Tampa Bay Rays 2020-21 International Signing Preview

This is part of Ben Badler’s 2020-21 international signing day preview. You can find the Rays 2019 International Signing Class here. You can also find his international big board of 2020 prospects here.

The Rays have two international signings in the Top 100 Prospects with second baseman Vidal Brujan and, of course, shortstop Wander Franco, the No. 1 prospect in baseball. Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez, another Rays international signing, is a former Futures Gamer who has also been in the Top 100. The work of the organization’s international scouting department is a big reason why the Rays have had the game’s top-ranked farm system and were the 2019 Baseball America Organization of the Year.

So it’s no surprise the Rays in September 2019 promoted Carlos Rodriguez from international scouting director to vice president of player development and international scouting, with Steve Miller promoted from international crosschecker to international scouting director.

In the 2020-21 signing period that starts on Jan. 15, the Rays look poised to add more impact talent to the organization.

They’re expected to sign Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Colmenarez, who has a case as the top 2020-21 player in Latin America. He’s a lefthanded-hitting shortstop with a pretty swing, with a barrel that explodes through the hitting zone with good path and ability to drive the ball with impact to go along with fluid, easy actions in the field.

Dominican center fielder Jhonny Piron is expected to sign with the Rays in the $1.5 million to $2 million range. He’s a lean 6-foot-1, 178 pounds who is a quick-burst athlete and stands out for his speed and range in center field.

Among the other notable players connected to the Rays are Venezuelan shortstop Jesus Quevedo, who has some of the best defensive actions in the class, as well as Venezuelan shortstop Luis Ariza and Dominican shortstop Gabriel Arias, who trains in the same program as Colmenarez.

Video of Quevedo: