Today's opening of the signing period means amateur international prospects can officially put pen to paper and call themselves professional ballplayers. It’s a testament to years of hard work not only for the players, but their families, their coaches and the extensive network of scouts and evaluators who work for all 30 Major League organizations.
While there is no Roki Sasaki-sized force at the top of the rankings this go-round, this year’s class boasts its share of potential stars. You can check out video reports, scouting grades and much more for each of 2026’s Top 50 international prospects below.
International signing coverage:
• Everything you need to know
• Top 50 Prospects list
• Each team's top international prospect
Why should you lock in on the names to know? Take one look at last year’s pennant race: from perennial All-Stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Ramírez and Juan Soto to potential future MVP candidates Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz and Jackson Chourio, the imprint made by Latin American players continues to grow.
Looking to the future, three of the current top six overall prospects all came from the international market -- Leo De Vries (Athletics), Jesús Made (Brewers) and Sebastian Walcott (Rangers). Having all hit Double-A by the age of 18, the trio is a microcosm of the future of the game: young, exhilarating and supremely talented.
Below is a look at MLB.com's Top 50 International Prospects list.
1. Luis Hernandez, SS, Venezuela
2. Wandy Asigen, SS, D.R.
3. Francisco Renteria, OF, Venezuela
4. Angeibel Gomez, OF, Venezuela
5. Johenssy Colome, SS, D.R.
6. Angel Nunez Jr., OF, D.R.
7. Jeancer Custodio, OF, D.R.
8. Emanuel Luna, OF, D.R.
9. Jeyson Horton, SS, D.R.
10. Elian Rosario, OF/3B, D.R.
11. Victor Valdez, SS, D.R.
12. Juan Rijo, OF, D.R.
13. Joniel Hernandez, SS, Cuba
14. Jose Luis Acevedo, SS, D.R.
15. Jose Manon, SS, D.R.
16. Santiago Solarte, SS, Venezuela
17. Wilton Guerrero Jr., SS, D.R.
18. Ariel Roque, OF, D.R.
19. Albert Fermin, SS , D.R.
20. Ricky Moneys, SS, D.R.
21. Randy Santana, OF, D.R.
22. Jaider Suarez, SS, Cuba
23. Cleiner Ramirez, OF, Venezuela
24. Diego Frontado, SS, Venezuela
25. Andri Hidalgo, LHP, D.R.
26. Samil Serrano, OF, D.R.
27. Ronny Muñoz, SS , D.R.
28. Dawvris Brito, SS, D.R.
29. Ezequiel Melbourne, SS, D.R.
30. Michael Mesa, OF, D.R.
31. Fernando Graterol, C, Venezuela
32. Gregory Pio, OF, D.R.
33. Ricky Duran, SS, D.R.
34. Enmanuel Merlo, SS, Venezuela
35. Pedro Gomez, OF, D.R.
36. Garielvin Silverio, OF, D.R.
37. Randy Arias, SS, D.R.
38. Svert Reinoso, SS, D.R.
39. Juan Parra, SS, Venezeula
40. Isaias Suarez, OF, D.R.
41. Gabriel Rosario, OF/1B, D.R.
42. Ruben Gallego, SS, Cuba
43. Adrian Lunar, C, Venezuela
44. Fabricio Blanco, SS, Venezuela
45. Jose Perdomo, C, Venezeula
46. Kendri Fana, RHP, D.R.
47. Frandel Pineda, RHP, D.R.
48. Leonardo Reynoso, SS, D.R.
49. Jose Rodriguez, SS, Venezeula
50. Diego Pacheco, C, Venezuela
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Breakdown
We’re less two months away from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the game’s preeminent global showcase. But look across the Major and Minor Leagues and you’ll see players from across the planet starring on the diamond. There are 10 countries other than the United States represented on the current Top 100 Prospects list alone.
While Venezuela holds down three of the top four spots in the 2026 international class, the Dominican Republic again rules the roost when it comes to sheer quantity among the Top 50. Thirty-three members of the list hail from the D.R., with 14 coming from Venezuela and three from Cuba. Position-wise, there are 26 infielders, 15 outfielders, four catchers, three pitchers and two outfielder/infielders.
Who is eligible?
There are guidelines for signing international prospects. A player is eligible to sign with a Major League organization between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year. In practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009 (and older), will be eligible to sign in the upcoming signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible.
How do the mechanics of the signing period work?
Each organization enters the signing period with bonus pool money to sign international amateur free agents. The size of that pool is determined by a number of factors, including market size and revenue, as well the signing of Major League free agents who declined a qualifying offer. Trades, in which international bonus money can be dealt in increments of $250,000, also affect bonus pool sizes. But a team can not spend more than its allotment, no matter what -- there is no option to exceed the limit and pay a tax, for example.
While teams are allowed to trade away as much of their pool as they choose, they can acquire only 60 percent of their original pool.
However, signing players for a bonus of $10,000 or less does not count against a bonus pool. It's possible, therefore, that a team could spend its entire bonus pool on one player and still sign many other players in relatively small deals.
The international bonus pool breakdown for 2026 is as follows:
$8,034,900
AZ, BAL, CLE, COL, KC, PIT, STL
$7,357,100
ATH, CIN, DET, MIA, MIL, MIN, SEA, TB
$6,679,200
ATL, CHC, CWS, LAA, LAD, PHI, TEX, WSH
$5,940,000
BOS, SD, TOR
$5,440,000
HOU, NYY, NYM, SF