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Mets sign catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, Vladi Miguel Guerrero to open international signing period

Jan. 15, 2024
Mets sign catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, Vladi Miguel Guerrero to open international signing period

In addition to adding a familiar name, the Mets have signed a top international catcher once again.

The club opened the international signing period on Monday by signing a 20-player group highlighted by Venezuelan catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, reportedly for $2.85 million, along with Vladi Miguel Guerrero — the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and half brother of Blue Jays star Vlad Guerrero Jr.

Rodriguez, 17, was ranked the fifth-best prospect overall in this year’s class by Baseball America and No. 6 by MLB.com.

He continues a trend of the Mets signing talented backstops internationally, after they handed their biggest signing bonus ($1.9 million) last year to catcher Daiverson Gutierrez and landed current starter Francisco Alvarez for $2.7 million in 2018.

The Mets, working with a bonus pool of $5.284 million, also signed two other prospects who were included in MLB.com’s Top-50 international free-agent rankings: switch-hitting shortstop Yensi Rivas (signed for $500,000, per MLB.com) and outfielder Edward Lantigua ($950,000), both from the Dominican Republic.

“As we carry out our goal of creating a championship-caliber organization, we will need to continue to acquire and develop future Mets,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement announcing the signings. “Having an international scouting and development apparatus that regularly brings quality players into our organization is essential.”

Vladi Miguel Guerrero, 17, is a left-handed bat who signed for $117,000.

“He’s a very interesting prospect, bat first as there’s plus-impact potential — above-average bat speed with potential plus raw power as well,” a National League international scout previously told The Post’s Joel Sherman. “More of a power over offensive profile, not as pure a hitter as Vlad Jr. but comes with the same concerns as he’ll have to watch his body and is a fair athlete as well. There’s thunder in those from the left-hand side.”


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