Giants Spread Bonus Money, Add 25 Prospects on International Signing Day

SAN DIEGO -- After a lengthy drought that helped lead the franchise to its current issues, the Giants are seeing some strong signs from their international classes the past two years. They're hoping the 2019 class keeps the trend going. 

The organization on Tuesday announced that 25 teenage prospects have signed, including 13 from Venezuela and nine from the Dominican Republic (pictured above). Tuesday was international signing day for MLB and the Giants spread their bonus pool -- more than $5.3 million -- around.

The biggest reported deal went to Venezuelan shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, who will get $1.2 million according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Dominican left-hander Esmerlin Vinicio got $800,000, per Sanchez, and Venezuelan shortstop Anthony Rodriguez also got $800,000.

A year after they gave Marco Luciano, now one of their top prospects, $2.6 million, the Giants focused on spreading their bonus money. The hardest thing to do as a front office may be projecting 15- and 16-year-olds from another country, but the Giants have had success with lower-level signings in the past. Pablo Sandoval signed out of Venezuela for $60,000 years ago. 

The Giants focused on up-the-middle talent this year, loading up on shortstops, center fielders and catchers. In addition to their two large contingents, they signed prospects out of Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama. They were particularly aggressive in Venezuela, where multiple teams have stopped scouting players because of political and safety conditions. 

Vinicio is the gem of their pitching class and was the No. 23 prospect available, according to MLB Pipeline. MLB.com wrote that he is known for an advanced approach and sound mechanics. The lefty throws in the low 90s with the "makings of a plus breaking ball," and solid changeup, per MLB.com. 

Here's the full list of signees: 

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