On Monday, the New York Mets announced the signing of 20 international free-agent players. In an announcement that welcomed the newest Mets, Mets Director of International Scouting, Steve Barningham described Monday’s signings as “the beginning of a journey for those players as they take their first steps in professional baseball.”

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was down in the Dominican Republic visiting Starling Marte when the signings occurred. “These players and their families have worked hard to get to this day, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue pursuing their dreams to be Major League Players,” Stearns said.

Stearns discussed the Mets’ focus on building a championship team and said that acquiring and developing young prospects is part of that process. “Having an international scouting and development apparatus that regularly brings quality players into our organization is essential,” Stearns said.

Of the 20 players signed, the Mets inked three of baseball’s top 50 international free agents, including No. 6, 17-year-old Yovanny Rodriguez (catcher), No. 31 Jensi Rivas (SS), and No. 41 Edward Lantigua (OF). Also of notable mention was the signing of Vladi Miguel Guerrero, the son of Hall-Of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

The list of international players that the Mets signed on Monday includes:

• Yovanny Rodriguez – Catcher, Venezuela (11/7/2006)
• Edward Lantigua – Outfielder, Dominic Republic (11/13/2006)
• Leandy Mella – Infielder, Dominican Republic (2/4/2007)
• Jensi Rivas – Infielder, Dominican Republic (10/14/2006)
• Bohan Adderley – Infielder/Outfielder, Bahamas (11/10/2006)
• Vladi Guerrero – Outfielder/Infielder, Dominican Republic (9/21/2006)
• Luis Montero – Left-handed pitcher, Dominican Republic (9/9/2006)
• Maxgregori Harvey – Right-handed pitcher, Dominican Republic (11/12/2006)
• Angel De La Rosa – Left-handed pitcher, Dominican Republic (11/20/2005)
• Leyvi Rodriguez – Right-handed pitcher, Dominican Republic (5/17/2006)
• Anthony Delgado – Outfielder, Dominican Republic (1/27/2007)
• Fidel Pinango – Infielder/ outfielder, Venezuela  (7/13/2007)
• Jonnhan Sanchez – Outfielder, Venezuela (5/8/2007)
• Josmir Reyes – Catcher, Venezuela (9/21/2006)
• Leiner Ramirez – Infielder, Colombia (7/3/2007)
• Rocky Solano – Outfielder, Dominican Republic (7/3/2007)
• Starling Fernandez – Infielder, Dominican Republic (10/17/2006)
• Roybert Herrera – Infielder/outfielder, Venezuela (6/30/2007)
• Diover De Aza – Infielder, Dominican Republic ((8/15/2007)
• Franklin Candelario – Outfielder, Dominican Republic (12/11/2006)

As mentioned above, the Mets signed three of baseball’s top 50 international free agents, including Rodriguez, Rivas, and Lantigua.

Yovanny Rodriguez, Catcher

MLB.com describes Rodriguez, the 6’0″ catcher, “as an advanced catching prospect with some pop and skills. Rodriguez can potentially be a star on both sides of the ball.”

Per MLB.com, scouts emphasized Rodriguez’s leadership, maturity, and work ethic on and off the field. He is a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program. He has maturity behind the plate and an ability to stay composed. He has plus arm-strength potential and great hands.

Offensively, Rodriguez can hit the ball to all fields and creates hard contact and loft. He shows good bat-to-ball skills with power and more room to continue to get stronger and improve as he matures.

Jensi Rivas, Infielder

Rivas, 17 years old, is ranked by MLB.com as the No. 31 free agent in this year’s class. He is a switch hitter, and MLB scouts say he is one of the most polished hitters in the class and can play defense.

At the plate, Rivas shows composure and an ability to stay disciplined. He has a strong ability to put the bat to the ball from both sides of the plate, has good pull-side power, and doesn’t often strike out, instead putting the ball into play, hitting to all fields and with hard contact as well.

Defensively, Rivas has good arm strength, soft hands, and good footwork.

Of note is Rivas, who is known for his strong work ethic. “He is expected to home those (offensive) skills” once he arrives at the Mets’ academy.

Edward Lantigua

Lantigua is another 17-year-old prospect. Scouts describe him as “an evolving player with premier talent and is already one of the most interesting prospects on the international market.” He has an all-star caliber size, speed, athleticism, a natural feel for hitting, and solid power at the plate.

Lantigua has plus-speed and plus-arm strength, allowing him to be a flexible outfielder who could play center field or the corners.

Lantigua is also a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

Vladi Miguel Guerrero

As mentioned above, Guerrero is the son of Hall-Of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. He is also the half-brother of Blue Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero hits from the left side and has a short, smooth swing. He has the ability to control the strike zone, hits with power, and stays composed at the plate.

Guerrero is expected to be a long-term first baseman or corner outfielder.

The Mets signed 20 international free-agent players on Monday, and those players will head to the Mets’ academy as they begin their professional careers.

“Today is a great day for the New York Mets as we welcome an exciting class of talented players into the organization,” Barningham said. “I want to thank our entire baseball operations team, as well as the families of these young men, for their help along the way.”