White Sox strike deal with top international 3B prospect

White Sox strike deal with top international 3B prospect

January 24th, 2024

As far as pure power-hitting international prospects are concerned, Eduardo Herrera's potential ranks among the best in this year's class.

The White Sox will be the beneficiary of the untapped potential of MLB.com's No. 11 international prospect. The club on Wednesday announced it had signed the 17-year-old third baseman to a $1.8 million contract that was first reported when the 2024 international signing period began on Jan. 15. The White Sox, who have a signing pool of $5.284 million, also announced the signings of third baseman Jurdrick Profar ($600,000), infielder Jesús Premoli ($550,000) and right-hander Jeziel Boekhoudt ($55,000).

With a hulking 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, Herrera ultimately projects to be a big bat in the middle of a lineup. It's worth noting that scouts rave about his ability to adjust from pitch to pitch at the plate and handle both fastball and offspeed offerings.

Herrera, a shortstop-turned-third baseman, has drawn comparisons to a teenage Albert Pujols -- in terms of body type and raw power -- and scouts have applauded his competitiveness. He will continue to hone his game while receiving daily instruction from the White Sox.

Hererra played for the Venezuelan 18-and-under national team when he was just 15 years old. For his size, he is a decent runner and has the work ethic to get even better with time. Defensively, Herrera made the switch to third base after outgrowing shortstop. At the hot corner, he is an average defender and could eventually move to first as he matures.

Herrera trains in Venezuela with Alexis Salazar, 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.