Toronto strikes a deal with three foreign talents.
Once again, the Blue Jays are making a big impression on the global scene. Industry sources claim that as the 2024 signing window began on Monday, Toronto reached agreements with outfielder Andres Arias, shortstop Angel Guzman, and catcher Franklin Rojas. The club has not yet finalized the deals. After Chris Bassitt turned down a qualifying offer from the Mets, the Blue Jays had to lose $500,000 from their signing bonus pool. This left Toronto with a $5.152 million pool.
MLB.com ranks the athletic Rojas as the No. 27 foreign prospect in this year’s class, and he might carry on the Venezuelan catchers’ dominance from previous years. He moves incredibly well and projects himself as an average runner. He is quick and nimble. He displays promising qualities as a strong defender behind the dish, demonstrating excellent game-calling, blocking, and footwork skills. His pop times and transfer impress scouts, and he keeps becoming better.
Rojas is an aggressive hitter who aims to cause damage at the plate. He has good bat speed, plus power potential, and consistently makes strong contact. In international competition, he led the Venezuelan team as captain. Guzman (number 32) has shown promise on the ball in both directions. Along the way, his power to the gaps has improved and he has grown noticeably stronger. Scouts think Guzman has the potential to develop into a lineup’s stealthy source of power as he gets older and bulks up. He is a contender to contribute at the top of the order due to his hit tool and complete offensive package.
The athletic Guzman is a natural shortstop on defense. He moves smoothly in the field, has soft hands, and has outstanding body control. As he advances through the Minor Leagues, he will be able to hold the position because to his arm strength. Guzman has been compared to Geraldo Perdomo of the D-backs. Ranking No. 34, Arias is among the biggest and most developed prospects available, and with the Blue Jays, he has a great opportunity to make an immediate impact.With a massive, well-proportioned frame, the kid exhibits great power potential despite his physical strength. He makes hard contact with all fields at the plate with a compact, down-plane swing. Because of his size and strength, he might only be able to play corner outfield in the future, but Arias has the offensive potential to succeed there. Between January 15 and December 15, international players are able to sign with Major League teams. Prior to signing, he must turn 16 and be 17 by September 1st of the following year.
Accordingly, athletes who were born between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2007, are qualified to sign within the current signing window. To be eligible to sign, players must first register with Major League Baseball.