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Cardinals Announce International Signings

by Press Release

The St. Louis Cardinals today announced the signings of 13 international free-agents from the first day of Major League Baseball’s international signing period for 2016-17.

Headlining the first day signings, announced by Cardinals Director of International Operations Moises Rodriguez, were outfielder Victor Garcia (Barcelona, Venezuela) and right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo (La Habana, Cuba).

Garcia, 16, is considered to be among the top-ranked bats in the July 2 class.  “Garcia has a high offensive ceiling with run-producing potential at a corner outfield position,” said Rodriguez.  “He possesses a strong combination of hitting ability and future power.”   The 6-3, 215-pound Garcia is a native of Barcelona, Venezuela and he bats right-handed.

Oviedo, 18, is a physically imposing pitcher who stands 6-6 and weighs 220. “Oviedo has a plus fastball and a three-pitch mix,” stated Rodriguez.  “He projects as a top of the rotation starter who has an excellent chance to flourish within our system.”

The 13 players (nine position players & four pitchers) who have signed are representatives of four countries (Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba).  The complete list of day one signings follows.  Oviedo, catcher Carlos Soto, right-handed pitcher Enmanuel Solano and outfielder Diomedes Del Rio will be activated to play for the Cardinals 2016 DSL team; all others will be signed for the 2017 minor league season:

 

JOHAN OVIEDO  (RHP)                    

18 yrs old

DOB: 03/02/1998

Hometown: La Habana, Cuba

6-6, 220 lbs

 

VICTOR GARCIA (OF) R/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 09/16/1999

Hometown: Barcelona, Venezuela

6-3, 215 lbs.

 

CARLOS SOLER               (OF) L/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 10/29/1999

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep

6-2, 163 lbs

 

FRANKLIN SOTO (SS) R/R               

16 yrs old

DOB: 09/23/1999

Hometown: San Cristobal, Dom. Rep.

5-11, 168 lbs

 

CARLOS SOTO (C) L/R 

17 yrs old

DOB: 04/27/1999

Hometown: Los Mochis, Mexico

6-2, 220 lbs.

 

ALLINSON BENITEZ (RHP)               

16 yrs old

DOB: 11/04/1999

Hometown: Chivacoa, Venezuela

6-4, 200 lbs.

 

DIOMEDES DEL RIO (CF) L/L 

18 yrs old

DOB: 09/15/1997

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

5-10, 160 lbs.

 

LUIS MONTANO (OF) L/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 04/10/2000

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep.

6-2; 170 lbs

 

YOWELFY ROSARIO (SS) R/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 06/09/2000

Hometown: Santiago, Dom. Rep.

6-3, 165 lbs

 

ALEXANDER SAMUEL (OF) R/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 03/24/2000

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep.

6-3, 190 lbs.

 

ENMANUEL SOLANO (RHP)  

17 yrs old

DOB: 09/23/1998

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep.

6-1, 160 lbs

 

JOYSER GARCIA            (C) R/R

16 yrs old

DOB: 10/14/1999

Hometown: Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela

5-10, 165 lbs.

 

RODARD AVELINO (RHP)               

17 yrs old

DOB: 06/03/1999

Hometown: Villa Altagracia, Dom. Rep.

6-1, 170 lbs

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