Blue Jays Sign International Catching Prospect Luis Meza

According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed 17-year old international free agent catcher Luis Meza.

Sanchez had ranked Meza as the third-best catcher and the 33rd overall prospect available on the international free agent market and the Blue Jays inked him to a $2.25 million contract.

Jays Journal writer Nick Prasad provided a report on Meza back in December when there were rumblings that Meza would sign with the Blue Jays when the international signing period opened up.  Prasad mentions that he has a goalie style to his play behind the plate that allows him to react smoothly to pitches and stated “His arm is above average with strong potential and his bat can touch all fields with raw power, quick hands and above-average bat speed.”

With the international signing period opening up today, the Blue Jays made a splash by signing catching prospect Luis Meza to a $2.25 million bonus.

Meza has been playing under the KPL Academy in Venezuela.  MLB scouting report on Meza has a 55 score in fielding while having a 50 score in Hit, Power, Arm and Overall.  Meza won’t turn 18 until the end of the 2022 baseball season and he will be joining the Blue Jays organization that is deep in catching depth.  While the team is deep in the position, Meza is nearly five years younger than fellow Venezuelan-born prospect Gabriel Moreno who is considered the next top-catching prospect in the organization.  Adding Meza helps bring in the next wave of players and should be seen as a valuable signing. The club is also connected to three different prospects from the Dominican now that the international signing period is open.

What are your thoughts, do you think the Blue Jays should have used that money on a catcher or gone after a different position?