Headlined by Andrew Salas, Marlins 2025 international signing class taking shape

Fish On First originally published this look-ahead to the 2025 international signing period back in August. With the official opening of the signing period now just days away, we're publishing one final update to this preview article.

Beginning on January 15, the Marlins will have a bonus pool of $7,555,500, the largest pool they have had under MLB's current amateur free agent rules. We can confirm that $3.7 million—nearly half of that total—will go toward signing Venezuelan center fielder/shortstop Andrew Salas, as first reported by Beisbol FR's Francys Romero. Salas' bonus is expected to be the third-highest of all the international amateurs who are slated to sign with MLB teams in 2025 (behind only Japanese sensation RHP Roki Sasaki and SS Elian Peña). 

Salas, 16, is a lean switch-hitter listed at 6'0" who has the ability to play two premium positions. His two older brothers, José and Ethan, currently play in the minor leagues and signed their own multi-million dollar deals in 2019 and 2023, respectively.

Andrew has already begun his professional career in Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional. He played for Marineros de Carabobo this past summer, facing much more experienced competition such as longtime MLB reliever Fernando Rodney, who's literally old enough to be Salas' father.

In 33 LVBP games, Salas slashed .185/.327/.228 with 11 RBIs and 14 stolen bases on 15 attempts. He got off to a hot start, posting an OPS of 1.079 with six steals through his first six games, but he struggled offensively after that as opponents adjusted. His primary position was center field with a handful of starts at shortstop.

Salas is already a plus runner with a smooth left-handed swing. As he gets more game reps from the right side and fills out his frame to generate power, he could quickly emerge as the top position player prospect in the entire Marlins organization.

This is where things get complicated.

Per Francys Romero, the Marlins and third baseman Juan Tomás (Dominican Republic) had reached a verbal agreement worth approximately $950,000. A switch-hitter like Salas, Tomás turned 17 in November. The organization was excited about his projectability and the rhythm and balance he has from both sides of the plate as well. Defensively, Tomás will initially play on the left side of the infield, but there is a chance he eventually moves to the outfield.

However, Tomás will not be signing with Miami after all. In August, the Marlins parted ways with assistant general manager Oz Ocampo and international scouting director Roman Ocumarez as well as Angel Izquierdo, who had personally scouted Tomás. He is now committed to the Chicago Cubs.

The Marlins "have already started looking for ways to use that available pool space," a team source tells Fish On First.

An "electric" arm and more prospects to monitor

Exclusively for FOF SuperSubs, we have video and scouting notes on other members of Miami's 2025 class.