NEW YORK, NY — The New York Mets made a huge splash in the 2025 international signing period, which opened on January 15, signing the third-ranked international prospect, Dominican shortstop Elian Peña.
Pena, a 17-year-old left-handed hitter, listed at 5-10 and 167 pounds, inked a record-breaking contract of $5,000,000 — the second-highest contract handed out in the international signing period.
Elian Peña, poses for a photo with his new Mets jersey upon signing his international free agent contract with the organization (WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF PEÑA HERE) – Image Credit: MLB
Peña has the potential to be a five-tool player, as he was one of just three international prospects who graded out as a 65-hit tool and one of four players to have an overall grade of 60 or more on MLB Pipeline. International scouts rave about his advanced plate discipline and ability to hit the ball hard to all parts of the field.
Z101 Digital reporter Héctor Gómez also has high praise for Peña, comparing him to Boston Red Sox Dominican Star third baseman Rafael Devers.
Rafael Devers unloads on an opposite field home run at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Moreover, this was a great pivot after missing out on the crown jewel of the international signing period, Japanese starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $6.5 million.
In addition to Peña, the Mets signed 14 other players with their remaining $1.3 million of international free-agency money, which consisted of six Dominicans, six Venezuelans, and two Panamanian players. The positional breakdown is six pitchers, four shortstops, two outfielders, and two catchers.
The Mets’ International Free Agent Class of 2025 – Image Credit: MLB
Giomar Ubiera, 17, shortstop (Dominican Republic)
Yobanny Sánchez, 17, right-handed pitcher (Dominican Republic)
Roni Garcia, 16, shortstop/second baseman (Dominican Republic)
Pablo Medina, 18, left-handed pitcher (Dominican Republic)
Darling Pérez, 17, right-handed pitcher (Dominican Republic)
Jhonael Cuello, 17, outfielder (Dominican Republic)
Adrián Silva, 16, catcher (Venezuela)
José Padilla, 16, shortstop (Venezuela)
Yorber Semprun, 17, shortstop (Venezuela)
Aiberson Blanco, 16, outfielder (Venezuela)
Kleber Gamez, 17, right-handed pitcher (Venezuela)
José Vielma, 17, right-handed pitcher (Venezuela)
Olmedo Barria, 18, right-handed pitcher (Panama)
José Serracin, 18, catcher (Panama)
Some more context in regards to Peña’s deal, he joins a list of highly touted Mets’ international prospects such as catcher Yovanny Rodriguez for $2.85 million in 2024 out of Venezuela, Francisco Álvarez out of Venezuela for $2.75 million in 2018, infielder Ronny Mauricio for $2.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2017, and outfielder Alex Ramírez out of the Dominican Republic for $2.05 million in 2019.
Francisco Álvarez, one of several Latino stars who helped the Mets in their 2024 run to the NLCS – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Peña will also have a great mentor to learn from in Puerto Rican shortstop and leader Francisco Lindor, despite him most likely starting his 2025 campaign in rookie ball with the Mets in the Dominican Summer League.
In totality, Peña will be a good addition to a young Latino core of Mets prospects.
