MLB’s 2026 worldwide signing interval opens on Thursday, and its significance cannot be understated. Whereas the overwhelming majority of gamers are youngsters years away from reaching the massive leagues, historical past tells us that the impression a few of them make as soon as they get there will probably be huge.
In 2025, 4 gamers who completed within the high six in MVP balloting initially signed by way of the worldwide beginner market: Geraldo Perdomo, José Ramírez, Julio Rodríguez and Juan Soto. The identical was true of Nationwide League Cy Younger Award runner-up Cristopher Sánchez in addition to World Collection heroes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, Andy Pages and Miguel Rojas.
Beneath, we establish the highest worldwide prospect in every crew’s farm system:
Blue Jays: Juan Sanchez, 3B/SSWith a $997,500 bonus, Sanchez was Toronto’s second-highest addition within the 2025 worldwide class and took off rapidly with a .341/.439/.565 line and eight homers in 56 video games within the Dominican Summer time League. The fitting-handed slugger backed that up with spectacular exit velocities for his age and a repeated capacity to tug the ball within the air. He break up time between third base and shortstop, however all consideration will probably be on his bat as he heads stateside at 18 years previous in 2026.
Orioles: Samuel Basallo, C/1BBack in January 2021, the Orioles re-entered the worldwide market by signing Basallo for $1.3 million, then a document for the group. He has probably the greatest energy bats amongst all prospects and is taken into account to be on the high of the younger catching heap. He made his Main League debut shortly after he turned 21 final 12 months following posting a .966 OPS at Triple-A. Throughout his temporary time in Baltimore, he confirmed his arm will play too as he threw out 38 % of potential basestealers.
Rays: Anderson Brito, RHPOnly a $10,000 signee out of Venezuela in November 2023, Brito joined Tampa Bay as a part of a three-team commerce in December and could be coming to the group at simply the fitting time. His workload has been restricted within the Minors, most not too long ago by a stress response in his proper shoulder, however he’s coming off a dominant stretch within the Arizona Fall League, the place he fanned 22 of his 47 batters confronted. The 5-foot-10 righty earns sturdy grades for his upper-90s fastball, upper-80s sweeper and mid-80s curveball. Even his upper-80s changeup, which doesn’t pop as a lot, generates a excessive share of whiffs.
Purple Sox: Franklin Arias, SSOne of the highest defenders within the 2023 worldwide class, Arias has lived as much as his status with the glove since signing for $525,000 out of Venezuela. He additionally has exceeded expectations on the plate, profitable the batting title (.355) and MVP honors within the Rookie-level Florida Complicated League in 2024. He slashed .278/.335/.388 with eight homers and 12 steals in 116 video games whereas advancing from Single-A to Double-A at age 20 final 12 months.
Yankees: Carlos Lagrange, RHPSigned for a mere $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022, Lagrange began reaching the higher 90s along with his fastball simply 4 months later and topped out at 103 mph final season. After again irritation and management woes hampered him in 2024, he positioned third within the Minors in strikeouts (168 in 120 innings) and Okay share (33 %) whereas reaching Double-A final 12 months. Apart from his heater, his mid-80s slider, upper-80s cutter and low-90s changeup every can miss loads of bats.
Guardians: Angel Genao, SSGenao completed fifth within the Minors in batting (.330) in 2024 earlier than a proper shoulder sprain value him two months and contributed to a .259/.323/.359 line at Double-A at age 21 final season. Signed for $1,175,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, he is a switch-hitting infielder with superior bat-to-ball expertise and a excessive baseball IQ.
Royals: Kendry Chourio, RHPOne 12 months after signing for $247,500, Chourio vaulted his solution to changing into high pitching prospect from final 12 months’s worldwide class after climbing from the DSL to Single-A Columbia in his age-17 season. He posted a 3.51 ERA with 63 strikeouts and solely 5 walks in 51⅓ innings throughout three ranges. The 6-foot righty has the stuff to again up the numbers with a 93-97 mph fastball and two above-average secondaries in his upper-70s curve and mid-80s change. If the stuff and outcomes maintain over longer outings and bigger samples in 2026, he may very well be a fast addition to the High 100.
Tigers: Josue Briceño, 1B/CBriceño adopted his breakout and MVP-level marketing campaign within the Arizona Fall League by proving how effectively he can carry out over a full and wholesome season. He hit .266/.383/.500 with a career-high 20 homers over 100 video games between Excessive-A and Double-A. His immense energy drives his capacity to make laborious contact from the left facet, and he has a stable historical past of taking his walks in any respect ranges. He’s a below-average defender behind the plate nonetheless, however the bat will play on the chilly nook ought to he develop his taking part in time there in ‘26 and past.
Twins: Eduardo Tait, CTait initially signed with the Phillies out of Panama for simply $90,000 in January 2023 and a few internally thought he would possibly observe a Carlos Ruiz path to Philadelphia, however after representing the Phillies within the Futures Recreation, he was despatched to the Twins eventually 12 months’s Commerce Deadline within the Jhoan Duran deal. He’s a left-handed-hitting backstop with a ton of energy (profession .804 OPS) and he reached Excessive-A final 12 months. He’ll spend a lot of the 2026 season at age 19.
White Sox: William Bergolla, SS/2BBergolla suits the identical contact-hitting, speed-and-defense middle-infielder profile as his father, William Sr., who performed briefly within the Majors for the 2005 Reds. Acquired from the Phillies in a July 2024 commerce for Tanner Banks, he batted .286/.342/.333 with 40 steals in 125 video games for Birmingham’s Double-A championship membership.
Angels: Nelson Rada, OFA 12 months in the past, we moved Joswa Lugo forward of Rada on this story, however whereas the shortstop signed in 2024 had an honest 12 months within the Arizona Complicated League final 12 months, Rada has taken a big step ahead. He spent almost the entire 12 months at age 19 and hit .292 with a .398 OBP and 54 steals throughout Double-A and Triple-A, actually turning issues on at Salt Lake with a .323 common and .433 OBP over 42 video games there.
Astros: Kevin Alvarez, OFAlvarez has but to make his U.S. debut however already is drawing acclaim from some evaluators as the most effective prospect in Houston’s system. Signed for $2 million final January after leaving Cuba three years earlier, his 6-foot-4 body and left-handed swing have prompted some comparisons to Kyle Tucker. He slashed .301/.419/.455 with extra walks (23) than strikeouts (19) and 11 steals in 47 video games within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer time League.
A’s: Leo De Vries, SSDe Vries trailed solely Roki Sasaki on our 2024 High 50 worldwide prospects record and the Padres, as they’re wont to do on this market, signed him for $4.2 million and despatched him straight to full-season ball for his affiliated debut. He held his personal there, getting sizzling late earlier than a shoulder harm shelved him, however he made up for some misplaced time as a 17-year previous within the Arizona Fall League. He was performing effectively at Excessive-A when, after going to the Futures Recreation, he was despatched to the A’s within the Mason Miller deal on the Deadline. The A’s finally nudged him to Double-A and he responded by posting a .910 OPS in 21 video games.
Mariners: Lazaro Montes, OFSigned for $2.2 million in January 2022, Montes has established his bona fides as probably the greatest power-hitting prospects within the recreation. Additionally a 2025 Futures Gamer, Montes reached Double-A at age 20 a 12 months in the past and hit a mixed 32 homers for the 12 months. He brings excessive exit velocities wherever he goes and has a profession .911 OPS to indicate for it, with extra to return if he can lower down on the swing-and-miss just a bit.
Rangers: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3BTouted as the most effective participant ever to return out of the Bahamas even earlier than he signed for $3.2 million in 2023, Walcott efficiently navigated Double-A at age 19, batting .255/.355/.386 with 13 homers and 32 steals in 124 video games. He has well-above-average uncooked energy and arm energy in addition to the potential to turn into a stable hitter and who can stick at shortstop.
Braves: Didier Fuentes, RHPWhile the Braves had their full bonus pool again for the 2022 worldwide signing interval, the most effective participant from that class seems to be Fuentes, who signed out of Colombia for simply $75,000. His fastball has gained some ticks and misses bats due to a low launch top and spectacular vertical strategy angle. He was rushed a bit in getting referred to as up for his Main League debut final 12 months simply days after he turned 20, however he has the stuff to start out if he can enhance his total command.
Marlins: Starlyn Caba, SS/2BThe key prospect within the commerce that despatched Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins to the Phillies in December 2024, Caba is among the greatest defensive prospects within the Minors. He would not have a lot pop and a sprained left thumb sidelined him for 2 months, leading to a .222/.335/.278 slash line, however he is a switch-hitter with bat-to-ball expertise and plus pace.
Mets: Elian Peña, SSPeña grabbed loads of consideration by signing for $5 million throughout final 12 months’s worldwide interval, the second-highest bonus given to any participant behind solely Roki Sasaki’s $6.5 million. The left-handed-hitting shortstop could have disenchanted by opening 0-for-26 in his first 9 DSL video games, however he hit .338/.461/.610 with 9 homers, 18 steals and extra walks (34) than strikeouts (29) in 47 contests the remainder of the way in which. Along with his mixture of swing choices and energy, there’s the potential for Peña to be above common in a number of offensive departments, and if he can stick at shortstop (which the Mets count on), then all the higher. Consistency will probably be a spotlight in his first stateside season.
Nationals: Jarlin Susana, RHPThe January 2022 signee out of the Dominican Republic has lengthy been prospect well-known for his high-octane fastball, a heater that ran as much as 103 mph in 2025, however his 85-88 mph gyro slider is even higher at lacking bats, with a 58 % whiff price between Excessive-A and Double-A final season (per Synergy). Walks proceed to be a problem for the 6-foot-6 righty, and he’s at present on the mend from September lat surgical procedure — two points that gained’t assist him fend off the assumption in some circles that he’s a future nearer (albeit a dominant one). Susana continues to be solely coming into his age-22 season.
Phillies: Aroon Escobar, 2BEscobar didn’t impress proper out of the gate after signing for $450,000 in January 2022, spending two years within the DSL with little to indicate for it production-wise. One thing clicked when he got here stateside, and he hit .338/.495/.481 in 24 Florida Complicated League video games throughout a 2024 season interrupted by shin splints. That proved to not be an anomaly because the infielder started the 2025 season with Single-A Clearwater and ended it with Double-A Studying, ending with a mixed 15 homers and 24 steals.
Brewers: Jesús Made, SS/2BTwo years after becoming a member of the Brewers for $950,000 out of the Dominican Republic, Made has developed into probably the greatest prospects in baseball, full cease. The switch-hitting infielder not solely jumped to full-season ball in his age-17 season, he climbed to Double-Some time hitting .285/.379/.413 with six homers and 47 steals over 115 video games. His bat pace and quick-twitch actions within the field ought to assist him for common and energy on the larger ranges, and he may very well be a candidate to see Milwaukee effectively earlier than his twentieth birthday.
Cardinals: Rainiel Rodriguez, CSigned for $300,000 out of the Dominican Republic in April 2024, Rodriguez, who spent a while stateside as a child in Pennsylvania, has rapidly asserted himself as probably the greatest power-hitting catching prospects. His 20 homers in 84 video games throughout three ranges final 12 months had been tied for seventh-most amongst all Minor League backstops; no different age-18 catcher hit greater than 14. He has room to develop on the defensive facet, however he does an honest job of controlling opposing working video games.
Cubs: Moisés Ballesteros, CSigned for the second-highest bonus ($1.2 million) amongst catchers and Cubs signees within the 2021 worldwide class, Ballesteros gained Cubs Minor League Participant of the 12 months awards in 2023 and 2024 earlier than posting the most effective numbers of his profession (.314/.386/.473 between Triple-A and Chicago) final season. He is a complicated hitter with 20-homer potential, although his capacity to stay behind the plate is a query.
Pirates: Edward Florentino, OFFlorentino, signed for $395,000 in January 2024, began off the 2025 season at No. 23 on the Pirates’ High 30, however ended it within the high 5 and firmly within the High 100. The left-handed hitter tore up the FCL (1.084 OPS over 29 video games) then greater than held his personal in a transfer to full-season ball, ending his age-18 season with a mixed .948 OPS, 16 homers and 35 steals. He’s additionally confirmed that he’s a no-doubt outfielder after there have been early issues he’d have to maneuver to first base.
Reds: Alfredo Duno, COne of the highest catchers within the 2023 worldwide class, Duno signed with the Reds for $3.1 million that January. The large, sturdy right-handed hitter impressed instantly along with his bat within the DSL and moved to full-season ball for his U.S. debut in 2024, a season lower means quick by a damaged rib. He returned with a vengeance in 2025, main the Florida State League in residence runs, OBP, SLG and OPS earlier than ending issues off with 4 homers in three Arizona Fall League playoff video games.
D-backs: Jansel Luis, INFEntering his fifth 12 months of professional ball, Luis nonetheless has intriguing projection as a 20-year-old with above-average pace, good capacity to govern the barrel and respectable energy that hasn’t actualized into homer totals simply but. The switch-hitter can actually develop the zone an excessive amount of, however he makes ample contact anyway, resulting in a .304 common in 102 video games with Excessive-A Hillsboro final season. He’s moved across the filth loads in his early profession however seems greatest away from shortstop.
Dodgers: Josue De Paula, OFBorn in Brooklyn and the cousin of former NBA level guards Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair, De Paula moved to the Dominican Republic and signed out of there for $397,500 in 2022. His mixture of swing choices, exit velocities and a 6-foot-3 body have elicited comparisons to a extra athletic model of Yordan Alvarez. He batted .263/.406/.421 with 12 homers and 32 steals in 98 video games as a 20-year-old at Single-A and gained MVP honors on the Futures Recreation.
Giants: Josuar Gonzalez, SSThe consensus greatest place participant within the 2025 worldwide class, Gonzalez signed for $2,997,500 out of the Dominican Republic earlier than slashing .288/.404/.455 with 19 extra-base hits and 33 steals in 52 video games within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer time League. He is a switch-hitter with electrical bat pace from either side of the plate and 30/30 potential.
Padres: Ethan Salas, CSalas shot out of the gate after signing with the Padres for $5.6 million in January 2023 and was ranked because the No. 1 catching prospect within the recreation a 12 months later due to his well-rounded ability set. Then he struggled at Excessive-A in 2024 and performed solely 10 video games final summer season resulting from a stress response in his decrease again. Nonetheless solely coming into his age-20 season, Salas has huge potential, and supplied he stays wholesome, the energy of his protection provides him a great flooring. However 2026 will probably be an enormous prove-it 12 months for the Venezuelan backstop.
Rockies: Robert Calaz, OFAfter signing for $1.7 million in January 2023, Calaz got here to the States in 2024 after impressing with a .984 OPS within the DSL upon becoming a member of the group. He stored raking, hitting his means from the Arizona Complicated League to full-season Fresno and ending with an OPS of 1.079 in ‘24. He struggled extra along with his strategy in a return to the extent in 2025, although he nonetheless managed to hit 10 homers in 99 video games.
