Tim Rogers
The international signing period was delayed this year. In a typical year, it starts on July 2nd but with this year being anything but typical, it will not start until January 15th in 2021. According to Baseball America the Dodgers have $5,348,100 to spend in the new signing period. Even though the signing period doesn’t start until January there are already players “committed” to sign with Major League teams.
According to MLP Pipeline the Dodgers are the favorites to sign the number two international prospect, shortstop Wilman Diaz. This news has been floating around for quite a long time and it is usually tough for a team to sign more than one the the top prospects.
The #Dodgers are considered the favorites to sign the top-ranked 16-year-old on our new 2020 Top 30 International Prospects list, Venezuelan shortstop Wilman Diaz, who has the highest-rated hit tool on the list: https://t.co/GBpxlSNZnF pic.twitter.com/wXqQfSFXg0
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 29, 2020
However, the Dodgers seem to be on track to sign the number seven prospect also. It looks like they’ve snaked out the Yankees to get the inside track on catcher Jesus Galiz.
The Dodgers are close to signing 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jesus Galiz, per sources. Galiz is MLB Pipeline's 7th-ranked international prospect and the top-ranked catcher. The Yankees had been the favorites to sign him, but Galiz recently changed his mind.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) November 18, 2020
More Depth!
Once Jesus Galiz signs with the Dodgers he will be the 3rd top catching prospect in the organization; joining Keibert Ruiz and Diego Cartaya. Not to mention they already have Will Smith and Austin Barnes at the Major League level. Someday there could be a crunch at the catching position but there is no need to worry about mythical playing time in three to five years. Worst case, the Dodgers can trade from a position of strength.
In the same way, once Wilman Diaz is signed he could vault to the top of the Dodgers shortstop prospects. Currently Jacob Amaya and Alex De Jesus are part of the top 30 along with having Corey Seager and Gavin Lux at the Major League level. You gotta love this!
Final Thoughts
Once January 15th, 2021 rolls around these signings will become official. It is still possible that the player can change their mind but signing with a team with the player development track record of the Dodgers seems like a smart idea. The Dodgers farm system has graduated a lot of players recently which has knocked their overall ranking down a bit. Re-stocking with Diaz and Galiz will help bring the system back up to the top.
