, The beginning of the year will bring another market for the New York Yankees to dabble in once again. The international signing period is weeks away, and the market will open up to all 30 major league teams.
Players on the Radar: What to Expect from the Yankees in the 2025 International Market
From January 15th, teams will have access to all eligible international prospects in hopes of signing their guy.
The main ingredients of the Yankees’ farm system include international prospects. Some of their top talents were signed during the signing period overseas. Yankees top prospect Jasson Dominguez is a recent 2019 international prospects class example.
The Yankees’ fourth-ranked prospect is Roderick Arias, a middle infielder from the Dominican Republic who was signed in the 2022 class of international prospects.
The Bronx Bombers added to their collection of offensive talents, selecting Francisco Vilorio in the 2024 international prospects selections. He’s a power-bat standing at 6’4” with offensive attributes and projection.
The Prospects
Of the 2025 pool of international prospects, who will fit the needs of the Yankees farm system long-term?
Without a doubt, the club should be in the race for the top pitching prospect in the world, right-hander Roki Sasaki. The right-handed 23-year-old comes out of Japan and will rank similarly to Shohei Ohtani on pitch grading.
He is most definitely the top talent in this pool and will be the most paid as well. Similar to Japanese pitcher’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kodai Senga, Sasaki showcased his talent on the world stage, in the World Baseball Classic.
Sasaki’s fastball is 70-grade, maxing out at 102 mph, and he averages a consistent velocity of 98 mph. He also throws a 55-grade slider that misses barrels and an early 90s splitter that is his put-away offspeed option.
The Japanese star has played in the Japan Pacific League for the past five seasons. He’s been with Chiba Lotte. Sasaki went 10-5 in 2024 with a 2.35 ERA, 129 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 450 batters faced and 111 innings pitched.
Sasaki’s career ERA is 2.02 in four total seasons.
News: Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is expected to be officially posted at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, opening a 45-day Tuesday that will allow him to sign after Jan. 15, 2025, sources told ESPN. The story, free and unlocked, at ESPN: https://t.co/rvyFTBrMHf
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2024
If Sasaki is a Failed Option, the Detour Could be a Left-Handed Option
Another Japanese pitcher has joined the MLB conversation about the signing period. Left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara will be in the hat, looking for a contract in North America.
He’s a nine-season veteran of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. Ogasawara is in the same conversation as the elite arms out of Japan. His 5’11” 183 pounds frame seems average, along with a 93-mph fastball. However, his effectiveness is evident.
The Japanese pitcher has the qualities and is projected to shape up into a stronger major league arm. He’s also a strikeout pitcher, with 134 strikeouts in 2023 and 82 in 2024.
Another Strong Outfield Bat Could Set Up the Yankees Future
When evaluating Yoger Bautista, you observe hints of Jasson Dominguez. Bautista is a left-handed hitting outfielder from Guarico, Venezuela. He’s 17 years old and stands 6’1” at 175 lbs. Bautista has tools, and his overall physicality and skills scream projection.
The main observation sees raw power with Bautista from the left side with a lot of cleaning up to do with his swing. Evaluators agree on a 65 grade on his power on the 20-80 scale. He has quick hands, staying inside and generating bat speed.
His contact with the ball is effortless, as it flies off the barrel. He has a plus arm with the ability to put it on a rope from right field to third, and his glove is above average.
Bautista is also quick on his feet, defensively, and on the base pads. He runs a 6.4-second 60-yard dash, which compliments his defensive range. Bautista is ranked sixth among the top 50 international prospects for 2025.
Adding a Catching Prospect Could be Beneficial for the Yankees
Catchers are hard to come by, in a draft sense and a free agent sense. Ranking at 17 is catching prospect Gabriel Davalillo, out of Venezuela. He’s a right-handed hitter with power and offensive attributes.
Evaluators are impressed with his offensive capabilities as a catcher and his defensive skills. He’s 5’11” at 195 lbs with a stocky build and a strong lower half. He gets into contact with barrels and hard-hit balls.
Davalillo’s only downside is his running game, which he struggles with. The catcher’s legs got to him early, and he’s somewhat of a liability on the base pads. From a professional development standpoint, the team can work on this.
Some of these prospects may have previous verbal agreements with certain teams; however, nothing is official until the deal is closed. The Yankees have room to play with this pool of prospects.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
