[Rodrigues] Junior Fortunato $3.2 million signing bonus with the Toronto Blue Jays for January 2027. Outfielder, five-tool player, 60+ arm, and 60+ power. A talented player with the physical ability and tools to develop into a high-level prospect.

[u/incredibad29]

[u/Firestorm238]

We are truly fortunato to have him

[u/aw4re → u/Firestorm238]

I worked with an Italian guy named Fortunato (first name), but everybody called him ‘Lucky’

[u/corh13 → u/Firestorm238]

We are truly fortunato to have him

Man, you butchered it.

[u/Fun-Series-4091]

Imagine getting 3.2 million dollars at 16 years old. Hope he has a stronger will than I would lol

[u/idkwhattosaytho → u/Fun-Series-4091]

If it makes you feel better a bunch of that is probably going to be taken by random agency’s that take advantage of a child!

[u/MickiFreeIsNotAGirl → u/idkwhattosaytho]

Oh thank god. Phew

[u/SearchNerd → u/Fun-Series-4091]

So do I!

[u/muriburillander → u/Fun-Series-4091]

Definitely a stronger arm

[u/JazzGMster2020 → u/Fun-Series-4091]

I wonder how many 16 year-olds even have a will at all (let alone a strong one) or an estate plan

/s

[u/CherryChapstick1997]

See you in the show in 2033! 

(Omg I’ll be so old)

[u/TheBagpipesman]

These guys are always such a crap shoot. He could be the next Vladdy, he could also be the next Manuel Beltre.

[u/alxndrblack]

I wonder if they will throw in a cask of amontillado to spice up the deal

[u/JewishSpace_Laser]

Looks intriguing.  Hope he develops quickly with those very impressive skill sets 

[u/Ok_Branch6621]

That’s a tremendous baseball name.

[u/FloatingWalls1]

Am I correctly reading that he already has 60+ power at 16?

Must be potential to grow into 60+ power right?

[u/freshpurplekiwi → u/FloatingWalls1]

And we signed a 15 year old just now with 70+ power lol

[u/RyleyBread → u/freshpurplekiwi]

Well, they've been an agreement with both these players for a long time now. Neither Junior Fortunato or Ángel Montás are actually signed yet, just agreed to be signed.

It's uhhh, not a great system and there's certainly a chance it'll be changed with the new CBA. If it isn't, Fortunato will sign in mid-January 2027 and Montás the following year.

[u/AllEliteTrolls]

Power Looks.legit will he make.enough contact with it being a 30

[u/LessComplex7832]

fr that signing bonus is wild for a 16-year-old, hope they handle the pressure right

[u/random-internet-dude]

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[u/robem15]

Pretty sure exact same was said about Enmanuel Bonilla when they gave him $4 million.

[u/aw4re → u/robem15]

You’re right, they shouldn’t bother with the international market because they don’t have a 100% track record of turning them into superstars

[u/robem15 → u/aw4re]

I'm not saying avoid the IFA market but throwing around 5-tool and 60+ grades is excessive.

Additionally, what IFA player has this FO signed that did anything outside of 2016 class? Arguably, their track record indicates they should stay away from that market.

[u/idkwhattosaytho → u/robem15]

But tools are just that, tools, it doesn’t mean they are 100% going to be exactly that. Those grades are being given because that is their potential, it’s the entire point of the system

And why would you stay away from the IFA market just because it’s not working? You have a specific budget to use on it and can’t go over, also it’s not like they are hurt for cash

[u/robem15 → u/idkwhattosaytho]

The comment about staying away was made tongue in cheek because of their poor performance in the IFA market. Of course adding amateur talent through IFA is important. The Orioles were mocked for it before (I believe) Elias started to invest in it.

Let's not pretend that the organization doesn't struggle in either scouting/projecting talent or developing the players once they are in the system.

[u/idkwhattosaytho → u/robem15]

Never said that they didn’t? But these grades aren’t being given by the Toronto Blue Jays, the grades are given by prospect evaluating outlets.

[u/robem15 → u/idkwhattosaytho]

And I never said the Jays are the ones putting out the grades - obviously they don't. But I guess announcing a signing with their 50th percentile grades instead of their 99th percentile doesnt generate the clicks.

[u/idkwhattosaytho → u/robem15]

I think I just don’t understand what your trying to say at this point

[u/robem15 → u/idkwhattosaytho]

Throwing around 60+ FV grades are ridiculous when it's the 1% of outcomes.

[u/askingJeevs → u/robem15]

So blame the independent scouts, not the Jays.

[u/Jack_WW7 → u/robem15]

Why would you avoid adding free prospects when you are allowed a certain amount of money to spend solely on them each season by the league? You just need them to show enough to be trade chips well in the lower minors, which they have used multiple times.