Simon Juan on the left

It’s Saturday, January 15, the most monumental day of the year for MLB’s International Free Agency (IFA) program.

The opening of the 2022 signing period has officially arrived. Hundreds of amateur baseball players from around the world, mostly from South and Central America, will be signing their first professional contracts with MLB clubs.

The Mets plan to kick off their incoming IFA class in a big way by signing 16-year-old Dominican outfielder, Simon Juan.

They will also reportedly sign fellow Dominican outfielder Willy Fañas.

Juan will get a $1.9 million signing bonus and Fañas will get a $1.5 million bonus.

Juan is ranked 16th overall among MLB Pipeline’s top 2022 IFA’s and is 14th on Baseball America’s list. His $1.9 million bonus will represent the largest allotment from the Mets $5,179,700 pool from which they can spend. Juan’s signing will also represent the Mets largest IFA contract since signing Alexander Ramirez for $2.1 million in 2019 and the fourth highest in team history.

Juan will bring much of the same exciting skill-set and projection as Ramirez. Juan is expected to roam center field with his plus speed and already shows off some raw power from his highly projectable 6’2 170 LB frame.

The Mets have had success with their top IFA signings in recent years, with catcher Francisco Alvarez and shortstop Ronny Mauricio placing in the upper echelon of their farm system. Ramirez had a successful debut season for low-A St. Lucie in 2021 and already is regarded as one of the Mets top 10 prospects.

The developmental path ahead for Juan will be a years long process in the Mets system. The exciting potential for an above average big league regular with plus power and speed is certainly on the table, but much work lies ahead. Time and experience will dictate how well Juan takes to the most difficult and important task ahead: hitting big league caliber pitching.

When signing international amateur players of Juan’s age and experience especially, projecting ability to handle premier spin and velocity is an almost impossible task. So with Juan, the Mets are banking heavily on his physical tools and projection, with ample time to help his hit tool evolve.

In addition to signing Juan, the Mets will be announcing a flurry of other additions as they spend the remainder of their IFA pool money. One sizeable slice of the pie is going to Jeffrey Rosa, another Dominican outfielder. Rosa is expected to sign for a six-figure sum.

Seen above, Rosa also appears to have some physical projection ahead of him. With his open, upright stance and high hand load, Rosa currently uses a sizeable leg kick to transfer his weight. Rosa’s swing also shows some natural ability to take outer half pitches the other way.

The Mets will also be signing Dominican OF Willy Fañas at the opening of the signing period. According to Baseball America, Fañas was seen as a potential 7-figure bonus talent in a previous deal with the Angels that never came to fruition. You can get a taste of his athletic swing and plus bat flip below.

Additionally, the same outlet has the Mets signing 17 year old Venezuelan shortstop Dangelo Sarmiento. You can see him range well to his right and show off a strong arm here.

Sarmiento is of smaller frame, but boasts plus foot speed and range and strong footwork and actions at shortstop. His offensive profile will unfold as his goal will be to gain sufficient strength as he matures. Shorter-levered prospects such as Sarmiento do often have a chance at better bat-to-ball skills, which would go swimmingly with his defensive profile.

And here’s Jesus Baez, another shortstop the Mets added to their batch.

Joining the bunch is 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Ernesto Mercedes.

More of their signings which came in Saturday afternoon:

Keep checking here for further updates on additional IFA signings as the period gets underway.

  • Simon Juan, OF, $1.9 million
  • Willy Fañas, OF, $1.5 million
  • Jeffry Rosa, OF
  • Dangelo Samiento, SS
  • Jeisel Vargas, INF
  • Francisco Toledo, C
  • Jesus Baez, SS
  • Ernesto Mercedes, RHP
  • Orangel Rodriguez, C
  • Yonatan Henriquez, SS
  • Jose Sequera, RHP
  • Francisco Toledo, C
  • Frelianderson Seijas, LHP
  • Wellington Aracena, RHP