Blue Jays sign top international prospect Enmanuel Bonilla, amongst others

The Toronto Blue Jays kick off the international signing period with their expected prospect in agreement to a deal, along with a few other names set to join the organization.

The international signing period opened on Sunday, and teams got a crack at the international free agents they’ve been eyeing for a year. The Blue Jays inked who is said to be one of the top international amateur prospect outfielders, Enmanuel Bonilla. Bonilla’s agreement with the Blue Jays was accompanied by a $4.1M deal; this is out of the $5,284,000 signing pool the Jays have allotted for international prospects.

The Blue Jays have also signed a few other international prospects (there will be more to come on these guys):

OF Daniel Perez – Cuba

LHP Andersson Barvosa -Venezuela

RHP Samuel Acuna – Venezuela

C Juan Rosas - Panama

SS Jarold Montealto

OF David Guzman

RHP Samuel Colmenares

C Ivan Gomez

2B Adrian Meza

LHP Eduar Gonzalez

Enmanuel Bonilla, from Sabaneta De Yasica, Dominican Republic, is set to turn 17-years-old in just a few days.  He holds the athletic frame of 6’1”, weighing 180lb, executing all tools from the right side. As an amateur prospect undergoing development, Bonilla shows above average tools on his initial 20-80 grade scale rankings. He’s an offensive prospect who catches the eye, with his strong-build stance, heavy-set lower half, and muscular upper body. Walking into any ballpark, whether it’s in Sabaneta De Yasica, La Romana, San Pedro, or Boca Chica, Bonilla’s physical presence is noticeable.

Bonilla is ranked seventh of MLB’s top 50 ranked international prospects and is the top outfielder in the class. He’s known for this bat, with the ability to play the corner outfield.

Bonilla can barrel up, with the ability to go gap-to-gap, using the field as his garden for extra-base hits. His strength translates to great bat speed, pulling his hands in, and the barrel through the zone. He has an above-average arm and good fundamentals as a defender.

Although corner outfield may be his thing, a development in speed and agility could land him a role in center field. Bonilla’s young raw tools fit in a very workable makeup; he has tons of room to develop and carry all the traits to be successful. This selection will definitely improve the Blue Jays system, increasing the competition for promotion from the grassroots and up.