Thursday marked one of the most significant days on the baseball calendar, when hundreds of players experience the official, life-changing start of their professional careers and 30 teams give shape to the futures of their organizations.
Each year, the international amateur signing period opens on Jan. 15. After years of training and performing in showcases — often while living away from home — young international players who have reached agreements to sign (often years before their signing date) are brought by teams to their academies in the Dominican Republic or to function venues for celebrations. Players don the jerseys of their new organization and sign contracts.
“It was a beautiful moment for me. [It represented] a lot of work, a lot of tryouts, a lot of travel,” Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias, who took part in a signing ceremony in his native Venezuela on Jan. 15, 2023, recalled through translator Carlos Villoria-Benítez. “I get kind of emotional when I remember that moment, when I had my parents by my side. It was a very great moment for me.”
Three years later, Arias is now in Boston for the rookie development program. He’s expected to start the season in Double A, but the 20-year-old has a chance to reach the big leagues this year.
On Thursday, the Sox added 17 minor leaguers through the international free agent process — with hopes that some will emerge in the 2030s as key contributors. Here’s a look at the most notable signings:
OF Garielvin Silverio (DOB: Oct. 18, 2008), Dominican Republic
Silverio, already a 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound force, displayed power potential in a scouting process led by Jonathan Cruz. The lefthanded-hitting, righthanded-throwing slugger showed the ability to clear fences to all fields at an age when such ability is rare.
“He wasn’t only a pull hitter who could mash the ball to the pull side,” said Red Sox director of Latin American operations Alberto Mejia. “I can see him hitting balls out [to the opposite field] over the Monster.”
As an amateur, Silverio already showed elite bat speed, averaging 74.9 miles per hour at the point of contact in a recent batting practice — a mark that would place him among some of the top big league sluggers. Though he will start his career in right field, there are questions about whether his size will push him to left field or first base. But if he makes enough contact, he could emerge as a power-hitting prospect.
SS Dawvris Brito (DOB: Sept. 9, 2008), Dominican Republic
Brito — a righthanded hitter and thrower who is 6-1, 184 pounds — has as much upside as anyone in this signing class. He’s a fast, explosive athlete with a chance to make a multidimensional impact.
“If everything clicks with him, he has a chance to be a five-tool prospect,” said Mejia.
Over a scouting process led by Manny Nanita and Fausto Breton, the Sox saw Brito’s bat speed and power potential emerge, and they became convinced that his speed would translate to range to handle shortstop.
OF Joskairo Ramirez (DOB: Oct. 28, 2008), Dominican Republic
Ramirez, who bats and throws lefthanded, has unusual feel for the game, with strong contact skills as well as standout instincts and routes in center field that allow him to cover considerable ground despite below-average speed. It remains to be seen if he grows (either in size, he’s 5-10, 176 pounds, or approach) into power, but he has a higher floor than most international amateurs. Esau Medina led the Sox’ scouting process on Ramirez.
RHP Claudio Pereira (DOB: Oct. 16, 2008), Brazil
Pereira is the top prospect ever signed by the Red Sox out of Brazil. Though his fastball currently tops out at 90 m.p.h., it’s not hard to daydream on a 6-5, 185-pound pitcher with an athletic, repeatable delivery and a three-pitch mix if he can add strength.
“He’s got all the traits to be a starting pitcher: command, strike-throwing ability, and being able to shape pitches,” said Mejia. “He’s more of a deeper projection guy, but we liked the scouting traits here.”
Rafael Motooka led the team’s scouting efforts with Pereira.
SS Isaac Velasquez (DOB: Oct. 10, 2009), Colombia
Over the course of a scouting process overseen by Fausto Breton and Hector Rincones, Velasquez — who is 6-1, 184 pounds — made striking defensive progress to convince the Sox he has a chance to handle shortstop, while showing strong offensive traits. The lefthanded hitter impressed with his swing decisions, as well as the ability to manipulate the barrel to drive liners with triple-digit exit velocities to all fields.
OF Freyerso Vásquez (DOB: Dec. 12, 2008), Venezuela
Vasquez, a lefthanded hitter who throws righthanded, impressed the Sox with a balanced skill set during a process led by Wilder Lobo. At 5-10, 178, Vasquez has shown plus bat speed to suggest a solid hit tool, the instincts to handle center field despite average speed, an excellent throwing arm, and occasional power.
“It’s a really good mix,” said Mejia.
The Red Sox will hope that, in a few years, the same can be said of their entire signing class.
Sign in to read the full article.
Sign in with Google