Jairo

Beras

Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press reported early Wednesday morning that the Rangers had signed Beras for $4.5 million. However, MLB was under the impression that Beras was 16 years old and ineligible to be signed. Stay tuned.

The Rangers have invested $13 million in three international prospects over the past seven months, so they are clearly trying to get ahead of the new cap on international spending, which will go into effect this summer. Beras checks in at 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds and is highly regarded for his power potential.

Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press reported early Wednesday morning that the Rangers had signed Beras for $4.5 million. Meanwhile, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that Beras’ birthdate was listed as December 25th, 1995, which means he isn’t 17 years old yet. Unless that information was incorrect, the Rangers might have some explaining to do.

The Rangers agreed to sign Beras for $4.5 million back in February, but MLB’s labor department and the department of investigations have been reviewing his documentation to determine his correct age. While the Rangers insist that he is 17 years old, Beras was listed with a birthdate of December 25, 1995 in February’s MLB prospect showcase in the Dominican Republic. If he is only 16 years old, he wouldn’t be eligible to sign until the international signing period begins on July 2.

Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press reported earlier this week that the Rangers had signed Beras for $4.5 million, but age restrictions may prevent the deal from being approved. MLB is under the impression that Beras is 16 years old and ineligible to be signed.

Beras gave a birthdate of December 25, 1995 at a prospect showcase back in February. Which would make him 16. But when he agreed to a deal with the Rangers before the July 2 international signing period, it was revealed that he was actually 17. The one-year punishment isn’t all that harsh considering he’s several years from reaching the upper levels of pro ball.

Not a bad day at the office for the power-hitting 21-year-old. Beras also supplied five RBI to lead the Mavericks to a 14-13 over Rancho Cucamonga. He’s hit .345 with five homers and 10 RBI during his seven-game hitting streak. Thanks to his recent power binge, Beras is now tied for fourth in the California League with 17 round-trippers. Unfortunately, he also sports an atrocious 98/16 K/BB and a disappointing .249 batting average. Beras offers a world of potential but he still has some rough edges to smooth out.

Beras ripped a two-run single in the first and followed that up with a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning. That blast was Beras’ first since June 21. He’s hit .283 with 19 RBI since June 1. Before that, Beras was batting .195 with just three RBI. The 20-year-old posted a .242 average in 110 games for Hickory last season.

Beras finally got his average above the Mendoza line on Sunday, and his season line sits at .201/.269/.251 with six doubles and one home run. However, 18-year old Beras has improved each month, hitting .176/.240/.176 with 38.7% of his plate appearances ending in strikeout in April, .214/.267/.286 with 37.3% of his plate appearances ending in strikeout in May, and .220/.319/.317 with 29.8% of his plate appearances ending in strikeout so far in June. If you like toolsy prospects with All-Star upside and extreme risk, Beras is your type of prospect.

Beras is hitting just .194/.262/.229 with six doubles and 69 strikeouts in 51 games, but, at 18, started the season as the third youngest player in affiliated baseball who was not in complex-league games. After the kerfuffle surrounding the Rangers signing of Beras and the MLB investigation, Beras will remain a notable prospect even if he proves he is not worthy of the Rangers’ $4.5 million investment.