Rockies spending in Latin America

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 17, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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The six-figure signing bonuses given to a handful of players in Latin America last year are indications the Rockies' program there is evolving.

"We started with quantity, and now our focus points are more based upon impact," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "To get impact, you have to spend a little bit more money. Not that we'll ignore any of the other players, of course, but we do have the ability now to go after what we deem to be an impactful player if we feel like it fits our desires."

In September, the Rockies gave a $400,000 bonus to shortstop Christian Adames, 16, and a $300,000 bonus to Francisco Sosa, who turns 18 on Feb. 27. At the same time, they signed right- hander Gustavo Brazoban, 16, for $135,000 and outfielder John Rogers, 18, for $100,000.

All four players are from the Dominican Republic and will begin their professional careers in the Dominican Summer League this year. So will Venezuelan right-hander Albert Campos, who turns 17 on Feb. 4 and received a $165,000 bonus when he signed in July.

It wasn't quite in the six-figure category, but in November, the Rockies gave an $80,000 bonus to Dominican outfielder Elexier Mesa, 18, whose cousin, Jose, has pitched for the Rockies and seven other teams in the majors.

Mesa could begin his professional career at Rookie Casper this season.

The largest bonus the Rockies have given to a prospect from Latin America was $650,000 to Dominican shortstop Carlos Martinez in July 2005. After playing in the DSL in 2006, Martinez appeared in 45 games last year for Casper and hit .200 with one home run, 10 RBI and four extra- base hits in 140 at-bats.

Martinez, 19, played well in the Rockies' instructional-league program last fall, which might be a springboard for him to move up to short-season Single-A Tri- City this year.

Even if he returns to Casper, Martinez won't confront a cultural adjustment as challenging as last season, his first in the United States.

Ramping up their efforts in Latin American has netted the Rockies a host of prospects, including shortstops Hector Gomez and Jon Herrera, pitchers Pedro Strop, Esmil Rogers, Aneury Rodriguez, Juan Morillo, Samuel Deduno and Jhoulys Chacin and second basemen Daniel Mayora and Everth Cabrera.

Soon after making Latin America a priority, the Rockies struck pay dirt with the low-cost signings of Ubaldo Jimenez in 2001 and Franklin Morales in 2002.

The club will continue to scour Latin America for less expensive prospects who are not showcased in tournaments and isn't about to start doling out seven- figure bonuses there, but the Rockies have waded into pricier waters there.

"Now we just have the ability to play at the high end, not the high, high end but the higher end than we did early on," O'Dowd said.

etkinj@RockyMountainNews.com

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