The baseball bloodlines run deep with international prospect Wander Franco. His idol, Padres shortstop Erick Aybar, is also his uncle.

"I've learned a lot from him, not only baseball and fielding, but also my approach to the game and how to behave on and off the field," Franco, 16, said. "He has always been a hero to me and I want to follow in his footsteps."

Franco is on his way to fulfilling his own big league dream. The switch-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic has been considered the top prospect for the international class of 2017 for several months, and now it's official. Wander Samuel Franco is ranked No. 1 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 International Prospects list for 2017. He's expected to sign with an MLB organization when the international signing period begins on July 2.

"The day Wander signs is going to be a day he never forgets," said Aybar, who signed with the Angels for $100,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2002. "What I like about him is that he loves the game and he plays the game hard. You can tell he has talent and wants to do the right thing. He just needs to take care of himself and remember that signing is just the first step."

This year's Top 30 International Prospects list includes 14 players from Venezuela, 12 from the Dominican Republic, one from the Bahamas, one from Brazil and two from Mexico. The positions break down like this: 11 outfielders, 15 infielders, two pitchers and two catchers.

Top International Prospects

The best athletes at premium positions are the most appealing to international scouts. Six of the top 12 play shortstop. There are only two pitching prospects on the list, because it's hard for international scouts to predict which pitchers will break out when most throw between 86 and 90 mph. Two catchers in the top 10 is rare and speaks to the unique talent available in this year's class.

As for Franco, scouts like his polished approach on both sides of the ball and his overall defensive actions. On offense, the teenager has shown the ability to make good contact from both sides of the plate. A flashy player, Franco has the type of speed that could land him at the top of the batting order.

The Rays are the favorite to ink Franco for a signing bonus expected to be near $4 million. When he signs, he'll join his oldest brother, Wander Javier Franco, a Minor Leaguer for the Royals, and his second-oldest brother, Wander Alexander Franco, a Minor Leaguer in the Astros' organization, in the professional ranks. Franco is represented by former Major League scout and front office executive Rudy Santin.

"I have talked with [Wander Samuel] several times, and we worked out in the batting cage and the stadium," Aybar said. "He'll get a good bonus, and I reminded him that money is not everything and that he'll make money in the big leagues. The big leagues is where you want to be and it's the only thing that matters."

More than 600 prospects signed during the international signing period that started July 2, 2016, and that number could increase during the upcoming 2017-18 period because there are more than 4,000 who have registered to sign.

In addition to prospects from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and the Bahamas, there are also prospects from places like Aruba, Colombia, Germany, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, South Korea and Taiwan eligible to sign during the upcoming period. Additionally, this year's class features teens from Belarus, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Czech Republic, Curacao, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Haiti, Honduras, South Korea, Spain and Sweden.

Who's signing whom?

Ranked a close second behind Franco on the list is catcher Daniel Flores of Venezuela. Flores, an elite defender with raw power, is a threat from both sides of the plate and has been linked to the Red Sox. Jelfry Marte of the Dominican Republic, ranked No. 3, is a good runner with quick hands, a strong arm and the defensive tools that could make him an everyday shortstop in the big leagues in the future with the Twins, the team that is the favorite to sign him.

Rounding out the top five is Venezuelan outfielder Everson Pereira, a plus defender and a plus runner who has all of the tools to stay in center field as he develops. That's good news for Yankees, who have been linked to him. Coming in at No. 5 is Eric Pardinho, the new face of baseball in Brazil. The right-handed pitcher with World Baseball Classic experience and an advanced approach on the mound is expected to sign with the Blue Jays.

Favorites to sign Top 30 prospects »

Cuban connection

Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert, 19, ranked no. 1 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 International Prospects list for the 2016-2017 signing period, was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball on April 20 and will become eligible to sign with a Major League team on May 20.

Should Robert not sign before June 15, the end of the current international signing period for which he qualifies, the teenager will eligible to sign during the next signing period that starts July 2 and move to the top of the Top 30 International Prospects list for 2017-2018.

Per the current signing rules, Cuban players age 23 or older with at least five years of playing experience in Serie Nacional are not subject to the international signing guidelines. Robert does not qualify for the exemption because of his age and his experience.

International signing rules

There are specific guidelines for signing prospects like Franco: An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between July 2 through June 15 of the next year if he is 17 or will turn 17 by the end of the first season of his contract.

The rules for signing international prospects are changing for the signing period that starts July 2. According to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, every team will get at least $4.75 million to spend on international prospects. Any team receiving a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the Draft will get $5.25 million in international bonus pool money. Additionally, teams receiving a Competitive Balance Round B pick will have $5.75 million to spend.

A club can trade as much of its international pool money as it would like, but there is a limit -- 75 percent of a team's initial pool -- to how much one team can acquire.

When the international signing period starts, the A's, Braves, Astros, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Nationals, Padres, Reds and Royals will not be able to sign international prospects for more than $300,000 because they are in the maximum penalty. They will still be able to use all of their pool money. The Angels, Blue Jays, D-backs, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees will be out of the penalty and no longer be limited to signing players for $300,000 or less come July 2.

The best of the rest

In addition to the top 30 players, there are several talented international prospects that will sign during the upcoming period. Many of those players could make it to the Major Leagues one day.

Here are more names to watch during the international signing period that starts July 2.

Nelfry Abreu, INF, Dominican Republic

Carlos Aguiar, OF, Dominican Republic

Luabert Arias, RHP, Venezuela

Enyelberth Ascanio, C, Venezuela

Jorge Barrosa, OF, Venezuela

Adolfo Bauza, RHP, Venezuela

Carlos Bolivar, OF, Venezuela

Mauro Bonifacio, OF, Dominican Republic

Diowill Burgos, OF, Dominican Republic

Carlos Camarillo, OF, Venezuela

Marshall Cantillo, OF, Colombia

Yimi Carty, RHP, Dominican Republic

Jaico Christian, OF, Dominican Republic

Keyler Colina, C, Venezuela

Jose Colon, INF, Dominican Republic

Sterling Consuegra, OF, Dominican Republic

Jimmy Cortabarrio, OF, Venezuela

Adanson Cruz, OF, Dominican Republic

Fadriel Cruz, SS, Dominican Republic

Luis Curvelo, RHP, Venezuela

Jarryd Dale, INF, Australia

Luis De Avila, LHP, Colombia

Randy De La Cruz, OF, Dominican Republic

Darlyn Del Villar, SS, Dominican Republic

Trent Devaux, OF/INF, Bahamas

Anthony Garcia, OF, Dominican Republic

Gabriel Gil, C, Venezuela

Orcelis Gomez, RHP, Venezuela

Ronald Govea, RHP, Venezuela

Arturo Guerrero, OF, Dominican Republic

Sergio Gutierrez, C, Venezuela

Leonardo Jimenez, SS, Panama

D'Shawn Knowles, OF, Bahamas

D'Vaughn Knowles, OF, Bahamas

Jairo Lopez, RHP, Venezuela

David Marcado, RHP, Venezuela

Pedro Martinez Jr., INF, Dominican Republic

Alejandro Melean, RHP, Venezuela

Andres Melendez, C, Venezuela

Sander Mora, SS, Venezuela

Keithron Moss, OF, Bahamas

Victor Munoz, RHP, Dominican Republic

Luis Navaro, RHP, Mexico

Felix Neguey, SS, Dominican Republic

Jesus Orecchia, C, Venezuela

Luis Paez, INF, Dominican Republic

Fabian Pertuz, INF, Colombia

Alexfri Planez, OF, Venezuela

Alberto Rodriguez, OF, Dominican Republic

Cesar Rodriguez, C, Venezuela

Yorlis Rodriguez, INF, Cuba

Stanley Rosario, OF, Dominican Republic

Yeison Santana, INF, Dominican Republic

Junior Santos, RHP, Dominican Republic

Karlos Seijas, RHP, Venezuela

Florencio Serrano, RHP, Mexico

Angel Sosa, RHP, Venezuela

Victor Soteldo, RHP, Venezuela

Jose Tena, SS, Dominican Republic

Heitor Tokar, RHP, Brazil

Raider Uceta, OF, Dominican Republic

Victor Vargas, RHP, Colombia