Reds land No. 5 prospect among 15 int'l signings
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The Reds agreed to terms with 15 international players, including outfielder Adolfo Sanchez (MLB.com's No. 5 international prospect) and shortstop Naibel Mariano (No. 42), as the 2024 signing period opened, the team announced on Monday.
Sanchez's deal is worth $2.7 million, and Mariano's $1.65 million, according to an industry source. The club, which received $6.52 million in pool money, has not announced the terms of the agreements.
Sanchez is one of the best overall hitters in the class. The Dominican teen uses a mechanically sound left-handed swing to drive the ball to all fields. He features a slightly upward swinging motion, spraying the ball into the gaps. He is a bit wiry right now, but his power is expected to increase as he matures and fills into his body.
Defensively, Sanchez has good reaction times and takes good routes to fly balls. Given his range, ability to get good jumps and plus arm strength potential, he could stick in center field, though a transfer to right should be seamless if he's moved there. Scouts love his confidence and have applauded his overall makeup.
Sanchez trains in the Dominican Republic with Cristian Pimentel, a member of MLB's Trainer Partnership Program.
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Mariano is a tall and hard-hitting infielder on the rise from the Dominican Republic. Lean and standing 6-foot-3, he has plenty of room for muscle growth as his body matures and he progresses through the Minor Leagues.
A right-handed hitter, he makes good contact because of his sound approach at the plate, and scouts think he will show even more power potential in the future. Mariano displays an aggressive approach at the plate and routinely sprays the ball in the gaps.
Like all prospects his age, he is working on plate discipline and strike-zone recognition. Should he outgrow shortstop, Mariano has the hands and arm strength to transfer to third base. For now, his defensive actions are sound enough to play in the middle of the infield.
He's an average runner, but scouts praise his makeup and tireless work ethic.
Mariano trains in the Dominican Republic with Charlie Nova, a member of MLB's Trainer Partnership Program.
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.