St. Louis Cardinals 2020-21 International Signing Preview

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

The Cardinals’ 2019 signing class took a spread-it-around approach. There were no million-dollar signing in the class, with the organization instead signing a large number of players for bonuses in the mid-six figures and under range, from a variety of countries ranging from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Australia, Italy and Aruba.

It seems like they are going to take a similar strategy in the 2020-21 class that starts on Jan. 15.

One of their top signings is expected to be Adari Grant, as Cardinals correspondent Derrick Goold reported. Grant is an 18-year-old shortstop from the Bahamas with a smaller but strong build (5-foot-8, 170 pounds), quick-twitch athleticism and excellent speed, with 60-yard times in the 6.5-second territory. Scouts were split on his righthanded-hitting ability, but those highest on him saw offensive components they liked. He might start his pro career at shortstop, though several scouts thought he would eventually move either to second base or center field.

One of the top players in Panama, catcher Leonardo Bernal, is expected to sign with the Cardinals. Bernal was one of the youngest players on Panama’s team that won a silver medal in their home country in the U-15 World Cup, a roster that included two of the top 2019 international signings in Padres shortstop Reggie Preciado and Indians center fielder Luis Durango Jr. A switch-hitting catcher, Bernal projects to stick behind the plate, where he blocks and receives well with strong catch-and-throw skills for his age.

Dominican shortstop Elias Reynoso is another player the Cardinals are expected to sign. He’s a solid athlete with a chance to stay at the position, with a line-drive approach and gap power from the right side.

Robelin Lopez, a physical corner outfielder with good power for his age, is another player linked to the Cardinals. So are Dominican shortstops Anyelo Encarnacion, Yansel Guerrero and Marcelo Perez, as well as Dominican outfielder Romtres Cabrera and Venezuelan outfielder Cristian Avendano.

Anyelo Encarnacion:

Romtres Cabrera: