The Dodgers signed two of the top 50 prospects as the international signing period began Sunday.
The Dodgers’ signing bonus pool is limited to $4.14 million this year (tied for the lowest in MLB) because they have exceeded the Competitive Balance Tax threshold the past two seasons. But they still signed 13 players Sunday including the third- and 23rd-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com’s rankings.
Joendry Vargas signed for about half of the Dodgers’ bonus pool, $2.08 million. The 17-year-old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic is the No. 3 rated prospect by MLB.com and the second ranked infielder in this year’s international class. It is the second consecutive year the Dodgers were able to sign the top-rated prospect from the Dominican Republic. Last year, first baseman Samuel Muñoz signed with the Dodgers.
Outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua is the 23rd-rated international prospect in this year’s class and the 10th-rated outfield prospect, according to MLB.com. One of eight Dominican born players signed by the Dodgers this season, the 17-year-old Lantigua is 6-foot-3 with exceptional power potential. He signed for a $700,000 bonus.
The Dodgers’ group of signees includes six pitchers, one catcher, five infielders and one outfielder with eight players from the Dominican and five from Venezuela.
