St. Louis Cardinals 2025 International Class Scouting Report

Dominican outfielder Royel Strop, the son of former major league reliever Pedro Strop, is signing for $1.4 million. Strop is 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, young for the class and is a baseball rat who does a lot of things well. He’s a lefty with a knack for being able to go with where the ball is pitched, flashing home run power to his pull side along with the ability to backspin balls to left-center. Some scouts had concerns about contact with Strop, but those highest on him liked his hitting ability, strike-zone judgment and potential to grow into bigger power as well once he fills out his wiry frame. Strop is a plus runner who should be able to retain his speed as he gets older and has an above-average arm that could also tick up with strength gains. 

Kenly Hunter, signing for $700,000, is one of the most promising prospects to emerge from Nicaragua in recent years. He’s 5-foot-11, 170 pounds with an aggressive offensive approach, producing line drives to all parts of the field with gap power. Hunter hit well and made the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup Americas Qualifier last year, but it’s athletically and defensively where he might be the most exciting. Hunter played shortstop early in the scouting process but he has taken quickly to center field with plus speed, a plus arm and strong defensive instincts. 

Juan Rujano, a catcher from Panama, is a 6-foot-3 righthanded hitter who stands out for his ability to drive the ball for extra-base damage and projection for bigger power to come. Rujano has a solid-average arm and is mobile for a bigger catcher, but it’s his power that stands out more than his defense. Venezuelan shortstop Miguel Hernandez has a good chance to stay at shortstop with his hands, footwork and quickness. He’s a plus runner with a short swing from the right side and gap power. Dominican shortstop Yeferson Portalatin is a switch-hitter who shows a good eye for the strike-zone with a swing that’s more advanced from the left side. He’s a solid-average runner with the defensive tools to play somewhere in the middle infield. 

Daniel Gomez is a 6-foot-1 righthander from Venezuela who throws a lot of strikes with a fastball that’s 92 mph. His changeup is advanced for his age and projects as his best secondary pitch ahead of his slider. The Cardinals are also signing Dominican third baseman Michael Cordero, the son of former major league pitcher Francisco Cordero. Michael is young for the class and an offensive-minded hitter with a mature approach at the plate.