Source: 17 Venezuelan international prospects commit to Major League teams

With July 2--otherwise known as "international signing day"-- quickly approaching, prospects all around the world are perfecting their craft in hopes that they will get a minor league contract from a Major League club. 

Cover Those Bases has learned of the agreements of 17 Venezuelan international prospects, per a source with knowledge of the situation.

• Right-hander Alvaro Seijas has committed to the St. Louis Cardinals, as expected. He will earn $760,000 as the bonus for the deal.Cover Those Bases previously reported Seijas' agreement with the Cardinals. Seijas is ranked as the sixth-best international prospect, according to MLB.com.
• Outfielder Daniel Montano has committed to the Colorado Rockies, as expected. He will make $2 million as the bonus for the contract. Cover Those Bases previously reported the deal. Montano is ranked as the seventh-best international prospect.
• Outfielder Miguel Aparicio has committed to the Texas Rangers for a bonus of $550,000.
  
• Right-hander Gabriel Estrada has committed to the Colorado Rockies for a bonus of $380,000. 
• Shortstop Juan Morales has committed to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a bonus of $450,000. 
• Shortstop Angel Medina has committed to the Kansas City Royals for a bonus of $380,000.
• Outfielder Diego Rinconez has committed to the San Francisco Giants for a bonus of $175,000.
• Catcher Rafael Marchan has committed to the Philadelphia Phillies for a bonus of $500,000.
• Catcher Nishel Gutierrez has committed to the San Francisco Giants for a bonus of $125,000.
• Shortstop Kelvin Melean has committed to the San Diego Padres for a bonus of $500,000. 
• Outfielder Jesus Lujano has committed to the Milwaukee Brewers for a bonus of $350,000.
• Shortstop Antiono Pinero has committed to the Boston Red Sox for a bonus of $300,000.
• Shortstop Ildemaro Escalona has committed to the Detroit Tigers for a bonus of $105,000.
• Shortstop Reinaldo Ilarraza has committed to the San Diego Padres for a bonus of $350,000.
• Second baseman Kevin Alarcon has committed to the San Diego Padres for a bonus of $400,000.
• Catcher Sebastian Rivero has committed to the Kansas City Royals for a bonus of $400,000.
• Outfielder Darwin Alvarado has committed to the Detroit Tigers for a bonus of $170,000.

None of these commitments will become official signings until July 2, when the new international signing year begins.

Other Interesting Notes

• RHP Alvaro Seijas was expected to get more than a six figure bonus, but the Venezuelan market has fallen, as teams are beginning to underestimate players. A lot of Major League players are from Venezuela and some are stars. 
• San Diego Padres GM A.J. Preller has been "very aggressive" in Venezuela trying to get the best infield prospects, the source said. Before going to the Padres, Preller worked with the Texas Rangers and did a lot of work with international prospects. Of just this list of 17, Preller was able to sign three.

--Devan Fink

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