Nationals sign a pair of teenage international players; Suero promoted to Double-A

Several teams are making news with the signings of Dominican baseball teenagers. The Nationals have spent a great deal of time and resources combing the Dominican for the best talent available and have had continued success with the opening of their Dominican baseball academy.

Today the team announced they have agreed to terms with outfielder Juan Soto and infielder Luis Aquino. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo and director of Latin American operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement.

The 16-year-old Soto is 6-foot-2, 185 lbs. from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Baseball America has him ranked as the No. 13 prospect in this year's international signing class. MLB.com has Soto rated as the No. 22 international prospect in this class.

"Soto is a left-handed hitter with advanced feel for hitting and projection for power," said DiPuglia in the Nationals team release. "He profiles as a corner outfielder with a solid arm and good instincts."

16-year-old Aquino is a 6-foot-1 and 160 lbs. switch-hitter from Bani, Dominican Republic. He can play shortstop and second base.

"Aquino is a speedy, athletic middle infielder with the skills to hit at the top of the order," DiPuglia said in the Nationals team press release. "He has good bloodlines as well, as he is the nephew of former Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman."

The team also announced that right-hander Wander Suero, a Dominican pitcher who has been in the system for a few seasons and has worked hard to improve his game, has been promoted to Double-A Harrisburg.

Suero has gone 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his last 10 games for high Single-A Potomac, with 23 strikeouts in 28 innings.