Bradenton's Global Team

This story is awesome. Maybe none of this is particularly consequential, yet, but it's still awesome.

over 2 years ago Charlie Wilmoth 5 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Seems that whenever I have seen articles in the past about GCL experiences it is always negative…It is nice to see that this group of players are building bonds. Lets hope that the majority of them progress well.

The other element that is very encouraging about this article beyond the human interest aspect is that the reason these guys from 6 different continents are all on the same team is because this FO is scouting in these areas. It may take years for them to uncover talent that will make the big club but the fact they are laying the foundations is simply light years beyond where this organization was 2 years ago.

by Mick Kraut on Jul 10, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

I made a fanpost about this the other day, although I missed Alaska and Colombia. Awesome story. I think baseball will being to mirror European soccer, another sport without a salary cap where teams sign players from all over very young and develop them under team control. Unfortunately, like baseball the small teams that find and develop a young superstar often sell him to the superpowers. However there it’s for cash, here its for prospects.

RIP NATE. RIP TONY PLUSH.

"I'D BE A CHEF"

-TONY PLUSH

by GTrain on Jul 10, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Wet blanket

The Pirates are very late to the international party and many of their signings seem to be of non-prospects to start building relationships abroad. I’m sure it could pay off in the long term, but for now I suspect that Bradenton is 1-10 because they have a less talent than the other competing teams. Ultimately, the Pirates will need to open their wallets in the draft and internationally and to scout as good as or better than the rest of the league. I hope that happens, but I remain skeptical.

That said, it is nice that a diverse group of kids from all over can bond over baseball in the GCL.

by wietersforpresident on Jul 10, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t call any of their international signings “non-prospects”, that is to say organizational guys above the proper age for the level. A lot of them are long shots to make the majors, but any 18-19 year old is a long shot to make the majors. I also wouldn’t call many of them “top-tier” prospects at this point, but there are some good tools in the bunch, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some decent prospects emerge from this group.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jul 10, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions