Right handed pitcher Kelvin Gonzalez, signed by the Royals out of Mao, Dominican Republic in September of 2015, has been traded to the Texas Rangers for international signing bonus pool money.

Gonzalez spent all of 2016 and most of 2017 in the Dominican Summer League, where he pitched in relief.  In 2017, Gonzalez made his debut state side in the Arizona League.  He was with the short season Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League for all of 2018 until the trade.

Kelvin Gonzalez has not appeared on any prominent prospect lists for the Royals.

The Royals have signed several international players in 2018, including the following:

Wilmin Candelario, SS, Dominican Republic – $847,500
Omar Florentino, SS, Dominican Republic — $722,500
Jaswel De Los Santos, OF, Dominican Republic –$347,500
Christian Paulino, LHP, Dominican Republic — $347,500
Kaito Yuki, RHP, Japan — $322,500

Florentino was ranked by Baseball America as the 18th overall July 2nd international signing period prospect.

The Royals Farm Report believes this trade is interesting because it potentially signals the signing of an international player during the 2018-2019 signing period, which ends June 15, 2019.  However, the mlb.com transactions lists this trade for “future considerations”

which may mean this trade is for future international bonus pool allotment beyond the 2018-2019 signing period.

Either way, the Royals Farm Report happily cosign on trades for international singing bonus pool money.

Photo Credit – milb.com