2020 MLB International Prospects Preview
Image credit: Danny De Andrade (Photo by Tom DiPace)
Clubs and players are both operating under the uncertainty of whether there will be an international draft in 2020.
If there’s no draft next year, there are around 40 players who look like they could sign for bonuses of at least $1 million when the 2020-21 signing period opens next year on July 2. These are some of the top international prospects to know for 2020.
Cristian Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic
If there’s an international draft in 2020, Hernandez would be a strong candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick. If not, the Cubs are expected to sign Hernandez, a 15-year-old who trains in the Mejia Top 10 program, for a bonus of more than $3 million. With a lot of space left to fill out his 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, Hernandez has big power, a fast bat and advanced swing mechanics from the right side. Hernandez’s most eye-catching abilities are in the batter’s box, but he’s also a plus runner who looks like he should be able to stay at shortstop.
Carlos Colmenarez, SS, Venezuela
While Hernandez was an early standout in the 2020 class, Colmenarez is making a strong case to be the No. 1 player. A 15-year-old shortstop who has been training with Ponchipu in the Dominican Republic, Colmenarez has easy actions at the plate and in the field. He has a calm, balanced swing from the left side that’s quick, compact and explosive, staying through the hitting zone a long time. He has hit well in games, runs well and he projects to stick at shortstop. The Rays are expected to sign Colmenarez.
Pedro Pineda, OF, Dominican Republic
Pineda has some of the loudest tools in the class. A 15-year-old, righthanded hitter from the Dominican Republic, Pineda is a physical outfielder (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) with a chance to be a dynamic power-speed threat from the right side of the plate. His bonus could end up the highest in the class, with the A’s expected to sign him for a bonus that could push $5 million. Pineda trains with Nube.
Cristian Santana, SS, Dominican Republic
Santana is a cousin of Tigers shortstop prospect Wenceel Perez, and Santana is expected to join him in the organization once July 2 arrives next year, with his bonus likely to be around $3 million. Santana, 15, is an athletic shortstop from the Dominican Republic with a short, efficient swing and a good approach from the right side. Santana trains with Niche.
Wilman Diaz, SS, Venezuela
The Dodgers signed catchers Diego Cartaya (2018) and Yeiner Fernandez (2019) from the Alexi Quiroz program the last two years, and they’re expected to sign another top player from there next year in Diaz. He has an athletic frame (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) with a clean swing from the right side and a strong track record of hitting well in games.
Yiddi Cappe, SS, Cuba
Cappe, 16, is technically a 2019 prospect, so he’s eligible to sign right now. However, he is expected to wait until 2020 to sign when the bonus pools reset, which would allow the Marlins to pay him a bonus in the area of $3.5 million. He’s a lanky shortstop with sweet hands and quick actions at shortstop.
Armando Cruz, SS, Dominican Republic
Cruz was generating attention among scouts in the Dominican Republic at age 13 with electric hands at shortstop. Now 15, Cruz projects as an elite defensive shortstop with the ability to make the acrobatic, flashy play, while also showing he’s one of the smartest in-game players in the class. The Nationals are expected to sign Cruz, whose bonus looks like it will come close to $4 million. Cruz trains with John Carmona.
Denzer Guzman, SS, Dominican Republic
Guzman, 15, is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound shortstop with promising offensive upside. He has an easy swing from the right side and makes a lot of contact in games, with the bat speed and strength projection for power as well. Guzman stands out most for his offensive potential, though he has a strong arm that should fit on the left side of the infield. He trains with Juan Rodriguez and is expected to sign with the Angels, likely for around $2 million.
Manuel Beltre, SS, Dominican Republic
Beltre, 15, is the most famous player in the 2020 class, as he has spent years documenting his daily training on his Instagram account of more than 35,000 followers. A baseball rat, Beltre has a simple, repeatable swing from the right side and is one of the top hitters in the class, with ample game experience and a baseball IQ well beyond his years. He’s expected to sign with the Blue Jays. Beltre trains with Jaime Ramos.
Danny De Andrade, SS, Venezuela
A 15-year-old Venezuelan shortstop training in the Dominican Republic, De Andrade has quick reactions and good body control in the field. At the plate, he’s a righthanded hitter with a sound swing and an all-fields hitting approach. The Twins are expected to sign De Andrade, who trains with Jaime Ramos.
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