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The 2020-21 international signing period is upon us, with the Dodgers signing a pair of Venezuelan teenagers to top their class on the first day of the period. The Dodger announced the signing of 22 players in all.
In a normal baseball calendar, the international signing period runs from July 2 to June 15, but with the pandemic forcing a shutdown of MLB’s infrastructure for over three months last summer, plans changed. The next two international signing periods run from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15.
The 6’2 shortstop turned 17 in November, and was ranked the No. 3 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 7 by Baseball America. From his MLB Pipeline scouting report: “Diaz shows a plus hit tool with excellent bat speed and a knack for recognizing pitches. There’s a natural loft to his pull side, but he has also shown the ability to drive the ball the other way with authority.”
“His frame isn’t as angular and projectable as the other top-of-the class infielders but Diaz is the best pure hitter among them. While there’s not overt power projection on the frame, you can project more future in-game power from Diaz because he’s an explosive rotational athlete whose backswing threatens to clip the mask of the catcher behind him. He’s arguably a bit safer than some of the other top amateur shortstops in our international rankings because of how he’s hit in games.”
“The athletic Diaz has five-tool potential, and the sky is the limit. Ultimately, it’s his combination of present ability to hit and future upside at a premium position that make him the top teen in the international class of 2020.