Looking at the prospects the Blue Jays have signed in International Free Agency this year

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Brennan Delaney | Last updated Jan 15, 2024 11:19 AM ET

In the midst of a very boring off-season, we have the beginning of the International Free Agency period.

On Monday, January 15, the period opened for all teams who have a set amount of money to spend on young prospects from across the globe. Due to signing Chris Bassitt during the 2022-23 off-season, the Blue Jays have less international bonus pool money with only $5,152,200 to spend.

Still, they’ve reached an agreement with several notable prospects who we’ll look at right now.

Franklin Rojas:

The Blue Jays’ catching factory has slowed down in recent years, having had Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk graduating from prospect status, while trading Gabriel Moreno during the last off-season.

As of the 2023 rankings from MLB Pipeline, the Blue Jays have no catcher in their top 30, as Luis Meza, their 2022 international signing, has fallen short of expectations. This could be set to change though, as the Jays are signing catcher Franklin Rojas to a bonus of $1.1 million.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Venezuelan catcher Franklin Rojas (left) have agreed to terms for 1.1 MM dollars, a source says pic.twitter.com/OfxfRTqwDd

— Marcos Grunfeld / Sígueme en YouTube (@TheBeatwriter) January 15, 2024

The 16-year-old ranks as Pipeline’s 27th best prospect. His bio notes that he already looks to be a good defender with “advanced game-calling, blocking and footwork”. Moreover, Rojas hits the ball hard and could easily hit for power as he makes his way up the minor league ladder.

Other signings:

Baseball America has a tracker of players that are expected to sign with the Jays. There are a few other players in their top 50 that they’re expected to sign. They are:

Junior Arias, outfielder, (40)

Pascual Archila, outfielder (46)

Angel Guzman, shortstop, (50)

Rojas ranks as Baseball America’s 35th-best prospect, while Kennew Blanco doesn’t rank for whatever reason. Moreover, the Jays have signed Juarlin Soto (shortstop), Esmeiquel Arreche (catcher), Javado Bain (shortstop), Endry Reyes (shortstop), Yohandi Media (right-handed pitcher).

A fun fact is that Arreche is Gabriel Moreno’s cousin, according to this Sportsnet article from Shi Davidi.

The Kennew Blanco mystery:

The 16-year-old shortstop is ranked as MLB Pipeline’s ninth-best prospect in this year’s class. However, it appears that he will be signing in next year’s period, similar to Junior Arias’ situation last season.

Blanco isn’t signing this year. Had to pull him off my top 50. Reasons unknown.

— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) January 12, 2024

Standing at 6’2”, 160 lb still has a lot of growing to do, but already looks to be loose at the plate with an in-sync swing. As he grows up, he’s projected to have even more power. Defensively, he looks like he could stick at shortstop as he has good footwork and a solid arm for his age.

The Blue Jays have been linked to him for a few years now, so definitely expect him to suit up for the organization at some point.

As more signings are announced, this article will be updated.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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