D-backs sign pair of Dominican outfield prospects
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The D-backs have come to terms with Dominican outfield prospects Adriel Radney (MLB.com’s No. 10 international prospect), Belfi Rivera (No. 24) and 21 other players at Monday's opening of the 2024 signing period.
The D-backs are one of six teams in Signing Bonus Pool B for 2024, resulting in a $7,114,800 signing allotment.
Radney, who reminds some evaluators of Julio Rodríguez, utilizes a sound approach at the dish. He keeps his hands close to his body and uses them to his benefit to help hit for both average and power. Radney has room to develop more muscle on his lean physique and further increase his extra-base-hitting ability as he matures.
Radney will start his pro career in center field, but he could eventually shift to right as he grows into his 6-foot-1 frame. His plus arm strength and power profile would play to his benefit at a corner slot as he moves up the ranks in the Minor Leagues.
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Rivera, whose present and future abilities scouts rave about, utilizes quick hands to drive through the ball and deliver consistent line-drive contact. With his level swing, he has some feel for the barrel. With a live body and some physical projectability, there is room for the left-handed hitter to add offensive impact as he matures.
Sporting an athletic 6-foot-1 frame, Rivera has a skill set that evaluators believe will enable him to man center field as he begins his pro career, although short arm action and average arm strength on the grass might ultimately force him to a corner outfield slot in the future.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.