Major League Baseball opened its international free agent signing period on Wednesday. The Minnesota Twins got off to a great start flipping a prospect projected to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dominican outfielder Teilon Serrano was projected to be headed to the Dodgers at the beginning of the week but FanGraphs Eric Longenhagen reported on Tuesday that he will sign with the Twins. Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com also reported that Serrano will sign for the Twins for roughly $1 million, which Longenhagen suggests was more money he was set to receive from the Dodgers.
Serrano was ranked 74th on Baseball America’s international bonus board entering the IFA period but that ranking reflects the bonus he was set to receive rather than a player’s potential. Serrano also ranked 50th on MLB.com’s top international prospects list, which is based on talent.
While teams are more inclined to dish out bigger bonuses to players they feel have more potential, Serrano was trending up on BA’s list thanks to his quick-twitch athleticism and offensive upside.
“He’s a 6-foot-1 lefthanded hitter who has shown good bat-to-ball skills with the bat speed that gives him a chance to drive the ball with impact, as well,” Baseball America’s Ben Badler said of Serrano. “A former shortstop, Serrano is still learning center field but has the plays speed and first-step quickness to potentially stick there.”
Telion Serrano gives Twins five top-100 prospects in international free agency
The Twins already have the framework of a solid class as they agreed to a deal with Venezuelan shortstops Santiago Leon and Haritzon Castillo, who ranked 24th and 43rd on MLB.com’s top 50 list respectively. Dominican outfielder Carlos Taveras also is expected to sign with the Twins and ranks 26th on MLB.com’s list.
Minnesota also added another prospect to the class, signing 5-foot-11 Venezuelan shortstop Jose Barrios Wednesday. MLB.com reports the Twins gave Barrios a $422,500 signing bonus and Badler praised Barrios’s quick burst and athletic actions while showing some offensive potential.
“He has nimble footwork, quick hands and the tools to stick at shortstop. Barrios is a switch-hitter with good bat speed for a player with his slender frame, but he will need to get stronger to enhance his offensive game.”
Badler had one more intriguing prospect in Santiago Castellanos. The Venezuelan right-hander is not listed on the top 100 list for Baseball America or the top 50 list for MLB.com but was labeled as "a significant up-arrow pitcher" in Badler's review of the class.
"He's a 6-foot righthander whose stuff has taken off over the past year to where he has become one of the best pitchers in the class," Badler wrote. "He's 16 with outstanding arm speed and already reaching 97 mph with a lively fastball. He shows feel to spin a hard curveball with good depth and will flash an occasional changeup."