2020 MLB International Prospects Signing Preview: Part 6 — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

There’s uncertainty as to how everything in baseball will proceed this year, including the amateur signing process for the draft and international free agency.

For now, the 2020-21 international signing period is on schedule to open on July 2. Here’s the sixth part of our 2020 international signing preview, with more high-profile prospects to watch along with videos and the teams expected to sign each player.

For more reports, see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 of our international signing previews.

Daniel Vasquez, SS, Dominican Republic

The Royals spent most of their 2019-20 bonus pool on Dominican outfielder Erick Peña, the No. 3 player in the class, giving him $3,897,500. This year, the Royals look like they are going to spread their money around a little bit more, with Vasquez their top target for a bonus expected to be north of $1.5 million. Vasquez has gotten taller and stronger since he was seen early on, combining an athletic frame with good actions and feel for the game. He has shown solid bat-to-ball skills from the right side of the plate, with a hit-over-power profile now but the physical projection to grow into more power once he adds strength. He trains with Jaime Ramos.

Maikol Hernandez, SS, Venezuela

The Orioles are no longer a zero in Latin America. They started getting more involved in 2019, coming away with a few promising, projectable pitching prospects. This year, they appear to be players on bigger targets particularly on the position side, led by Hernandez. He’s a physical, athletic shortstop with a chance to be power/speed threat, running plus underway in the 60-yard dash with a fairly easy swing, a fast bat and over-the-fence power from the right side. Hernandez trains with Jhoan Hidalgo.

Jhonny Piron, OF, Dominican Republic

The top player the Rays are expected to sign on July 2 is Carlos Colmenarez, a Venezuelan shortstop who has a case as the top prospect in his country and perhaps the entire 2020 class. After Colmenarez, the Rays are also expected to land Piron, with a bonus likely to come in a little below $2 million. Piron is an excellent athlete, a plus or better runner who can handle center field. Piron stands out more for his raw athleticism and speed than his hitting ability, but he has a quick bat and started driving the ball better after adding strength to his thin 6-foot-1 frame. Piron trains at the Quality Baseball Academy.

Daniel Montesino, OF, Venezuela

Last week, we wrote up Samuel Zavala, a lefthanded Venezuelan outfielder the Padres are expected to sign on July 2. Montesino, also linked to the Padres, has similarities to Zavala as another lefthanded-hitting outfielder who has stood out for his hitting ability and game performance as an amateur in Venezuela. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Montesino is more physical and projects as a corner outfielder. He trains with Carlos Guillen.

Danyer Cueva, SS, Venezuela

The Rangers signed Maximo Acosta, the top-ranked shortstop in Venezuela in the 2019 class. This year they’re expected to sign Cueva, one of the top shortstops in the country for the 2020 class. Cueva is a 6-foot shortstop who stands out for his smooth, compact stroke from the left side, with an efficient, balanced swing and barrel awareness. He trains with Kander de Pablos.