Padres to sign switch-hitting int'l prospect
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The Padres have a long track record on the international market and the trend is continuing in 2021.
According to industry sources, the club has agreed to a deal with shortstop Victor Acosta of the Dominican Republic, No. 19 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 International Prospects List, for $1.8 million.
The Padres have not confirmed the deal.
Best described as an “electric and twitchy” athlete, the switch-hitting teen shows good bat speed with some pop at the plate. Acosta can drive the ball to all fields and projects to hit in the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the order. His swing features a slight uppercut and he’s able to repeat his mechanics from both sides of the plate. He projects to have a future plus run tool and basestealing abilities.
On defense, he shows good footwork along with quick and easy glovework. He has the potential to have a plus arm in the future.
According to the rules established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, clubs that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round B of the Draft have the most money to spend on international prospects, with a pool of $6,431,000. Clubs like the Padres that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A of the Draft receive the second most at $5,889,600.
Unlike in previous years, teams are not allowed to trade any of their international pool money. Signing bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count toward a club's bonus pool, and foreign professional players who are at least 25 years of age and have played in a foreign league for at least six seasons are also exempt.