The period of international signings occurred and several Creoles secured their future.
The last 24 hours have been very busy for José Gabriel Perdomo. Calls, interviews and press conferences, something he has to get used to, since he heads the 2024 class of international players signed by Major League Baseball teams.
Perdomo, who received a $5 million bonus and $700,000, through a study scholarship, from the Atlanta Braves. Therefore, the current record for a Venezuelan remains, held by Ethan Salas, who agreed with the San Diego Padres for 5.6 million in 2023.
“I think this is the result of a lot of sacrifice, of being away from my family for three years, but it was worth it,” Perdomo said over the phone line.
The pact took an important portion of the $5.284 million signing fund that Atlanta had available to begin the process of recruiting international free agents.
Perdomo, a shortstop, who trained in the Yasser Méndez academy, a member of the MLB Associated Coaches Program, traveled in 2020 to a showcase in Medellín, Colombia, the trip stipulated for 15 days, had to last for eight months on coffee soil , due to the covid-19 pandemic.
After that he continued training in the Dominican Republic and then in Bradenton, Florida, where he participated in the Perfect Game program.
“I think that despite the difficulties I couldn’t give up, I wanted to be a baseball player to support my family,” said the native of Maturín.
According to MLB Pipeline, Perdomo – who measures 1.78 meters and weighs 72.6 kilograms – has good defense at shortstop, but his hitting is off the charts: “If you are looking for one of the purest hitters in this class, don’t “Keep investigating,” reads the report.
“The teenager’s bat-ball skills are above average and he is among the best hitting prospects in his class,” they add.
Yovanni Rodríguez is another of the millionaire signings among Venezuelans, in fact, it is the tenth highest for a Venezuelan in history and the record for a New York Mets player in the international market, after being bonused with $2.85 million .
The receiver, a native of Los Teques, Miranda state, also comes from the Yasser Méndez Academy and considers that his life story helped him have the maturity to be a professional.
“I was raised by my grandparents, Miguel and Leyda, I owe this to them. My mother traveled abroad when I was still a child, to be able to support us and thanks to her I am here today.”
A scout who closely followed Rodriguez’s career before signing indicated he plans to develop power. “He is a solid catcher with a powerful arm, who should improve contact but above all has a lot of power.”
Although Perdomo and Rodríguez head the list, at least seven other Venezuelans received million-dollar bonuses, being one of the years in which the highest bonuses were distributed among Venezuelans.
They are followed by Eduardo Herrera (3B) who agreed with the White Sox for $1.8 million. Jorge Quintana (SS) for $1.7 million with Brewers.
San Francisco Giants gave $1.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to catcher Yoendris Sánchez and infielder Johnny Level.
Meanwhile, Luis Cova (OF) joined the Miami Marlins for $1.4 million. Outfielder José Ramos received $1.2 million from the Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays gave $1.1 million to catcher Franklin Rosas.
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2024-01-16 07:51:15
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