Sources: Red Sox near international signings
Third baseman Devers and pitcher DeJesus both ranked in MLB.com's top 30 prospects
The Red Sox on Tuesday agreed to terms and are hopeful to sign two of MLB.com's top 30 international prospects -- third baseman Rafael Devers and left-hander Emmanuel DeJesus.
The Red Sox agreed to terms with third baseman Rafael Devers, MLB.com's No. 6 international prospect, for an estimated $1.5 million, and with lefty Emmanuel DeJesus, ranked No. 24, for $780,000, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com. The Red Sox have not confirmed the signings and the two players must still pass physicals and background checks before the signings become official.
Devers, listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds, is a 16-year-old left-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic. Some scouts consider Devers to be the best left-handed bat available on the international market, given his ability to make contact to all fields and his gap power. He drew rave reviews for his competitiveness and makeup. There are questions about whether Devers will remain at third base in the future, or shift to second base or left field.
DeJesus, from Venezuela, has a good pitcher's build -- he is listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds -- and high upside. The 16-year-old is projected to be a starter with a power arm, but he could wind up in the bullpen. He's considered a strike-thrower with good command and an impressive arsenal of pitches, but he does not possess an overpowering fastball.
The two signings would account for $2.28 million of the $3,179,900 in Boston's international signing bonus pool this year, the seventh largest in the Majors. Each team is allotted $700,000, and Boston's additional $2,479,900 came as a result of the club's 69-93 record in 2012. Teams can spend more than their assigned bonus pool, but they could face penalties as a result.