Brewers snap up three of the Top 50 international prospects

There may be no club that has utilized the international market as well over the past few years than the Brewers. Jackson Chourio in 2021. Jesús Made (MLB No. 4) and Luis Peña (No. 18) in 2024. And now, to begin the 2026 international signing period, the club has agreed to deals that will net them three of the Top 50 prospects: shortstops Ricky Moneys (No. 20), Diego Frontado (No. 24) and José Rodríguez (No. 49).

Milwaukee received $7,357,100 in pool money this year, tied for the second-highest allotment, and put it to good use. Moneys, Furtado and Rodríguez each pulled in at least a $1.2 million signing bonus, as the club spread out its funds to land three or more members of the Top 50 for the fourth time in the past six years.

“It’s a special group,” said Taylor Green, the Brewers’ director of international scouting and player personnel, who highlighted the depth of this year’s class. “We’re obviously trying to get the ‘aircraft carriers,’ but along the way we’re also trying to build that depth as much as we can.”

Among the potential “aircraft carriers,” Moneys enters the pro ranks coming off a sizzling seven-game stint in the Amateur Scouting League in which he walloped three home runs and collected seven RBIs while slashing .429/.652/1.071 en route to league MVP honors. He’s a right-handed hitter who has oodles of bat speed and the rare ability to hit the ball out of the park as a teenager.

Training with the renowned John Carmona (a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program), Moneys has taken a leap in the past few years. He earns high marks for his all-around makeup, and the club feels he could follow a similar trajectory to Made and Peña, quickly climbing the ranks due to his physicality and loud tools.

"Electric,” Green said. “The power, to me, is what stands out right away for somebody who is definitely going to stay on the infield. He's got the natural power to right-center field that makes him stand out amongst the peers. He’s a special talent, a special player -- one of many we have in this class."

Before the Brewers could ink his deal, they had to get the name right. Several versions of Moneys’ name appeared in pre-signing news coverage, including the excellent “Ricky Money.” But after consultations between the club, MLB and the player himself, the proper, official spelling was confirmed.

“It’s a great name either way,” Green said. “There are a lot of different ways nicknames can go with that.”

Frontado features an exciting blend of tools and in-game production. Evaluators rave about his right-handed swing, and although he’s still growing into his power, he has the type of whippy action that will produce extra-base hits naturally as he fills out.

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Competition is sure to be fierce for reps at shortstop for Milwaukee over the next few seasons, particularly in the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Complex League, but many scouts believe Frontado is a surefire lock to stay at the premium spot. He also has solid speed, with 6.6-second 60-yard-dash times to his credit. He uses that to his advantage defensively, displaying advanced lateral agility and a nose for the ball.

“He’s an all-around player with tools,” Green said. “He can run. He can hit. There’s also power there. There’s defensive ability, there’s instincts. … He has a chance to really hit the ground running in the DSL [Dominican Summer League] and in pro ball and really take off quickly.”

Not to be outdone, Rodríguez’s carrying tool is his glove. Tall and athletic, the native of Maracay, Venezuela (home to former Brewers Omar Narváez and Jesús Aguilar), makes difficult plays look routine with top-tier anticipation and solid arm strength to boot. He’ll turn 17 early next week but is already regarded as one of the premier defenders in a system flush with them (Cooper Pratt, Jeferson Quero).

“You see him walk onto the field [with] his build and smoothness, you just gravitate towards him,” Green said. “He looks like a shortstop. And he’s going to be a really, really good shortstop.”

Another standout in the Amateur Scouting League, much like Moneys, was Dominican shortstop Osiris Ramirez. Although he will reportedly fetch just a $100,000 signing bonus from Milwaukee, there’s a ton of power coiled up in his right-handed swing, and he moves well laterally on the infield. His defensive home is a bit more of a question mark, but it’s the offensive profile that will earn his keep.

The club is also excited about Venezuelan catcher Moises Salazar, a switch-hitter with “a gift for an arm,” according to Green, who will play all of next season at 16 years old. Much like how Quero (MIL No. 4/MLB No. 84) was an under-the-radar signee out of that country in 2019, Salazar could be similarly equipped to one day make an impact in Milwaukee if his early power prowess proves to be legit against pro pitching.

“It’s one of the best throwers I’ve seen, especially at that age,” Green said.

Green highlighted two others: Six-foot-six left-handed pitcher Alexander Mercedes, whose fastball has been clocked at 95 mph, and 5-foot-8 center fielder Manny De Los Santos, one of the fastest runners in this year’s international class.

“It would be hard to find someone faster than him,” Green said, “and it’s quickness, too. We’re looking forward to seeing what his toolset brings.”

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.