Braves sign shortstop prospect from Tenerife

by gondeee on Jul 31, 2009 9:08 AM EDT in Braves Minor League News

The Atlanta Braves Canary Islands baseball academy on Tenerife has yielded its first product. The team has signed shortstop Alejandro Sánchez. He is the first Spanish-born player signed by the Braves, and he is also the first player signed from the teams new baseball academy on the island of Tenerife.

This is not really a major international signing, but its good to see the team getting an early return on their investment in Tenerife. Europe might be the next great prospect haven, and the Braves have a strong foot in the door. Sanchez is the second European prospect the Braves have signed this year, the other being back in April.

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Just curious,...

any word on the Dutchman’s progress? The original plan is said to have been to get him in rookie ball this year, but I haven’t seen him in any box score or anything.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 31, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

He’s playing/played (not sure when the season ends) in the Australian league and was pretty bad statistically. The Australian league is where most of the Euro/Asian prospects seem to be playing to start out.

by 17843 on Jul 31, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

So why don’t we open an academy in, oh, say…Europe?

If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).

Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.

by TradeAndruw on Jul 31, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

Last time I checked a map, Spain was part of Europe.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 31, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

You know what I meant, the Canary Islands isn’t exactly the heart of Europe. We should go to India and try to convert some cricketers.

If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).

Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.

by TradeAndruw on Jul 31, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I kno what you mean. Germany seems like it would be a good central location.

by bbxxj on Jul 31, 2009 11:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i live in Prague...

and it is too rainy and snowy for any real Academy in Central Europe unless they do it indoors.

besides, too many toolsy players playing football (soccer to us Americans) that they don’t have the time to develop the skills necessary to be pro baseball players.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 31, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

How do I know what you mean? If that’s what you meant, why not just say it?

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 31, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

You don’t think perhaps the decision to put the academy there was based on business considerations not made public? Like cheaper land, government concessions, better weather, etc.

by 17843 on Jul 31, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

They've already tried that, actually...

The Pirates signed a couple of Indian pitchers who won a reality show over there. It was on Real Sports.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 31, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I think since they speak Spanish there in Spainland they must be part of Mexico or somethin.

by bbxxj on Jul 31, 2009 11:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Then they would have to speak Mexican…duhhhh!!

A man walks into a meat shoppe and goes to the counter. The cashier asks, "Thinking about buying some meat?". The man replied, "No, I'm going to buy meat, I was thinking about punanny."

by bwellnjonesco on Jul 31, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

actually...

it’s called Castilian.

they also speak Catalan and Basque in Spain.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 31, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm I thought

Tenerife is an Island off the coast of Africa….Baseball in Europe, the hotbed of Footzball…I feel better saying this than Soccer?
When they have the Olympic tourney the Dutch do good because they can draw on their Teritories in the Carib..
.If you were to put teams in Europe the best weather, where you could play at least a half season would be Southern Spain…and some of the Med’s Islands (to include Greece) but the only thing bad about that would be is these places are loaded down with tourists (half naked) May- September, that would not be interested in watching a game they don’t understand and could not fight about (I know Footzball stereotype). What made/makes baseball so popular is that it is a game anyone can play almost at any age and any level….but one that is not often played in the Rain.
Cricket is popular in England because it was made for drinking…I could explain further if asked but it is good that we have expanded our recruitment of players!

by bravestatoo on Aug 1, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions