New York Yankees 2022 International Signings

March 5, 2022 Paul Woodin AL East, General, International, Yankees 0

Roderick Arias, February 8 via his Instagram account, @roderick.arias.109
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The Yankees have been busy in the international market the last few years being able to sign both the top International prospect in the 2019 and 2022 classes, Jasson Dominguez and Roderick Arias respectively. Here I highlight the 2022 International class and a little about a few of them. As of this writing, the Yankees have signed 21 players. Using most of the allotted $5,179,700 in bonus pool money this season on Arias, who signed for 4 million dollars, leaving the Yankees to sign other players for much less. Nevertheless, the Yankees have had continued success in the international market so here’s hoping they found another diamond in the rough.

The Yankees are also linked to Top International prospect Cuban outfielder Brandon Mayea. If the CBA doesn’t change how international prospects are signed, there’s a good chance he’s a Yankee prospect next year. Mayea was seen with Gary Sanchez and Hans Montero working out together this past off season. I believe this is a strong group of players that will result in a few playing in the Bronx in the distant future. Adding strong depth to the farm system for future call ups or moves to help the major league roster.


Roderick Arias, SS, Dominican Republic, $4M

Arias, the top international prospect in the class, signed for $4 million at the beginning of the international signing period January 15. There’s a lot to like about the teenager at the plate, he exhibits above-average bat-to-ball skills and strike zone awareness. He also shows good plate discipline and doesn’t swing and miss often. Arias shows power from both sides of the plate, especially from the right side, and also owns good opposite-field power from the left side. His overall package could develop into a plus-plus hitter. On the bases, Arias shows very good anticipation and awareness. He consistently runs the timed 60-yard run in 6.5 seconds, which is above average and should translate to enough stolen bases to make him a good threat. Arias rolls his hands and elbow through contact in a way that enables airborne contact to all fields. His body projection creates lots of positive potential outcomes, the best of which would be Arias’ maturation where he’ll have added strength via maturity to hit for power, while also staying agile enough to play shortstop. That’s the type of outcome that would yield a star player. If any aspect of his offensive profile falls short, the possibility of him either hitting or hitting for power while staying at shortstop would mean Arias becomes merely a solid big leaguer. There are hit and approach elements the industry can’t be sure about until it sees Arias face pro-level pitching for a period of time, but he’s been considered at or among the top players in his class for a few years after performing in a showcase setting. He is the real deal, in my opinion, of what will be a stacked middle infield for the Yankees farm system in 2022.

Santiago Gomez, INF, Mexico, $10K

17 years old, “El Gallito” (The Rooster), emerged from the Academy of Puebla Parakeets, a team that plays in the Mexican Baseball League, and was signed after he had several tryouts before multiple Bronx Bomber scouts. According to Puebla, Gomez’s signing with the Yankees took place thanks to Lee Sigman, scout for the Yankees who is a key piece in the signing of foreign players, who assured that the right-hander “comes with great tools and features”, which you can show in the Mexican League. “Gallito runs well, fields, has a good arm and is, above all, a hard worker,” Sigman said. It’s not often that a team signs a talent with true in-game experience like Gomez. Gómez measures only 5’8’ and weighs 171 pounds. He looks to stick in the middle infield. The signing of Gomez is also not the first player the Yankees have grabbed from the Perricos previously signing Cesar Vargas and Ernesto Borges.

Christian Zazueta Jr., RHP, Mexico, $110K

The former Mexico City Red Devil has the ability to hit and pitch, however, he made it clear that he will focus on pitching in the Yankees system. The performance of Zazueta Jr., who is 17 years old, in the Mexican Winter League (LIM) put him in the eye of Lee Sigman. Maintaining his control and gaining more control is the main thing he hopes to improve on. He is a command pitcher who owns four pitches that I believe that he can throw about five or six miles faster once he develops. He reminds me of Giovanny Gallegos.

Omar Gonzalez, RHP, Panama, $135K

Gonzalez could be a hidden gem from Panama. Gonzalez was given the Yankees’ third biggest (known) bonus for this international free agent period at $135K, and for good reason. In a showcase last April, Gonzalez had a 0.39 ERA with 20 strikeouts and only 7 walks over 4 games. Gonzalez was recognized as the Pitcher of the Year in the National Youth Baseball Championship, Caja de Ahorros Cup in honor of the Independence of Panama from Spain. There were 32 votes on the survey for the journalists who covered the National Championship, of which 7 were for Omar González.

Enmanuel Tejeda, SS, Dominican Republic, $40K

Tejada has attended a couple of different Perfect Game showcases, though all three of these came in 2019, so the information is old, especially for a young kid, but it can tell us something. He is a switch-hitting shortstop that got a Perfect Game rating of 8, which means they saw him as a “potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect”. He cracked an 80 MPH exit velocity and with his arm in the infield as a 15 year old, for what it is worth.

Diego Hernandez, RHP, Mexico, $25K

Diego is a 17-year-old pitcher from Puebla. Hernandez is another international prospect that caught Lee Sigman’s eye. Owner of a 91-mile fastball, a great repertoire of breaking pitches, including a good slider, the second-year high school student at the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP), Hernandez’s father and uncle were both very good players in the Zaragoza League in Mexico

Abraham Ramirez, 1B/OF/SS, Venezuela, $30K

Ramirez comes out of the Swing Players Academy in Venezuela and is a combination outfielder and first baseman and saw a few games at shortstop. The Yankees listed him as 1B/OF.

Diomedes Hernandez, C, Venezuela, $100K

Right hand hitting Hernandez comes out of the Diomedes Academy, in Caracas, Venezuela. Apparently, he also agreed to this deal (in principle) with the Yankees back in March. His stance is a little wide in the bottom but his swing is very fluid and compact. A bat first prospect right now.

Luis Suarez, SS, Venezuela, $50K

Suarez is excellent on defense and has 70-grade speed. He owns tremendous speed down the line that should help get the extra base and plenty of steals.

Carlos Lagrange, RHP, Dominican Republic, $10K

A native of Yaboniuco in the San Juan Province, Lagrange is a 18 year old right hander who is 6’9″ with a live 97 mph fastball.

The rest of the 2022 Yankees International signings as of publishing.

Engelth (Enyer) Urena, C, Dominican Republic, $275K
Louis Pierre, CF, Haiti, $150K
John Cruz, CF, Dominican Republic, $75K
Keninson Diaz, RHP, Venezuela, $30K
Sabier Marte, RHP, Dominican Republic, $30K
Ricardo Rodriguez, C, Venezuela $25K
Franyer Herrera, LHP, Venezuela $20K
Rafelin Nivar, LHP, Dominican Republic, $10K
Xabier Marte, RHP, Dominican Republic, $30K
Yordy Luciano, RHP, Dominican Republic, $10K
Juan Matheus, INF, Venezuela
Joshua Leito, SS, Curacao

Paul Woodin

Paul Woodin is a huge sports fan who leads the New York Yankees minor league farm system coverage for the Prospects1500 team. Growing up playing and watching baseball while collecting baseball cards, Paul developed a love for the game. Born and raised in Connecticut between Yankees and Red Sox territory, Paul become a Yankees fan because of Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter. An avid sports card, memorabilia and autograph collector, he participates in redraft, dynasty and prospect-only fantasy baseball formats during each season. Feel free to reach out on Twitter @PaulWoodin1.

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