KC Royals add top infielder Yandel Ricardo during international signing period
The Kansas City Royals made a splash during Major League Baseball’s international signing period. This week, the Royals signed 18 international free agents, including Cuban shortstop Yandel Ricardo.
Ricardo, 17, is among the top international prospects. According to MLB.com, Ricardo offers right-handed power and has good arm strength. He is ranked No. 16 among international prospects.
The Royals also signed Cuban third baseman Jose Cerice as well. Other signings include international prospects Darison Garcia, Anderson Garcia and Juan Rivera. The trio each hail from the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, the Royals signed deals with Jhonayker Ugarte, Anthony Longo and Robinson Chacon among others.
“We’re proud of this group and excited to get them all in our system and help them achieve their dreams,” Royals executive Rene Francisco said in a news release. “We believe we have a strong mix of ball players, athleticism and projection that can play all over the field. I know our great fans will enjoy following their progress.”
The MLB international signing period runs through Dec. 15, but teams are permitted to sign prospects throughout the year. The Royals are allotted $7,114,800 as one of six teams in the signing bonus pool B.
Per MLB rules, international prospects must be 16 years old before signing with a team. The prospect must turn 17 years old before Sept. 1 of the following year.
This offseason, the Royals hired Johnny DiPuglia and Fred Guerrero to their scouting department. DiPuglia serves as a special assistant of international scouting. Meanwhile, Guerrero is now a coordinator of player evaluation.
DiPuglia previously worked as the Washington Nationals international scouting director. He also spent time with the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
In his tenure, DiPuglia helped sign MLB players such as Juan Soto, Xander Boegarts and Victor Robles.
“Their wealth of experience and stellar reputations as scouts make them valuable assets to our team,” Francisco said earlier this offseason. “In their roles, they will actively contribute to all facets of international scouting operations. We look forward to the enhanced expertise and success they bring to our organization.”
Here is a full list of the Royals’ international signings:
RHP Sthiven Benitez (Dominican Republic)
IF Jose Cerice (Cuba)
OF Robinson Chacon (Dominican Republic)
RHP Jose Cruz (Dominican Republic)
LHP Oliver Del Rosario (Dominican Republic)
IF Anderson Garcia (Dominican Republic)
IF Darison Garcia (Dominican Republic)
LHP Nomar Jimenez (Mexico)
LHP Diego Lara (Venezuela)
C Anthony Longo (Venezuela)
OF Sandy Luciano (Dominican Republic)
RHP Jose Mejia (Dominican Republic)
IF Omar Mejia (Dominican Republic)
IF Yandel Ricardo (Cuba)
RHP Juan Rivera (Dominican Republic)
IF Marwin Rivero (Venezuela)
LHP Geremy Tovar (Venezuela)
IF Jhonayker Ugarte (Venezuela)
This story was originally published January 15, 2024 at 8:57 PM.
