Brewers ink 33 players on first day of international signing period, including two highly touted shortstops

The Milwaukee Brewers announced the signings of 33 international players Saturday, the first day of the internationals signing period for 2022, including two highly regarded shortstops.

The Brewers signing class was led by shortstop Johan Barrios of Venezuela and shortstop Jhonny Severino of the Dominican Republic, both ranked among the top 25 players available by Baseball America.

Barrios, 17, has an athletic build and great arm at short, and is considered a plus runner. He has shown strong offensive skills as well with projectable power once his 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame fills out.

Severino, 17, shows many of the same skills, including a strong arm, and also could move to third base as he fills out (6-foot-2, 175). He is a switch hitter who is more advanced from the right side and has displayed advanced offensive skills for his age.

The Brewers have focused on up-the-middle players in their international scouting in recent years but also signed 16 pitchers and five catches among their 33 additions on the first day.

The Brewers, who have $5,721,500 in bonus pool money at their disposal this year, signed 15 players from both the Dominican and Venezuela, where they have mined considerable talent in recent years. They also signed three players from Nicaragua.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers ink pair of highly rated shortstops among international class