San Diego, 15th January 2024: The San Diego Padres have made a significant move by signing infielder Leodalis De Vries to inaugurate the 2024 International Signing Period. The announcement was made by A.J. Preller, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, along with Chris Kemp, Vice President of Amateur & International Scouting.
De Vries, a 17-year-old talent from Bani, Dominican Republic, is currently recognized as the top overall player in this year’s international class. He ranks first on both FanGraphs’ 2024 International Prospect Rankings and MLB Pipeline’s International Prospect Rankings. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 175 pounds, De Vries is a switch-hitter known for his remarkable bat speed and advanced discipline from both sides of the plate. His agility and body control also make him a significant asset defensively and on the basepaths.
Apart from his baseball prowess, De Vries has shown his athletic versatility by also excelling as a point guard in basketball. He hails from an athletic family, with his father having played basketball for the Dominican National team. This signing marks another significant achievement for the Padres, who had previously signed catcher Ethan Salas last January, thereby securing the top overall international prospect for two consecutive years.
The Padres’ commitment to nurturing young talent is evident in their strategic signings, positioning them as a forward-thinking franchise in Major League Baseball.
