The Mariners found Julio Rodríguez on the international market and helped develop him into one of the game’s biggest stars. There are also high hopes for this year’s class of international prospects.
The club on Sunday announced that it signed seven international free agents, headlined by shortstop Felnin Celesten, the No. 2 prospect on the top 50 international list, for $4.7 million, according to sources. And on Tuesday, it announced an additional six signees, including right-hander Jeter Martinez, who ranks No. 42 and signed for $600,000, per sources.
The Mariners have a base signing pool of $6,366,900, and they’re expected to make more signings next week.
Here is a full list of the signings, ordered alphabetically:
• Kelvin Alcantara, OF, Dominican Republic
• Gustavo Beltran, INF, Venezuela
• Delfry Carrasco, INF, Dominican Republic
• Felnin Celesten, SS, Dominican Republic
• Sebastian De Andrade, C, Venezuela
• Alexander Garcia, INF, Venezuela
• Jean Gutierrez, OF, Venezuela
• Jeter Martinez, RHP, Mexico
• Kendal Meza, RHP, Nicaragua
• Ruddy Navarro, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Kay Robles, OF, Dominican Republic
• Jose Romero, RHP, Venezuela
• Dylan Wilson, RHP, Curaçao
“As always, the first day of the international signing period is a joyous occasion that acts as a yearly reminder of why we, as scouts, love what we do,” Mariners director of international scouting Frankie Thon Jr. said. “To witness the moment that these young players, from diverse countries and backgrounds, achieve their dreams while taking that first step towards their ultimate professional goal. It’s something that we as a staff will surely never take for granted.”
Celesten might have the highest ceiling of any international shortstop prospect in a decade, a list that also includes Marco Luciano, Wander Franco and Robert Puason.
Celesten already shows big tools across the board and has a chance to be a five-tool player if he continues to develop at a normal pace. The switch-hitter has improved in every facet of this game as he has matured physically in the past year, and he has a chance to have plus speed, arm and raw power as a result. He also plays solid defense that will keep him at shortstop as he makes his way through the Minor Leagues.
From the left side, Celesten, who trains with JD Ozuna, shows doubles power and consistently hits line drives. From the right side of the plate, he displays tons of bat speed with a big loft. There’s a flair…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Mariners News…