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Mets sign 2025 international prospect Elian Peña
For the second straight international signing day, the Mets handed out a club-record signing bonus in order to land one of baseball’s premier international prospects.
Peña’s Signing Details
Elian Peña, MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 international prospect, is the club’s headlining signee for the class of 2025. The 17-year-old shortstop is the highest-ranked player to sign with the Mets since Pipeline began its annual international rankings list in 2012.
Contract Details
Peña’s deal is worth $5 million, according to an industry source. The club, which has $6.26 million in pool money, has not confirmed the terms of the agreement.
Player Analysis
Equipped with oodles of bat speed from the left side, Peña complements his propensity to hit the ball hard with some of the most advanced plate discipline seen on the international scene in years. One of just three prospects to receive a 65-grade hit tool, and four to get an overall grade of 60 or higher, Peña projects to contribute to all facets of the game.
Developmental Path
In an organization flush with middle-infield talent throughout its farm system (and with Francisco Lindor holding down the six at the big league level), Peña’s developmental path likely won’t be constrained by defensive positioning. As the saying goes, “Hit, and they’ll find a spot for your bat in the lineup.”
Comparative Bonuses
To put Peña’s hype in context: he becomes just the fifth player the Mets have given a bonus of more than $2 million via the international market, and his comes in at more than $2 million north of Rodriguez’s agreement.
International Signings
Only the most well-equipped and preternaturally gifted members of international classes move with significant rapidity. The Brewers’ Jackson Chourio signed four years ago to the day and didn’t make his big league splash until this past season … as a 20-year-old.
Signing Eligibility
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team through Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 of the following year. Players born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008, will be eligible to sign during the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible.
