MLB International Signing Period Contract Updates for Giants, Phillies, Mets, More
MLB's international signing period opened Thursday, giving teams the chance to add amateur prospects from around the world.
Plenty of teams got busy adding talent to their system. Here's a look at where some of MLB.com's top prospects signed on Thursday.
- Luis Hernandez, SS, Venezuela, San Francisco Giants: $5 million
- Wandy Asigen, SS, D.R., New York Mets: $3.9 million
- Francisco Renteria, OF, Venezuela, Philadelphia Phillies: $4 million
- Angeibel Gomez, OF, Venezuela, Kansas City Royals: $2.9 million
- Johenssy Colome, SS, D.R., Athletics: $4 million
- Angel Nunez Jr., OF, D.R., Cincinnati Reds: $3 million
- Jeancer Custodio, OF, D.R., Pittsburgh Pirates: $900,000
- Emanuel Luna, OF, D.R., St. Louis Cardinals: $2.3 million
- Jeyson Horton, SS, D.R., Los Angeles Angels: $2 million
- Elian Rosario, OF/3B, D.R., Texas Rangers, $2.5 million
The full list of where MLB.com's top international prospects signed can be found here.
This year's international signing period marks another successful one for the Giants. Last year, they signed the top amateur player from Latin America, Josuar Gonzalez. He was also the No. 2 overall player behind coveted pitcher Rokie Sasaki, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gonzalez has already excelled, dominating in the Dominican Summer League and coming in at No. 82 on MLB.com's prospect rankings, despite being just 18 years old.
The Giants will hope to see that kind of progression from Hernandez.
Hernandez, 17, is the star pupil of former MLB All-Star Carlos Guillén, according to MLB.com. He spent time in the Venezuelan Major League as a 15-year-old and hit .346 in 104 at-bats.
The Mets also landed a potential star in Asigen, who combines speed and power to make him a dangerous presence at the plate.
"The excitement around Asigen's prospect profile stems primarily from his special left-handed swing," MLB.com wrote of Asigen. "He has ripped off 110+ mph exit velocities and is repeatedly able to find the barrel during in-game action. Asigen has a knack for creating loft from his frame, something that should allow him to continue to tap into his above-average power as he continues to fill out. The quickness of his hands has evaluators excited about the future potential impact he can have with the bat."
It could be a while before Hernandez, Asigen and other prospects reach the big leagues, but they certainly give fans of their respective teams something to look forward to.
