Toronto Blue Jays 2020-21 International Signing Preview

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

Toronto’s international signing classes over the last five years have netted several promising position prospects for the organization, with 2015 signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the most prominent of the group. Shortstops Orelvis Martinez and Miguel Hiraldo, catchers Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno and shortstop/second baseman Otto Lopez are all top 12 prospects in the system who the Blue Jays signed out of Latin America in the last five years.

Following a deep 2019 signing class, the Blue Jays are set to add another one of the top hitters in Latin America, Dominican shortstop Manuel Beltre. He has a simple, repeatable swing and has consistently performed at a high level in games, often traveling to the United States for tournaments. He’s a student of the game with instincts and baseball savvy well beyond his years.

The Blue Jays are also expected to sign Martin Gimenez, a long-limbed, lanky shortstop (6-foot-3, 160 pounds) who has a chance to hit for power as he fills out his frame. A position change is probably in his future, with a strong arm that could fit at third base.

There will be another shortstop named Luis Garcia to keep track of when the Blue Jays add Venezuelan shortstop Luis Garcia once the signing period opens. Garcia has plus speed and arm strength, with the tools to be a good defender at shortstop. He’s a switch-hitter with a fairly simple swing, though without much power from his 5-foot-10 frame.

Venezuelan center fielder Yhoangel Aponte is another player linked to Toronto. He showed excellent defensive instincts at a Nations Baseball Showcase in Aruba and he drives the ball for hard contact from the right side of the plate. Dominican catcher Jonathan Peguero is also expected to sign with the Blue Jays, with a bonus likely to be a tick south of $500,000.

Video of Aponte: