More than 200 top international prospects from across the globe gathered for four days this week in the Dominican Republic at Major League Baseball’s Showcase to learn how to take their game to the next level.
The event, which started Sunday and concluded Wednesday, featured a combination of prospects who are eligible to sign now and those who will be eligible to sign Jan. 15, 2024. They all exited the event better prepared for the future than when they arrived.
“For me, [the MLB Showcase] means a lot,” said Yairo Padilla, a teenage shortstop from the Dominican Republic. “It shows me that I should make a big effort to get to where they were, and it’s an opportunity to learn from them so that they can give me their advice so that I can keep moving forward.”
The prospects in attendance represented the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, the Bahamas, Brazil and Jamaica. The showcase marked MLB’s first international scouting event since 2020 after scouting events across countries were postponed because of COVID.
“We wanted the players to know that there was somebody that believed in them, and that’s why they are here,” said former Major League pitcher Bruce Chen, who served as a coach at the event. “We wanted them to know that they have talent, but talent alone is not enough. It takes hard work, commitment and perseverance to make their dreams come true. It was also important they understood that they can make a difference in people’s lives. At some point, they are going to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and the countries where they come from.”
The prospects played 12 games and showed off their hitting, throwing and running skills in front of hundreds of scouts in attendance at the complex shared by the Twins and the Phillies in Boca Chica. Many of the participants could eventually sign with big league clubs.
But some of their biggest lessons for the prospects from the event came off the field. This year’s version featured educational components including an interactive panel with former Major League players Monday and a separate panel Tuesday with team scouting executives, such as Moisés Rodriguez, the assistant general manager for the Cardinals.
“We hope our talks were motivating and enlightening,” Rodriguez said. “It was a way for them to be more informed on the process and help them understand that signing is one of many steps they will take. There are a lot of things you need to pay attention to when you are an international prospect.”
Joining Chen on the coaching staff were former players Luis Sojo (Venezuela), Carlos Baerga (Puerto Rico) and Anderson Hernandez (Dominican Republic).
“These guys are hungry, they want to get better,” Chen said. “They don’t only want to get better physically; they want to get better mentally. How can they do something to get to the next level? How can they play for a long time in the big leagues? When you get all these players and all the ex-players from the Major Leagues talking to them and sharing their experiences, everyone wins. It’s a win for the players and it’s a win for Major League Baseball.”
“I wanted to be part of this because I know how they think, I know what they want to do,” Sojo added. “Just to bring them over here to these beautiful facilities, and [share my] knowledge and my wisdom with them. Hopefully they pick it up.”
On Wednesday, the educational panel with MLB’s Player Programs group covered a wide range of topics such as performance-enhancing substances, health and safety. Various current Major League players also visited the event throughout the week.
“You are the future of Latino players in the big leagues and it’s amazing that you’re all here,” Baerga told the prospects during his chat. “This moment that you’re all having here is going to be very important. Just wait and see what you’re going to accomplish in your lives.”
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