The international signing period serves as a chance for potential future baseball stars to land their way into an MLB organization before even turning 18 years of age. This year, the Los Angeles Angels had $5.179 million of bonus pool money for international signings.
They took advantage by signing 16 international prospects, including two ranked in the top 50 by MLB Pipeline. Seven prospects hail from Venezuela, four from the Dominican Republic, three from Panama, and two from Cuba to make up a class of 16 teens joining the Angels organization.
The first top-50 prospect brought in by the Angels is left-handed outfielder Nelson Rada. Rada is ranked the No. 15 international prospect by Baseball America and No. 29 by MLB Pipeline. He was given the largest signing bonus of any Angels addition from this period, reportedly getting $1.8 million.
I’m happy to announce the signing of another future superstar who comes from our program OL Academy in Venezuela and who is also the new acquisition of @OLbaseballgroup.
Don’t forget this name: Nelson Rada.
He is going to be incredible!!!
Rada just signed with @Angels for $1.8M. pic.twitter.com/5pblt2gEui— Felix Leonardo Olivo (@felixolivo19) January 15, 2022
The other top-50 prospect brought in by the Halos is another outfielder, Dominican-born Randy de Jesus. De Jesus signed for $1.2 million and is ranked No. 38 by MLB Pipeline. Of the remaining 14, seven are pitchers and seven are position players, all of whom are listed below.
Full Angels international signing class
Sadiel Baro, LHP, Cuba
Kevyn Castillo, OF, Venezuela
Manuel Cazorla, LHP, Venezuela
Randy de Jesus, OF, Dominican Republic (No. 38 Int’l Prospect)
Nixon Encarnacion, RHP, Dominican Republic
Wilifer Estrella, OF, Dominican Republic
Miguel Gomez, RHP, Panama
Dario Laverde, C, Venezuela
Jonathan Linares, C, Cuba
David Lopez, LHP, Panama
Capri Ortiz, SS, Dominican Republic
Nelson Rada, OF, Venezuela (No. 29 Int’l Prospect)
Eliezer Rivero, C, Venezuela
Alejandro Rodriguez, LHP, Venezuela
Luis Rodriguez, SS, Venezuela
Marco Vega, RHP, Panama
