In the pre-Mike Elias days of the Orioles, the start of a new signing period for international amateurs meant little for the franchise. Those days are over now. The Orioles were able to jump in on day one of the signing period that begins today with a slate of 17 announced signings, including the club’s first two international amateurs to receive bonuses in excess of $1 million.
Under ordinary circumstances, the players being signed today would have been signed on July 2, 2020. MLB postponed the traditional date for COVID-related reasons. The Orioles have a pool of nearly $6 million available to give out to these amateurs without incurring any penalties.