Spain’s Pedro “Junior” Bonilla has signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the latest European talent to sign with a Major League Baseball organization.
The big-framed lefty (191cm, 92 kg) played his club baseball with CBS Barcelona of the Spanish Baseball League (SBL) and represented Spain at last year’s U18 European championship in Macerata, Italy.
He was dominant in his first start of the tournament against Austria, striking out eight batters in four innings of work, while allowing just one hit, but he struggled in his second start against an Italian team that eventually claimed the silver medal.
Bonilla’s 2021 SBL stats were unavailable at the time of publication, but his 2020 numbers showed the young pitcher’s promise, with a 4.31 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 31.1 innings of work. Batters hit .230 against him.
According to reports, Bonilla’s fastball tops out in the upper-80s. He is part of a 30-strong, Dodgers international signing class.
The Dodgers agreed to terms with 30 international players, including top international prospects Samuel Muñoz and Accimias Morales. In total, the Dodgers signed 15 pitchers, three catchers, nine infielders and three outfielders.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 16, 2022
