Major League Baseball (MLB) has recently concluded an investigation that revealed a San Diego Padres international prospect from the Dominican Republic falsified his age. The teenager had verbally agreed to sign with the Padres, but the investigation found that he was actually five years older than stated on his documents. This revelation prompted the Padres to withdraw a substantial multi-million-dollar offer that was initially extended to the player.
Age falsification is an ongoing issue in international baseball recruitment, especially in countries where youth prospects are scouted at a very young age and the competition to stand out is fierce. This problem has often been attributed to incentives within the international signing system, where younger ages make players more attractive to MLB teams projecting long-term growth. In response, MLB has increased scrutiny over the process, frequently investigating potential discrepancies to ensure player documentation accuracy and integrity.
This case not only impacts the Padres, who were counting on the young talent, but also highlights the challenges MLB faces in international recruiting and may push the league closer to a more regulated or draft-based system for international signings.