Blue Jays sign Dominican OF Andres DeAza

The Blue Jays have signed 17-year-old Dominican outfield prospect Andres DeAza, according to the team’s official website, making him the second international signing for the Jays in 2012.

From San Luis, Dominican Republic,  DeAza played in the Dominican Prospect League while developing his talent in San Domingo with notable trainer Josue Herrera. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound outfielder has a projectable frame, solid arm strength, and the ability to play all three outfield positions. Signing for $150,000, DeAza’s raw power potential is intriguing, and he is expected to begin his professional career with the Blue Jays’ Dominican Summer League affiliate in a few months.

After being passed over by teams shortly after his July 2 eligibility last year, DeAza participated in the Team One Futures East showcase in Jupiter, Fla. He was then selected to the DPL All-Star game in February and recently selected to the DPL Elite Travel Team. But once the right-handed hitter committed to Toronto, he refrained from traveling with his DPL squad.

A quote from the Team One Futures East showcase in October, via dplbaseball.com:

“DeAza already looks like a big leaguer, with an athletic build on a wide shouldered and well proportioned frame. He showed average to solid average arm strength on the ML 20-80 scouting scale, generated excellent carry from an over top release. At the plate, he showed good rhythm to hit and generated above average raw power thanks to strength and leverage in his right handed stroke. He drove the ball especially well to the opposite field thanks to a short and direct route to contact and an ability to drive through the ball from deep in the zone.”

Below is a YouTube video of DeAza, and his information has been updated on our international signings page for future reference.

– JM

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