Julio Teheran: Colombia Serves Up Prospects

Written by Rue on March 10, 2008 – 9:25 pm

With the recent buzz around international prospects (namely 17 year-old Julio Teheran), we figured we’d post some of what we could find.  Notable players like Edgar Renteria have been acquired from Colombian leagues, and if he’s any indication, it certainly won’t be a bad call to keep up the recruiting.  There are currently 47 Colombian players in the US major/minor systems (as well as 16 from the Dominican Republic, and 12 from Venezuela), so it seems that some of this recruiting is worth the effort.  However, since 1972, there have only been seven players to make it to the majors, the rest staying in the minors and other feeder leagues.  According to El Heraldo de Colombia, there are five major prospects in Colombia with Teheran making the biggest waves. 

It seems that every bit of information out there says the same thing about this guy.

Full Name: Julio Teheran Pinto
Age: 17 (DOB: Jan 27, 1991)
Location: Columbia
Signed: 2007 with the Braves for $800,000 (highest ever for a Colombian)

He was recruited by five different organizations, and threw a 92 mph fastball in try-outs. Typically he averages about 94 mph.  Baseball is in his blood; apparently his uncle, Miguel Teheran was a stand-out player (and is a current talent scout in Colombia - for the Braves, might I add). He’s tall and thin, 6′2.4″, 189 pounds. Growing up, he was called “the Horse” because of his size, force, and conviction. He has a consistent curve ball and sinker, and his other pitches are at least average. He’s a Curt Schilling and John Smoltz admirer, and according to sources will be playing AA ball in 2008.  Many hope that in three years he will continue in the footsteps of Emiliano Fruit, the first Colombian pitcher in the Major Leagues.  

Venezuelan Daniel Mavarez (Barranquilla pitching coach) says Teheran’s the best he’s ever seen for his age in Latin America. For the past two years, the Yankees, BoSox, Mets, Cardinals, and Tigers have been eyeing him, and are rumored to have even offered more money for him than the Braves laid out. Why did he land in Atlanta? Well, we can apparently thank Uncle Miguel for that one, too - and maybe a bit to Edgar Renteria for having a brother who has been linked to Teheran in Columbian league play, and for being a “magnificent” mentor to young Julio when he came to visit Atlanta.  We’ll definitely let you know more as we find it out, because we’re just as interested as the next guy.

The other prospects include Jair Fernandez, Ronald Ramirez, Donovan Solano, and Martin Vega, all of whom are currently playing in single A clubs for the Mariners, Astros, Cardinals, and Mariners, respectively.  Hopefully we will be able to see some great things out of these international prospects, and we’ll definitely keep our eyes on Teheran for the next few seasons.  

Tags: Edgar Renteria, Julio Teheran, Julio Tehran
Posted in Minor Leagues |