Mets sign elite Dominican shortstop Asigen, No. 2 international prospect

After an offseason of significant upheaval as far as their big league roster is concerned, the Mets struck a familiar tune Thursday, landing Dominican shortstop Wandy Asigen, MLB Pipeline's No. 2 prospect in the international class.

Additionally, the club agreed to terms with outfielder Cleiner Ramirez (No. 23), a 5-foot-9 dynamo who has earned Luisangel Acuña comparisons while training and starring on the diamond as an amateur in Venezuela.

The Mets received $5,440,000 in pool money this year, $3.9 million of which will be allocated to Asigen. Clubs can also sign players to $10,000 signing bonuses and not have that money count against their pool.

One year removed from landing Elian Peña (the No. 3 prospect in the 2025 class), who was their highest-ranked signee on the international market since MLB Pipeline began its rankings, the club has immediately one-upped that accomplishment by landing Asigen. There were many evaluators who pushed for the 16-year-old to land at the top spot among this year’s class, as there’s widespread industry belief in his all-around ability to impact the game.

Swinging from the left side, Asigen has already ripped exit velocities north of 110 mph on multiple occasions. He features quick hands, a repeatable bat path and an innate ability to square up a variety of pitches, giving credence to the idea that he’ll continue to tap into extra-base pop as he fills out.

Having ripped off 60-yard dash times clocked as fast as 6.55 seconds, Asigen figures to impact the game on the basepaths as well. Those quick feet aid him defensively as he presently has just an average arm, but when coupled with his above-average actions and nose for the ball, he features many of the traits that would enable him to stick at shortstop.

Another added benefit to the hype around Asigen is that he won’t turn 17 until late August, making him one of the youngest players in his class.

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Last season, Peña parlayed his lofty standing into being named the Dominican Summer League Player of the Month in August, all while slashing .292/.421/.528 overall en route to winning the league’s top prospect honors. His performance rocketed him up New York’s Top 30 Prospects list (No. 10) and has put him in conversation for Top 100 overall consideration if he can replicate his success in his likely move stateside in 2026.

For now, Peña and Asigen are on a trajectory to play for different clubs at different levels. But it’s worth remembering that the best amateur players often begin their careers as shortstops before being forced off the position later in their pro ball journeys, if need be. Having two supremely talented teenage Dominican standouts -- in addition to Jett Williams (NYM No. 3/MLB No. 30) and Antonio Jimenez (NYM No. 18) at other levels – in the same system is an overwhelming positive in the long run.

In a market flush with players known for projection and loud tools, Ramirez zags where many zig. He’s moved around the diamond quite a bit as a youngster, giving him a utilityman feel defensively. Yet, he also has a track record of success both in the batter’s box and on the basepaths despite being an unconventional runner.

Ramirez hit .419 (13-for-31) and racked up 21 total bases in 10 games during his time in the Caracas Prospect League in 2025. His right-handed swing has tons of bat speed and he has shown an advanced eye at the dish, making scouts bullish on his offensive potential.

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, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009, 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.