ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have shown a commitment to acquiring international talent, and their aggressive approach has made them one of the most active and respected teams on the international market.
Their method has landed them another interesting piece atop an international signing day class of 24 players.
The Rays have agreed to a Minor League contract with Dominican outfielder Brailer Guerrero, who ranks No. 12 on the international Top 50 list, the club announced Sunday night. Guerrero’s deal comes with a $3.7 million signing bonus, industry sources told MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez.
The Rays signed 12 players from the Dominican Republic and 12 from Venezuela on Sunday, the start of the international signing period. Guerrero, signed by scouts Danny Santana and Remmy Hernandez, is the headliner of the group.
Guerrero’s bat is his calling card and the reason why the large and strong-bodied 16-year-old is one of the most attractive international prospects in the class. Let’s put it this way: He has huge power, and if you hear about him in the near future, his strength will probably be the reason why.
There’s a belief that Guerrero’s raw power might be a plus-plus tool in the future. That said, it’s no surprise that he’s projected to be a middle-of-the order bat. The hit tool might be his second-best, as he shows solid swing mechanics and good bat speed.
On defense, he projects to be a solid right fielder because of his foot speed.
Guerrero trains with Nercy Brito, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic.
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 -- in practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2006, will be eligible to sign in the upcoming signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible to sign.
The Rays have a base signing pool of $6,366,900. Teams are allowed to trade international bonus pool money starting Jan. 15. Last season, the Rays received contributions from five homegrown players who signed with the organization as international free agents: Yonny Chirinos (signed in 2012), René Pinto (2013), Vidal Bruján (2014), Jonathan Aranda (2015) and former top prospect Wander Franco (2017).
Here is a complete list of the players who signed with the Rays on Sunday.
Dominican Republic
Railin Tea Bonebil, 2B
Baldemix Cabrera, RHP
Jhoan De Los Santos, RHP
Oliver Eusebio, RHP
Frailin Florian, LHP
Alan Frias, OF
Brailer Guerrero, RF ($3.7 million)
Javier Lendof, RHP
Moises Moreno, RF
Yohangel Moris, SS
John Santana, OF
Wilian Trinidad, 2B ($500,000)
Venezuela
Kleiver Chauran, SS
Carlos De Sousa, C
Yirer Garcia, C
Jhomber Jimenez, RHP
Alfonzo Martinez, CF
Jose Monzon, 2B
Diego Palacios, RHP
Alberth Palma, 2B
Alfredo Rodriguez, C
Wilson Suarez, C
Jose Tovar, C
Jose Urbina, RHP