Just because the June draft has come and gone, it doesn’t mean the Yankees can’t still add top amateur talent. Every year the July 2 signing period allows teams to sign the very best the international market has to offer. The Yankees are taking advantage of this signing period by adding five new players to the organization.
This process takes place every year, but this particular signing period is a big deal for the Yankees. Remember when the organization went crazy on the international market in 2014? As a penalty for going over their spending limit, the Yankees were forbidden from signing players to deals worth anything over $300,000. That means a lot of elite talent had gotten by in the last few years. In 2017, that restriction has finally been lifted, so now they are going back to spending.
The Yankees went big for Venezuelan outfielder Everson Pereira, who they signed for $1.5 million. In a video for Baseball America, Ben Badler described the no. 4 international prospect as a player who relies on his speed with a strong arm and very good defense. He has a fluid, short swing that should develop some power as he develops. Overall, he seems like a guy who can put the ball in play, get on base, and use his legs.
Two other players within Baseball America’s top 50 list signed with the organization. Roberto Chrinios is a Venezuelan shortstop, who the Yankees signed for $900,000. He has been ranked as the no. 20 player in this year’s class. There is also no. 28 Anthony Garcia, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic, who signed for $450,000.
Players are required to be 16 years old in order to officially sign with a major league team. However, teams frequently make deals with underage players before they are allowed to sign their official contracts. Baseball America is reporting that the Yankees are already in agreement with the no. 11 player on their list, Ronny Rojas. The Dominican shortstop will officially sign when he turns 16 in August.
The Yankees have also managed to sign Dominican outfielder Stanley Rosario to a $300,000 deal and shortstop Miguel Marte to a $200,000 deal.
It is clear that this team is back to throwing their financial weight around on the international market. This is no $14 million spending spree, but it’s nice to see them able to put out big contracts for the players they think are worth going after.
Most teams have already worked out who they will sign before the July 2nd start date, but there could still be some new names that pop up over the summer. The Yankees are clearly invested in amateur talent, and these international prospects are part of that equation.