Cincinnati Reds expected to sign top 3 international prospect

According to Baseball America, the Cincinnati Reds are expected to sign top three international prospect Ricardo Cabrera. The 17-year-old is a shortstop prospect from Barcelona, Venezuela.

Cabrera, according to MLB Pipeline, has the ability to be a five-tool player with his hit tool as the preeminent ability in his repertoire. Cabrera grades out as above-average in speed, defense, power, and arm strength.

The Reds are expected to sign international prospect Ricardo Cabrera.

Ricardo Cabrera is one of three shortstop prospects ranked among the top five players available on the international market. Top international prospect, Roderick Arias, is expected to sign with the New York Yankees, and fellow shortstop William Bergolla is expected to land with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cabrera is an advanced hitter with gap-to-gap power. His above-average speed and quickness are likely to see him stick at shortstop, though some believe his power will help him transition to third base.

With the current direction the Cincinnati Reds franchise seems to be taking, international signings will be crucial to the team's ability to compete in the years to come. Last year, the Reds signed outfield prospects Brayan Rio, Malvin Valdez and Ariel Almonte from the Dominican Republic.

The Reds have had some bumps in the road over the years with international signings like Alfredo Rodriguez who received a $7M bonus from Cincinnati and never materialized into more than a glove-first shortstop. Rodriguez has yet to debut in The Show.

But, recent signings like shortstop Jose Barrero, infielder Elly De La Cruz, outfielder Allan Cerda, and catcher Daniel Vellojin may help Cincinnati turn the tide in the coming years.

For the second year in a row, the international signing period begins in January and will run through December 15, 2022. Prior to 2021, each year's international signing period began in July and continued through June of the following year.

If the Cincinnati Reds walk away with a top 3 prospect, the fanbase should be ecstatic. Valdez and Almonte are currently ranked among the top 20 prospects in the Reds farm system.