Diamondbacks sign highly ranked international shortstop prospect
Jan 15, 2022, 2:00 PM
A general view of Chase Field during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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:
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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.
