Rays add 27 players on opening day of international signings

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays struck deals with 27 young players on Saturday’s delayed opening of the international signing period.

Among the most promising:

• Outfielder Jose Lazaro Contreras, a 6-foot-2, 204-pound 16-year-old from Cuba with five-tool potential known for his speed (6.6 60-yard dash), power and arm (92 mph throws from outfield)

• Outfielder Jose Sanbria, a 16-year-old from Venezuela with a similar talent and tools profile

• Shortstop Miguel Tamares, a fast (6.3 60), athletic 17-year-old switch hitter with a strong arm from the Dominican Republic

Tamares was ranked the 40th-best prospect in the class by Baseball America; none of the others made the top 50 by Baseball America or mlb.com.

Also signing or agreeing to terms were:

• Outfielders Angel Mateo, Jordany Oliver and Neifi Vazquez (Dominican Republic)

• Pitchers Yeison Garcia, Cristhofer Gonzalez, Danny Hilario, Ismael Laureano, Geudis Ramos, and Jesus Ullola (Dominican Republic), and Alvaro Gamez, Maikel Hernandez, Anthony Manriquez, Moises Palma, and Yorman Primera (Venezuela)

• Shortstops Nicandro Aybar, Felix Cotes, Juanfel Peguero and Roosbert Tapia (Dominican Republic), and Ricardo Gonzalez and Rodrigo Romero (Venezuela)

• Catchers Enderson Delgado, Larry Martinez and Jhonny Perez (Venezuela)

• Infielder Narcison Polanco (Dominican Republic)

All deals but Tamares’ are final.

The Rays went into the signing period, which for the second straight year was delayed from the usual July 1 start date due to the pandemic, with a signing bonus pool of $5,721,200, the second-largest grouping. The signing window is open until Dec. 15.

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