The Toronto Blue Jays are favourites to sign international prospects Eric Pardinho and Miguel Hiraldo, according to MLB Pipeline.
Both players are listed in MLB.com’s Top 30 International Prospects list.
Pardinho, a right-handed pitcher, is listed as the fifth-best international prospect. The five-foot-10, 155-pound native of Lucelia, Sao Paulo, is described as “the new face of baseball in Brazil” who gained attention for his role in Brazil’s 10-0 win versus Pakistan in a World Baseball Classic qualifier last fall.
A story by Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com from earlier this year notes that the 16-year-old has “poofy boy-band hair and a tiny black bead pierced into his left earlobe.”
Here’s more on Pardinho:
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The teenager’s fastball has touched 95 mph, but it usually hovers in the 90- to 93-mph range. Pardinho also throws a curveball, slider and changeup. He’s impressed scouts with his advanced approach on the mound and experience against top competition. Some scouts have expressed some concern about Pardinho’s overall upside and projectability given his smaller frame.
[cite]— MLB.com[/cite]
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Hiraldo, listed at No. 17 on MLB’s international prospects list, is a third baseman from the Dominican Republic. He’s described as “the best overall hitter in the class.”
Here’s more on Hiraldo:
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He can play shortstop and there’s a chance he stays at the position, but there is also a belief that he might end up at third base. Second base is also a possible destination for the versatile fielder, as is the outfield.
This much is certain: Hiraldo is a hit-first prospect and he has a chance to be a special player on offense. Scouts like Hiraldo’s approach and his swing. He’s a mature player with quick hands, a plan at the plate and he can hit the ball hard to all fields. He’s also been praised for his makeup and how he plays the game.
[cite]— MLB.com[/cite]
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Hiraldo is described as “one of the most coveted players on the market.” Here’s a look at some of his skills:
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