Nationals agree to terms with 19 International free agents

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 19 international free agents: right-handed pitcher Johan Adon, right-handed pitcher Thony Amoroso, infielder Yasel Antuna, right-handed pitcher Carlos Cuello, outfielder David Escobar, shotstop Luis Garcia, right-handed pitcher Niomar Gomez, right-handed pitcher Rafael Melendez, outfielder Ricardo Mendez, catcher Kelvin Pacheco, right-handed pitcher Eric Pena, outfielder Landerson Pena, catcher Wilmer Perez, catcher Israel Pineda, infielder Cesar Porte, catcher Luis Santana, right-handed pitcher Wilson Severino, catcher Ronaldy Sosa and right-handed pitcher Oliver Suero. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Vice President of International Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement.

Adon, 17, is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"He is a righty with a quick arm," DiPuglia said. "He has the potential for a solid three-pitch mix."

Amoroso, 17, is a 6-foot, 165-pound native of Caracas, Venezueula.

"Amoroso is a righty with a smooth delivery and smooth arm action," DiPuglia said. "He has an advanced feel for his changeup at a young age."

Antuna, 16, is a 6-foot, 170-pound switch-hitting infielder from Bani, Dominican Republic. He is ranked as the No. 14 international prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com.

"Antuna has an advanced feel for hitting from both sides of the plate," DiPuglia said. "He projects to hit for both average and power."

Cuello, 17, is a 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, DiPuglia views him as having a "solid delivery" and he "uses his height to pitch from a deceptive, downhill plane."

Escobar, 16, is a 6-foot, 170-pound outfielder from Panama City, Panama.

"Escobar has a solid baseball skillset," DiPuglia said. "He is a left-handed hitter who makes solid, consistent contact with the barrel of the bat."

Garcia, 16, is considered one of the top international prospects of the 2016 signing class. A 6-foot, 190-pound, left-handed-hitting shortstop, Garcia is rated by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect and as the No. 7 prospect byMLB.com. According to Baseball America, he is considered the "most exciting player" in the 2016 class.

Born in New York, Garcia moved to the Dominican Republic when he was three years old. His father, Luis Garcia, is a former Major League player.

"He is an athletic shortstop with a smooth line-drive swing from the left side of the plate," DiPuglia said. "He plays with speed and athleticism."

Gomez, 17, is a 6-foot-3, 173-pound right-handed pitcher and native of Guiria, Venezuela. According to DiPuglia, Gomez has strong arm action.

Melendez, an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher, stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 197 pounds. He is a native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

"Melendez is a tall righty with a very live arm," DiPuglia said. "Because of his height, his fastball has a smooth, downhill plane."

Mendez, 16, is a 6-foot, 165-pound native of Barcelona, Venezuela. He is rated by Baseball America as the No. 30 prospect in the 2016 international signing class.

"Mendez is a very athletic outfielder with the skillset to be a potential leadoff hitter," DiPuglia said. "He is a left-handed hitter with the ability to hit line drives to all parts of the field."

Pacheco, 18, stands 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. He is a catcher from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

"Pacheco is a solid Dominican catcher with a great feel for receiving the ball," DiPuglia said.

Eric Pena, 17, is a 6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"A righty with an advanced feel for pitching, Pena has the potential to develop a three-pitch mix," DiPuglia said.

Landerson Pena, 18, is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder from Azua, Dominican Republic.

"Landerson is a skilled outfielder with good speed," DiPuglia said. "He has 'plus' bat speed with a right-handed line drive stroke, to go along with his advanced defensive ability."

Perez, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher, is a native of Valencia, Venezuela. An 18-year-old who converted to catcher from third base, DiPuglia said Perez has "advanced makeup and the athleticism needed to play the position."

Pineda, 16, is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher from Maracay, Venezuela.

"Pineda has strong makeup and leadership qualities," DiPuglia said. "He has a strong swing and projects to hit for power as he gets older."

Porte, 17, is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He stands 6-foot, 180-pounds

"Porte is an infielder with good instincts all over the field," DiPuglia said. "He has the ability to play multiple positions and boasts tremendous makeup."

Santana, a 6-foot-1, 160-pound catcher is from Monte Plata, Dominican Republic.

"Santana is a 17-year-old catcher with athleticism and an advanced skillset behind the plate," DiPuglia said. "He brings good energy to the club every time he takes the field."

Severino, 18, is a 6-foot-4, 188-pound right-handed pitcher from Santiago, Dominican Republic.

"Severino is a tall righty with a strong arm," DiPuglia said. "His fastball has good angle and shows some advanced feel for his curveball."

Sosa, 17, is a 6-foot, 160-pound catcher who is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"Sosa has a good left-handed swing," DiPuglia said. "He is a converted third baseman with great athleticism."

Suero, 17, is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound right-handed pitcher from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"Suero is a tall, strong righty with a quick arm," DiPuglia said. "His best pitch, a fastball, has good angle and good movement."