2020 MLB International Prospects Signing Preview: Part 6

There’s uncertainty as to how everything in baseball will proceed this year, including the amateur signing process for the draft and international free agency.

For now, the 2020-21 international signing period is on schedule to open on July 2. Here’s the sixth part of our 2020 international signing preview, with more high-profile prospects to watch along with videos and the teams expected to sign each player.

For more reports, see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 of our international signing previews.

Daniel Vasquez, SS, Dominican Republic

The Royals spent most of their 2019-20 bonus pool on Dominican outfielder Erick Peña, the No. 3 player in the class, giving him $3,897,500. This year, the Royals look like they are going to spread their money around a little bit more, with Vasquez their top target for a bonus expected to be north of $1.5 million. Vasquez has gotten taller and stronger since he was seen early on, combining an athletic frame with good actions and feel for the game. He has shown solid bat-to-ball skills from the right side of the plate, with a hit-over-power profile now but the physical projection to grow into more power once he adds strength. He trains with Jaime Ramos.

Maikol Hernandez, SS, Venezuela

The Orioles are no longer a zero in Latin America. They started getting more involved in 2019, coming away with a few promising, projectable pitching prospects. This year, they appear to be players on bigger targets particularly on the position side, led by Hernandez. He’s a physical, athletic shortstop with a chance to be power/speed threat, running plus underway in the 60-yard dash with a fairly easy swing, a fast bat and over-the-fence power from the right side. Hernandez trains with Jhoan Hidalgo.

Jhonny Piron, OF, Dominican Republic

The top player the Rays are expected to sign on July 2 is Carlos Colmenarez, a Venezuelan shortstop who has a case as the top prospect in his country and perhaps the entire 2020 class. After Colmenarez, the Rays are also expected to land Piron, with a bonus likely to come in a little below $2 million. Piron is an excellent athlete, a plus or better runner who can handle center field. Piron stands out more for his raw athleticism and speed than his hitting ability, but he has a quick bat and started driving the ball better after adding strength to his thin 6-foot-1 frame. Piron trains at the Quality Baseball Academy.

Daniel Montesino, OF, Venezuela

Last week, we wrote up Samuel Zavala, a lefthanded Venezuelan outfielder the Padres are expected to sign on July 2. Montesino, also linked to the Padres, has similarities to Zavala as another lefthanded-hitting outfielder who has stood out for his hitting ability and game performance as an amateur in Venezuela. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Montesino is more physical and projects as a corner outfielder. He trains with Carlos Guillen.

Danyer Cueva, SS, Venezuela

The Rangers signed Maximo Acosta, the top-ranked shortstop in Venezuela in the 2019 class. This year they’re expected to sign Cueva, one of the top shortstops in the country for the 2020 class. Cueva is a 6-foot shortstop who stands out for his smooth, compact stroke from the left side, with an efficient, balanced swing and barrel awareness. He trains with Kander de Pablos.