Only one international prospect was selected in each of the 15 and 16 rounds of the MLB draft. Here is everything you know about the prospects taken.
Derek Datil
The Tampa Bay Rays selected Derek Datil with the No. 456 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Datil is from Puerto Rico and attended Antonio Lucchetti High School. He graduated this year and is a 6’2” left-handed outfielder.
Datil put out a recruitment video on YouTube 10 months ago, in which he ran a 6.48 60-yard dash and showed off his great throwing and fielding skills, which the Rays will develop even more for him to be solid.
Regarding his batting, his exit velocity was measured at 84 mph in 2023 and could have improved since then. He also has a great swing that the Rays saw.
According to Jose Gonzalez, Datil was named the most valuable player in the Tournament of Excellence in Puerto Rico and was the batting champion.
Finally, Datil has shown that he could pitch in the past, with an 83-mph fastball demonstrating his arm strength.
Deniel Ortiz
Deniel Ortiz was selected in round 16 with the No. 471 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ortiz is a third baseman from Puerto Rico who has played for the past two years with the Walter State Senators, an NJCAA school in Tennessee.
In 2022-23, Ortiz played 59 games for the Senators, putting up a .383 batting average and .753 slugging. He also hit 16 home runs and had seven stolen bases. However, in 2023-24, he demonstrated why he was drafted. In 58 games, Ortiz had a .397 batting average, with a .787 slugging percentage while hitting 18 home runs.
Ortiz also played summer ball in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he played for the Kingsport Axmen of the Appalachian League, where he put up impressive stats.
In 44 games, Ortiz had a .319 batting average with a 1.034 OPS and hit ten home runs.
Finally, Ortiz played for the State College Spikes of the MLB Draft League, putting up a .321 batting average and a .901 OPS in 26 games.
Photo Credit: A general view of Cowtown Coliseum prior to the 2024 MLB Draft presented by Nike at Cowtown Coliseum on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
