Major League Baseball’s international signing period often flies under the radar, but it’s a time in which teams can help shape their future.
The Red Sox have had success dipping into the international free-agent market in recent years, with Xander Bogaerts (2009), Jose Iglesias (2009) and Felix Doubront (2004) all serving as examples of what can come from scouting and developing young international talent. The Red Sox officially added three 16-year-olds from Latin America to their organization Friday, with third baseman Rafael Devers and left-handed pitcher Enmanuel DeJesus headlining the group.
Devers has been linked to the Red Sox over the last few months, and he is already drawing rave reviews despite not turning 17 until October. He ranked sixth on MLB.com’s list of international free agents, and he reportedly was considered by some scouts to be the best left-handed hitter on the market.
According to MLB.com, Devers’ sweet swing and balance at the plate remind some scouts of Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. A native of the Dominican Republic, Devers reportedly makes hard contact to all fields and has gap-to-gap power.
Obviously, much of the talk surrounding players like Devers is based on projections, as there are still years of development ahead. It’s clear, however, that Devers has excellent tools at his disposal, and Baseball American’s Ben Badler even ranked him third on his list of international free agents.
MLB.com uses scouting grades as part of its Top 30 list, and they’re based on both present and future tools. Below is how Devers graded out.
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/5 | Power: 4/5 | Run: 3/3 | Arm: 5/6 | Field: 4/5
*2-3 is well below average, 4 is below average, 5 is average, 6 is above average and 7-8 is plus.
Devers isn’t the only Red Sox international signing on MLB.com’s Top 30 list. Left-handed pitcher Enmanuel DeJesus ranked 24th, with scouts reportedly projecting the southpaw to be a power arm and starter, although the Venezuelan hurler could someday wind up in the bullpen.
DeJesus, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, reportedly features an array of secondary pitches that keeps hitters off-balance in the batter’s box despite not having an overpowering fastball. DeJesus has often been compared to Doubront, who has arguably been Boston’s most consistent starter this season.
MLB.com issued the following grades to DeJesus:
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Fastball: 2/4 | Curve: 3/5 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 4/5
*2-3 is well below average, 4 is below average, 5 is average, 6 is above average and 7-8 is plus.
The Red Sox also signed left-handed pitcher Jhonathan Diaz, a native of Venezuela, and center fielder Yoan Aybar, who hails from the Dominican Republic. They’re not as highly touted as Devers or DeJesus, but the Red Sox clearly saw something in the two teenage ballplayers.
We won’t know for a few years whether or not these kids have what it takes to wow the Fenway Faithful. If the present is any indication, though, there’s a good chance that they’ll someday be at the heart of a healthy Boston baseball debate.
Check out Devers in action in the videos below.
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Photo via Twitter/@iplbaseball_rd
