Welcome to the showcase season for international prospects.
It’s one of the best and most important times on the baseball calendar, and this year it’s even more special.
For the first time since March 2020, Major League Baseball is playing host to an event in the Dominican Republic for top international prospects from across the globe. The event, which runs through Wednesday, features more than 200 prospects — some who are eligible to sign now and others who will be eligible to sign Jan. 15, 2024. The prospects represent the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bahamas, Brazil and Jamaica.
MLB scouting events across countries prior to this week’s showcase were postponed because of COVID.
“We are very excited for this International Showcase, which will feature top players from different countries,” said Morgan Sword, Major League Baseball’s executive vice president of baseball operations. “These events are an important part of the scouting process, but [they] also provide invaluable experience to players, who get to compete in front of crowds at professional facilities.”
The on-field activities — 12 games, as well as batting practice, infield/outfield and running drills — are taking place at the Phillies’ complex in Boca Chica. This year’s version also features educational components that include an interactive panel with former Major League players and a separate panel with team scouting executives. Former players, including Luis Sojo (Venezuela), Bruce Chen (Panama), Carlos Baerga (Puerto Rico) and Anderson Hernandez (Dominican Republic), are also serving as coaches and mentors for the participants. MLB’s Player Programs group will offer additional educational programs on topics such as performance-enhancing substances, health and safety.
“It’s so important to give these players not just opportunities on the field, but opportunities off the field,” said Omar Minaya, MLB’s consultant on amateur scouting. “Of course we hope that every player goes on to a healthy and successful Major League career, but we also want to make sure everyone is prepared for the challenges that baseball and life will throw at them. And it’s especially meaningful to these players to hear some of these lessons directly from guys who have been successful at the Major League level and understand the pathway to getting there.”
Overall, teams spent more than $11 million on signing international prospects from across seven countries who participated in MLB’s last showcase. Moreover, 29 international prospects in the 2020 event signed for at least $100,000.
“This is going to be a big week, and a lot of fun to watch,” said Minaya. “We don’t often get to see the top players from so many different countries on the same field until they are professionals playing for Major League teams, so this is a special opportunity and a chance for scouts to get a glimpse of the future.”