Looters Announce International Signings

New Orleans - Today the Looters announced the signings of a few youngsters that through the tireless efforts of scout Rafael Martinez, the organization found to bolster their farm system. Though all the players are viewed as nice additions to a pretty barren minor league system outside of a few good prospects, there are a couple that are considered big signings.

The only hitter added was 18 year old 1B/DH Alfredo Rivera. Though the Looters don't currently need a 1B or DH, it never hurts to have a few to use as trade offerings for other needed pieces. Rivera hails from Santo Domingo from the Dominican Republic. He's seen as a guy who will make good contact and a big upside for power. Like most Dominicans though, he's a free swinger and won't take many walks. He's also a bit of a liability at 1B which is why he'll get a share of time at DH. Out of the norm for first basemen though, he's liable to steal a base any time he gets on.

Also scouted from Cabaiguan, Cuba is MR Bartolo 'Specs' Garcia. He's got a live arm with two plus pitches. He's got a lot of growing to do still at 18 years old, but the Looters have time to wait. He's a bit of an introvert, but he will be given every opportunity to put everything together. High end, he has a future as a closer, or at least a set up man. He's not adept at holding runners, so likely won't be a high leverage middle reliever.

Also acquired from the Dominican Republic is 16 year old SP Bartolo Gonzalez. Gonzalez likely won't have much of a VBL6 future, but at his age, and with the barrenness of the Looter farm system, he's better than some of what is currently pitching. He'll walk his fair share of batters, but he has the movement on his pitches that could fool batters, at least at the lower levels. Also for the lower level pitching staffs is 18 year old Canadian, MR Nick Merrit. Merrit's biggest strength is Garcia's weakest, the fact that he can hold runners with the best of them. Unfortunately, he has the lack of stuff that may put a lot of runners on base to show his holding skills.

The Looters plan to invest in international scouting this year emulating the model of Looters GM Scott Thompson's idol, Jon Daniels and his rebuilding of the Texas Rangers. We will see where this leads, but anything is better than what was put on the field last year by the Looters one has to ask.