Pikesville, Pelotero, Paley: A Sequel for Miguel Sano

by | Apr 13, 2013 | Major League Baseball

Over the past six years, I have taken an interest in Jon Paley and his fellow filmmakers in their effort in developing Pelotero into a movie.  In 2011, the film about amateur baseball in the Dominican Republic was completed and began making the film festival rounds.  Right now, the film is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime.  If you have not seen it yet, I fully encourage you to do so.  Below is the trailer:
Now, the Pelotero crew is moving onto the next phase, transitioning from an international amateur to a professional baseball player, with top Twins’ prospect Miguel Sano.  Where the last film left Sano signing his contract with the Twins after a gruelingly prolonged signing process as MLB led a rather questionable investigation into his age, which seemed more like an attempt to lower his signing bonus and push him to certain teams.  The documentary failed to fully elucidate the process to determine if any wrongdoing was actually occurring, but what remains out of sight seems like it there would be difficulty in appropriately explaining what went down.
The new film will show him moving through a short period at the academy.  Sano is too developed to stay there long and quickly is moved to the United States where he must adapt to a much more competitive game, being self-sufficient, and a much different culture in the United States.  To bring this film to fruition, the film crew started a Kickstarter campaign a few weeks ago with the modest hope they could raise $25,000 to generate just enough money to put a picture together to sell to a production company for final touches.  They quickly achieved that goal and realized they could put a much better movie together if they could raise an additional $20,000.  With only a couple days left, you could help them reach that new goal.  Depending on your contribution, you may also get something in return.
As of 4/13/2013 – noon
327 Backers
$29,489 in Contributions
4 Days Left
At the end of the article is a summary of contributing rewards.

The films also have a local link beyond the story of how the Orioles twice passed on signing Sano (once for more than what they paid Garrett Atkins and later for less than what they paid Atkins).  They were always in the background and were laying in wait the entire time.  Just before the signing period began, they brought him in for two workouts with Stockstill giving rave reports.  The team allegedly was about to offer a 5MM bonus, but were scared off by MLB’s age investigation.  Later, they were given the opportunity to beat out the Twins’ offer, but they still were concerned that MLB had issues with Sano’s reported age.

The other local link is that Jon Paley grew up in Pikesville and was an ardent Baltimore Orioles fan.  After about ten years of losing misery, he began to focus on the Orioles minor league system and noticed how many ball players (more from other organizations) were coming from the Dominican pipeline.  He wanted to understand this talent source and so began a journey to make a couple films.

A few weeks ago, I asked Paley a few questions regarding Baltimore and the Dominican.

Jon Shepherd: It has been a while since you were focused on the general international scene down in the Dominican.  Have you felt there has been any change in the Orioles’ presence?

Jon Paley: I only wish Duquette had been around in 2009.  We might be seeing Miguel Sano tearing it up in Orange and Black in Delmarva by now.  I think history will show that MacPhail made a mistake by not making the move when he had the inside chance.

JS: Popular thought based on anecdotal evidence suggests that Dominicans are mainly supporters of the Yankees.  Did you find that to be true?  Do you think it impact signings?

JP: Fandom works a little differently in the DR.  You and I will live and die by the success of the O’s no matter who is on the roster.  In my experience, most Dominicans root for their countrymen rather than exclusively one team.  So 90% of the time, players sign where the money is.

JS: For filmmakers wanting to use Kickstarter to help finance their endeavors in baseball, do you have any words of wisdom?

JP: Kickstarter is an amazing tool for filmmakers, but it has to be wielded delicately.  It is an incredible amount of work to launch a successful campaign and it is really important to deliver on what you promised.  We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received so far.

If you want to help Jon and his fellow filmmakers with this film, visit their Kickstarter site.  Below is what is currently available.

Pledge Item Pelotero Sequel Film Credit Remaining
$5 Thank You Infinite
$15 X X Infinite
$20 X X Infinite
$30 Postcard X X Infinite
$40 Tshirt X X Infinite
$40 Signed Sano Photo X X 28
$45 X X X Infinite
$50 Signed Sano Wobblehead X X Sold Out
$75 Full Sized Photo X X Infinite
$100 Sano signed Baseball X X 19
$150 Rosewood Headphones X X 3
$250 Sano signed Bat X 2
$250 Nats Tickets X X Sold Out
$300 Classic Baseball Opus X 1
$500 NYC Private Screening X 2
$2,500 DR Baseball Tour and Poster X X X 4
$4,000 The DR trip mentioned above for two people 2
$10,000 Shoot with the crew X Sold Out
Jon Shepherd
Jon Shepherd

Jon Shepherd founded the Baltimore Orioles blog Camden Depot in 2007. In addition to Baltimore Orioles analysis, the blog also focuses on qualitative and quantitative approaches to assessing baseball in general as well as providing mainstream reviews and commentary on substances alleged to performance enhancing. Dr. Shepherd’s writing has been featured on ESPN, and his blog has been part of the ESPN Sweetspot Network since May 2011. He has made radio and podcast appearances for Orioles’ centered programs.

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