Here is Baseball America’s report of the signing:
The Orioles have signed 16-year-old Dominican third baseman Hector Veloz for $300,000, according to his trainer, Victor Baez.
The bonus is a franchise record for an amateur player signed out of the Dominican Republic and is believed to be a franchise record for all of Latin America. A club official did not return calls seeking comment.
At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Veloz, who is from Santiago, stands out for his plus raw power from the right side, though he has been inconsistent hitting in games. He also shows an above-average arm and solid hands at third base.
The deal is not official yet, as Veloz still has to clear his age and identity check and pass a drug test, which in his case could get interesting. Veloz has also already tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol when he took a drug test in mid-May as part of Major League Baseball’s new registration program for 40 of the top Dominican prospects in this year’s international signing class.
Players in that program are not subject to any suspensions, though if a player fails a drug test after agreeing to terms he would receive a 50-game suspension.
Frankie Piliere listed two dozen free agents to watch, and Veloz was his #4 Dominican prospect:
4. Hector Veloz, 3B: Scouts have been somewhat torn on Veloz, who is one of the standouts of the Dominican Prospect League. Some have said his bat is arguably the best in the class and others have been less certain. He should be looking at seven figures from one of the clubs that is more convinced of his offensive potential.
Last month, Baez [Veloz's trainer] told Baseball America that the steroid use was unintentional because the drug came from an over-the-counter supplement that did not list it as one of the ingredients.
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It’s certainly nice to see the Orioles make a splash on the international market. Like Piliere said, Veloz should have received a seven figure bonus, but the price dropped because he tested positive for anabolic steroid Stanozolol.
Is this the Orioles being “major players”? Or can we expect another signing. BA reported that the Orioles would be “major” players on the market this signing period.
We’ll have to wait and see.
The steroid thing… Is it serious or is he over it? Something to be concerned about?
According to the Sun:
Whether that’s true or not, who knows…
Winstrol is an overrated group of steriods that do not promote gains in strenght or size. Why they tend to use these types of steroids is put fat oxidation and water shredding into overdrive? It would not surprise me one bit to see it in over the counter supplements.
My brother was flagged at the USC years ago for Deca-durabolin and it was linked to an approved over the counter supplement by the NCAA. So I always give player the benifit of the doubt.
That’s good to hear. There were a lot of problems with the DR kids this year. I think a bigger deal was made out of some of it than necessary.
This kid has “Bobby Bonilla Syndrome” in his earlier clip and he progressed nicely in line with the latest tape. His bat drops quick and nice arc through the zone. I tend to like those players with an ever so slight arc up.
He has a soild load that is not over extended. You see a smooth transfer of weight in the lower half that really gets the hips out and through to attack the ball, while keeping his hands back and “loaded”. This is where true power is generated in every hitter.
He has quick hands for his age and solid compact swing that gets through the zone in slight arc. His spine and head stay silent and twist along with his hips. The footwork could be slightly better, but I am picking on a 16 year old kid. He shows alot of power potential as he fills out.
Thanks Don, always enjoy reading your insight. What holes do you see? Do you see anything bad about his swing?
He is a classic pull hitter and really wants to hurt the ball at this stage of his development. I saw the game situation hitting and he turned fairly well on a 2 seam fastball. If I were pitching to him, I would tend to keep it high and away and at all costs stay towards the left half of the plate. He should have issues with off-speed because he should rearly see a quality curve, slider, splitter from the ranks of 15-16 year old kids.
Overall, It is splitting hairs on his flaws. He had a good teacher and without question he is one of the higher ranking international free agents who wpould be commanding more money without the cloud of drugs over his head.
When speaking of footwork, I was talking about in the field. He has a bit too much “happy feet” before planting for the throw.
I coach little league baseball and run a baseball program for kids. I think it is a disgrace to sign a “child” who has tested positive for steriods. I guess we should just tell kids this is the best way to get to the majors. We cannot kid ourselves any longer. Athletes cheat so they can gain an edge. I cannot blame them because if they do no take them, many will not make it to the next level. But I think the Orioles and baseball management are unethical when they basically condone steriod use by not disqualifing any player who tests positive. My 15 year old son will read this and think, “Wow, he took steriods and still gets a big contract. So taking steriods can still help you get signed.” (my words not his)
There are enough talented players in this country and abroad to not have to tolerate this behavior. Using “unintentional” as an excuse is pathetic. Look at Bonds, Palmero, Tehada, etc they all say unintentional. It’s time we just stop tolerating cheating and let the kids compete honestly. Our children deserve a fair chance. We must think about what lessons we are teaching with this signing.
who is to say it wasn’t unintentional? If it was an innocent mistake, give the kid a chance. You can’t just write him off and you have to give the benefit of the doubt sometimes.
On a personal note, and maybe you could understand since you’re a coach, but when I played high school baseball I was part of a program called “Bigger,Stronger,Faster”. That’s where I was introduced to Creatine, then graduated to Androstenedione. Honestly, I didn’t know any better. I just saw the results of the other kids who were taking it and I wanted to keep up, so I took it too. I was satisfied with the results then, but now I regret it because it caused me to have early HBP. My point is, if he learned from his mistake, everyone deserves a second chance. In my case, I didn’t think I was a cheater, because how is it cheating when everyone around you is doing it? I wouldn’t do it now because I’m 28 years old and I know better. It was condoned then, even the coaches knew about it. It was an ignorant time.
I’m not trying to make excuses for the kid, I’m just trying to give a different perspective. Can you relate?
Yes Dave, I can relate to what you were saying. I am not judging athletes who take steriods. I used to be in body building in the 70s and steriods were all over the place. And I realize some people say you can use steriods properly and not be harmed. So if people want to use them, it is their bodies, they know the risks. But what I am trying to say here is as a sports advocate, you either support the use of steriods or you strongly prohibit its use. You cannot do both. If baseball wants to allow the use of steriods(properly), then so be it. But to say it is illegal, and then turn around and allow players to play who have been caught, is sending a mixed message. The only players in this scenario who benefit are the cheaters because the honest ones will not take them, and their careers will be left behind those who do take them. Imagine all the kids out there who are playing baseball and want to be a prospect but can’t because they are being overlooked by athletes using steriods.
In my case, I was a competitive player, but not a great one. Steriods might have helped me further my career, but I would not take them because I was not willing to risk it, and it was illegal and I did not want to be labelled a cheater. So I am not judging here, all I am saying is let’s get rid if this behaviour by blocking anyone who takes it, or at least give them a lengthy suspension. I just want all kids to have a fair and honest chance at being a prospect.
don’t like the Steroid thing, esp b/c he is 16 he could have been using when he was even younger… ppl from DR love that stuff it seems