Mo' money, mo' imports

This season's international market provided hope for the future to many franchises. Almost half of Camp budgeted to spend at least $20 million on prospects this season meaning that every worthwhile international prospect discovery sparked a bidding war. As the season begins to wind down and teams unload what's left of their prospect budget, let's take a look at the top international signings in what has been another strong market in season 8.

Richard Jiang (SS) - Tucson Sands (MILB w/invite, $26.1 million bonus)

One season after forking over a whopping $32.2 million for Miguel Siquieros, Tucson again spent far more than any other team when they locked up Jiang for a shade over $26 million. Jiang projects to be a gold glove caliber 3B if that's where he ends up, though he could hold his own at second base as well. The switch hitter isn't too shabby with a bat either as he is excellent at making contact and excels against righties. Already 22-years-old, Jiang isn't far from his major league debut. ETA: season 9 roster expansion

David Johnson (SP) - Atlanta Regulators (4-yrs @ 55K per, $16.3 million bonus)

Probably the most over-paid player in this year's market, Johnson is tough on both righties and lefties and a very good slider and curveball. The problem is his control as Johnson, as one GM put it, has the ability to plunk the guy in the on-deck circle while he's on the mound. Having only those two pitches (he does also have a far below average change-up) could pose a problem once he gets to the ML level, so Johnson may be better off coming out of the bullpen eventually. But Atlanta didn't want to take the chance of having to lose their prospect money, so they emptied the bank for Johnson who, in the end, will probably be a serviceable long relief guy. ETA: season 11 roster expansion.

Virgil Reyes (SP) - Tampa Bay Boozers (5-yrs @ 55k per, $15.1 million bonus)
The Boozers made the franchise's first big splash in the international market this season when they snagged starter Virgil Reyes from the Dominican with a 5-year big league deal. Reyes projects to have excellent control and great success against righties, though he may struggle against lefties from time to time. Reyes' great control goes well with his three above average pitches, a 4-seam fastball (with great velocity), a slider and a splitter. Reyes also has a circle change and a curve but isn't nearly as effective with them. At 20-years-old, Reyes will be a solid middle of the rotation starter sooner than you think. ETA: season 10 roster expansion.

Jose Alicea (SP) - Montreal Alouettes (5-yrs @ 327k per, $13.4 million bonus)

Montreal hauled in a future big league starter when they signed Alicea to a five year major league deal. The big 6'3" lefty has great control and an elite sinker to go with a good slider and curveball. Alicea will struggle at times, more with righties than lefties but if his control and pitches develop he could overcome the shortcomings in his splits. With great makeup and good health, Alicea will be a solid major league starter for Montreal once he develops. ETA: season 12.

Oswaldo Alomar (SP) - Seattle Grunge (5-yrs @ 327k per, $12.5 million bonus)

In a market full of starting pitching, Seattle got theirs when they signed Alomar to a big league deal. Alomar comes with a bit of a health concern but boasts excellent stamina, good control, a good sinker and is effective against righties. On the flip side, he'll struggle against lefties and, aside from the sinker, the only other pitch worth mentioning in is repertoire is a decent splitter. He's only 18-years-old and has a chance to exceed projections if he can stay healthy. If he does that, he'll be a solid major league starter. ETA: season 12

Jin-Che Masato (3B) - Hartford Minutemen (MILB, $12.3 million bonus)

Position players who command big money have been few and far between this season but Hartford signed a solid bat in Masato. He's probably destined for RF when he reaches the majors but Masato projects to have great power and hitting ability against right handers. His batting eye leaves a bit to be desired but other wise he's solid in the rest of the offensive categories. Health shouldn't be an issue and Masato has very good durability. As long as he develops Hartford should get their money's worth. ETA: season 12

Harry DeLeon (SP) - Trenton RoadRunners (MILB, $11.5 million bonus)

DeLeon may have the best pitches of any international pitcher signed this season. He has two great pitches (sinker and slider) to go with a good curve and an above average change up. He also has a cutter but it's not nearly of the same quality as his other pitches. He projects to have great control and solid L/R splits. Only 18-years-old and with great makeup he should reach his projections and become a very good ML starter for Trenton down the road. ETA: season 12 roster expansion

Quilvio Marichal (SP) - Scranton Coal Miners (MILB, $11.2 million bonus)

Much like Atlanta, Scranton emptied the bank instead of taking the risk of being stuck with the rest of their prospect money. They ponied up for Marichal who looks like he'll be a big inning eater at the ML level. Aside from his excellent stamina, Marichal has good control to go with a good sinker and cutter. He does project to have above average splits but health could be a minor concern. His biggest asset is that, at 21-years-old, he's very close to already meeting his projections and with a couple of seasons of good coaching at the minor league level he could possibly exceed them. Only having two good pitches however may mean bullpen duty at the ML level. ETA: season 11

Those are the big money internationals so far this season. Stay tuned for a list of under the radar bargain internationals from season 8.

Thurman conquers Home Run Derby

Louisville Flame Throwers' 2B Curt Thurman took home this year's Home Run Derby title, crushing a total of 27 home runs in the three round contest, edging out New Orleans Jerome Martin 8-7 in the final round. Thurman hit 12 home runs in the first round to advance to round two where he tallied seven dingers to reach the finals.

The biggest of the big flies belonged to Julian Juarez who crushed his seventh home run in the first round an astounding 530 feet over the left centerfield wall. Juarez finished third with 17 home runs.

Rounding out the event were Tampa Bay's Otis Parent who finished fourth with 12 home runs, Arizona's John Bruske (5), Philadelphia's Carlos Sanchez (4), Las Vegas' Benny Marrero (3) and New York's Matty Robinson (3).

Curt Thurman Louisville Flame Throwers Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Queens Village, NY Position(s): 2B/1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

If the playoffs started today...

We've reached the All-Star break so it's time to take a look at how the playoffs would shape up if they started today and we'll compare that with pvc4twenty's predictions.

National League
PVC's picks:
Arizona
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Scranton
New Orleans
Chicago

If the playoffs started today:
Arizona
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Augusta
Scranton
Memphis

Pretty close. Memphis leads New Orleans by four games in the South but the Cubbies are a long way from a playoff spot with their 42-49 record. They're currently nine back of Scranton for the final wild card spot and 21 back of Toronto in the North.

American League
PVC's picks:
Austin
Louisville
Philadelphia
San Francisco

If the playoffs started today:
Austin
Las Vegas
Louisville
Chicago
Portland
San Francisco

PVC did say he doesn't know much about the American League which was his reasoning for only picking four teams. While he's correct on three to this point, Philadelphia has had its share of struggles this season. But even with a sub-.500 record, the Athletics are still in the playoff hunt, just four games back of the Slumpbusters for the final wild card spot.

Powell inks deal with Mex City

The number two overall pick in this year's amateur draft has ended the suspense. Independence High School pitcher Charles Powell signed a deal with the Mexico City Day Laborers that will pay him a $3.91 million bonus. His signing means that the only top ten picks left to sign a contract with their teams are Charlie Clark, taken 7th overall by Houston, and Dan Berry, taken with the 10th overall pick by Florida. Clark is demanding a $7.5 million bonus but is leaning towards college either way while Berry is looking for a shade over $3 million.