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2026 Top MLB International Prospects for Dynasty
Chris Clegg breaks down and ranks the top 25 international prospects for dynasty leagues.
Chris Clegg
January 06, 2026
It is January, which means we are approaching the beginning of the 2026 International Signing Period. On January 15, international amateur free agents are eligible to sign with MLB clubs, and the signing period lasts until December 15.
For a player to be eligible to sign, they must turn 17 years old by September 1, 2026, and not live or go to school in the United States or Canada. These players are not eligible for the summer's MLB Draft; therefore, they are subject to the signing process.
While most players hail from the Dominican Republic, there will also be plenty of players singing from Venezuela and Cuba. While it is known where teams have verbally agreed to sign, the ink hits the paper on January 15 for most.
Every team has a certain amount of money they can spend, with bonuses ranging from $8.03 million to $5.44 million. Players who sign for $10k do not count against that bonus.
Here is where each team stands, according to Baseball America(Teams in Alphabetical Order by Pool):
$8.03 Million Pool
Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals
$7.36 Million Pool
Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays
$6.68 Million Pool
Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals
$5.94 Million Pool
Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays
$5.44 Million Pool
Houston Astros, New York Yankees, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants
Now that we understand the process, let’s talk about some players. I do want to put a caveat out there and say that players who sign during the international signing period are the hardest to evaluate. People love to speak in definite terms about players, but there is nothing certain about a 16-year-old with minimal data and video to go off of.
Last year’s top dollar signings were Elian Peña, Andrew Salas, Cris Rodriguez, Josuar Gonzalez, Kendry Martinez, Mani Cedeno, Diego Tornes, Wilfri De La Cruz, and Cristopher Polanco.
The hit rate was a little higher last season on the top prospects, but several of the top performers from the class were lesser dollar signings. While Rangers’ Marco Argudin was a little older, he slashed .397/.497/.587 after getting just a $40k bonus. Marconi German, Sebastian Dos Santos, Elorky Rodriguez, and Juan Sanchez were all top performers from the class, and Rodriguez was the only one who got a bonus north of $1 million as he checked in with a $1.098 million bonus/
When evaluating these prospects, I focus on their bodies and athleticism. Obviously, a lot changes about 16-year-olds as they grow and mature, but when you have a player with projectability and good athleticism, those players often develop.
I watch any film available and soak up reports from people who have seen these players live. This year, I have also been able to talk to more team sources to get more context on rankings and reports. Ben Badler of Baseball America is the best international resource out there. Each player’s signing team and height/weight stems from his reports. Check them out here: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-international-prospects-bonus-board/
Without further ado, let's look at the top MLB international players through a fantasy lens from my perspective.
MLB Top International Prospects for Dynasty
*Players who signed from Japan and Korea is not included in these rankings as they are professionals, their report can be found here in the FYPD Rankings.
1. Luis Hernandez, SS, San Francisco Giants, 5’10”/180
For the second straight season, the Giants ink the top-ranked international signee after landing Josuar Gonzalez last season. Hernandez is as polished a young international signee as we have seen in some time. Training with Carlos Guillén, Hernandez has a well-rounded skill set and has performed well against good competition in games.
As a 15-year-old, Hernandez played in Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional (LMBP), which is the Venezuelan Professional League, and he held his own. While Hernandez got just 104 at-bats, he impressed, slashing .346/.386/.452 with a home run and eight extra base hits. He struck out just 11 times in 114 plate appearances and showed a highly impressive hit tool.
Hernandez has the potential to develop a plus hit tool and is presently an above-average runner. While Hernandez does not have the biggest frame, there is always a chance he could continue to grow. Given the bat speed and beautiful swing, Hernandez projects as someone who could develop into a 22-25 home run bat.
The floor at the plate and the glove are what make Hernandez attractive. He projects as a future 20-20 type player with room for more growth and a strong feel to hit and get on base. Rumors suggest that the Giants will have Hernandez skip the DSL and head to the complex in 2026.
2. Francisco Renteria, OF, Philadelphia Phillies, 6’3”/200
Renteria checks a ton of boxes you look for in a player on the international side of things. He has an impressive 6’3” frame for someone who is turning 17 years old in the next few days and has a strong feel to hit. The power is also presently there with plenty of room for growth, and Renteria has a track record of playing against top competition.
The bat speed is quite strong, and Renteria has already shown good game power for his age. He launches majestic home runs in batting practice, but it also translates to games. While he is considered a power over hit profile, Renteria does have a good track record of making contact and good plate discipline.
The speed is presently plus, but there is a chance that it ticks down if he continues to fill out the frame. If all pans out, Renteria could be a 25-30 home run type corner outfielder who steals a few bags and plays well for fantasy.
3. Wandy Asigen, SS, New York Mets, 6’0”/175
Asigen is one of the youngest players in the international class and will spend the entire 2026 season as a 16-year-old, but he has the skillset to be one of the best players from the get-go. After spending quite some time rumored to be signing with the Yankees, Asigen flipped recently and will be signing with the Mets.
The bat speed is already electric, and Asigen has a good-looking left-handed swing that creates natural loft to the pull side. The speed is there as well as Asigen clocks, plus run times, and he should be a threat on the base paths. The exit velocities have reached 110 mph, which could lead to him hitting for plenty of power in the DSL this summer.
The hit tool is a bit of a question with how he handles good fastballs, but I would expect him to be one of the better performers in the DSL in 2026.
4. Angeibel Gomez, OF, Kansas City Royals, 6’2”/180
Gomez is armed with an impressive frame and tools across the board. He is an impressive athlete who clocks 60-to-70 grade run times and plays an impressive centerfield defense. Reports suggest that Gomez has an impressive work ethic on and off the field and the makeup of a player who will reach the majors one day.
While the present power is lacking, Gomez just turned 17 years old and has a frame that should add power when you factor in the present bat speed. The hit tool is strong, and the approach is good for someone his age. The skillset should be a well-rounded one.
If all clicks, Gomez has the type of profile that could lead him to be a five-tool player.
5. Johenssy Colome, SS, Athletics, 6’2”/190
Colome comes from Major League bloodlines, and watching him play shows that he grew up around the game at a high level. Having an already impressive frame, Colome has some of the best power in the class. Colome has lightning-quick hands and adjusts well in the box. He creates explosive bat speed and launches a ton of home runs.
The swing is smooth, and Colome creates the bat speed so effortlessly that he does not have to sell out for the power. If the hit tool is just average, you can expect Colome to get to big-time power numbers. Right now, Colome is an average runner, which could tick down, but he is fluid in motion. He could move off shortstop and over to third base, but the power will play regardless of where he is in the field.
6. Victor Valdez, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, 6’1”/185
Valdez is strong and has impressive power and a plus arm on the left side of the infield. He has an impressive physical build and has the look of a future power bat in the majors. The hit tool is highly thought of by those who have seen him play.
He controls the barrel well and already has strong bat speed. The power will play to all fields. Valdez is a rare case of a player who has actually seen his speed increase as he grew and filled out, according to a report by Ben Badler. Whether Valdez's newfound speed sticks are useful on the base paths is still to be determined. Regardless, Valdez should find himself hitting plenty of home runs in the Rays org.
7. Elian Rosario, OF, Texas Rangers, 6’2”/195
Rosario looks bigger than his listed height and weight, and he stands out on tape as a physical future power hitter. When you have a hitter this big with long levers, there will be swing and miss in the profile, but when Rosario connects, he has some of the best exit velocities in the class.
Rosario has experience both in the infield and outfield, but looks like a corner outfielder with a strong arm. The hit tool will be the biggest question in the profile, but the approach is reportedly solid. If he hits enough, Rosario could be a big-time power hitter.
8. Angel Nuńez, OF, Cincinnati Reds, 5’10”/155
While being on the smaller side of things, Nuñez is still quite young and won’t turn 17 until the 2026 season begins. Speed is the name of the game here as Nuñez has clocked a 60-yard dash time as low as 6.4 seconds.
In games, Nuñez has already shown a good feel to hit as well as a solid approach. The swing is smooth from the left side, and when you combine the hit tool with his glove and speed, you have the makings of a solid player. The fantasy impact will hinge on how his power develops.
9. Jeancer Custodio, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates, 5’10”/185
Custodio is on the shorter side, but does have a strong frame and has shown good strength already at the plate. He gets to the pull-side well in games and showed a strong performance on the U-18 Dominican World Cup Qualifier team. The hit tool is the carrying tool here, but there is a chance he could get to above-average power as well.
In addition to the good strength in the profile, Custodio is pretty quick and has good body control in the box and in the field. The swing is smooth, and Custodio creates a good coil, which helps him generate power.
It is possible that Custodio grows, given his young age, but even if he stays under six feet tall, I would not rule out power being part of the profile.
10. Santiago Solarte, SS, Miami Marlins, 6’5”/200
If you like to bet on tools and upside, Solarte is one to bet on. Standing at 6’6”, Solarte has an impressive frame and incredible athleticism. If you are looking for an intriguing player with a ton of athleticism, big raw power, and speed to steal bases, Solarte is the one to bet on later in FYPDs.
Given the huge frame and long levers, there is naturally going to be some swing and miss in the profile. In some players that are this big, this young, they seem like a baby giraffe trying to run. I have seen several young players in the minors, I would describe them that way. Solarte is not that, and moves quite well and smoothly.
The exit velocities have been up to 110 mph, and Solarte has been clocked as fast as a 6.2-second 60-yard dash, which is high-end speed. He probably slows down with time, but given the tools, Solarte is a fun player to take a shot on.
(More Reports to come soon!)
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