Texas Rangers linked to top international prospect, $1.5MM bonus

The Texas Rangers have been linked to one of top international prospects this summer reportedly planning a $1.5 million bonus for Fraidel Liriano.

Per Ben Badler of Baseball America, the Texas Rangers are planning a $1.5 million bonus for a top international free agent, Fraidel Liriano. With the way international signing periods are formatted, this is unofficial as Liriano cannot officially agree to deals until July 2nd when the signing period begins. The shortstop out of the Dominican Republic follows the Rangers known preference of building their organizational depth through the middle of the diamond.

Badler notes that Liriano could end up moving to third base or second base as he climbs through the system. His bat has reportedly intrigued some scouts though with “strong hands and quick wrists, producing whippy bat speed.” A product of the Javier Rodriguez Baseball Academy in the Dominican, Liriano seems to feature a fairly level swing and with the traits mentioned above, has the ability to generate line drive power throughout the field.

Last summer, the Rangers inked a trio of international free agents in Bayron Lora, Maximo Acosta and Zion Bannister. Lora was the headliner in last season’s international class for Texas landing a $3.9 million bonus. Maximo Acosta though has stolen the headlines as he’s skyrocketed through the Rangers prospect rankings after landing a $1.65 million bonus.

Acosta landed sixth on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Top 30 prospects in the Texas Rangers organization, a sizable jump for the shortstop who has garnered numerous comparisons to Gleyber Torres of the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, Lora sits in 13th, but features some of the best power in the organization. At just 17, Pipeline already compares Lora’s build to Joey Gallo and notes he could end up in right field before all is said and done.

There is a potential that the 2020 J-2 International Signing Period could be delayed after reports that Major League Baseball was working through alternatives in various areas in an effort to conserve cash during the season delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.