Sox Sign Simon Mercedes

Mercedes is from the Dominican Republic. Alex Speier reports for WEEI:

Mercedes has what one evaluator called an “XXL power frame” at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He features an above-average fastball that registers in the low- to mid-90s as well as what the evaluator called an above-average curveball. He will enter the Sox system as a starter, though for him to remain there, it will require some development of his repertoire. At the least, however, he has the makings of a power arm out of the bullpen.

Speier also adds this interesting observation.

So, the signing of Mercedes is notable for the fact that the Sox added what they hope is a high-ceiling prospect. However, it is noteworthy for other reasons as well that underscore that the Sox’ approach to the international amateur market has changed with the change from former VP of International Scouting Craig Shipley to new director of international scouting Eddie Romero.

Simply put, Shipley never would have signed Mercedes. He refused to sign players who lied about their documentation. Mercedes appears to have done just that, as Badler reported that he changed from being a 16-year-old named Jeffrey Tapia to an 18-year-old (with a listed birth date of Feb. 27, 1992) by his current appellation of Simon Mercedes. He agreed to a deal with the Giants for a $400,000 signing bonus in early 2011, but the Major League Baseball background investigation into Mercedes resulted in a one-year declaration of his ineligibility to sign by MLB, according to Badler.

Hmm. I suppose some would applaud the ruthless- I mean, um, commitment to winning that this represents. But Mr. Shipley's policy seems like a sound way to avoid risks, to this writer. Maybe the rarified atmosphere of foreign scouting, and its incredible stakes, produce mistakes that should be forgiven at least once? Maybe this is an enlightened policy?

Nah. It's just about winning. Speier includes the cautionary tale of Carlos Martinez, who "now has one of the top arms in the minors, with a fastball that reaches triple digits." So the Sox are once bitten, twice -- not shy.