Padres sign two more players from international market
Credit: Leones de Yucatan
A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres signed two more players this week from the international market.Â
When the 2020 international market opened in January, the San Diego Padres signed 11 players.Â
At the time, right-handed pitcher Victor Lizaraga was rumored to be signing with the Padres, but that was not made official until this week. Along with the announcement of Lizaraga, the Padres also displayed their newest international signee, pitcher Riley Yeatman.
Victor Acosta is considered the crown jewel of the 2021 class, but several men could also factor for the Padres in time.
Chris Kemp, the scouting director for the Padres, is a world-traveler and his staff works hard to gather information on several players. The success of the current major league team has a lot to do with the past international classes and the fact the Padres have diligently signed international talent. Unlike Friar teams of the past, the franchise is full of Latino talent throughout its minor league system.
The Padres are built well, but you can never gather enough young players for the future.
A.J. Preller inked Victor Lizaraga out of Mexico and Riley Yeatman out of Australia this week. Both young pitchers come with a high upside. The Padres are wisely stocking up on young arms for the future. These two men have a long road before contributing at the major league level, but there is potential with both.
Riley Yeatman has a power fastball despite only being 17 years old. The delivery is somewhat solid, and scouts speak about his ability to display a plus curve. Yeatman will not debut in the States until 2022, but you may see him late this season in Arizona if everything breaks correctly.
Here is some video of the Padres’ new talent from Australia. You notice that the mechanics do need a little refining. The curve is showcased at the end of the video, and you do see some potential with the pitch. When congratulated about the signing, Yeatman was as down to earth as they come. “Really keen to get over next year and give it me all,” Yeatman said.
Victor Lizaraga has a decent arm and could blossom in time for the Friars.
There is great size from him at 6-foot-3, and he has plus arm speed. The native of Tijuana, Mexico, is quite familiar with the Padres and is surely happy to remain close to home. Lizaraga is considered a top-30 international prospect by MLB Pipeline.
The thought is that he will remain in the starting staff as Lizaraga shows a decent curve and changeup presently.
Here is some video of the right-handed pitcher from Mexico.
The Padres are pleased with what he is showing already at a young age. The 17-year-old has a very decent ceiling and an even more impressive floor. Lizaraga is said to have a high baseball IQ and, with that, should ascend through the Padres’ system. The young right-hander will likely not debut until 2022 for the Padres. You may see him in the DSL before he makes his way to Arizona.
The 2021 international class for the Padres. Take a look.
San Diego Padres IFA Class:
SS Victor Acosta 🇩🇴
OF Samuel Zavala 🇻🇪
OF Daniel Montesino 🇻🇪
RHP Victor Lizarraga 🇲🇽
RHP Bradgley Rodriguez 🇻🇪
RHP Jonny Rosario 🇻🇪
RHP Yariel Moreno 🇵🇦
OF Eddy Beltre 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/sAOwv8TKqo— tyler j. spicer (@tylerjspicer) January 15, 2021
A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres are rebuilding the farm system that was once considered the best in all of baseball. With these latest signing, they are well on their way.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.