Nationals Hire International Scouting Director

Filling a hole that's existed in the Nationals front office since basically forever, the Nationals have hired Red Sox Latin American Coordinator Johnny DiPuglia as their International Scouting Director. So reports Melissa Segura at Sports Illustrated.

The Nationals have been pretty much completely absent from the international talent market forever, and no team's been more aggressive and successful than the Red Sox. DiPuglia has a great pedigree and an impressive track record of signings:

DiPuglia, of Dominican descent, was raised in Miami and started his professional baseball career in 1990 as an area scout for the St. Louis Cardinals. He moved on to the San Francisco Giants as the assistant international director in 1998. During his tenure with the Red Sox, he was instrumental in the team's signing of All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez. He also can count Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco, Marlins hurler Anibal Sanchez (he of a no-hitter in 2006), Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, and former longtime utilityman Eli Marerro among his 19 signees who have made it to the majors.

When the Lerners first bought the team, there was a lot of talk about making this team the Washington InterNationals. But so far those promises have been totally unfulfilled.

This is a very good step in the right direction. Hopefully DiPuglia will have budget to hire a robust staff of scouts to cover the enormous pool of talent that exists outside U.S. borders.