At the outset of the 2017 International Free Agency (IFA) period, the Yankees were prepared to make a significant splash after being limited over the previous two years. With a new set of rules put in place in the months leading up to the signing period, the Yankees were going to do what they could to sign a number of their top-rated IFA prospects.
Near the head of that list was Venezuelan outfielder Everson Pereira, who stood out due to his advanced hitting ability and strong projections to remain in center field for years to come.