Dominican Republic baseball farms harvest US$ millions

Santo Domingo.- Prospects groomed in Dominican Republic baseball farms on Thursday beamed on big bonuses and expectations of large salaries in their leap to the professional stage.

Leading this year’s pack figure shortstop Wander Javier who signed for US$4.0 million with the Minnesota Twins and outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr for US$3.9 million with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Outfielder Starling Heredia signed for US$2.6 million and shortstop Rony Brito for US$2.0 million both with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while outfielder Gilberto Celestino will pocket US$2.25 million from the Houston Astros.

"I’m very happy because I achieved my dream of becoming a baseball player, it is realized," said Brito.

For Celestino there are no words for what he’s going through at such a young age.

More ink

Outfielder Leodys Taveras signed for US$2.1 million with the Texas Rangers while the Seattle Mariners got shortstop Carlos Vargas for US$1.7 million.

The Chicago Cubs are also expect to formalize signatures worth several millions today; Yonathan Sierra for US$2.5 million and shortstop Aramis Aderman for US$2.0 million while the Kansas City Royals will contract shortstop Jeison Guzman for US$1.5 million.