez also has some effort to his delivery, although BA reports his motion is solid and the ball comes out of his hand well. Marquez's best present feature is one of the most advanced curves among all Latin American pitchers. He also throws a promising change and consistently throws strikes.

Marquez pitched for Venezuela in the 16-under World Championships in Mexico. In 12 2/3 innings, he allowed 14 runs (eight earned), struck out 11 and walked seven.

(UPDATE from RSC:) Whle Marquez was not among BA's top-most tier international talents when the signing period began in July, he generated some good buzz. LIke maybe a mellow, loopy feeling with some visuals?

Some Marquez links:

Full scouting report from BA (Subscription only)
Story from 16U Championships (Venezuela vs. Australia)
MLB.com forum on international talent mentioning Marquez

Tweet Comment 64 comments | 2 recs |

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Comments

Welp, we've found our ace. Walt's offseason work is finished!

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 3, 2011 3:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

*

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Nov 3, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Good, now Chapman can close

"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow

by jch24 on Nov 4, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I thought he was going to be on the DL with TJ surgery?

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 4, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless you can provide a link to a comment from me saying that...

"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow

by jch24 on Nov 4, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

You should know by now

That almost all of my snark is somehow directed at OBWOK

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 4, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

#Obsessed

"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow

by jch24 on Nov 4, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

We all need something to keep us busy in the offseason.

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 4, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Shucks

I’ve been sayin’ “Avoid the Soid.”

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 3, 2011 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

hey, we're one week into the offseason, and Walt's doing something creative

Assuming this is the beginning of the trend and not the end, it sure beats waitin’ till spring and hopin’ to get lucky.

"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville

by bbjones on Nov 3, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome work as always Turtle...and now for a thread-jack

How do I add a clickable link in my signature? I’ve tried 4 times now and can’t figure it out.

Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.

by -ManBearPig on Nov 3, 2011 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

Step 1: Get a brain, moran.

Step 2: Profit!

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 3, 2011 4:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

step 3:

blow me

Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.

by -ManBearPig on Nov 3, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Step 4: Profit again!

(side note—I don’t know how to do it either, else I’d have told you)

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 3, 2011 4:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think you have to use HTML code

Ironically, I can’t just put the code here or it will treat it as HTML code. And I don’t know the code for getting around that.

This should have the answer.

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 3, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's how I did it

In the “signature” box under “edit profile”:

<a href="http://allthingsbubba.blogspot.com/">All Things Bubba</a>: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

IOW:

<a href="your URL here">name to make clickable here</a>

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 3, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks guys

Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.

by -ManBearPig on Nov 4, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a lot of great pitchers have come out of Venezuela.

Freddy “El Harnisch” Garcia leads the nation in IP. Johann Santana and Carlos Zambrano had a few good years apiece. Jhoulys Chacin might turn into something, but he also may not. It’s not too long before you’re getting into the Kelvims Escobar and Mannies Sarmiento.

But oh no, a 16-y-o who can “only” hit 86? That sounds just awful, jeez.

"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."

by Cy Schourek on Nov 3, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think you're underselling Johan

Yes, he’s been injured for most of the past 5 years, but he put up 22.6 fWAR from ‘04-’06. That’s pretty fantastic

by DerekH91 on Nov 3, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, with better health, he'd probably in the HOF conversation

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 3, 2011 4:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Realistically it's probably not on the table.

But if the Mets were to cover (Johan’s contract)-(Arroyo’s contract), would you trade them straight up for each other?

Arroyo had an fWAR of -1.3 this season. Imagine the scenario of Arroyo gone AND Santana on the Reds DL…even if Santana’s hurt AND Arroyo’s pitching like he did last season, whomever the Reds called up to pitch in that spot in the rotation (Wood/Volquez) would be more valuable than Arroyo anyway!

The Mets get a pitcher who would love to pitch in that park (regardless of how much they do to the fences, it’ll still play way smaller than GABP), and for no additional cost the Reds get a better pitcher in their rotation (regardless of if it’s Santana or his replacement!)

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Nov 3, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

yes please

Joey Votto on Colin Cowherd: "I don’t know who he is"

by UncleWeez on Nov 3, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this idea...

by badenjr on Nov 4, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

perhaps,

but more to the point, Fernando Valenzuela is not from Venezuela.

"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."

by Cy Schourek on Nov 3, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Mexico, right?

Fox mentioned it when Garcia was pitching in the World Series

by DerekH91 on Nov 3, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, he's not from Fernando.

I think that’s just west of Aruba.

"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville

by bbjones on Nov 3, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

If Marquez can give us anything even close to '03-'07 Kelvim Escobar

I’ll be thrilled.

expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat

by kcgard2 on Nov 3, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

The Cubs miss out on Marquez; avoid "100 Years of Ineptitude" headlines

by ken on Nov 3, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Not to mention Glove in the Time of Liveball-era

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 3, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

For 103 years, one month, and 17 days.

That is how long you have not won. From the moment Orval Overall pitched a shutout…until now.

"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."

by Cy Schourek on Nov 3, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

There haven't been many Buendias in Wrigleyville since then

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 3, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Chronicle of a Pennant Fore-Lost

‘course, that doesn’t take an oracle…

"The USA despite its flaws and corruption and overall messiness is still a great and powerful instrument of freedom and hope for the entire world." - Madville

by bbjones on Nov 3, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

MLB Trade Rumors

says the Reds are out of the Jose Reyes sweepstakes.

I didn’t know there was any chance we were in it.

They also report that teh Fay says the Reds are looking to sign BP to an extension in the neighborhood of four years and $48MM.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 3, 2011 10:05 PM EDT reply actions

At least one year

and $12MM too damned much.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Nov 3, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That's the problem with re-signing players after their best years

Although I’m a little surprised that BP would agree to 4/48. He could probably do better on the open market next year.

by ken on Nov 4, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

he might not agree to it

That’s what the Reds want. No deal is done yet, which suggests that it ain’t what BP wants.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 4, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

more from Fay's chat

He thinks the Reds will make some trades this year, likely around the winter meetings. He says the Reds don’t have the budget for free agent signings, so improving the team will be done via trades. He says Jocketty has said there will be trades made before spring training.

The Reds tried to trade for Shields at the deadline, and are probably still interested. No hint of what it would take.

Someone suggested the Reds should sign Andrew Brackman (recently cut by the Yankees). Apparently, he worked with Louisville Bats pitching coach Ted Power at Moeller.

Cozart is definitely the opening day SS if healthy. Janish may be non-tendered, or he may start in Louisville, since he has options.

END will be the back up at 3B if Rolen goes down for an extended period. But Fay thinks that Frazier is more versatile as a bench guy, since he can play corner OFer and all infield positions except pitcher and catcher. (However, I think Fay isn’t considering that END is out of options and Frazier is not. If they want END to be a backup for Rolen, he has to be on the 25-man.)

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 3, 2011 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

To the trade talk,

The Braves have made it clear they are willing to trade Jair Jurrjens.

They want a power hitting outfielder, and rumors are they could match up with one of the Royals stud prospects. I wonder if Heisey plus someone (Frazier?) would do it. Probably not, but it’d be worth a call.

I’d love to have Jurrjens. He’s had some health issues, but none of it is his arm, but stuff like knees, etc. He’s got 2 arb years left and will only be 26 next year. He’ll probably make $5-6 million this season, and already has over 700 well above average (120 OPS+) MLB innings under his belt. He’s not exactly the ace we are hoping for, he would be a nice complement to Cueto at the top of the rotation and wouldn’t break the bank either in prospects or money.

Until he’s either traded or Jocketty tells Fay it ain’t happening, this is my new obsession.

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 3, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

but can we trade Mesoraco for him??

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Nov 3, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe we could trade you for him.

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 4, 2011 6:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I cover a lot of ground in CF

but I’m a goofy looking fucker when I go flailing at curve balls.

I don’t think I’d get it done.

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Nov 4, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

So you are Hunter Pence?

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Nov 4, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

I think Brackman will be signed

- The Rays are supposedly “dead-set” against trading Shields, but that could easily be posturing.

- It’s hard for me to believe that they don’t have some money to spend on the FA market, especially if they let Cordero walk entirely, though in the vast majority of cases it’s probably smart not to.

Bruce, Cueto, Votto, Chapman, Hanigan and Alonso get raises of about $9M total + Arb raises that I’ve got down for about $5M = $14M lost

Substitute Cordero’s $12M, Ramon’s $3M, Renteria’s $2.1M, Gomes $1.75M and Lewis’ $900K for league minimum and you’ve got about $17.5M gained

That’s a net gain of $3.5M.

Raise payroll $5M and that’s $8.5M of space. They might have even more than that, sans Cordero, depending on what the payroll baseline is. They had to pay buyouts for Harang and Cabrera and major league salaries to Burton and Alonso.

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 4, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

* "probably smart not to" = spend the FA money

Mgr., Red Reporter

"Bootsy, you're a superstar right?"
"Twinkle, twinkle, babble."

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Nov 4, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

That's not really a lot

It sounds like the Reds are still hoping to re-sign Coco. Even at half price, he (or his replacement) would eat up most of that space. Renteria or his replacement would eat up the rest. Never mind the rumors of the return of CMM. Actually improving the team (starting pitching!) is going to have to be done by trade.

Letting Bray or Ondrusek close would be a way to free up some cash…but it doesn’t seem like the Reds are thinking that way.

It’s too bad Masset has been so terrible. They seemed to be considering him a possible closer.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 4, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

No, it's not

Someone like Jair Jurrgens is a fine pick-up, but that would be it. If that’s the best they can do then you have to do it (and it’s better than bringing back Coco), but it’s not exactly the Ace we were hoping to get.

Dusty would never do it, but I’d love to see dual lefty-righty closers of Bray and Logan or Masset.

by ken on Nov 4, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather see EV given a shot at the closer role

But I think that’s a little too unorthodox for the brain trust.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Nov 4, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I am fully on board with this idea

expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat

by kcgard2 on Nov 4, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I still don't think he has anywhere near enough control to be a late inning bullpen guy

but I’m definitely interested in finding out if he can do it or not.

by pack_fan on Nov 4, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Carlos Marmol

boom

expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat

by kcgard2 on Nov 5, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I have him in mind when I think about this no doubt

but keep in mind you’re talking about a guy with one of the best sliders in the game, I’m not sure EV has the stuff to match Marmol. I’m willing to try it, just don’t think it has all that high chance at working out. Would be interesting to see how EV would respond to not holding anything back on the fastball and getting rid of his breaking ball.

by pack_fan on Nov 5, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes yes, the Reds would NEVER use someone they regard as a starter in the bullpen

/snark

"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow

by jch24 on Nov 4, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

As scary as it is to say this...

I think Jsutin floated this idea first, and it make a whole hell of a lot of sense.

Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.

by -ManBearPig on Nov 4, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

you know that old saying....

even a broken clock is right twice a day

The ends justify the means

by Highlifeman21 on Nov 12, 2011 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

wait,

if Brackman worked with a pro coach in high school, how did that not violate his amateur status?

"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."

by Cy Schourek on Nov 4, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

They never had penetration.

Only oral.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Nov 4, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

PSU'd

The ends justify the means

by Highlifeman21 on Nov 12, 2011 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

via teh Fay

Bill James rates Phillips-Janish fifth

Paul Janish (8) was tied for sixth-most, and Brandon Phillips (7) was tied for seventh-most in Runs Saved at their respective positions. Seattle’s Brendan Ryan (18) led all shortstops, while Tampa Bay’s Ben Zobrist (17) led all second basemen. But together, Janish-Phillips formed the fifth-most deadly double-play duo in the majors. And over the past three years, Janish has proved himself the ninth-best defensive shortstop with 19 Runs Saved over that time (Ryan, with 65, is #1).

Not sure how this is calculated. Is there any adjustment for playing time?

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Nov 3, 2011 11:30 PM EDT reply actions