The Yankees sign three of the top thirty international prospects on international signing day

With the 2017 Draft in the past, July 2 is the big day for international prospects. Teenagers from across the globe become eligible to sign with Major League clubs on this date, and other than the draft, this is the best way to infuse young talent into a team’s organization. The Yankees are typically very active with international prospects, and 2017 was no different. This year’s signing day was especially significant, because it marks the first time since 2014 that they were able to sign players for higher than 300,000 dollars, since they exceeded their spending by 15 percent in 2014. Today the Yankees signed the fourth, twentieth, and twenty-eighth ranked international prospects on the market.

Photo Credit: MLB.com

Everson Pereira, Outfielder, Venezuela (No. 4 prospect), $1,500,000

Pereira was the highest ranked prospect that the Yankees signed today. Pereira is an athletic centerfielder with the potential to develop into a five-tool player. He has plus-speed and his build projects him to be able to maintain the ability to run well with age. Due to his slender frame, his power hitting ability is his weak spot at the plate. However, his smooth swing from the right side of the plate along with his natural hitting instinct could potentially make him a top of the order threat.

Roberto Chirinos, Shortstop, Venezuela (No. 20 prospect), $900,000

Chirinos is only 16-years-old and is a native of Venezuela. Chirinos features above-average speed, and despite being listed as a shortstop, scouts are not exactly sure which position he will play in his pro-ball pursuit. His quick hands and baseball IQ could potentially allow him to become a very versatile player in the future. He has most of his defensive experience at shortstop and outfield. His bat is considered to be his weakness, and scouts aren’t certain how well it will translate into higher levels of baseball.

Anthony Garcia, Outfielder, Dominican Republic (No. 28 prospect), $500,000.

Anthony Garcia resembles Aaron Judge due to the fact that he is 6’5 outfielder with a ton of pop, but weighing in at only 205 pounds, speed is currently a stronger aspect of his game. He projects to be a moderate base stealer with the potential to be a strong power hitter given time to improve the holes in his swing. He is a fastball hitter and will have to learn to better recognize the spin and movement of breaking pitches, if he wants to take his game to the next level. If he cannot make the proper adjustments, he will be a frequent strikeout victim in pro-ball.

Along with these three prospects, the Yankees are the favorites to sign another short stop named Ronny Rojas out of the Dominican Republic. Rojas cannot sign until next month, however, as he is still only 15-years-old. Rojas is ranked as the eleventh best international prospect by Baseball America.

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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