Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the younger brother of Astros infielder Yulieski Gurriel, hosted a showcase for 60 to 70 Major League scouts today in Panama City, per a pair of reports from MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez and El Nuevo Herald’s Jorge Ebro.
The Marlins had a pair of scouts on hand to watch Gurriel, per Ebro, while the Houston Chronicle’s Jake Kaplan reported yesterday that the Astros would be in attendance as well. And earlier this month, FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported that the Cardinals were planning on attending the workout, too. Realistically, though, given the number of scouts reported to be in attendance and the fact that the younger Gurriel brother is one of the most well-regarded prospects on the international scene, it’d probably be more notable to list the teams (if any) that didn’t attend his showcase. Heyman said that roughly 20 teams were likely to be represented, and it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if that number ended up closer to 30.
Gurriel, 22, is currently subject to international bonus pools. That, however, will change next month on Oct. 19 when he celebrates his 23rd birthday. Despite his relative youth, Gurriel spent parts of six seasons playing in Serie Nacional, Cuba’s top league, meaning he’ll have the requisite experience to qualify as a professional upon turning 23, thus exempting him from bonus pools and allowing him to a Major League contract with any team for any amount and length.
Gurriel began his pro career in Cuba at just 16 years of age and batted .277/.362/.426 in 305 games from 2010-16, including an impressive .344/.407/.560 with 10 homers and eight steals across 59 games in his final season on the island. Capable of playing both shortstop and center field, Gurriel showcased his skills at both positions today, per Sanchez, fielding grounders and turning double plays from the shortstop position while also catching fly balls and making throws from center field. He also took four rounds of batting practice, two rounds against live pitching and ran a 6.65 in the 60-yard dash (all via Sanchez’s report). Sanchez writes that Gurriel’s physique and strong arm drew praise, though some teams felt he could use some more work against live pitching.
From here, the likeliest step for Gurriel will be to conduct private workouts for teams with interest in signing him. Because he’s unlikely to sign before his birthday, the Wasserman client should have ample time to allow multiple clubs to make an evaluation before agreeing to terms with a team. In the above-linked piece from the Houston Chronicle, Kaplan spoke to Baseball America’s Ben Badler about Gurriel’s overall skill set, with Badler explaining that the soon-to-be 23-year-old could open next season in Double-A or Triple-A, suggesting that a reasonably quick rise to the Majors is possible.
I know he’ll wait til his birthday, but does anyone know what teams are currently unable to sign players in this signing period? Also, what his contract might look like?
I know the Jays are restricted for signing Vlad Jr and I wanna think the Yanks are too but not 100% on that. I seem to remember Texas was also restricted as well as the Cubs but can’t remember if their bans lifted this past July or if it’s next July.
If the Astros mess this one up you really have to wonder how incompetent they are… This guy is sitting on a platter for them, he even said it would be a dream to play with his brother.
“….fielding grounders and turning double plays while also catching fly balls and making throws from centerfield.”
Any team would pay a fortune for that kind of speed.
A 6.65 isn’t really that fast average in the MLB last time I checked is about 6.7. Put it in perspective Tebow was clocked around 6.7. 6.2-6.4 is elite speed. Born when he was younger and trouts at 6.4. All that being said 60 doesn’t actually clock game speed or quickness. So it’s just a benchmark.
He was joking about the quote.
Any can sign him after his 23rd birthday.
Curious if there is any useful strategy in a team trying to swoop in and sign him before his birthday to get him before the competition pool increases ?
Any team would have to pay double what he’s worth to do so.
If a team is comfortable spending $30MM to acquire him right now (totally arbitrary number), they could offer him $15MM and pay a $15MM luxury tax.
If Lourdes’ camp waits a month to sign, all $30MM of that market value can go directly to the player. I doubt any team’s going to step up and pay double his market value to get him
I don’t believe he would want to sign early. If he waits until after his 23rd birthday, all 30 teams are eligible to be in the bidding war.
Not only that he would be signing a major league contract that includes stipulations i.e. Not being able to be sent to the minors w/o permission after a year or two etc. also probably includes other stipulations like opt outs or opt ins for arb. So it is his benefit to sign a MLB contract more money, more control, less possible team control = FA sooner.