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By Jon Vankin
Contributing Sports Writer
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Pitchers who throw 100 mph have become much more common in baseball over the past decade than they ever were in the past — but pitchers who hit triple digits when they are still only 16 years old remain rare. The San Diego Padres thought they had one in Yoel King, a prospect from the Dominican Republic. But their agreement with King is now in doubt, according to a report Saturday.
The Padres had reached a deal with the teenage fireballer, according to journalist Francys Romero of BeisbolFR, that would have paid him a bonus of about $1.5 million if he signed with San Diego when he became eligible next year. But now his representatives reportedly believe he can get more money from another MLB organization.
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According to another journalist who covers international prospects, Wilber Sánchez, King appears to be backing out of the Padres agreement. While teams may not sign international prospects before age 16 — assuming they will turn 17 by Sept. 1 of the signing year — they may reach informal agreements with prospects from outside the United States at any age.
But the deals are not legally binding, and teenage prospects often change their minds. That appears to be the case with King, according to Sánchez.
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"Yoel King may NOT sign with the San Diego Padres. After several teams informed the prospect’s camp that they are willing to offer up to $2.0 million, a figure higher than the amount reportedly agreed upon with the Padres, the situation has shifted," the journalist wrote on Saturday. "The agents representing the 16-year-old phenom, who has touched 101 mph, have begun evaluating the proposals before making a final decision."
Even if the Padres are ultimately able to sign King after all, it will still likely be years before fans see him throw at Petco Park. Typically, international free agents play a season, or part of one, in the Dominican Summer League or another similar league after signing. It can be a year or more before their debut as professionals.
And at that point, they still have an arduous climb through the minor leagues ahead of them. Though King appears, based on his velocity, to be a gifted prospect, there remains a big leap between pitching against other teenagers — even throwing over 100 mph — and facing major league hitters in competitive games.
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