Stockstill gives quote on Veloz
David Stockstill, the Orioles director of international scouting, confirmed that the organization officially agreed to a contract Friday with 16-year-old Dominican third baseman Hector Veloz that includes a franchise record signing bonus for a Dominican amateur.
Veloz reportedly received $300,000. Stockstill said the figure wasn’t exact, but “it is in the ballpark.” Veloz is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitter that the Orioles have been following for two and a half years. He recently visited the club’s Dominican academy, Stockstill said.
“He is an outstanding young man. He is well-educated, smart, well-spoken,” Stockstill said. “He has a good arm, good hands and shows very good power from gap to gap. We are very proud he chose us over the competition.”
Veloz was a highly regarded amateur, but according to Baseball America he tested positive for the steroid stanozolol during a May drug test required by Major League Baseball for the Top 40 Dominican amateurs.
Stockstill would not confirm the steroid report. He also declined comment about any other potential international signings.








Comments
Dan,
I may be wrong but I don't think the Orioles have signed any of their top 5 draft choices and only 1 of their top 10. Is Veloz better than some of this year's top 10 draft choices?
Posted by: wbalfan99 | July 10, 2010 11:51 PM
I'd be lying if I claimed to know anything about the guy, but at least we're trying!
Posted by: Dylan | July 11, 2010 12:23 AM
I think this is great and I realize every other AL east team is investing heavily in the international market so if the orioles don't want to get further behind in the talent pool they will have to use these markets as major expenses..
Posted by: GRANT | July 11, 2010 3:38 AM
I watched the movie "Sugar" last night and the O's would be wise to sign anyone and everyone who visits their Dominican Academy. What do we have to lose? Obviously they wouldn't play better than Millwood, Atkins, Hendrickson, etc or would they? UPSIDE! Sign people with UPSIDE!!!
Posted by: Peter Tomjanovich | July 11, 2010 10:40 AM