Cubs add 3 shortstops to open international signing period
The excitement still permeates throughout the Cubs organization after news came down last weekend that three-time All-Star Alex Bregman will be joining the club on a five-year pact, further bolstering one of the National League’s premier offensive units for seasons to come.
And as the 2026 international signing period gets underway, Bregman’s case (a former shortstop who shifted to third base full time in the big leagues) is a reminder: accumulate as much up-the-middle talent as you can. Chicago certainly did that, set to bring aboard a trio of shortstops -- Jaims Martinez, Yadier Munoz and Johan Geraldo -- who have all drawn praise from the scouting industry.
The organization received $6,679,200 in pool money this year, opting to spread its funds around to a high-upside group. Munoz is set to land the highest bonus ($1.2 million), according to a source, with Martinez ($900,000) and Geraldo ($600,000) pulling down figures indicative of the impact they could make in short order.
Martinez, a Cuba native who trains in the Dominican Republic, has starred since arriving in the country, excelling in tournament action against older players. He’s the type of super twitchy, high baseball IQ player who endears himself to scouts and teammates alike.
A switch-hitter, Martinez is apt to spray the ball to all fields with presently more of a hit-over-power swing. But he’s ripped off a few triple-digit exit velocities and shown an ability to tap into some loft (particularly from the left side), which should boost his extra-base profile as he continues to fill out. There’s a good chance he sees the majority of reps at shortstop in the Dominican Summer League as he utilizes a low base and has a genuine nose for the ball.
Munoz boasts many of the same athletic traits, having impressed from a young age with his in-game aptitude. The right-handed hitter has shown the ability to get deep into at-bats and get to some pull-side pop on occasion. Evaluators think his quickest path through the system might be as a bat-to-ball infielder who holds down multiple spots defensively, also impacting the game on the basepaths on occasion.
But the player who boasts arguably the most helium in the Cubs’ class is Geraldo. He’s added good weight to his physique over the past few years, putting on muscle to go with his ability to find the barrel from the right side. He also has what is likely the strongest throwing arm among the club’s 2026 signees, which when coupled with his growing frame could push him to the hot corner in due time.
If the Cubs signing three shortstops with considerable hype around them in one fell swoop sounds familiar, that’s because they also did that one year ago. Juan Cabada (now their No. 12 prospect), Juan Tomas (No. 14) and Wilfri De La Cruz all figured to battle one another for reps at the position as they came up together, only for De La Cruz to be moved to the Orioles in last July’s Trade Deadline deal that netted right-hander Andrew Kittredge.
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Add in Moisés Ballesteros (No. 1/MLB No. 53), Jefferson Rojas (No. 3), Pedro Ramirez (No. 7) and Angel Cepeda (No. 22) and the club continues to keep the line churning with offensive talent from the international market that one day could make an impact at Wrigley.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.