MLB insider sounds the alarm after investigation reveals major age fraud in Padres-bound Dominican Republic free agent

Seemingly every offseason, MLB clubs are faced with cases of age fraud, particularly among international free agent signings from the Dominican Republic. With the 2024 offseason still merely days old, an insider has already uncovered an example.

On Saturday, ESPN writers Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo reported on a prospect in the Padres organization who apparently lied about his age. However, the lie was not regarding a few months' age difference, but rather one of five years.

"This is a big, big deal. As Jorge and Alden report, age fraud among international amateurs remains an issue. And this case is particularly egregious. A player who said he was 14 years old was actually 19." - Jeff Passan

The San Diego Padres prospect in question allegedly claimed to be 14 when he was, in fact, 19 years of age. Cesar Altagracia of La Romana, Dominican Republic verbally agreed to ink a $4 million deal with San Diego in 2027, when he claimed he would turn 16. However, digging uncovered that Altagracia was born in 2005, making him 19 years old.

MLB uncovered the truth after it learned that Altagracia represented the Dominican Republic at the 2022 U-12 Baseball World Cup and at the U-15 Pan American Championships. Although the 19-year-old played under a false identity, his true identity was soon revealed.

"MLB recently discovered a teenage prospect in the Dominican Republic who verbally agreed to sign with the Padres falsified paperwork and is five years older than what he claimed to be. (via @Alden_Gonzalez, @JorgeCastillo)" - Fouln Territory

Age fraud in the league is nothing new. However, it usually manifests in the form of players lying about being older than they are. To be signed as an international free agent, a player needs to be at least 16. However, several cases have come to light of teams knowingly signing younger talents.

Dominican age fraud poses significant threats to MLB clubs

Several teams have had contracts with young stars voided, while others have been able to fly under the radar. A prime example of this was Miguel Tejada, who claimed he was two years younger than he was to secure a deal with the Oakland Athletics. As an unnamed MLB executive told The Athletic earlier this year:

“MLB responded by basically establishing an investigations unit in the DR. And, there’s always a couple (incidents) here and there, but it certainly felt like it wasn’t close to the issue that it was. And all of a sudden, it’s reared its head again in a gigantic way.”

Through the fraudulent case of Altagracia, fans cannot help but mull how many other imposters slid by detection.