After years of ignoring the international prospect market, the Baltimore Orioles are finally making their presence felt.
Every international signing period would involve a flurry of activity from virtually every major league team. Teams would go out and land top international talent while stocking up their farm systems. Then there was the Baltimore Orioles, who would trade their international bonus money away at every possible chance, adding marginal talent instead.
But this year would be different. Since teams were not allowed to trade their bonus money, the Orioles would not be able to follow their usual pattern. They would either need to spend that money or lose it when the next signing period occurred.
This time around, the Orioles decided to spend. They ended up with their most expensive international class in team history, signing 17 players for a total of approximately $5.75 million. Two of those players, shortstop Maikol Hernandez and catcher Samuel Basallo, received signing bonuses of over $1 million, the first two international prospects in Orioles history to receive a bonus of seven figures.
This is a step towards the vision laid out by general manager Mike Elias. He had stated that he planned to expand the Orioles presence in Latin America, to undo decades of neglect in that region. The Orioles constant refusal to be involved there had put the organization behind, something that had come to bite the team in recent years.
One offseason and one signing class will not make up for all those years where the Orioles refused to engage in the area. Their farm system still needs to be rebuilt, especially with little in the way of top end talent behind Adley Rutschman. However, having a renewed focus in the international market can change that.
These changes will not transform the Orioles overnight. Even with this signing class, the Orioles will need time to improve their system. But their newfound commitment to Latin America will make that quest a bit easier.
The Baltimore Orioles have finally begun to invest in Latin America. This commitment to the international market will pay off down the line.