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Cleveland Guardians Major League International Signing Day Preview

Cleveland Guardians linked to over a dozen international free agents for January 15th signing period
Todd Paquette|
MLB.com

The Cleveland Guardians are currently linked to 14 players for their 2021 international signing class that are set to sign on Saturday January 15, 2022 (or shortly thereafter). The Guardians are one of eight teams to receive a $6,262,600 pool allotment for the signing period.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the international signing period used to begin on July 2, but now begins on January 15 of every season. An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between January 15 and December 15, 2022. He must turn 16 before he signs. In practical terms, that means players born after Sept. 1, 2005, are eligible to sign.

Two of the top players in the class set to sign and become future Guardians are outfielder Jaison Chourio out of Maracaibo, Venezuela and catcher Victor Isturiz out of Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Both will be signed to contracts just north of $1MM dollars each. 

  • Jaison Chourio
  • OF
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela
  • CJ Baseball Academy
  • MLB Pipeline No. 20 ranked international prospect
  • Baseball America No. 26 ranked international prospect

Chourio is a switch-hitting outfielder that is a dynamic athlete with many tools that should be able to stick in centerfield. Chourio projects to be an above-average runner and has a plus arm. It's too early to project him as a batter, but like many prospects his age, he is working on his plate discipline and pitch recognition. Chourio’s older brother Jackson, a shortstop, signed with the Brewers during the previous international signing period.

  • Victor Izturis
  • Catcher
  • Cabudare, Venezuela
  • Izturis Academy
  • MLB Pipeline No. 40 ranked international prospect
  • Baseball America No. 41 ranked international prospect

Izturis a left-handed bat that is currently a contact hitter with some pop, that has great barrel awareness and is able to recognize pitches well in the strike zone. On defense, he shows soft hands and is developing arm strength with a chance to be an above-average catcher in the future. Victor is the nephew of former MLB infielders Cesar and Maicer Izturis.

Here are a few other prospects linked to the Guardians:

  • Yanki Batista
  • SS
  • San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
  • Mamacelia Acadamy
  • Gueile Borrome
  • SS
  • Caracas, Venezuela
  • Lion Baseball Academy

Borrome is a natural athlete, with a very aggressive style of play, he has an incredible base stealing ability. He has the ability to hit all over the field and has a chance to develop more power as he matures. Defensively he has an excellent arm and has a chance to stick at shortstop, but has the ability to play all around the infield.

  • Jose Cedeno
  • Catcher
  • Barquisimeto, Venezuela
  • Future Stars Baseball Academy
  • Brayan Guedez
  • SS
  • Barquisimeto, Venezuela
  • Estrellas Baseball Academy

Guedez is an athletic player, with the ability to hit the ball all over the field and could develop more power as he matures. He has the versatility to handle both short and second but as he continues to grow, he may lose some mobility and profile more as a second baseman for the future.

  • Jose Gomez
  • OF
  • La Vega, Dominican Republic
  • Marmolejos Baseball Academy
  • Pedro Hernandez Jr.
  • SS
  • Aguadulce, Colce, Panama
  • Leones de Pocri Academy

Hernandez Jr. has good contact skills, with a smooth swing. He makes consistent contact, has good discipline at the plate and knows the strike zone well. His bat has a chance to be special in the future. Hernandez Jr. has a 50-grade arm, with sure hands. He most likely will move from shortstop to second base in the future as he profiles to fit better there. He has a high baseball IQ and is mature for his age.

  • Yorfran John 
  • SS
  • Caracas, Venezuela
  • Mujica Baseball Academy
  • Alberto Mendez 
  • SS
  • Caracas, Venezuela
  • Diamond Baseball Academy
  • Yefri Mercedes 
  • SS
  • Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • HPP Baseball Academy
  • Moises Molero 
  • OF
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela
  • Connell Academy
  • Rafael Ramirez Jr. 
  • SS
  • San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
  • Tatis Dynasty
  • Nomar Velasquez 
  • SS
  • Cumana, Venezuela
  • Academia Prospectos CF

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Todd Paquette
TODD PAQUETTE

Todd Paquette is a Cleveland-area sportswriter and minor league insider who covers the Cleveland Guardians and their farm system. He has been writing professionally since 2014 and has worked for Cleveland Guardians On SI since 2021.

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