Cardinals announce 17 international signings for 2023 period

Nine pitchers and eight position players representing six different countries among today’s signees

January 15th, 2023

ST. LOUIS, Mo., January 15, 2023 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the signing of 17 free-agent players representing the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Cuba and the Bahamas from the first day of Major League Baseball’s international signing period for 2023.  Nine pitchers, five outfielders, two shortstops, and one catcher were among the signees.  

All of the players are being signed for the 2023 minor league season and are subject to MLB approval.  A complete listing of the Cardinals international player signings is below:

Hancel Almonte,    CF, R/R, 6-1, 183, 12/6/2005, 17, Villa Mella, Dominican Republic
Andru Arthur, OF, L/L, 6-1, 172, 11/1/2005, 17, Nassau, Bahamas
Luis Atocha, C, L/R, 6-0, 184, 12/14/2004, 18, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Jarol Baez, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 187, 10/21/2005, 17, Bani, Dominican Republic
Emisael Carrera, RHP, R/R, 6-0, 200, 2/22/2006, 16, Chirgua, Carabobo, Venezuela
Xavier Cruz, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 153, 9/4/2005, 17, Santiago, Dominican Republic
Angel Gil, OF, L/L, 6-3, 174, 12/12/2005, 17, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Reiner Lopez, RHP, R/R, 6-8, 196, 4/11/2006, 16, Caja Seca, Zulia, Venezuela
Bernard Mack, LHP, L/L, 6-2, 160, 10/24/2005, 17, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Ruben Menes, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 193, 4/17/2002, 20, Matanzas, Cuba
Keiverson Ramirez, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 155, 4/5/2006, 16, Miranda, Venezuela
Daniel Rojas, SS, R/R, 5-9, 151, 11/16/2005, 17, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Stiveen Rojas, LHP, L/L, 5-9, 136, 8/29/2006, 16, Moca, Dominican Republic
Fernando Roquez, RF, L/R, 6-1, 181, 9/1/2005, 17, Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
Bracewell Taveras, SS, S/R, 6-0, 162, 6/5/2006, 16, Higuey, Dominican Republic
Giovanni Vargas    RHP, R/R, 6-1, 179, 3/3/2006, 16, Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico
Facundo Velasquez, CF, S/R, 6-1, 175, 1/16/2006, 16, Guarico, Venezuela