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.
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| 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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