Cardinals Announce International Signings
12 players representing the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Mexico & Venezuela among signees.
ST. LOUIS, MO., January 15, 2022 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the signing of 12 free-agent players representing the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Mexico and Venezuela from the first day of Major League Baseball’s international signing period for 2021-22. Seven pitchers, two shortstops, two outfielders and one catcher were among the signees. All of the players are being signed for the 2022 minor league season.
A complete listing of the Cardinals international player signings is below:
| Last, First Name | Pos. | B/T | HT | WT | DOB | Age | Hometown |
| Arfeni Batista | SS | R/R | 6-0 | 161 | 9/4/2004 | 17 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Junior Chirinos | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 190 | 11/18/2004 | 17 | Ciudad Ojeda, Venezuela |
| Won-Bin Cho | CF | L/L | 6-2 | 200 | 8/20/2003 | 18 | Seoul, South Korea |
| Diego Dominguez | RHP | R/R | 6-0 | 178 | 7/2/2004 | 17 | Morelia, Mexico |
| Jovi Galvez | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 223 | 7/5/2004 | 17 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Yordy Herrera | LHP | L/L | 6-2 | 150 | 12/2/2004 | 17 | La Vega, Dominican Republic |
| Jonathan Mejia | SS | S/R | 6-0 | 185 | 4/12/2005 | 16 | La Romana, Dominican Republic |
| Yordarlin Pena | CF | R/R | 6-3 | 177 | 9/17/2004 | 17 | Haina, Dominican Republic |
| Luis Rodriguez | C | R/R | 6-1 | 210 | 10/7/2004 | 17 | Barquisimeto, Venezuela |
| Leonel Sequera | RHP | R/R | 6-0 | 190 | 8/6/2005 | 16 | San Feliz, Venezuela |
| Jose Suriel | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 240 | 10/9/2004 | 17 | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic |
| Nelfy Ynfante | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 168 | 2/1/2005 | 16 | San Francisco de Macoris, Dom. Rep. |
All of today’s player signings are subject to MLB approval.
-STL-
The Cardinals have $6,262,600 to spend this year in the international market. In the past, the Cardinals have not spent all of their allotment and have traded parts to other teams for marginal prospects; many times, these kids don’t develop as a team hopes and the marginal prospects some times can surprise you, like Lane Thomas.
That said, this year the Cardinals are investing more in the international market. Mejia was the 14th ranked prospect on the market and Rodriguez was 26th. Last years top signee (Adari Grant) was ranked 46th. They also signed Cho, who was considered the best prospect in Korea this period, and one of the best to come out of the country in the last few years.
There hasn’t been word yet on the bonus amounts, but I’ll throw them on the Transaction Tracker as they happen.
