Washington Nationals reportedly sign 11 international prospects including highly-regarded infielder Armando Cruz

According to multiple reports this morning, the Washington Nationals have signed a total of eleven international prospects on this year’s International Signing Day, including 16-year-old infielder Armando Cruz, who’s reportedly receiving a $3.9M bonus.

MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on the shortstop said Cruz, who was ranked 5th on their list of the top international prospects in this year’s class “... might be the best defender at any position in this year’s class,” noting that the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-born infielder is, “... known as a plus defender with an extraordinary combination of footwork and hands.”

As MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez noted in a write-up on Cruz’s deal, the Nationals have a total of $5,348,100 to spend on bonuses this year.

Offensively, MLB Pipeline’s scouts say that Cruz, “... has shown good bat speed and a slight upstroke with his swing. He consistently barrels up the ball and is proficient at hitting line drives across the entire outfield,” though he doesn’t currently have much power at the dish.

The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli was first (we saw) with the news on the Nationals’ signings for this year’s class.

Washington Post writer Jesse Dougherty too had the names and bonuses this morning as we wait for an official announcement from the team on this year’s international class:

MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez has the pics on Cruz making things official with the Nationals, try not to get blinded by the bling on Vice President, Assistant General Manager, International Operations Johnny DiPuglia’s finger:

More info on this year’s signings when/if the Nationals make it available...