Here's where the top international prospects are headed

Here's where the top international prospects are headed

January 24th, 2024

It’s the start of the international signing period and one of the most important dates on the baseball calendar.

The period provides all 30 clubs the opportunity to sign top-notch talent from around the globe and put those emerging prospects into their systems.

For the prospects, it’s the first step toward professional baseball and fulfilling their lifelong goals.

The international signing period runs through Dec. 15, 2024.

Below is a look at which players from MLB.com's Top 50 International Prospects list have agreed to terms with clubs, and for how much. Unless otherwise noted, clubs have not confirmed the deals.

1. Leo De Vries, SS, D.R.: Padres+ ($4.2 million) More »
2. Paulino Santana, OF, D.R.: Rangers+ ($1.3 million) More »
3. Jose Perdomo, SS, Ven.: Braves ($5 million) More »
4. Fernando Cruz, SS, D.R.: Cubs ($4 million) More »
5. Adolfo Sanchez, OF, D.R.: Reds+ ($2.7 million) More »
6. Yovanny Rodriguez, C, Ven.: Mets+ ($2.85 million) More »
7. Dawel Joseph, SS, D.R.: Mariners+ ($3.3 million) More »
8. Daiber De Los Santos, SS, D.R.: Twins+ ($1.9 million) More »
9. Kennew Blanco, SS, Ven.
10. Adriel Radney, OF, D.R.: D-backs+ ($1.85 million) More »
11. Eduardo Herrera, 3B, Ven.: White Sox+ ($1.8 million) More »
12. Jorge Quintana, SS, Ven.: Brewers+ ($1.7 million) More »
13. Robert Arias, OF, D.R.: Guardians+ ($1.9 million) More »
14. Emil Morales, SS, Spain: Dodgers+ ($1.9 million) More »
15. Francisco Vilorio, OF, D.R.: Yankees ($1.75 million) More »
16. Yandel Ricardo, SS, D.R.: Royals+ More »
17. Ashly Andujar, SS, D.R.: Rockies ($1.7 million) More »
18. Leonardo Pineda, OF, D.R.: Rays+ ($1.75 million) More »
19. Jalvin Arias, OF, D.R.: Phillies+ ($1.45 million) More »
20. Victor Hurtado, OF, D.R.: Nationals+ ($2.7 million) More »
21. Luis Cova, OF, Ven.: Marlins+ ($1.4 million) More »
22. Jesus Made, SS, D.R.: Brewers+ ($950K) More »
23. Angel Feliz, 3B, D.R.: Nationals+ ($1.8 million) More »
24. Belfi Rivera, OF, D.R.: D-backs+ ($1.8 million) More »
25. Branneli Franco, RHP, D.R.: Cardinals+ ($800K) More »
26. Raymel Ortiz, SS, D.R.
27. Franklin Rojas, C, Ven.: Blue Jays+ ($998K) More »
28. Stiven Martinez, OF, D.R.: Orioles+ ($950K) More »
29. Curley Martha, SS, Cur.: Rangers+ ($798K) More »
30. Emilio Sanchez, SS, D.R.: Orioles+ ($1.3 million) More »
31. Yensi Rivas, SS, D.R.: Mets+ ($500K) More »
32. Angel Guzman, SS, D.R.: Blue Jays+ ($768K) More »
33. Vladimir Asencio, OF, D.R.: Red Sox ($1 million) More »
34. Andres Arias, OF, D.R.: Blue Jays+ ($898K) More »
35. Oscar Pujols, RHP, D.R.: Rockies ($600K) More »
36. Yohendry Sanchez, C, Ven.: Giants+ ($1.4 million) More »
37. Joswa Lugo, SS, D.R.: Angels+ ($2.3 million) More »
38. Bralyn Brazoban, OF, D.R.: Pirates+ ($2 million) More »
39. Eduardo Beltre, OF, D.R.: Twins+ ($1.5 million) More »
40. Jeremy Denaud, OF, D.R.
41. Edward Lantigua, OF, D.R.: Mets+ ($950K) More »
42. Naibel Mariano, SS, D.R.: Reds+ ($1.65 million) More »
43. Edgar Montero, 3B, D.R.: Athletics+ ($1.2 million) More »
44. Jhonny Level, INF, Ven.: Giants+ ($998K) More »
45. Nestor Miranda, 3B, D.R.: Tigers+ ($1.5 million) More »
46. Yolfran Castillo, SS, Ven.: Rangers+ ($648K) More »
47. Jose Ramos OF, Ven., Athletics+ ($1.2 million) More »
48. Leandro Romero, SS, D.R.: Mariners+ ($1 million) More »
49. Anderson Paula, OF, D.R.
50. Abdiel Feliz, SS, D.R.: Pirates+ ($1.2 million) More »

+ indicates that the club has officially announced the signing.

Breakdown
Thirty-eight of the players on the Top 50 list are from the Dominican Republic. There are 10 prospects from Venezuela, one from Curaçao and one from Spain. Position-wise, there are 26 infielders, 18 outfielders, three catchers, two pitchers and one infielder/outfielder.

International signing rules, spending
The pool breakdown is as follows:

The D-backs, Guardians, Orioles, Pirates, Rockies and Royals received a Competitive Balance Pick in Round B of the 2023 Draft and received a $7,114,800 signing pool. Teams with a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A (Athletics, Brewers, Mariners, Marlins, Rays, Reds, Tigers and Twins) each received $6.52 million.

Eight teams (Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Nationals, Red Sox and White Sox) have a $5.284 million base signing pool. The Angels, Blue Jays, Cardinals and Cubs each forfeited $500,000 from their pools for signing players who had rejected qualifying offers -- Tyler Anderson, Chris Bassitt, Willson Contreras, and Dansby Swanson respectively -- last offseason, so each has a pool of $5.152 million.

The Rangers, Padres, Phillies and Yankees each lost $1 million for signing the following players who rejected qualifying offers -- Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom (TEX), Xander Bogaerts (SD), Trea Turner (PHI) and Carlos Rodón (NYY). The base signing pool for each of those four teams is $4,652,200.

The forfeited monies are redistributed to the other clubs.

Teams will be allowed to trade international bonus slots during this signing period starting Monday.

Who is eligible?
There are guidelines for signing prospects. 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 -- in practical terms, that means players born between Sept. 1, 2006, and Aug. 31, 2007, will be eligible in the current signing period. Players have to be registered with Major League Baseball in advance in order to be eligible to sign.

Here's a look at other prospects who signed for $300,000 or more:

Angels
Hayden Alvarez, OF, D.R. -- $685,000
Greylin De La Paz, OF, D.R. -- $575,000
Humberto De Jesus Tiberi, C, Ven. -- $450,000
Dioris De La Rosa, RHP, D.R. -- $300,000

Astros
Cesar Y. Hernandez, OF, Cuba -- $1.7 million
Franchely Silverio, INF, D.R. -- $672,500
Amauri Ramirez, OF, U.S. -- $597,500

Athletics
Erick Matos, RHP, D.R. -- $700,000
Sebastian Rojas, OF, Ven. -- $550,000
Azaeel Pacheco, C, Ven. -- $350,000

Blue Jays
Pascual Archila, OF, D.R. -- $847,5000
Juarlin Soto, INF, D.R. -- $547,500

Braves
Juan Espinal, OF, D.R. -- $440,000

Brewers
Luis Pena, SS, D.R. -- $800,000
Joandrew Pena, SS, Ven. -- $500,000
Handelfry Encarnacion, OF, D.R. -- $400,000
Frederi Montero, SS, D.R. -- $300,000

Cardinals
Yairo Padilla, IF, D.R. -- $760,000
Edward Guribe, OF, D.R. -- $700,000
Earle Zulueta, RHP, Cuba -- $400,000

Cubs
Robin Ortiz, OF, D.R. -- $400,000

D-backs
Alfredo Benzan, SS, D.R. -- $550,000
Erick De La Cruz, SS, D.R. -- $455,000
Raily Liriano, OF, D.R. -- $400,000

Giants
Yoxander Benitez, INF, Aru. -- $372,500

Guardians
Miguel Flores, LHP, Mex. -- $500,000
Gabriel Rodriguez, INF, U.S. -- $500,000
Estivel Morillo, OF, D.R. -- $435,000
Luis De La Cruz, INF, D.R. -- $430,000
Edelvis Perez, RHP, D.R. -- $415,000
Johan Rodriguez, INF, D.R. -- $325,000
Juneiker Caceres, OF, Ven. -- $300,000

Mariners
Zeus Nunez, INF, D.R. -- $550,000
Gabriel Guanchez, C, Ven. -- $500,000

Marlins
Jose Castro, OF, D.R. -- $450,000
Jose Paulino, RHP, D.R. -- $350,000

Mets
Leandy Mella, SS, D.R. -- $500,000
Bohan Adderley, OF, Bah. -- $350,000

Nationals
Eddy Marmolejos, 3B, D.R. -- $300,000

Orioles
Elvin Garcia, INF, D.R. -- $500,000
Jemone Nuel, INF, D.R. -- $500,000

Phillies
Cesar Mujica, C, Ven. -- $700,000
Jose Familia, IF, D.R. -- $600,000
Nathanael Cijntje, OF, Cur. -- $337,500

Pirates
Kendrick Herrera, INF, D.R. -- $450,000
Irwin Ramirez, RHP, D.R. -- $450,000
Edward Florentino, OF, D.R. -- $395,000
Iverson Allen, OF, Pan. -- $300,000

Rangers
Nathaniel Palacios, INF, Ven. -- $497,500
Daniel Flames, SS. Ven. -- $447,500
Jose Marcano, C, Ven. -- $297,500

Rays
Angel Brachi, SS, Ven. -- $800,000
Aaron Pinero, SS, Ven. -- $450,000
Deinys Gonzalez, C, Ven. -- $440,000
Domingo Batista, INF, D.R. -- $425,000
Carlos Matias, OF, D.R. -- $425,000
Israfell Bautista, INF, D.R. -- $400,000
Sebastian Perez, RHP, D.R. -- $310,000
Andreimi Antunez, INF, D.R. -- $300,000
Ismael Del Rosario, OF, D.R. -- $300,000

Red Sox
Carlos Carrasquel, SS, Ven. -- $590,000
Edwin Brito, OF, D.R. -- $450,000
Dalvinson Reyes, RHP, D.R. -- $450,000
Anderson Fermin, SS, D.R. -- $400,000

Reds
Jirvin Morillo, C, Ven. -- $420,000
Juan D. Brown, 3B, Aru. -- $300,000
Diorland Zambrano, SS, Ven. -- $300,000

Rockies
Cristian Arguelles, OF, Ven. -- $700,000
Eriel Dihigo, INF, Cuba -- $500,000
Roldy Brito, INF, D.R. -- $420,000
Nicolas Ortiz, C, Col. -- $300,000

Royals
Jhonayker Ugarte, INF, Ven. -- $1.3 million
Darison Garcia, SS, INF, D.R. -- $797,500

Tigers
Jesus Pinto, OF, Ven. -- $897,500
Jose Dickson, SS, D.R. -- $397,500

Twins
Victor Leal, C, Ven. -- $447,500
Nestor Urbina, INF, Ven. -- $397,500
Alver Medina, INF, D.R. -- $347,500

White Sox
Jesus Premoli, 3B, Ven. -- $550,000

Yankees
Richard Matic, 3B, D.R. -- $850,000
Leandy Mella, SS, D.R. -- $500,000
Dexters Peralta, SS, D.R. -- $500,000
Queni Pineda, C, D.R. -- $350,000