The Red Sox are in the process of adding one of the best all-around hitters on this year’s international market to their organization.
Boston agreed to terms with outfielder Vladimir Asencio, MLB.com’s No. 33 international prospect, for around $1 million as the 2024 signing period opened on Monday. The Red Sox, who have a $5.284 million signing pool, have not yet confirmed the agreement.
Asencio is the latest top-tier international prospect to have trained with Mejia Top 10 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which recently produced Cristian Hernandez (Cubs) and Miguel Bleis (Red Sox). Many clubs have shown interest in inking Asencio, who boasts loads of physical projection at just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, and now the Red Sox will reap the benefits of his talent.
Armed with a sound bat path and slight uppercut stroke, Asencio has a knack for utilizing the opposite field. The 17-year-old has made consistent hard contact during games, and evaluators believe he will grow into more power as he matures. He remains very much hit-over-power at this stage of his development, but he does sport some sneaky pop.
Athleticism is the first thing that jumps off the page with Asencio. Although he has just average arm strength from center field with fair footwork and range, his speed should enable him to maximize his tools defensively. That same quickness figures to play to his advantage on the basepaths with his medium-sized frame.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.
