Longhi traded to Reds

Daniel Flores, the best prospect out of Venezuela in this year's international class, headlines a strong group of prospects from the country expected to sign with the Boston Red Sox.

Flores, a switch-hitting catcher from Porlamar on Margarita Island, ranked No. 2 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, has agreed to a $3.1 million deal with the club, according to industry sources. The club also agreed to a $1.6 million deal with shortstops Danny Diaz of Venezuela, ranked No. 13, and Antoni Flores, who is also from Venezuela and ranked No. 20, for $1.4 million.
The Red Sox have not confirmed the deals.
Considered by some scouts to be the best prospect in this year's class, Daniel Flores is an elite defender with raw power who is a threat from both sides of the plate. He's impressed scouts with his footwork, release point and the way he seamlessly transfers the ball from his glove to his hand. Flores also has a strong arm and quick pop-up times.
Trained by Jose Salas Jr., a former infielder in Toronto's system, Flores' first position was shortstop, but he quickly moved behind the plate at Salas' Puro Beisbol baseball academy in Caracas and began to develop into the top catcher in the country.
As for Diaz, he has displayed an advanced hitting approach and consistent good swings. He hits the ball hard to all fields and has the potential to be a home run hitter in the middle of the lineup. Antoni Flores has been praised for his overall defensive actions and athleticism. He shows a balanced approach at the plate, good bat speed and a slight uppercut in his swing. He's a line-drive hitter who makes hard contact and is able to spray the ball to all fields.
According to the new rules established by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, every team will get at least $4.75 million to spend on international prospects. Any team receiving a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the Draft will get $5.25 million in international bonus pool money. Additionally, teams receiving a Competitive Balance Round B pick will have $5.75 million to spend.
A club can trade as much of its international pool money as it would like, but there is a limit -- 75 percent of a team's initial pool -- to how much one team can acquire.
Boston's pool total for this year's signing period is $4.75 million. The club traded first-base prospect Nick Longhi -- ranked No. 9 in the organization -- to the Reds on Sunday in exchange for international amateur signing bonus pool space, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced.