Seattle’s international free agent class grows to 11 with eight new signings

A week after landing three top international prospects, Seattle continued their signing spree and welcomed eight players to their minor league system on Thursday.

In a news release, Seattle Mariners Director of International Scouting Frankie Thon Jr. announced the following signings:

· Sebastian Barrios, RHP, Guatemala

· William Calderon, RHP, Panama

· Joaan De Jesus, INF/C, Dominican Republic

· Carlos Gonzalez, C, Panama

· Federik Jimenez, RHP, Dominican Republic

· Erick Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela

· Wuilliams Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela

· Dervy Ventura, UTIL, Dominican Republic

Thursday’s announcement pushed Seattle’s international free agent signing class to 11.

“We are excited to add this crop of young talent to our organization,” Thon Jr. said in the release. “We are extremely proud of everyone involved in the process of evaluating and signing these young men. It’s a memorable day for these 8 players, as well as their families. We look forward to the start of their pro careers with the Mariners.”

Barrios, 18, sports a wiry, 6-foot-1 frame and was a multi-sport athlete in his youth, Thon Jr. said in a brief description on the signings. He possesses a loose arm with an athletic delivery.

Barrios’ velocity is currently in the high-80s with above-average control.

Calderon, 17, has an “up-tempo delivery with plenty of deception and possesses excellent athleticism,” Thon Jr. said. He sports a fastball in the high-80s with a “tight, above-average slider in his pitching arsenal.”

De Jesus, 17, stands at 5-foot-10 and uses defensive versatility and an above-average arm that allows for both catcher and infield duties. He can flash raw power, excellent bat speed, and a plus baseball IQ, Thon Jr. said.

Gonzalez, 18, impressed Seattle with solid defensive tools behind the plate at catcher. Praised for his toughness, the six-foot Gonzales “excelled at national tournaments in his home country of Panama,” Thon Jr. said.

Jimenez, 17, is a right-handed pitcher who uses a wiry, 6-foot-1 frame for a high-arm slot delivery. He pairs a low-90s fastball with a developing and promising curveball, Thon Jr. said. He’ll project as a power reliever in Seattle’s organization.

Erick Rodriguez, 18, is a right-handed pitcher that flashes surprising agility in a six-foot-one frame. His fastball tops out in the low 90s, and Rodriguez shows potential for a solid curveball, Thon Jr. added in the release.

Wuilliams Rodriguez, 17, is a right-handed pitcher that already shows a solid feel for his three-pitch mix, Thon Jr. said.

“He has a long-limbed, 6-foot-3 frame with a projectable build that contributes to a smooth delivery,” Seattle’s international scouting director said. “With a fastball in the high 80s, paired with above average control, he has the makings of a potential starter.”

Ventura, 18, is a utility player out of the Dominican Republic with middle-infield and outfield capabilities. A five-foot-eight switch hitter, Ventura uses what Thon Jr. considers a contact-oriented approach, paired with plus-graded speed.

Major League Baseball’s international signing period opened on Jan. 15, and remains open through Dec. 15, 2022.

Seattle’s top international signing, OF/1B Lazaro Montes of Cuba, ranks eighth on MLB’s Top 50 International Prospect list. His signing, along with SS Michael Arroyo of Colombia (No. 41) and SS Martin Gonzales of the Dominican Republic (No. 48), was announced last week.