Francisco Álvarez and Daiverson Gutierrez
As anticipated, the New York Mets were able to secure three of the top 50 international free agent prospects for the 2023 signing period. Those prospects were catcher Daiverson Gutierrez, shortstop Cristopher Larez, and outfielder Anthony Baptist.
The Mets allocated $4.5 million of their $5.284 million bonus pool to those three players. Despite allocating 85% of their bonus pool to those three players, the Mets were able to sign 27 players in total. The additional 24 players signed were:
- OF Anthony Acosta
- RHP Jesus Anton
- OF Enderson Asencio
- RHP Jean Brito
- LHP Osiris Calvo
- RHP Luis Ceballos
- INF Daris Coredero
- INF Branny De Oleo
- OF Reniel Diaz
- INF Keiver Garcia
- INF Vladi Gomez
- C Julian Hernandez
- RHP Ramon Henriquez
- LHP Daviel Hurtado
- LHP Misael Lopez
- LHP Wilmer Lugo
- RHP Elwis Mijares
- OF Jonathan Perez
- C Henry Pizani
- OF Heriberto Rincon
- OF Derek Rodriguez
- INF Leyderman Ruiz
- C Marcos Terrero
- C/INF Julio Zayas
It should be noted bonuses under $10,000 do not count against the cap pool. That is part of the reason why the Mets were able to sign so many players in international free agency.
Aside from the top three, there were a few other stand-out signees. Cuban pitcher 19 year old pitcher Hurtado can throw in the mid 90s and shows a good curve. His bonus was $640,000.
The Mets are also signing 19-year-old Cuban left-hander Daviel Hurtado.
Fastball has been up to 95 mph and has a big curve.
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) January 15, 2023
Another notable left-handed pitcher was Lugo. The 16 year old Venezuelan is arguably the top pitcher the Mets signed in this class. Like Hurtado, he has a big arm with the ability to pitch into the mid-90s. Overall, he has true swing-and-miss stuff combining that fastball with a change and curve.
Another notable international pitching signing for the Mets today is LHP Wilmer Lugo.
Big stuff, has been able to overpower hitters with his FB/CB/CH mix, touching mid-90s. Command lagging behind but improving. pic.twitter.com/NlZwXxpAzl
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) January 15, 2023
In total, the Mets signed 15 players from the Dominican Republic, 11 from Venezuela, and one from Cuba. There were five right-handed pitchers, four left-handed pitchers, five catchers, eight infielders, and six outfielders.
Overall, the Mets have shown the ability to develop international players into top prospects and Major League players. It will be interesting to see who from this class can join names like Francisco Álvarez, Ronny Mauricio, and Alex Ramirez in the ensuing seasons.
