Breaking News: Venezuelan shortstop Liberts Aponte signs…
The Cincinnati Reds have begun the 2025 international signing period by securing 16 players, with more expected in the coming days and weeks. The signing period will last until December 15th for players aged 16 and older. One of the standout signings for the Reds is shortstop Liberts Aponte from Venezuela, who received a $1.9 million signing bonus, the highest among this group of signings.
Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline ranked Aponte as the 18th best player in their respective top prospect lists (with Baseball America listing 100 players and MLB Pipeline 50). It’s important to note that many players signing today have already committed to their organizations months or even years ago, so there can be significant changes between when they were last scouted and when they officially sign.
Aponte, who recently turned 17, is regarded as a potential elite defensive shortstop with exceptional range, hands, footwork, and athleticism, enabling him to make difficult plays seem effortless. He has a strong arm that will help him stick at shortstop. Offensively, Aponte has plus speed and good contact ability, with the potential to use the entire field. However, his power is not expected to be a standout trait, and his power output will likely depend on how much strength he can add as he matures. Currently listed at 6′ 0″ and 170 lbs, there’s room for him to grow physically. His all-around skillset makes him a strong candidate to develop into a starting shortstop at the major league level over the next few years.
Although the Reds officially signed 18 players today, more signings are expected soon. RedsMinorLeagues.com will provide detailed scouting reports and updates later this week.
The days of unlimited spending on international amateurs are over. MLB now has a hard cap on bonus pools, and teams must stay within their allotted limits, though bonus pool amounts can be traded. The Reds’ bonus pool for 2025 is $7,555,500, one of the largest in the league, shared with seven other teams. On the lower end, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have the smallest pools at $5,146,200 each.
