The draft starts Monday and the international signing period is just around the corner, so it’s high time to start talking about some names that could be joining our Mariners in the near future.

I don’t think I’m going to do much in terms of pre-draft coverage.  Last year it was necessary with the Mariners picking four times by #51, but this time around the Mariners don’t even have their first pick until #43 and their second until #67.  Some great talent can still be found at those spots, but it’s not high enough to bother highlighting the dozens of ballplayers that could land at those spots.  Unless we hear specific names who the Mariners are targeting we probably won’t be saying much until we know who they actually did pick.

We will start talking about the international signing period, which kicks off on July 2nd. 

Let’s start by following up on Rafael DePaula.  We talked about him, his suspension and his connection with the Mariners back in February, but there hasn’t been much movement since then.  ESPN’s Jorge Arangure tweeted that the Mariners were still the favorites for DePaula’s services as recently as April 5th, however.  I’m not sure why there’s such a delay.

But DePaula is old news.  Let’s move on to discussing children who were born in the mid-90s.

Mexican 15 year old Luis Heredia is among the top prospects of this year’s class, and is reportedly being pursued by the Mariners.  Here is what the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette has to say:

Heredia, 15, is a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has been described in several publications as having four “plus” pitches, in the scouting vernacular, meaning the potential for all of those — fastball, changeup, slider and curveball — to above-average at the Major League Baseball level.

Also of interest:

It is not known how much of a bonus Heredia might command, as he is an unusual position of already having his rights owned by the Mexican professional team Veracruz. That means any major-league team’s dealings must come with Veracruz as much as with the player. Still, that could require more than $2 million, according to the source, maybe more.

The paper lists seven teams that are after Heredia so it could be difficult for the Mariners to gain the inside track, but the Mariners have a couple things going for them: 1.) Bob Engle, who is among the very best in the biz, and 2.) no early draft picks which may or may not more money to play with in the international arena.

This may be a good year to spend a little more too, as this year’s class is thought to be lighter than normal.

That said, if appears the Mariners already have $2M committed to sign Phillips Castillo, a Dominican outfielder and one of the higher ranked IFAs this time around for $2M.  Says Baseball America:

A 16-year-old righthanded hitter, Castillo has a wiry build at around 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and stands out for his potential at the plate, with excellent bat speed and power potential. With average speed and an average arm, Castillo will be a corner outfielder in pro ball.

BA also writes that the Mariners are in on Esteilon Peguero, who some see as the top hitter available.  The shortstop will likely have to move off the position.  I’m not sure if Esteilon is the same person as Martin Steylon Peguero, who is a shortstop being pursued by Seattle as well.  Gut says they’re one in the same.

More as we get closer.