It turns out that Nationals shortstop prospect Esmailyn Gonzalez isn’t 19. Or that is he is Esmailyn Gonzalez for that matter.
Instead, sources have told SI.com that Gonzalez is actually 23 and that his real name is Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo.
Gonzalez was BA’s No. 10 Nationals prospect entering this season, which will be his third since singing a controversial, $1.4 million bonus out of the Dominican Republic. But given the revelations about his age, Gonzalez certainly would not have made BA’s Nationals Top 10 list. In fact, as a 23-year-old with modest tools playing in the Gulf Coast League, he would not have ranked in the Top 30.His bonus was the largest international signing bonus in Nationals history but controversial because Washington’s description of him as a five-tool talent didn’t square with the evaluations from scouts of other clubs. Nicknamed "Smiley" for his energy and enthusiasm, Gonzalez hit .343/.431/.475 with two home runs and 33 RBIs in 181 at-bats in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2008. But in light of his age, he should have been dominating that level.
The Nationals had planned on sending Gonzalez to low Class A this year, but in light of the age revelations, he likely will have to be promoted on a much more aggressive timetable to try to regain some prospect status.
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I think team’s should start including language in the contracts that will allow them to get the bonus back if the player lied about their age.
The Nats would love to have an extra $1.4 Mil to spend in the draft. Just think, they could have used this money to sign Aaron Crow last year.
Posted by Phil Case | February 18, 2009 at 11:47 am | ShortcutI agree. That $1.4 million goes a long ways at this point and time.
Posted by Ryan | February 18, 2009 at 5:13 pm | Shortcut