The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with 11 international free agents, headlined by 16-year-old shortstop Manuel Beltre, the team announced Saturday.
OFFICIAL: We’ve agreed to terms with 11 international free agents!
Welcome to our #BlueJays family pic.twitter.com/WCeqLAUX6r— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 16, 2021
As Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reported on Friday, Beltre signed for $2.35 million, according to an industry source who described him as a “really, really advanced hitter.” That bonus accounted for a large chunk of the team's total allowance on the international market ($5.348 million).
A Dream Come True pic.twitter.com/BtW3UuR00d
— Manuel Beltre (@manuel_beltre09) January 15, 2021
In addition to Beltre, who is ranked as the No. 24 international prospect in MLB Pipeline's rankings, the Blue Jays agreed to terms with the following players:
• Yhoangel Aponte, outfielder, Venezuela (age 16)
• Louis Bautista, infielder, Dominican Republic (age 17)
• Livan Chaviano, pitcher, Cuba (age 19)
• Manuel Contreras, infielder, Dominican Republic (age 18)
• Robin De Jesus, pitcher, Dominican Republic (age 18)
• Luis Garcia, infielder, Venezuela (age 17)
• Yeuni Munoz, outfielder, Dominican Republic (age 17)
• Jonathan Peguero, catcher, Dominican Republic (age 16)
• Angel Santana, pitcher, Dominican Republic (age 18)
• Adriel Sotolongo, infielder, Cuba (age 22)
Friday marked the first day of MLB's international signing period, in which teams may sign international players (aged 16 and up) for their professional playing rights. The signing period runs through Dec. 15.
