It looks like the San Diego Padres got quite a shock, huh? They were all set to bring a thriving new talent, Dominican prospect Cesar Altagracia. Plus, they were ready to shell out big money—a $4 million for his signing bonus. But then, it’s almost like a twist in a blockbuster movie; a shocking revelation has come forth. MLB investigators found out that the 14-year-old phenomenon was not what he claimed to be. He isn’t fourteen but rather 19!

Cesar Altagracia is a full five years older than anyone thought. With this new information, the verbal agreement between the two parties has since been called off. But still a gut wrench for the team! However, this isn’t the first instance when age falsification has made the rounds. It just shows us the murky waters of international scouting, where the truth can be hidden in plain sight.

“Rife with corruption” – Age falsification makes a comeback

Age falsification in baseball has long been a part of the game, especially in the highly competitive international market, where young players are driven to appear younger to attract more teams. Past examples, such as Roberto Hernandez and Juan Carlos Oviedo, highlight this issue. “The signing of amateur players (in the international market) has fueled an entire economy rife with corruption. The last year has seen an uptick in high-profile players showcasing themselves with falsified birth certificates to present themselves as much as five years younger,” sources told ESPN. This suggests that age manipulation may be more common than it’s portrayed.

Typically, players who are found guilty of falsifying their ages are handed a one-year suspension. Only then are they allowed to reapply, which means San Diego Padres needs to consider the next steps carefully.

Now the plan of the Padres was a classic handshake deal. It’s an unofficial agreement with players before they turn 16. Initially, their goal was to officially sign Cesar Altagracia in January 2027. He had attracted plenty of attention when he represented in international events like the 2022 U-12 Baseball World Cup. However, the recent report from ESPN’s Jorge Castillo and Alden Gonzalez burst that bubble. Now this isn’t the sole case or something that has happened with the Padres only. The Athletic had reported even the New York Mets and Astros had faced something similar. But this can stop; in fact, there is a solution too.

Age controversy and how a draft might change the game

In the quest to find baseball’s next big star, MLB teams make handshake deals with international players long before they are old enough to sign. They sign 12-year-old prospects and keep them under wraps from competitors. This is a strategy that is common in places like the Dominican Republic, where talent is like freshly baked cakes. But how do these transactions take place? Well, through WhatsApp! The team executives and trainers called Buscones communicate over WhatsApp and lock the players. But this loophole has players also presenting various fake documents to appear younger than they are. This is what might have happened with the San Diego Padres, too.

However, the MLB does have its Department of Age and Identity to review cases as and when the players get closer to signing. But they don’t look at things super closely, which leaves plenty of room for things to get murky. Many teams even hire private investigators to verify ages, but the system again is far from airtight. The solution? MLB suggests that an international draft could put an end to these handshake agreements and the risks that come with them. But then, not all are on board, especially not the players’ union. They believe that even the club practices are questionable and part of the issue.

Well, until there is a fix, it’s just going to be all an adventure, we suppose. Teams just have to be careful from the get-go. What do you think about such under-the-table deals beforehand? Let us know in the comments.