Another one! Vladi Guerrero signs with Mets

Half-brother of All-Star 1B Vlad Jr. and son of HOFer Vlad Sr. part of 2024 int’l class6:13 PM UTC

The Mets wasted little time making a sizable splash in the international signing sphere Monday, but it wasn’t the rankings of prospects or their potential tool packages that jumped off the page. It was a name.

Where Vladi Miguel differs from his big league relatives is that he hits from the left side, where he displays a smooth, short swing with plenty of power. Lauded for his ability to control the strike zone, especially at such a young age, evaluators were most impressed by his at-bats during game action.

In a similar mold to Vlad Jr. when he signed as an international prospect in 2015, Vladi Miguel is viewed as a long-term first base/left field option whose carrying tool will be his bat. While he isn’t seen as the same level of top-tier prospect as Vlad Jr. out of the gate, the 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic has already earned marks in his favor for his dedication to getting into shape for the physical rigors of pro ball.

An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15 each year. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year, which means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.

Guerrero becomes the latest member of the Mets’ organization to boast a big league older brother; Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., was a headliner in the return of the Max Scherzer deal last July and currently ranks as the No. 38 overall prospect in baseball.

Vladi Miguel is also the latest member of the Guerrero clan to join the pro ranks after outfielder Pablo Guerrero agreed to a deal with the Rangers a year ago to the day.