With the turn of the calendar to 2022, so begins the MLB International signing period. Just in time, I’m happy to share my updated rankings, and add some of the prospects expected to sign in the next couple of days. You’ll see two of the international free agents high on my prospect list, with polished games and loud tools. To put my impression of them into context, I’d have both players at least a full tier ahead of last year’s signees, including Dodgers prospect Wilman Diaz, Christian Hernandez of the Cubs, and the Rays Carlos Colmenarez. I was excited to dig into this group as there’s plenty of talent to add depth to this year’s supplemental draft-eligible players.

For a short analysis of the top three international players ranked, please keep reading past the list. Any comments or feedback is welcome as well, enjoy!

Cristian Vaquero, OF Washington Nationals

Already 6’3” and 185 lbs at 17, Vaquero is quite physically mature but still has some room to grow. He has good plate discipline and a quick bat, using his core and fluid hip rotation to generate easy plus raw power. He has control of his long levers at a young age which should help his hit tool develop to at least above average. He was a switch hitter at a young age but gave it up, and now hits only from the left side. Cristian’s able to hit balls with power to all fields and keeps control of his swing rather than sell out for power. The best is yet to come for fantasy players and Nats fans, as his best tool is his easy plus and maybe even double-plus speed. Registering 6.4 60-yard dash times in Cuba, Cristian accelerates quickly for a player his size and should be able to steal a minimum of 20+ bases even if he gained 10% of his current body weight. Defensively his arm is easy plus as well, throwing 95 mph rockets on target. Vaquero’s tools stand out, plain and simple, and he should go very high in dynasty supplemental drafts. Please keep in mind he was only 14 years old in the video linked below.

Roderick Arias, SS New York Yankees

Another 17-year-old signee, Arias is a switch hitter measuring in at 6’1” and 180 lbs. Arias has a simple and fluid swing from the right side with good plate coverage and contact skills. He has good plate awareness and what I would call a plus hit tool. He’s able to get loft under the ball when he finds his pitch, generating above-average power, especially from the right side, without sacrificing contact. He’s very quick on the bases and should be able to steal 15+ bases at the highest level. Defensively Arias has an above-average to plus arm, with the hands to stay at short, but also the athleticism to move anywhere in the infield. Yankee prospects are known to have plenty of hype, but in Arias’ case, it’s warranted. He has all-star potential at one of the deepest positions in the game, with as high a floor you’ll find in a 17-year-old. If your dynasty team can wait the years it will take for Roderick to develop, it would be wise to take him early in your supplemental drafts.

Ricardo Cabrera, SS, Cincinnati Reds

Another 17-year-old SS, Ricardo stands 6’0” flat and 180 lbs. There are videos available of him a year or two old, and it looks like he’s matured physically which could be a sign he’s not filled out yet. Cabrera has as quiet and simple a swing as you’ll see, with almost no movement before the pitch is released, no leg kick, wrist wrap, or even stride forward. Ricardo is ready to hit from the get-go and focused on the pitch. His bat speed is above average and contact skills are plus, with the ability to spray the ball from foul pole to foul pole seemingly at will. This is to say he should hit for a high average through the minors with minimal strikeouts. There is power in the bat too, but probably not as much as the two international free agents ranked higher on this list, and may only be an average tool at least when talking of putting balls over the fence. On the bases Ricardo is a good runner and should steal double-digit bags, maybe even more than 20 in the lower levels of the minors. I have Cabrera pegged as a 2^nd round value in 15 team dynasty supplemental drafts, and if he were to develop a bit more power he’d rise up rankings quickly. Being only 17 and still growing, with a potential future home of Great American Ball Park, the future is bright for Ricardo.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=337090903765179