TOP PROSPECTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SIGNING PERIOD
1. PEDRO LEON, OF
CUBA
Born: May 28, 1998. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-9. WT: 185.
Leon is a free agent now, but the 22-year-old will wait until the new bonus pools start in the 2020-21 signing period to sign. Soon after new general manager James Click took over, the Astros had most of their 2020-21 international bonus pool still uncommitted in February, when they reached a deal to sign Leon for around $4 million. Leon didn’t play much in Serie Nacional, the Cuban major league, and wasn’t scouted heavily by clubs when he left the country and began training in the Dominican Republic, so there’s a lot of uncertainty with him. Leon has a smaller, muscled-up build and has shown the raw power to drive the ball out of the park from the middle of the field over to his pull side.
2. ARMANDO CRUZ, SS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Born: Jan. 16, 2004. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-11. WT: 165.
The Nationals are expected to sign Cruz, with a bonus likely to be around $4 million. He’s a defensive wizard with phenomenal hands and a strong arm, combining the ability to make acrobatic, high-light-reel plays along with the internal clock and game savvy well beyond his years. There’s more of a split camp on his offensive potential, but Cruz has a chance to be an elite defensive shortstop. He trains with John Carmona.
3. CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ, SS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Born: Dec. 13, 2003. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-2. WT: 165.
On pure talent, Hernandez has a case to make as the top overall player in the 2020 international class. He has an outstanding, high-level swing, with fast bat speed and a barrel that stays on plane through the hitting zone for a long time. He has performed well in games and drives the ball with impact, giving him a chance for plus or better raw power, especially once he fills out his projectable build. Hernandez’s bat is what generates the most attention, but he’s also a good athlete and a plus runner. The Cubs are expected to sign Hernandez, who trains in the Mejia Top 10 program, for around $3.5 million.
4. YIDDI CAPPE, SS
CUBA
Born: Sept. 17, 2002. B-T: R-R. HT: 6-3 WT: 178.
Cappe is 17, so he’s old enough to sign right now. Yet because of how quickly the international market moves, teams had already unofficially committed big chunks of their bonus pool space to other players, which is why Cappe is instead waiting to sign—he’s expected to sign with the Marlins for around $3.5 million—once the 2020-21 period opens and the new pools kick in. Cappe has a tall, extremely thin body type. He immediately draws attention in the field for his quickness, smooth hands and slick actions. Cappe has long, lanky limbs, which can add some length to his swing, and a lot of his future will depend on his physical development.
5. CARLOS COLMENAREZ, SS
VENEZUELA
Born: Nov. 15, 2003. B-T: L-R. HT: 5-10. WT: 175.
Colmenarez is arguably the best Venezuelan player in the class and is in the conversation among the top overall 2020 players. He makes everything look easy, starting with his pure, smooth swing from the left side. He stays calm with good rhythm and balance in the box, unleashing an explosive, efficient stroke with a good bat path. That leads to a lot of contact in games, with the strength and bat speed to generate impressive power as well. He has easy, fluid actions at shortstop. The Rays
