The Crane Pool Forum

The opening of the international free agent period brings noticias that the Mets have landed four of the top 50-ranked (according to MLB Pipeline, and take that with a grain of sal) Latin American teenyboppers that have newly become available. These include shortstops Leandy Mella and Yensi Rivas, along with catcher Yovanny Rodriguez and outfielder Edward Lantigua.

Of the four, backstop Rodriguez is supposed to be the big catch, with an impressive defensive foundation and 20-homer power, but I think anybody named Edward has a leg up on the class.

Other previously reported deals, including the agreement with Vladimir Miguel Guerrero, also now become official — or offical, as the Mets like to say.

I had read that the Pipeline report is based on talent/ability.
(The other service that lists these things is Baseball America. But they rank them in bonus dollar amount order.)
I take these as an omen of good things to come.
Later

Information is coming out piecemeal, but Sports Illustrated has the Mets landing 20 dudes today. In addition to Rodriguez (from Venezuela) and the other four mentioned above (all from The Dominican Republic), the list includes:

• Bohan Adderley, SS/CF, Bahamas
• Luis Montero, LHP, Dominican Republic
• Maxgregori Harvey, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Angel De La Rosa, LHP Dominican Republic
• Leyvi Rodriguez, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Anthony Delgado, OF, Dominican Republic
• Fidel Pinango, IF/OF, Venezuela
• Jonnhan Sanchez, OF, Venezuela
• Josmir Reyes, C, Venezuela
• Leiner Ramirez, IF, Colombia
• Rocky Solano, OF, Dominican Republic
• Starling Fernandez, IF, Dominican Republic

Max Harvey, nice

Mets release:

METS SIGN 20 INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 15, 2024 – The New York Mets today announced that the club has signed 20 international players.

“We are excited to welcome this year’s international signing class to our organization,” said Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. “These players and their families have worked hard to get to this day, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue pursuing their dreams to be Major League players. As we carry out our goal of creating a championship caliber organization, we will need to continue to acquire and develop future Mets. Having an international scouting and development apparatus that regularly brings quality players into our organization is essential.”

“Today is a great day for the New York Mets as we welcome an exciting class of talented players into the organization,” said Director of International Scouting Steve Barningham. “This is the beginning of a journey for these players as they take their first steps in professional baseball. I want to thank our entire baseball operations team as well as the families of these young men for their help along the way.”

The class is highlighted by Yovanny Rodriguez, a 17-year-old catcher from Guarenas, Venezuela. The 5-11, 180-pounder is ranked as the fifth-best international prospect according to Baseball America and as the seventh-best prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 Internationals Prospect List.

The full list of players is below:

Name
Date Of Birth
Position
Home Country

Yovanny Rodriguez
11/7/2006
C
Venezuela

Edward Lantigua
11/13/2006
OF
Dominican Republic

Leandy Mella
2/4/2007
INF
Dominican Republic

Yensi Rivas
10/14/2006
INF
Dominican Republic

Bohan Adderley
11/10/2006
INF/OF
Bahamas

Vladi Guerrero
9/21/2006
OF/INF
Dominican Republic

Luis Montero
9/9/2006
LHP
Dominican Republic

Maxgregori Harvey
11/12/2006
RHP
Dominican Republic

Angel De La Rosa
11/20/2005
LHP
Dominican Republic

Leyvi Rodriguez
5/17/2006
RHP
Dominican Republic

Anthony Delgado
1/27/2007
OF
Dominican Republic

Fidel Pinango
7/13/2007
INF/OF
Venezuela

Jonnhan Sanchez
5/8/2007
OF
Venezuela

Josmir Reyes
9/21/2006
C
Venezuela

Leiner Ramirez
7/3/2007
INF
Colombia

Rocky Solano
12/28/2006
OF
Dominican Republic

Starling Fernandez
10/17/2006
INF
Dominican Republic

Roybert Herrera
6/30/2007
INF/OF
Venezuela

Diover De Aza
8/15/2007
INF
Dominican Republic

Franklin Candelario
12/11/2006
OF
Dominican Republic

These include shortstops Leandy Mella and Yensi Rivas, along with catcher Yovanny Rodriguez and outfielder Edward Lantigua.

First guy who says that they shouldn't be signing catchers and shortstops cuz we're already set at those spots is gonna get hit.

Lunchpail is older than most of these guys

Should have raised him overseas where he wouldn't be subject to the draft.

I'd like to point out the historical unMetliness of the strategy is with this class, with only four of the 20 names attached to pitchers.

Poor Edward Lantigua woke up this morning thinking he had a real good shot to make this list.

Bohan Adderly wuz robbed

Jesus Made

Good, but not as good as Jesus Wept

I really hope that Curley Martha becomes a Met some day.

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:11 pmLunchpail is older than most of these guys

I have toe nail fungus older than most of these guys.

I don't know how many dudes the Mets or other teams sign on a given year, but 20 young players seems like a pretty nice infusion to the system.

New Mets Venezuelan outfielder Jonnhan Sanchez as a kid — and already a champion hitter!

Look at the little scamp, way back in ... 2014?!?!

Are some of those first names just made up ?

I once tested a kid who's first given ame was Scientific

In the end, all our names are made up.

Very true