Padres sign infielder Leodalis De Vries to start international signing period
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have opened the 2024 International Signing Period with the signing of infielder Leodalis De Vries, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller and Vice President of Amateur & International Scouting Chris Kemp announced today.
De Vries, 17, is widely considered the top overall player in this year’s international class, ranking first on FanGraphs’ 2024 International Prospect Rankings and MLB Pipeline’s International Prospect Rankings. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound switch-hitter is from Bani, Dominican Republic, and possesses a projectable frame equipped with bat speed and advanced discipline from both sides of the plate. His speed and body control allow him to impact the game both defensively and on the basepaths. De Vries, also a point guard on the basketball court, comes from a skilled athletic background and pedigree, as his father played basketball for the Dominican National team.
After signing catcher Ethan Salas last January, the Padres have now signed the top overall international prospect in consecutive years.