Brooklyn State of Mind: Wait, The Robins Used IFA For Once? (2060.3)

[lordtoffee]

For the first time in years, the Robins actually have spent in the international amateur free agent market. Some might say that the Robins international scouting department was a myth, or a cover for a CIA operation years in the making, but after this year you can't say that the Robins have been sitting on their hands and refusing to fish in this stream. The Robins are under the signing cap, and so will have zero restrictions on signing international amateurs in 2061.

The first of the two players that the Robins got from the IFA pool is Narayana Manjanatha. The scouting report on him is that he could be high up or tops of a rotation in the future. That being said, he is only 17 and will get some seasoning in the minors. With the Robins already having top prospect Jose Torres likely set to get another year in the minors at either AA or AAA, the hope is that Manjanatha can develop while hopefully joining Torres as a possible pair of good pitchers that the Robins hope will be a playoff contender in the next couple of years. He has the raw talent, but developing is going to be his goal as he adjusts to pro pitching in Rookie ball this year.

The second player that the Robins chose to acquire in the IFA pool is Altair bin Jabbar, a catcher. The hope with him is that he can develop into a solid offensive catcher, and will stay in the international complex as he is 16 and would likely need that extra seasoning before he faces pro pitching. While his defense isn't great based on scouting reports, that is something that the development lab can work with. bin Jabbar is going to be someone who should provide some value down the line at a position of need in catcher, and that is always a good thing.