Astros sign 7 prospects on first day of the international signing period including Freudis Nova

The Houston Astros have made some moves on the opening day of International signing in Major League Baseball. Most notably the Astros have picked up top-10 Dominican shortstop Freudis Nova. Joining Nova is Venezuelan shortstop Yorbin Ceuta, Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Angel Macuare, Dominican catcher Nerio Rodriguez, Dominican Jeury Castillo, Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Jairo Solis, and Dominican Deury Carrasco.

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez notes:

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Nova is known for his strong and athletic body. He has a good arm with soft hands and playable range on defense. He is considered an offensive-minded player who shows good bat speed and features a slight uppercut swing.

MLB.com ranked Nova as their No. 8 overall international prospect. Baseball America ranked Nova as their No. 5 overall prospect. Cueta checked in at No.11, Macuare at No. 40, and Rodriguez at No. 43.

The figures have also been released but unconfirmed by the Astros. Nova signed for $ 1.2 million, Ceuta for $1 million, Macuare for $695,000, Carrasco for $480,000, and Solis for $450,000. The total singing total is well over the Astros poll of $2,197,000 -- the Astros will be required to pay a 100 percent tax on the overage and be barred from signing players for over $300,000 for the next two signing periods.