Red Sox expected to sign three more international free agents
The Red Sox are expected to sign three more international free agents once the signing period begins on January 15.
Boston is expected to sign catcher Johanfran Garcia, per SoxProspects and shortstop Jancel Santana and outfielder Natanael Yuten, per Baseball America. These signings go along with the two Dominican shortstops they’re expected to sign as well.
These signings will add five more prospects to the retooled Red Sox system.
Back in December, MLB.com ranked the Red Sox system 12th up from 24th.
“It’s never optimal to finish with one of the worst records in baseball, especially in a town like Boston, where competing annually is expected,” wrote MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
“But a rough 2020 led to the Red Sox earning the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, the earliest Boston has picked since back in 1967 and the first top 10 selection since Andrew Benintendi became a member of the Red Sox as the No. 7 pick in 2015. That resulted in the Red Sox being able to add the player MLB Pipeline had at No. 1 on its 2021 Draft talent rankings, high school shortstop Marcelo Mayer. Add that to strong seasons from Triston Casas, Jarren Duran, surprising 2020 first-rounder Nick Yorke and right-hander Brayan Bello,” added Mayo.
The acquisition of the three Dominican shortstops adds more depth at that position within the system. At the current moment, Boston has 11 shortstops within their organization. Marcelo Mayer tops the list as the No. 1 shortstop prospect in the system according to MLB Pipeline.
Garcia will be added to an already full catching depth chart in the system. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom is looking for the future catcher once Christian Vazquez’s time ends with the club.
In an MLB.com preview of Garcia, he is listed as being “built like Yadier Molina” but Garcia is “better known for his bat than his defense at this point in his career.”
The Red Sox are expected to add two shortstops Freili Encarnacion and Fraymi de Leon.
Once the international signing period officially gets underway, Beyond the Monster will have more on the players signed.
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