Yadier Alvarez likely to remain in Dominican Republic for 2015 season

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers were busy on the first day of the 2015-2016 international signing period, officially signing nine players, headlined by 19-year-old Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez.

The Dodgers signed Alvarez to a $16 million bonus, the second-largest bonus given to an amateur, trailing only the $31.5 million secured by Red Sox infielder Yoan Moncada in March.

Alvarez, represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council, was signed by Dodgers vice president of international scouting Bob Engle along with scouts Patrick Guerrero and Mike Tosar.

Alvarez is 6'2, 170 pounds, and the Dodgers were enamored with his live arm dating back to December.

"He's one of the more talented teenage right-handed pitchers we've seen. A lot of us have been doing this a long time," said Josh Byrnes, Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations. "He has a prototypical body, with high-end velocity. We've seen him consistently 92-97 mph, occasionally touching 99-100. There is very little effort, a pretty good feel for secondary pitches, and he's a pretty good strike-thrower.

"He's got a long way to go, but his foundation, his ingredients for his age are pretty rare, so we're excited to have him."

Alvarez has been working out and throwing for the last few weeks at the Dodgers' facility in Campo Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic. He might remain there to close out the 2015 season, too.

"We'll probably keep him in the Dominican all summer, get him acclimated and get a foundation built. We may not have him come over to the States until next spring."

The Dodgers Dominican Summer League team has games through Aug. 22, so there is ample time for Alvarez to see game action this season.