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LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Tuesday announced the signing of five prospects from four different countries, part of a renewed effort after bolstering their international scouting staff.
The oldest of the bunch is 18-year old Misja Harcksen, a right-handed pitcher from Rotterdam, Netherlands. He was signed by scouts Bob Engel and Eugene Grimaldi.
"This is really my dream," Harcksen said in December about signing with the Dodgers, per Honkballsite.com, which also reported the pitcher will likely join the Dodgers at their complex in Arizona in June, after completing high school.
Here is video from October of Harcksen throwing a bullpen session:
The other four players signed by the Dodgers:
- Venezuelan catcher Gersel Pitre, a 17-year-old from the city of Vargas, signed by scouts Pedro Avila and Patrick Guerrero
- Dominican outfielder Julio Lugo, a 16-year-old from Bani, signed by Franklin Taveras, Guerrero and Engle
- Curacao outfielder Shakir Albert, a 16-year old from Willemstad, the same home town as Kenley Jansen; signed by scouts Rolando Chirino, Camilo Pascual and Engle
- Curacao catcher Hendrik Clementina, a 16-year old also from Willemstad, signed by Chirino, Guerrero and Engle
The Dodgers say that in 2013 they signed 47 international amateurs, including 23 from the Dominican Republic, 10 from Venezuela, four from Mexico, two from Colombia, two from Curacao, and one each from Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Panama.