27 players added on opening day of international signings
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays struck deals with 27 young players on Saturday’s delayed opening of the international signing period.
Among the most promising:
Outfielder Jose Lazaro Contreras, a 6-foot-2, 204-pound 16-year-old from Cuba with five-tool potential known for his speed (6.6 60-yard dash), power and arm (92 mph throws from outfield)
Outfielder Jose Sanbria, a 16-year-old from Venezuela with a similar talent and tools profile
Shortstop Miguel Tamares, a fast (6.3 60), athletic 17-year-old switch hitter with a strong arm from the Dominican Republic
Tamares was ranked the 40th-best prospect in the class by Baseball America; none of the others made the top 50 by Baseball America or mlb.com.
Also signing or agreeing to terms were:
Outfielders Angel Mateo, Jordany Oliver and Neifi
Vazquez (Dominican Republic)
Pitchers Yeison Garcia, Cristhofer Gonzalez, Danny Hilario, Ismael Laureano, Geudis Ramos, and Jesus Ullola (Dominican Republic), and Alvaro Gamez, Maikel Hernandez, Anthony Manriquez, Moises Palma, and Yorman Primera (Venezuela)
Shortstops Nicandro Aybar, Felix Cotes, Juanfel Peguero and Roosbert Tapia (Dominican Republic), and Ricardo Gonzalez and Rodrigo Romero (Venezuela)
Catchers Enderson Delgado, Larry Martinez and Jhonny Perez (Venezuela)
Infielder Narcison Polanco (Dominican Republic)
All deals but Tamares’ are final.
The Rays went into the signing period, which for the second straight year was delayed from the usual July 1 start date due to the pandemic, with a signing bonus pool of $5,721,200, the second-largest grouping. The signing window is open until Dec. 15.