The Brewers are going big on middle infielders now and the hope is that their investment pays off in the future.

Among the Brewers’ 33 international signees on Saturday were shortstop Jhonny Severino, No. 21 on MLB.com’s Top 50 International Prospects list for $1.23 million, and shortstop Johan Barrios, who ranks No. 23, for $1,385,000.

The Brewers have $5,721,500 in bonus pool money. Among the signees they confirmed on the opening day of the new signing period, 15 are from the Dominican Republic, 15 are from Venezuela and three are from Nicaragua. Sixteen are pitchers, eight are infielders, five are catchers and four are outfielders. They range in age from 16-21; the youngest player on the list, Dominican shortstop Donis Rodriguez, won’t turn 17 until Aug. 30.

Severino, who is 17 and from the Dominican Republic, will start his professional career at shortstop, but could shift to another position, likely third base, as he fills out and gets stronger. He has enough arm strength to play either position.

He also shows soft hands and natural instincts, which combined with solid defensive actions, could turn him into an average defender at either spot.

At the plate, the switch-hitter shows an advanced approach in the box and the potential for above-average power. He’s been praised for his work ethic and overall makeup.

Like Severino, the large-framed Barrios, who just turned 17 last week, could eventually move to third base if he outgrows the position. He has shown solid defensive actions, quickness and is best described as a “good twitch” athlete. He is from Venezuela.

At the plate, Barrios has a compact swing with a good feel to make consistent hard contact. The athletic teen already shows signs of being a plus runner.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association finalized a deal in March 2020 that addressed the international signing period during the pandemic. The 2022 international signing period runs through Dec. 15, 2022, the second year in a row the period, which previously began July 2, started in January.

The current rules also state that teams are not allowed to trade any of their international pool money. Signing bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count toward a club's bonus pool, and foreign professional players who are at least 25 years of age and have played in a foreign league for at least six seasons are also exempt.

Here are the prospects who have agreed to deals with the Brewers in the 2022 international signing period:

Johan Barrios, SS, Venezuela -- $1,385,000
Jhonny Severino, SS, Dominican Republic -- $1,230,000
Luis Lara, CF, Venezuela -- $1,100,000
Gery Holguin, SS, Dominican Republic -- $450,000
Fabricio Valera, LF, Venezuela -- $400,000
Angel Pereira, 2B, Venezuela -- $275,000
Jose Pena, SS, Dominican Republic -- $230,000
Edgardo Reyes, 3B, Venezuela -- $97,500
Anthony Flores, LHS, Venezuela -- $50,000
Donis Rodriguez, SS, Dominican Republic -- $40,000
Wande Torres, LHS, Dominican Republic -- $38,700
Bryan Rivera, RHS, Nicaragua -- $27,500
Justin Caceres, RHS, Nicaragua -- $10,000
Ranwell Smith, RHS, Nicaragua -- $10,000
Edwin Tamoy, C, Venezuela -- $10,000
Yorman Galindez, RHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Juan Baez, C, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Osbriel Mogollon, LHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Daurys Mora, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Roman Perez, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Jose Meneses, LHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Jhofez Mejias, LHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Deylin Gomez, 1B, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Ludwin Tejada, C, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Roman La Torre, C, Venezuela -- $10,000
Luis Garcia, C, Venezuela -- $10,000
Royer Cabrera, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Reminton Batista, RF, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Breijher Subero, RHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Jeral Vizcaino, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Felipe De Los Santos, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Francisco Nina, OF, Dominican Republic -- $10,000
Reybert Reyes, RHS, Venezuela -- $5,000