Gabriel Davalillo, the No. 17 international prospect per MLB Pipeline, has agreed to terms with a deal as the headliner of the Los Angeles Angels’ 2025 international class. The 17-year-old backstop also ranks as the No. 1 catching prospect in this year’s group.
Davalillo’s bonus is worth $2 million. The club received $6.26 million in pool money this year.
The 17-year-old out of Venezuela is seen as an offense-first backstop with a powerful swing. A right-handed bat, he is also able to hit to all parts of the field and leg out extra-base hits. He has drawn comparisons to fellow Venezuelan catcher Francisco Alvarez offensively, as Davalillo similarly boasts sizable pop from a sub-6-foot frame.
Angels historians may be familiar with the name Davalillo. Left-handed-hitting outfielder Vic Davalillo suited up for the Angels in 1968 and 1969. He was a part of the inaugural Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame class in 2003 and collected 1,122 hits across 16 big league seasons.
From 1994-98, David Davalillo was a utility infielder in the Angels’ system, making it as high as Double-A. Gabriel is David’s son.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.
This is not an exhaustive list, but here are just some of the players that the Angels added through international free agency this winter and their bonuses.
Yilver De Paula, SS, Dominican Republic — $900,000
Jose Santana, SS, Dominican Republic — $400,000
Yojancel Cabrera, SS, Dominican Republic — $400,000
Cesar Paredes, SS, Dominican Republic — $350,000
Junior Suriel, OF, Dominican Republic — $300,000
Albert Morel, RHP, Dominican Republic — $300,000
Yelinson Betances, OF, Dominican Republic — $300,000
Angels among L.A. teams donating for wildfire relief
The Angels, Los Angeles Lakers, Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Sparks pledged a combined donation of more than $8 million to support victims in need, as well as those fighting the Southern California wildfires.
Beneficiaries of the teams’ contributions include the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon and various local animal rescue organizations.
