The San Francisco Giants have announced the signing of 34 prospects on Friday, the first day of the delayed “2020” international signing period that normally begins on the previous July 2nd.

As in 2019, the Giants did not sign one of the top ranked prospects, but instead have spread their bonuses around to a wide range of players.  The top ranked (and only ranked player by the major publications) was Venezuelan shortstop Diego Velásquez, who was ranked #22 by MLB Pipeline and #46 by Baseball America.

According to MLB’s ranking chart, Velásquez was signed to a $1 million bonus, which was the lowest of the reported bonuses in their Top 25, although some players remained unsigned, and some bonus amounts were not yet reported.  It is likely the Giants will add more prospects in the coming days as the period continues.

Velásquez is reported to be a wiry and athletic player, with above-average speed and good hands that should stay at the shortstop position, with a line drive style bat.  He trained at Ronny Cedeno’s baseball academy.  Cedeno was a 10-year major leaguer and ended his career in the Giants system in 2015.

One other bonus amount that has been reported is to Ramon Peralta, a Dominican Republic shortstop who reportedly got $600,000.  Peralta is seen more as power prospect who shows good bat speed and leverage, but probably won’t stay at shortstop.   Baseball America predicts he ends up at third base.

Overall, the Giants continue to have a strong Venezuelan presence, signing 19 players from Venezuela, 11 from the Dominican Republic, and then one each from four countries: Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Curaçao.

Of the positions listed, the Giants signed:

  • 5 Catchers
  • 7 shortstops
  • 1 third baseman
  • 4 left fielders
  • 1 right fielder
  • 5 center fielders
  • 8 right-handed pitchers
  • 3 left-handed pitchers

Last year, the Giants signed a top Panamanian prospect in catcher Adrian Sugastey.  This year, they signed another top Panamanian, outfielder Mauricio Pierre, who has plus power.

In 2020’s draft, a lot was made of their first round pick Patrick Bailey being a switch-hitting catcher.  The Giants signed two more of those, both out of Venezuela: Brayan Ferrer and Diego Gonzalez

On Twitter, @giantprospects has been providing a lot of scouting clips of many of these young players that have been signed. I definitely recommend following him on Twitter to see more.