Blue Jays expected to land one of the top International prospects

According to Baseball America, the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to sign the 8th ranked International free-agent in shortstop Manuel Beltre.

The Blue Jays are reportedly poised to sign 15-year old Manuel Beltre for an estimated $2-3 million when the International free-agent signing period commences. Beltre won’t turn 16 until June but is tabbed as one of the best hitters in this year’s crop of available players.

Beltre is a contact hitter with a compact swing who possesses gap power while having a good feel for the strike zone. The right-handed hitter represented the Dominican Republic in the 15U World Cup where he tied for the team lead in hits. The shortstop hit .345/.483/.424 with ten hits including four doubles in the tourney.

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The available crop of players features a host of middle infield prospects aside from Beltre in the top ten. Baseball America has outfielder Pedro Pineda ranked as the top International player with the Oakland Athletics rumoured to have the inside track on signing him.

Cuban outfielder Pedro Leon is ranked second and tabbed to go to the Houston Astros while shortstop Armando Cruz is the highest-ranked shortstop and reportedly headed to the Washington Nationals.

Shortstop Cristian Hernandez is ranked fourth and drawing interest from the Chicago Cubs while shortstop Yiddi Cappe rounds out the top five and is rumoured to be going to the Miami Marlins.

The remaining Top Ten is as follows:

6th- Carlos Colmenarez- Shortstop- Tampa Bay Rays

7th- Cristian Santana- Shortstop- Detroit Tigers

8th- Manuel Beltre- Shortstop- Toronto Blue Jays

9th- Wilman Diaz- Shortstop- Los Angeles Dodgers

10th- Shalin Polanco- Outfielder- Pittsburgh Pirates

Last season, the Jays inked 18 International free-agents including committing $1.2 million to shortstop Rikelvin de Castro and another $750,000 to Venezuelan shortstop Estiven Machado.

The International signing period begins on July 02nd, however, there is speculation that the date may be pushed back due to the Coronavirus pandemic stoppage.

If you want to keep track of Beltre’s progress, give him a follow on Instagram.