The Orioles today announced that they have opened the 2023-24 International Signing Period with 19 contract agreements. Highlighting the Orioles’ 2023-24 international signing class are: shortstop EMILIO SÁNCHEZ, outfielder STIVEN MARTÍNEZ, shortstop ELVIN GARCÍA, shortstop JEMONE NUEL, right-handed pitcher YAKI MONDESIR, outfielder ÁNGEL GARCÍA, and right-handed pitcher ESTEBAN MEJÍA. Of the 19 total agreements, 13 are from the Dominican Republic and six are from Venezuela. The signing class includes seven infielders, six outfielders, four pitchers, and two catchers.
Sánchez, 16, was born in San Juan De La Maguana, Dominican Republic. He is ranked as the No. 30 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 31 by Baseball America. He has the chance to be a solid, everyday type of player who is capable of plus offense with average defense. He carries a solid approach at the plate and has a loose swing with good extension and bat speed. The bat stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He possesses good balance and feel for the barrel. Defensively, he will start his career at shortstop but could move to third base as he physically matures and gets stronger.
Martínez, 16, is an outfielder from the Dominican Republic who has the potential to be a five-tool player. He is ranked as the No. 28 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 42 by Baseball America. He carries a plus arm and possesses plenty of raw power for his age as one of the youngest players in his class. He has the ability to hit to all fields as the ball jumps off the bat. Defensively, Martínez has a very strong arm with proper mechanics and an on-line carry. He is viewed as one of the best projects in this class.
García, 16, a native of Mao, Dominican Republic, has the chance to be an everyday shortstop. He has a large frame with a lot of space to fill out, making for excellent body projection. Offensively, he has a short swing with bat speed and carries a good approach at the plate. He is a line-drive type of hitter with the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. On the dirt, he has a chance to stay at shortstop due to his good hands and feet. He maintains fluid and effortless actions with plenty of body control. He is a smart player who understands his role well.
Nuel, 16, is a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, with Jamaican descent, who profiles best as an everyday player. He is a solid hitter who possesses great bat-to-ball skills, shows good feel for the barrel, and sees spin well. He is an advanced hitter for his age and has line-drive power that will help him hit a lot of extra-base hits. On defense, he projects as someone who will remain in the middle of the infield. He is a plus runner who is aggressive on the bases. Nuel will be fun to watch as someone who plays the game with good energy.
Mondesir, a 17-year-old right-hander from San Pedro De Macorís, Dominican Republic, is someone who can throw the ball very hard. He throws a four-seam fastball that can currently touch 94 mph. He has a powerful curveball that he can spin very well, inducing plenty of swings and misses. He also throws a changeup that can improve to be average in the future. He has the chance to be a great arm coming out of the bullpen with a strong fastball and curveball combination.
García, 17, is an outfielder out of Venezuela with the potential to be an everyday player in the big leagues. He is a power-first bat with the strength and focused approach for 14 to 20 homers if things break right. Harnessing plenty of raw power for someone his age, García is able to drive the ball out to the bigger part of the field. He is currently an above-average runner who posted 70 run times. He projects to be better suited for a corner outfield spot as he fills out.
Mejía, 16, is a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic who projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. He currently sits in the mid-to-upper 90’s and features a three-pitch mix. He will have plenty of power and pitch ability in the future, with the ability to clock 100 mph with solid pitches. Mejía throws plenty of strikes and competes with great mound presence. He has a lot of potential to be a plus player.
“It is very exciting for me to welcome these talented individuals and their families to Birdland,” said KOBY PEREZ, Orioles Vice President, International Scouting and Operations. “We feel very good about the players, and more importantly the individuals, that we were able to bring into our organization this signing period. These efforts are only made possible through the diligence and commitment of our staff, and of course the continued support of our international operations from Mike Elias and the partnership group.”
