New this year from MLB!
Well, not exactly new, but the non-drafted free-agent (NDFA… yes, I am going to use the acronym rather than type it every time) has a much higher profile and potentially more important role this year.
NDFA’s are players teams might have taken in rounds 21-40 under the old draft structure. MLB eliminated those rounds this year, and to prevent deals that circumvented the bonus pool limits, restricted the signing bonus to $20K. (Links to Baseball America -subscription required.)
As of Sunday night, 28 teams signed at least one NDFA, with the Tigers and Rangers abstaining so far, but that could change any minute.
The Phillies bought the most lottery tickets so far, signing 17 such players. A handy-dandy chart follows. If you want to check-in, or get more detail, follow the BA link above.
| Arizona – 2 RFP, LHP | Milwaukee – RHP. LHP | |
| Atlanta – SS | Minnesota – 2 RHP | |
| Baltimore – 2 RHP, LHP, C | Mets – RHP | |
| Boston – OF | Yankees – OF | |
| Cubs – 3 RHP, C | Oakland – 1B, LHP | |
| White Sox – 2 RHP, LHP, C | Philadelphia- 2 RHP, 2 LHP, C, 1B | |
| Cincinnati – RHP – C | Pittsburgh – LHP | |
| Cleveland – C | San Diego – RHP, LHP, 3B, OF | |
| Colorado – RHP | San Francisco – RHP, SS | |
| Houston – 5 RHP | Seattle – OF | |
| Kansas City – 2 LHP | St Louis – 2 RHP, a 3B/RHP, C | |
| Angels – 2 RHP + 1 RHP/IF, LHP, 6 C + a C/3B, 2 3B, 3 OF, 1B | Tampa – 2 RHP | |
| Dodgers – 2 RHP, 1 LHP, SS, C | Toronto – RHP, LHP | |
| Miami – C | Washington – 2 RHP, C, OF |
Atlanta Braves add a SS
The Braves dipped a toe into the NDFA pool to sign Anderson De Los Santos.
De Los Santos is a 6’-0 190 pound switch-hitting shortstop out of Central High School in Providence, Rhode Island. According to a story in the Providence Journal, the Dominican native was eligible for the J2 signing period in 2019 but wasn’t signed.
He came to live with his brother in Providence after his mother passed away last year, joining the Providence Sports & Leadership baseball program and joining a gym where he added 20-pounds of muscle.
He took a chance to reclassify late as a senior @CentralHSPvd and @4ever28lm was rewarded with a free agent deal @Braves Hear more about his path to professional baseball starting at 6:30P @wpri12 @FOXProvidence @pslrisports @BallinRi @RIIL_sports @cloose6 @pvdschools @Jpena221 pic.twitter.com/GrLZ4eaEhB
— JP Smollins (@jpsmollins) July 18, 2021
Scouts’ ears perked when they watched him play, but he wasn’t considered eligible for the draft because he was only a junior. He planned to attend Central again next year, but an annual review by his guidance counselor in May found he lacked only two credits to earn his diploma.