Latin signings around MLB and how they've worked out

Handing out huge signing bonuses is no more a guarantee of landing future stars in Latin America than in the domestic draft. Consider the case of first baseman Angel Villalona, who received a $2.1 million signing bonus from the Giants in 2006 and was subsequently rated the team's No. 1 prospect by several baseball websites. Three years later, it was reported that he was the main suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old man in the Dominican Republic. There has been no further news about a trial or pending charges, but he's not currently listed in the Giants' media guide.

Here's a look at significant Latin signings in the last 3 years . . . and how they have worked out so far.

* RHP Michael Ynoa (Dominican Republic), Athletics. $4.25 million in 2008. Age: 19. So far, so bad. Ynoa is rehabbing after Tommy John elbow surgery. He's expected to pitch again later this summer and the Athletics still love his potential.

* IF Miguel Sano (Dominican Republic), Twins. $3.15 million in 2009. Age: 17. Considered a potential superstar, Sano was rated as Minnesota's third-best prospect by Baseball America and projected as its starting first baseman by 2014.

* C Gary Sanchez (Dominican Republic), Yankees. $3 million in 2009. Age: 18. Came in with high expectations and has largely met them so far. Good athleticism and power potential, although he's struggled with strikeouts and defensive issues early. The biggest obstacle standing between him and the majors is another Yankees Latin prospect, Venezuelan Jose Montero, who signed in 2006 for $1.6 million and is currently at Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

* RHP Adys Portillo (Venezuela), Padres. $2 million in 2008. Age: 19. It's probably unfair to judge a young player solely on statistics, but Portillo was a combined 3-15 with a 4.94 earned run average in his first two professional seasons with a WHIP of 1.65.

* RHP Carlos Martinez (Dominican Republic), Cardinals. $1.5 million in 2010. Age: 19. Has drawn comparisons to Pedro Martinez. Has five above-average pitches and has topped out at 100 mph. Presently dominating competition in extended spring.

* OF Guillermo Pimentel (Dominican Republic), Mariners. $2 million in 2009. Age: 21. Has shown little plate discipline so far. Could be a home run. Or could be a swing and a miss.

* OF Phillips Castillo (Dominican Republic), Mariners. $2.2 million in 2010. Age: 17. Big-time power, below-average pitch recognition. Struck out 34 times in 75 at-bats during instructional league last fall.

* OF Rafael Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), Giants. $2.55 million in 2008. Age: 18. Source: "Has struggled big time. Doesn't turn 19 until July, but must start to produce or could be considered a major flop."

* SS Jose Vinicio (Dominican Republic), Red Sox. $1.95 million in 2009. Age: 17. Outstanding defensive player with above-average speed, but needs to get stronger and improve offensively.

* RHP Luis Heredia (Mexico), Pirates. $2.6 million to buy rights of 16-year-old from Vera Cruz of the Mexican League in 2010. Ranked by Baseball America as the top international pitching prospect in 2010.

* 3B Renato Nunez (Venezuela), Athletics. $2.2 million in 2010. Age 17. Several international scouts called Nunez the top hitter available out of Venezuela last year with the ability to hit for both average and power.

* RHP Adonis Cardona (Venezuela), Blue Jays. $2.8 million in 2010. Age: 17. According to Baseball America some scouts were concerned about his mechanics and feel for pitching, but his fastball touched 93 mph when he was 16 and figures to improve as he matures. His bonus was a record for a Venezuelan amateur.

* OF Yorman Rodriguez (Venezuela), Reds. $2.5 million in 2008. Age: 19. Still has plenty of upside, still a project with raw ability. His approach at the plate is improving as evidenced by fewer strikeouts.

* OF Juan Duran (Dominican Republic), Reds. $2 million in 2008. Age: 19. The Reds were thrilled when they found a loophole that allowed them to sign Duran earlier than most clubs realized was legal, but he has shown little so far to justify the investment.

* SS Jurickson Profar (Curacao), Rangers. $1.55 million in 2009. Age 19. Held his own in the Northwest League last season despite being one of the youngest players in the league. Rated Rangers' second-best prospect by Baseball America.

* 3B Cheslor Cuthbert (Nicaragua), Royals. $1.35 million in 2009. Age: 18. Plenty of tools and high upside with terrific power potential but raw with a long way to go.

* 1B Luis Domoromo (Venezuela), Padres. $1.25 million in 2008. Age: 19. Tools player with potent bat but it remains to be seen if he'll develop power as he fills out.

* OF Ariel Ovando (Dominican Republic), Astros. $2.6 million in 2010. Age: 17. Profiles as a middle-of-the-order hitter with excellent defensive skills. Scouts have compared his talent to Darryl Strawberry.

* SS Edward Salcedo (Dominican Republic), Braves. $1.6 million in 2010. Age: 19. Extremely raw hitter with impressive power when he makes contact. Needs to develop pitch recognition, but could be heir apparent to best-prospect tag that Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman have held in recent years.

* C Jorge Alfaro (Colombia), Rangers. $1.3 million in 2010. Age: 17. Raw power, strong arm. Converted outfielder had been targeted by several teams.

* LHP Juan Urbina (Venezuela), Mets. $1 million-plus in 2009. Age: 18. Urbina, son of former major leaguer Ugueth Urbina, is a long way off, but his skill is projectable. Secondary pitches need work.