New York Mets Could Spend Big In International Bonus Pool
The New York Mets could end up spending big when the international signing window opens up on Jan. 15.
Recently, Baseball America ranked its Top 50 bonus board, a list of the top international prospects by the amount of bonus money the site believes they will receive.
After that, the site connected MLB teams to each player.
Based on its list and projections, the Mets will sign Venezuelan catcher Yovanny Rodriguez to the fifth-highest international bonus.
Per Baseball America, scouts see Rodriguez as the top catcher in the international pool and who projects as a player that could be an above-average signal caller when and if he gets to the Majors.
The site also projects the Mets will sign another player in its Top 50, Dominican Republic outfielder Edward Lantigue, who is projected to get the 43rd-highest signing bonus.
The Mets signed a large international class last January, signing 27 players, including three players ranked in the Top 50 per MLB.com — catcher Daiverson Gutierrez, along with outfielders Anthony Baptist and Cristopher Larez.
Whoever the Mets sign would join an organization that has some quality prospects that are close to being ready to join the club.
That includes infielder Ronny Mauricio, who recently led the Mets’ Organizational All-Stars, as named by MLB.com. Mauricio will miss most of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in winter ball. He had surgery on Wednesday.
The rest of the All-Stars included outfielder Drew Gilbert, shortstop Jett Williams, catcher Kevin Parada, right-handed pitcher Tyler Stuart, outfielder Nick Morabito, first baseman JT Schwartz, third baseman Jose Peroza, outfielder Brandon McIlwain, left-handed pitcher Felipe De La Cruz and relief pitcher Paul Gervase.
