CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Guardians today signed 25 international amateur free agents to open the 2024 signing period.
Among the club’s signings, centerfielder Robert Arias headlined the group and ranks among the top players in Latin America, slotting in at No. 13 per MLB.com’s Top 50 International Prospect Ranking.
The club’s international signing class includes thirteen players from Venezuela, nine from the Dominican Republic, and three from Cuba, as announced by Senior Vice President of Scouting Paul Gillispie and Director of International Scouting Richard Conway.
“The opening of the international signing period is such an incredibly exciting time for these players as they enter the organization. While their professional baseball journey is just beginning, today celebrates the culmination of a lot of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice over the years— not only for the players, but also their families and trainers, who have supported them along the way,” said Conway. “Today is also an exciting time for our organization. Our scouting staff worked tirelessly to identify and get to know the best young players across the globe. We’re appreciative of the number of people across multiple departments that have worked collaboratively to bring this group of players into the organization. We’re exceedingly proud and so thankful for their contributions.”
From MLB.com on Arias:
Arias is considered a premium athlete and should have the chance to sport plus tools across the board if he continues to develop at a normal pace. His bat-to-ball skills are advanced for his age, and he has a knack for putting the ball in play. He’s aggressive in the batter’s box and already features a loose and mechanically sound swing. Overall, the twitchy athlete has a lean body and is expected to add muscle as he matures and his body develops. He has already shown speed potential and could emerge as a threat on the basepaths. Arias has a chance to become an above-average defender. If all goes according to plan, he projects to provide offensive production at the top of the lineup and solid defense in the outfield. The teen trains with Quico Pena in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
