Royals Sign Venezuelan Pitchers Julio Pinto and Junior Reyes

The Kansas City Royals have signed two Venezuelan youngsters, right-hander Julio Pinto and left-hander Junior Reyes, to big league contracts, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.

Pinto, who signed for $375,000, is a projection arm who throws 88-92 mph with developing secondary stuff that includes a curveball and a changeup... Reyes, who signed for $155,000, is 5-foot-11, 165 pounds and has good control of an 87-89 mph fastball.

While Pinto projects to have the greater upside between the two signings, Reyes has impressed scouts with his "pitchability".

Pinto and Reyes are the second and third Venezuelan 16-year-olds to sign with Kansas City in the past week. Third baseman Samir Duenez, who is represented by the same agent as Pinto, signed with the Royals last Thursday for $425k. Pinto and Duenez traveled to the Dominican Republic together last month to compete in the DPL's Perfect Game International Series, where Pinto was named the pitching MVP of the all-tournament game.

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Are the Royals doing enough in the international market?

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