Toronto – The Blue Jays are making a strong statement in the international market once again. According to industry sources, Toronto agreed to terms with catcher Franklin Rojas, shortstop Angel Guzman and outfielder Andres Arias as the 2024 signing period opened on Monday. The club has not yet confirmed the agreements. The Blue Jays forfeited $500,000 from their pool for signing Chris Bassitt, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Mets, leaving Toronto with a pool of $5.152 million.
Venezuela has been a powerhouse for catchers in recent years and that trend could continue with the athletic Rojas, who is ranked by MLB.com as the No. 27 international prospect in this year’s class. Quick and agile, he moves extremely well and projects to be an average runner. Behind the dish, he shows signs of being a solid defender with advanced game-calling ability, blocking and footwork. His transfer and pop times wow scouts and continue to improve.
As a hitter, Rojas utilizes an aggressive swing and looks to do damage at the plate. He consistently makes hard contact, shows plus power potential and good bat speed. He was a team captain for Venezuela in international competition. Guzman (No. 32) has flashed potential on both sides of the ball. He has gotten significantly stronger, and his power to the gaps has improved along the way. As Guzman matures and his body fills out, scouts believe he could become a sneaky source of power for a lineup. His hit tool and overall offensive package make him a candidate to contribute at the top of the order.
Source: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/