Diamondbacks sign highly ranked international shortstop prospect

Saturday is the first day of Major League Baseball’s international signing period, and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a deal with shortstop prospect Abdidas De La Cruz for $1.2 million, according to MLB.com.

De La Cruz, a 17-year-old from La Romana, Dominican Republic, is the No. 36 ranked international prospect by MLB.com.

The teenager is 6-foot-3, 170 pounds and bats from the right side.

He utilizes a big leg kick at the plate and is described as a contact hitter with flashes of gap power by MLB.com.

Arizona made several other agreements on Saturday, according to Baseball America:

• SS Yeral Nin, Dominican Republic
• SS Ruben Santana, Dominican Republic
• C Andy Encarnacion, Dominican Republic
• C Omar Moya, Venezuela
• C Jose Colmenarez, Venezuela
• RHP Abel Fuerte, Dominican Republic

The international signing period lasts through Dec. 15, but a lot of action occurs on the first day.

Shortstop Roderick Arias, the top-rated international prospect by MLB.com, signed with the New York Yankees on Saturday.

While the MLB lockout is enduring, teams can sign international prospects and minor leaguers during this time.

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