The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Dominican pitcher Jonathan Herrand out of the Dominican league La Javilla for a $185 K signing bonus, according to Jeffrey Nolasco of Hoy (via MLB Trade Rumors).
The report says that Herrand is 6′ 4″, and throws a fastball between 93 and 95 MPH, with a good changeup and an excellent curveball. Herrand’s coach compares his mechanics to a young Pedro Martinez. Herrand is a right handed pitcher, based on his picture, but no word on his age.
The Pirates have been spending some money in the last few months in the international market. They signed Willy Garcia to a $280 K deal back in February, with the deal being announced this month. Earlier this month they signed right handed pitcher Isaac Sanchez and outfielder Miguel De Aza to deals paying $180 K and $150 K respectively. Last week it was announced that they signed six players, with Garcia included in that list, although no bonuses were announced for the other players. Even without those bonuses being available, the Pirates have spent $795 K on four players this month.
Also on the international front, yesterday I re-tweeted this Twitter update from Melissa Segura of SI that said the Pirates were interested in Elvis Sanchez. Sanchez, a third baseman, was recently ranked as a top 10 Dominican prospect by MLB Trade Rumors (the link wouldn’t work for me today, but the mobile version does work), coming in at number nine. He was mentioned as possibly having “off the charts power”. Sanchez wouldn’t be eligible to sign until July 2nd.
