With the hiring of Brodie Van Wagenen, there was some upheaval in the Mets international scouting department. Well regarded scout Chris Becerra was hired by the Boston Red Sox, and as a result, the organization would reorganize their international scouting department.
Becerra was replaced by Rafael Perez, who had previously worked with the commissioner’s office. Joining him in the Mets front office were Luis Marquez, previously from the Dodgers, and Moises de la Mota, who was previously with the Nationals. The new international scouting department’s first international free agent class was analyzed by Ben Badler of Baseball America:
Alexander Ramirez, OF
Age: 16
Bonus: $2.05 million
BA: “He’s a potential/power speed threat, with plus speed and an average arm that could still get stronger. As long as Ramirez doesn’t get too big and retains his running ability, he should be able to stay up the middle as a physical center fielder.”
Fernando Villalobos, C
Age: 17
Bonus: 400,000
BA: “Villalobos moves well for a catcher with fringe-average speed, but he’s a former pitcher and third baseman who has only been focused on catching the last couple years, so his receiving and blocking are behind.”
Eric Santana, CF
Age: 17
Bonus: $385,000
BA: ” He has a knack for finding the barrel with a line-drive, all-fields hitting approach and gap power, with his pure hitting ability standing out more than his power. Santana isn’t a burner, but his average speed plays up because of his defensive instincts, so he will develop as a center fielder with a below-average arm.”
Yeral Martinez, OF
Age: 17
Bonus: $335,000
BA: “He’s athletic for his size, with average speed underway, but he projects to slow down in the next few years.”
Victor Gonzalez, SS
Age: 17
Bonus: $250,000
BA: “He’s an average runner with a quick first step, covers ground well and has a strong arm for the position.”
Junior Tilien, SS
Age: 17
Bonus: $185,000
BA: “Tilien is an offensive-oriented player who a lot of scouts from other clubs expected would change positions and possibly move to the outfield, but the Mets were significantly higher on his defense and believe he can stay at the position.”
Isnael Monegro, SS
Age: 17
Bonus: 125,000
BA: “a 17-year-old cousin of Padres center fielder Manuel Margot, signed with the Mets for $125,000. Monegro is a skinny (6 feet, 150) kid with quick-twitch actions and athletic in the field and a plus arm.”
Jostyn Almonte, OF
Age: 16
Bonus: $80,000
BA: “Almonte has good bat speed and a chance to develop average raw power, though he’s more tools than refined skills, so he will have to curb his swing-and-miss tendencies.”
Robert Dominguez, RHP
Age: 18
Bonus: $10,000
BA: “He signed with the Mets, then at the end of Dominican instructional league, he reached 99 mph just before his 18th birthday.”
Jose Acuna, RHP
Age: 17
BA: “He shows feel for a curveball with good rotation and a changeup that’s firm but has good movement, which along with his strike-throwing ability for his age gives him the makings of a starter profile.
Overall, the only 2019 signee who would play for a Mets minor league affiliate was Villalobos. In 30 games in the Dominican Summer League, he hit .193/.382/.232 with three doubles and six RBI. From behind the plate, he would throw out 29 percent of base stealers.
Of the group, Ramirez was the highest touted, and that is reflected in his receiving the third highest signing bonus in team history. The Mets gave him that bonus because he could develop into a five tool center fielder. However, the one prospects Baseball America came away with most impressed is Dominguez. Part of the reason was his ability to throw 99 MPH at a young age and the ability to potentially throw a good breaking pitch.
Overall, there is a lot of promise with these players. It will be incumbent on the Mets organization to develop these players over the ensuing years to help them reach their full potential. If so, they can join past international free agents like Amed Rosario and Jeurys Familia to be impact Major Leaguers on the Mets.
