Oz Ocampo Discusses International Signing Day

Monday marked the beginning of MLB's 2024 international signing period. The Miami Marlins opened it up by signing 21 new players for a total of $4.765M in bonuses, highlighted by Venezuelan outfielder Luis Cova ($1.4M bonus).

In his second year as a Marlins assistant GM, Oz Ocampo is temporarily overseeing the organization's international operations. He spoke to the media once these signings were made official.

"I told our international staff this morning that I was just very thankful for all their efforts to get to this day," said Ocampo. He singled out Román Ocumarez (director of international scouting), David Hernandez-Beayne (assistant director of international scouting), Manny Padron (international crosschecker) and Adrian Puig (international crosschecker), and also Adrian Lorenzo, Miami's former senior director of international operations. Lorenzo declined to renew his contract with the Marlins last fall in order to pursue his passion in art.

"I saw most of these players when I was a competitor, when I was seeing these players as an Astro or Pirate," Ocampo added. "I was excited coming into the Marlins. We knew that we were bringing them into the system."

Ocampo had high praise for the "wiry, athletic" Luis Cova, who stands at 6'2", 175 pounds.

"Evaluated in the infield and saw the actions and athleticism, but when they saw him in the outfield, that's when they really saw the instincts start to come out," said Ocampo. "As they started to see him move in the outfield, they saw that he had a natural feel in the outfield—his jumps, his routes, his ability to close in on balls were really good."

Cova is the Marlins' fifth-most expensive signing under the existing international free agent rules. However, history says that doesn't guarantee success as Victor Victor Mesa ($5.25M) is at the top of that list followed by Yiddi Cappe, José Salas and Ynmanol Marinez.

Even with all of Monday's activity, the Marlins still have $1.755M remaining in their bonus pool for the 2024 signing period, which runs through December 15.

"We do have flexibility to continue to sign players for the remainder of the signing class," said Ocumarez. "That is something that we continue to emphasize from class to class."

The Marlins have been busy remaking their front office this offseason under Peter Bendix, but there is no hurry to replace Lorenzo, according to Ocampo.

Expect many of these new acquisitions to make their minor league debuts later this year with the Marlins' Dominican Summer League teams.

Photo: Miami Marlins