This kid:

Val_Rosario

signed today in one of my worlds. Best IFA I've seen at the time of signing, but I've only got about 10 seasons of experience. Was wondering if anyone has seen one better and what they looked like at the time of signing.

Now, being that I am a firm believer in the idea that a guy can fully develop from day one in the majors, I would say that guy is a bone fide MLer right now. You would still have to limit his innings, but he would still contribute.

w/ an 84 stamina right now, I would think he could start right now and play all season long w/o wearing out, we're past the all star break. His team isn't in contention right now, so there's no need to start his clock. Unfortunatly he's in my division, so I'mhoping he stays in the minors for the rest of his career, or is at least traded, but what he could bring in return might be more of a threat to my team than he is alone.

Kazuhiro Kim was pretty good when he first signed (not much worse than his first "Spring Training" line in the player card). I let him pitch in the minors a little bit as I wanted him more developed before I started his clock and didn't have an immediate need, but he could have come in and been a good big league starting pitcher immediately.

how much did Val sign for?

looks like $18.5M. bargain.

Quote: Originally posted by taz21 on 6/01/2010w/ an 84 stamina right now, I would think he could start right now and play all season long w/o wearing out, we're past the all star break.  His team isn't in contention right now, so there's no need to start his clock.  Unfortunatly he's in my division, so I'mhoping he stays in the minors for the rest of his career, or is at least traded, but what he could bring in return might be more of a threat to my team than he is alone.

agreed, plus with a year or 2 he could develop acceptable shortstop ratings

This guy: Pedro Duran

I think it would be nearly impossible to beat Jorge Renteria, who was signed last year by a lucky team in Pine Tar for only $18.3 mil after many franchises had already spent large chunks of their prospect budgets. Went immediately to the majors and hit .348/.434/.723 with 30 home runs in only 267 at-bats. And he's a decent defensive catcher to boot.

Duran spent virtually no time in the minors and has been an exceptional MLer. I see the same for Rosario.

There have been two threads about guys who almost never spent any time in the minors as IFAs. I'm sure they were really good, save for their durability.

This guy was the best I've personally seen, but some of these others are definitely better:



http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=2992163

Orber James was signed when I was in The Show II.

Geronimo Elcano was signed in Shoeless Joe.

Some damn good IFA's. I've never seen one like those in any of my worlds.

Eugenio Martin in World GD Bryant is the best I've seen