The Seattle Mariners on Monday signed nine players on the first day of the new international signing period, and the jewel of the haul being Noelvi Marte, who is ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect available by Baseball America.
Marte, a 16-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic, is 6-1 and 181 pounds and projects as a potential 25-30 homer bat. Scouts say he’s got good mechanics and athleticism although some think he might outgrown the position as he matures. The deal, according to sources cited by MLB.com, is worth $1.5 million.
“Our scouts identified Noelvi Marte as a player with impact speed and power,” Tim Kissner, the Mariners’ director of international scouting, said in a press release issued by the team.