Another Saturday night drinking with thew scouts at the Barleymoe

     Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by George Dickel, Jack Daniels, and Jose Cuervo

Elijah: A while back pimpbotlove commented about the internationals being a stronger group than normal. I thought we should chat about it tonight.

Jose: It just wasn't pimpbotlove, dyoungquist and dherz_263 also commented about the IFA's.

Elijah: Well it too early to grade this group; but do you guys think this is a better class than previous years?

George: Looking back 8 years it seems good but not outside the norm. 10 IFA's got a bonus over $9.9 million which is about average. In 4 of the 8 years that was the case. 3 other years had 9 hitting that figure. Only season 50 was really bad with 6 players.

Jack: But this season's $177.4 million is much higher than the previous years. And none of those players approached the amount thuggis gave Wladimir Campos in season 53- $37 million.

Jose: A lot of money was spent on the top players but it is nothing like season 52, when 4 shortstops got the highest bonuses.

Elijah: Well that is two years playing time. We can compare how they are doing. Jose tell me who those players are.

Jose: The four guys are: Willie Espinosa $21.6 by Louisville Duoz

                                        Alejandro Lugo $21.0 by Burlington Blue hens

                                        Francisco Chavez $17.4 by Chicago Charge

                                        Stolmy De Paula $17.1 by Toronto Shamrocks

Elijah: George what do you know about De Paula?

George: Elijah, De Paula is at triple-A, still a shortstop and probably will stay there. his cumulative batting average is .306. Might be in the bigs next year.

Elijah: Jack what about Lugo?

Jack: Lugo has only made it to double-A so far. He's more of a power hitter; having won a silver slugger this year. Has an average of .292 in his career. Lacks a little bit of range and may have to move from shortstop.

Elijah: Jose give me some information on Espinosa.

Jose: Espinosa made the majors this season. His minor league average was .305. He has already moved off the shortstop position to third base. He hit a homer every 16 at bats in his age 21 season.

Elijah: Fellas, I'll  cover Chavez. He has been on the DL in each of the last two seasons. He has a .352 minor league batting average and is a true shortstop. If redsox666666 can keep him healthy I think he might be the best. I guess we will know in about 10 years. Time to go fellows until next time.