Welcome to the Blue, Oscar Arzaga!

Here's a new Dodger signing that I first noticed due to a Reddit post by r/mevans93308 (first mentioned by @MiLBMoves on twitter).  The Dodgers apparently signed 16-year old right-handed Mexican pitching prospect Oscar Alejandro Arzaga a couple weeks ago.

From what I understand, he did some training at the Gonzalez Sports Academy in Chula Vista that is operated by the father of Adrian Gonzalez and his brother.  He stands 6'5" tall and is 210 lbs, so he's certainly a big kid.  Also, Arzaga was reported to have been throwing in the mid-90's last year.  Perfect Game gave him a prospect grade of 10 out of 10.  Per a scouting report posted by Jason Shetler at Bucco Nation on 2/2/2015 when he was 15-years old:

Arzaga is a tall right-hander who stands 6’5. Along with the fastball, he throws a curveball, changeup and slider. His slider is already being considered a good pitch. Given his huge upside, Arzaga will likely be the most sought after Latin amateur player once the International signing period begins July 2nd.

Of course, at only 16-years of age you shouldn't expect the world from him.  He's got a long way to go before he really shows up on anybody's radar screens.  Still, this signing has got to make Dodgers fans feel good.  We continue to solidify an already great minor league system with players who could potentially be on everybody's lips in four to five years.  

BTW, there is no word yet on what his signing bonus was, but it was reported by Más Béisbol Dorados de Chihuahua on Facebook that he received an higher offer from the Cardinals.  His dream, though, was to be a Dodger.  FanGraphs projected his bonus would be at about $350,000.00.

Per Más Béisbol Dorados de Chihuahua on Facebook:

Via a poor online translation:  "I'm very happy for this step so big, ' cause I worked to get this triumph, but best of all, I know that I love what I do and I'm proud to be an example to all, because if you propose a goal nothing more is Issue of desire and love what you do, give thanks to God for this opportunity so big and I would like to say to all my fellow countrymen of Chihuahua, every dream can be achieved just got to have discipline, enjoy and trust in what you do and never give Up, as hard as this is the way. That makes you stronger. Give thanks to my angels guardiánes, Adrian Gonzalez, Edgar Gonzalez and Mr. David Gonzalez."

On another note, the teenager already has a Baseball card available on the market.  It's a part of the 2014 Leaf Perfect Game set.  Arzaga has a base and autograph card available.  Check them both out below:

 #238 Oscar Arzaga                                #AOA2 Oscar Arzaga

In celebration of his signing with the Dodgers I made the above  (at the very top) fantasy Baseball card of him using a photo grabbed at Más Béisbol Dorados de Chihuahua on Facebook and the 1982 Topps Baseball card design.

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