The Guerrero Academy has been stealing all the international signing headlines mainly because of the uber-talented Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who has rumored to signed with the Blue Jays for $4.4MM. Kiley McDaniel reported two days ago that the Mets have a deal in place with SS Gregory Guerrero for $1.8MM, making all Mets fans wonder who the heck is Gregory Guerrero?
Well I was able to talk to Matt Hall who works for the Guerrero Academy about Gregory and the state of the academy itself. Here is what Matt had to say about the complex in Don Gregorio, Dominican Republic:
Mike M: Our readers are very interested in what happens at the Guerrero Academy, could you tell me a little about what you guys do? How do you help the players get ready for their tryouts and their eventual transition to living in the U.S?
Matt Hall: It’s an Academy of roughly 20 kids aged 13-16 from all around the DR. The kids don’t go to school just train to sign when they turn 16.They practice 6 or 7 days a week, starting at 530 am. They are trained by Vlads brother Wilton Guerrero who played in the MLB. They have tryouts usually twice a week with MLB scouts. They do weight training, take English and business classes etc.They practice in 2 fields, one of which Vlad built. When they practice in the cage it’s in Vlad’s backyard.
Mike M: Wow sounds like the Guerrero family has done a lot to try and help these kids be successful.
Matt H: Yeah, it’s a passion for Wilton he gives them everything and they are all like his family to him. We’ve had two kids go with the Mets this past year already.
Mike M: Can you tell me about the two players the Mets signed this past year?
Matt H: One is Rafael Valdez, a 17 year old SS. The other is Jose Guerrero an 18 year old pitcher, he is Vlad’s nephew and Gregory’s brother. Greg will sign July 2 for around 2 million or a little more.
Mike M: How would you describe Gregory as a player to someone that has never seen him play?
Matt H: Really quick feet, arm is better than any 16 year old I’ve seen. Hits for HR power. Plays a lot like Jose Reyes that’s who he models himself after. Extremely athletic kid and has been putting on a lot of weight in muscle.
Mike M: With the Mets already signing two kids from the Academy and rumored to have signed Greg, it seems they have a good relationship with the Academy.Can you comment on the last time the Mets had scouts have been down there and how many times they have seen Greg play?
Matt H: Yeah the Mets are great. They come often, but a lot if teams do as well so I wouldn’t say they come more than anyone else. They would come maybe once every month and a half or so. They’ve seen everyone play a lot. they are a great group of scouts and we do have a good relationship.
Mike M: Seems like every year there are more and more talented 16 year olds coming from the Dominican, how have things changed in that regard?
Matt H: They dedicate their lives to baseball, like I said no school. It’s the only way out of poverty. MLB teams have flooded a ton of money into the DR these days.
Mike M: How do you think the inevitable international draft will affect these kids and the academies?
Matt H: I don’t think the draft is as close as everyone thinks. Scouts don’t like it, trainers in the DR don’t like it, and teams don’t particularly like it. Kids certainly hate it because that’s 2 more years to wait to help their families. I think they need a better education process put into place and that’s one of MLB’s goals, I think that will weigh into their decision.
Mike M: Are PEDs still a significant issue in the Dominican?
Matt H: Yes, PEDs and lying about ages is still a huge problem.
Mike M: What do academies like Guerrero do to combat these two big issues?
Matt H: Having kids you trust and know. I mean the whole birth certificates, etc. are hard to figure out. You don’t want kids who lie because the scouts won’t trust anyone if you have one bad situation.
Mike M: What have Rafael Valdez and Jose Guerrero been doing since they signed with the Mets last year? Can you give me some info on what both of their strengths are as players?
Matt H: They have been at the academy in Boca Chica (Mets Dominican Academy) all but a few months. They both signed for like 40,000 so they aren’t exactly mega prospects. Jose has been improving fast though hits low 90s on his fastball, has good control.
Mike M: What’s the likelihood of players that sign for that small of a bonus making it to the U.S. to play affiliated ball?
Matt H: I mean only 3 percent of all players who sign ever make the big leagues. If they don’t make it out of the Dominican in three summers their career is usually over.
Mike M: How does Gregory compare to Vlad Jr.?
Matt H: They are best friends so are enjoying going through this together. Vlad has more power obviously, but Greg is a way better fielder and has a way better arm in the infield and is faster.
Mike M: How excited is Greg to sign his deal and play in the U.S.?
Matt H: He’s ready to go, very excited to work hard and keep moving up. Where ever he signs.
Matt is currently back in the U.S. trying to decide between a few agencies to become an agent. He said he will be heading back to the Dominican soon and will talk to me again around July 2nd which is International Signing Day.
