Red Sox top five International signings in franchise history
By Sean Penney
The top five International free agent signings in Boston Red Sox history includes a pair of infielders who make up the pillars of the team’s current core.
The Boston Red Sox don’t have the best track record of drafting players in recent years but there are other ways to find prospects. The international market provides a great source for talent and the Red Sox have had success scouting players from various countries.
Some of those international prospects have gone on to play pivotal roles for this organization. Others have been used as trade chips to acquire star talent. Either way, they have provided value to the Red Sox.
Boston has a rich history of international stars. From Cuban pitcher Luis Tiant in the 1970s to the Dominican trio of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez in the 2000s, some of the greatest teams in franchise history have been led by stars who originated from other countries.
None of those players were originally singed by the Red Sox out of their native countries though. This list aims to rank to best players this organization has signed on the international market before they reached the big leagues. That also would exclude a player like Eduardo Rodriguez, who made his major league debut with the Red Sox but was signed in 2010 by the Baltimore Orioles and later traded to Boston.
These are the five best international prospects signed by the Red Sox.