Financial Update
As we get closer to the start of the season, I have reviewed the team's financial state as of this moment.
As a reminder, you have $296,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.
You may review all your financials on your front office page .
International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Esteban Aguirre, 16 year-old LF out of Venezuela
Esteban Aguirre is a long, lean athletic left fielder who was born in Filas de Mariche, Venezuela. He has above average contact potential. He has a ceiling of a pull hitter with above average power. He projects to have above average strike zone recognition. Aguirre can be a second division starter at left fielder.
Jesus Barreiro, 16 year-old 3B out of Cuba
Lean and athletic, Jesus Barreiro hails from Palma Soriano, Cuba. He has a lot of talent, and grades out as a plus contact hitter. He has above average power potential. Barreiro profiles as an above average player.
It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Esteban Della Vedova, 17 year-old RF out of Venezuela
Juan Hueramo, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Alejandro Medina, 17 year-old 3B out of Venezuela
Nelson Arellano, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Jesus Ayala, 16 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Godoy, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
Alexis Guadalupe, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Jesus Palma, 16 year-old LHP out of Panama
International Amateur Signings
Sunday, January 20th , 2047
Signed international amateur SS Nelson Arellano out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $3,500,000 signing bonus.
Friday, January 25th , 2047
Signed international amateur SS Alexis Guadalupe out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $1,250,000 signing bonus.
Fall League News
The manager of the Virginia Beach Maulers said he thinks Mike Gronkiewicz is only going to get better as he gets older.
He may only be 20, but it will be hard to top the center fielder's 2046 campaign, as he has been named the winner of the Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player.
His winning campaign featured a .340 batting average and a .417 on-base percentage this year. In 55 games he piled up 84 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs, 47 RBIs and 64 runs scored.
He received 25 first place votes out of a possible 30. Eric Powell of the Bakersfield Tigers finished second in voting with 2 first place votes, while Nate Kees of the Virginia Beach Maulers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Mike Gronkiewicz - Virginia Beach Maulers - 25 - 395
Eric Powell - Bakersfield Tigers - 2 - 263
Nate Kees - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 199
Terrell Gholston - San Diego Engineers - 0 - 198
Ben Nelson - Phoenix Green Dragons - 0 - 182
Nelson Miranda - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 121
Andy Saintlouis - San Antonio Royals - 3 - 120
Arturo Ruano - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 71
Wilber Treitz - Milwaukee War Eagles - 0 - 41
Dusty Faust - Milwaukee War Eagles - 0 - 39
Mike Plumley - Laredo Typhoon - 0 - 36
Mickey Drover - Austin War Dogs - 0 - 26
Joe Beebe - Dallas Black Gold - 0 - 22
Jon Avery - Fort Worth Sunchasers - 0 - 21
Eddy Urioste - Fort Worth Sunchasers - 0 - 13
David de Anda - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 10
Luis Villarreal - Arlington Smokies - 0 - 6
Juan Arana - Honolulu Norsemen - 0 - 3
Juan Flores - Phoenix Green Dragons - 0 - 3
Juan Villa - Garland Bears - 0 - 1
Transactions
The only surprise in the month is the passion of the fans when Brad Thomas, released from AAA, signs with the Blue Jays. A 2041 trade acquisition, Thomas had never made it to the big leagues but clearly had made an impression in Kansas City folklore.
Hall of Fame
Three new players were welcomed into the Hall of Fame as two Shortstops are inducted, neither of whom is Bobby Witt Jr.
Corey Seager, in his final year on the ballot, jumps from 67% to 86% to secure his place in Cooperstown, while OF James Woods earns his slot at the second time of asking. There is also a first ballot inductee in SS Gunnar Henderson. Bobby Witt Jr. take a leap to 43%, as does Mason Barnett from 21%, although both are looking like long shots for induction at this point.
