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Tigers Sign Prospect Julio Martinez

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers signed 16-year-old prospect Julio Martinez for $600,000 Wednesday, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

Martinez, from the Dominican Republic, ranks at No. 19 on MLB.com's list of top international prospects. His profile on the site lauds the young outfielder for keeping his hands inside and making adjustments at the plate and also praises his power and ability to drive the ball to all fields.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski is renowned for his savvy decisions regarding trades and acquisitions, but the team's farm system is often referred to as one of the worst in the majors.

Baseball Prospectus ranked Detroit's farm system 29th, characterizing it as "a system built on Venezuelan dreams and a lot of really fringy stateside talent." The site noted that adding starting pitching prospect Robbie Ray helped.

Perhaps the addition of Martinez will help, too.

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