For the second consecutive year, the San Diego Padres have achieved success in international signings. In January 2023, they inked a deal with the top-ranked international prospect, 16-year-old Ethan Salas. This year, they have once again made headlines by securing a multi-million dollar contract with the current #1 prospect in international baseball, 17-year-old Leodalis De Vries.

Wearing a brown T-shirt with the initials “PS” to honor the recent passing of Padres owner Peter Seidler, De Vries conducted a Zoom interview from his native Dominican Republic on Monday morning. Expressing his sentiments, De Vries stated, “It’s a very special day for me,” through an interpreter.

“Especially with this being my favorite team. It definitely makes it a special day all around for me and my family.” De Vries already has a connection to the Padres, having identified them as his favorite team. He mentioned the “Latin star power” of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado as reasons for choosing San Diego.

De Vries, a 17-year-old shortstop standing at 6’2″, possesses the ability to make an impact both offensively and defensively. His skill set includes an elite throwing arm, smooth fielding ability, exceptional bat speed, proficiency in hitting from both sides of the plate, impressive power, and agility. These attributes indicate his potential for success at higher levels of the game.

Chris Kemp, the Padres’ Scouting Director, commented on De Vries’ hitting prowess, stating, “He loves to hit.” Kemp highlighted De Vries’ advanced skills from both the left and right sides of the plate. Additionally, Kemp emphasized De Vries’ instincts at shortstop, showcasing leadership qualities and control of the field. While De Vries could play anywhere in the infield, he is expected to primarily feature at shortstop, with Kemp noting, “He’ll definitely go out to shortstop and see how long he can stick there.”