2026 Minnesota Twins International Signings

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) on X/Twitter

Thursday marked the opening of the 2026 International Signing Period, and it looks like the Twins have a potential for celebration if all things go their way. This is the day that young athletes from Central and South America have the opportunity to sign with a major-league team, continue to work out and grow with the team. 

Baseball America says that the Twins 2025 class was one of the best classes in the Dominican Republic and produced a solid prospect turnout. This year is about the same and shows that the Twins are certainly using all their technology and scouting potential.

The Twins pool is $7,357,100 this year, tied for the third-highest allotment, and it sounds like they have plenty of places to spend it. 

The Twins officially announced their 2026 international signing class, featuring 20 players. Here's the full rundown, with an in-depth look at some of the highlights.

• Enmanuel Merlo (SS, Venezuela) - 29th-highest signing bonus in this class. Twins Daily writer Jamie Cameron covered Merlo in an article going over some of the 2026 class. Merlo is set to make an impact at 6’1”, another switch hitter with top notch offensive skills. He is a little more advanced than his peers with exit velo, ability to be patient at the plate, and take a walk if he can. Fast on the plates and the infield - short stop may end up being home for him with his agility and speed. (Signing Bonus: $1.5 million)   
• Abel Sosa (OF, Venezuela) - Sosa is one of the more intriguing bats in the 2026 international class. The Venezuelan outfielder won’t turn 17 until June, yet already stands 6-foot-3, 185 pounds with broad shoulders and plenty of physical upside. Baseball America has noted his impressive raw power for his age, and there’s reason to believe that power could become plus as he continues to mature. Sosa plays with an aggressive approach and will expand the zone at times, but he’s made real progress over the past year improving his contact against live pitching, allowing his power to show up more consistently in games. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm, giving him a legitimate chance to begin his career in center field, though long-term he could profile well in right if he outgrows the position. (Signing Bonus: $800,000)

 

• Juan Diego Holmann (SS/OF, Nicaragua) - One of the top prospects from Nicaragua in 2026. In an interview with 8 Deportivo during a workout, Holman told the reporter that he is excited to have the opportunity to sign with the Twins. Touted as an average runner by Baseball America, the shortstop will more than likely find his home between second and third base, and the outfield. His bat will take some honing, but he has a great read on the ball and a gap hitter, which is something the organization definitely needs.  Holmann's father played very briefly in the Dodgers organization. His uncle Mario Holmann spent five seasons in the Yankees organization, topping out at Triple-A. He has participated in events in Europe and speaks fluent German. (Signing Bonus: $500,000) 
      
• Jendy Martinez (SS, Dominican Republic) - The switch-hitter is one of the shortest prospects on the list, Reports say that he hits the ball with authority, especially given his size. Martinez has plus speed, and could be an asset as a utility player, but there is going to be some work to be done to capitalize on his physical strength to match his bat. (Signing Bonus: $500,000)
   
• Misael Rodriguez (OF, Dominican Republic) - An athletic center fielder, Rodriguez, according to Baseball America, has plus speed and has a good chance to stick in center field. He’s not very big, at just 5-10. He will work on making more consistent contact and driving the ball to all fields. (Signing Bonus: $500,000)
   
• Frederick Hiciano (RHP, Dominican Republic) - Eligible to sign in 2025, he decided to wait a year. He’s 6-2 and 175 pounds and will likely fill out his frame, according to Baseball America. His fastball has reached 95 mph and sits in the low-90s. Like many young prospects, his off-speed pitches are a work in progress but have potential to complement the fastball. His fastball is in the 99th percentile in his class. (Signing Bonus: Unknown) 
      
• Sebastian Echavarria (RHP, Dominican Republic) - Echavarria throws his fastball in the low 90s, but has the potential to add speed, like many young prospects. He also has a breaking ball and changeup. From the Dominican Republic, Echavarria is 6 foot 3 inches, and will likely continue to fill out.  (Signing Bonus: Unknown) 

Additionally, the Twins announced these players among their 2026 international signing class:

• Daiyer Barboza (IF, Venezuela, $130,000) - 
• Juan Germosen (RHP, Dominican Republic) - 
• Yael Retituyo (RHP, Dominican Republic) - 
• Adrián Martinez (RHP, Colombia, $100,000) - 
• Jeremy Jimenez (RHP, Dominican Republic) - 
• Jhon Gonzalez (OF, Dominican Republic, $375,000) -  
• Anibal Beltré (OF, Dominican Republic, $500,000) - 
• Juan Collado (RHP, Dominican Republic) - 
• Luis Duarte (C, Venezuela) - Known more for his defense in his youth, he does have potential offensively due to his strength. 
• Fabián Ulloa (SS, Venezuela) - 
• Luis Suárez (OF, Venezuela, $140,000) - 
• Ashwar Sprok (OF, Aruba) - 
• Jeferson Abreu (C, Dominican Republic $45,000 - 
• Rosmel Silva (LHP, Venezuela, $20,000) - 

We will keep an eye on these prospects as they begin their professional career. These players, and likely more players added between now and the end of the year, will play in the Dominican Summer League. 

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[TJSweens]

Merlo is the only one rated in the top 50 international prospects. He comes in at #34.

[rdehring]

Thank you so much for bringing us this information, Sherry.  

Interesting that the twelve (of twenty) that have bonuses listed come to just over $4.1M.  Don't know what the other eight total, but have to believe the Twins are well under their max.  Hopefully, a few good prospects become available over the next year.  Or whatever period they have to sign players for 2026.  Should they sign someone from say Japan or Cuba who is near ready for the Twins he would also come from this pool.  Correct?

Always wonder what if when seeing players with last names such as Sosa or Beltre.  Expect those are common names and they aren't related.  Or are they?  Also liked that eight of the twenty signed were pitchers.  I can't recall the last time the Twins signed an International pitcher who actually became a pitcher with the Twins?  Don't include players like Santana, Duran or Lopez as they were acquired via a trade.  Will cross my fingers, say a prayer and hope like heck that this is the year that changes.  Will have to still be around in five or six years to see if that happens, so that is good.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Buenos Suerte to all of these kids.

[SteveLV]

So the tippy top prospect is not even in the top 30, ranked 34?

Can't say this is impressive at face value.

Hope they hit the lottery on a couple of these young men!

[LastOnePicked]

May a big league callup be in the future for every one of these young guys.

[Dman]

I don't see Angel Ozuna on the list.  The Twins were rumored to be the team signing him.  That would be likely another $500,000 to the total if true. 

I like that they signed more arms.  Position players haven't worked out that well recently and it seems like they might have better luck at least turning some of these arms in bullpen guys.,  At any rate nice to see a more balanced class in that regard.

Merlot seems to have nice potential.  I will be watching his stat lines this year.  So hard to know how these young men will develop and we know 90% of them won't make it.  Still fun to dream on their tools and hope to find a star player in there somewhere.  It will be a long 6 year wait though.

[Jose Herrera]

Excited to see them play. They will have time to develop together and make our affiliate clubs better.

[DarrenPS]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

I don't see Angel Ozuna on the list.  The Twins were rumored to be the team signing him.  That would be likely another $500,000 to the total if true. 

I like that they signed more arms.  Position players haven't worked out that well recently and it seems like they might have better luck at least turning some of these arms in bullpen guys.,  At any rate nice to see a more balanced class in that regard.

Merlot seems to have nice potential.  I will be watching his stat lines this year.  So hard to know how these young men will develop and we know 90% of them won't make it.  Still fun to dream on their tools and hope to find a star player in there somewhere.  It will be a long 6 year wait though.

I've been looking on twitter for Angel Ozuna news as well, if anyone finds something let us know! Wondering if that year long suspension just isn't quite done yet and the signing will come later?

[DarrenPS]

3 hours ago, rdehring said:

Thank you so much for bringing us this information, Sherry.  

Interesting that the twelve (of twenty) that have bonuses listed come to just over $4.1M.  Don't know what the other eight total, but have to believe the Twins are well under their max.  Hopefully, a few good prospects become available over the next year.  Or whatever period they have to sign players for 2026.  Should they sign someone from say Japan or Cuba who is near ready for the Twins he would also come from this pool.  Correct?

Always wonder what if when seeing players with last names such as Sosa or Beltre.  Expect those are common names and they aren't related.  Or are they?  Also liked that eight of the twenty signed were pitchers.  I can't recall the last time the Twins signed an International pitcher who actually became a pitcher with the Twins?  Don't include players like Santana, Duran or Lopez as they were acquired via a trade.  Will cross my fingers, say a prayer and hope like heck that this is the year that changes.  Will have to still be around in five or six years to see if that happens, so that is good.

The top 9 signings from MLB.com's list add up to $5,302,500, which left them with $2,054,600 to work with on the other 11. Also, if the Angel Ozuna signing happens that's 500k of that. The other names on this list that aren't on the MLB list add up to 435k, which supposedly leaves them with $1,119,600 if all my math was correct for the other however many remaining guys (if I didn't double up math anywhere)

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-international-prospects-signing-day-2026

[nova_twins]

I also like the strategy of focusing on a quantity of second tier guys. 

The younger a player is, the more unpredictable their future. Going all in on 16 year olds is risky.

[twinsfansd]

I think Angel Ozuna already signed on last year's allotment back in November.

[DocBauer]

8 pitchers? Did I count that right? I could be wrong, but I don't recall them signing anywhere close to that many arms for some time.

[Dman]

6 hours ago, DarrenPS said:

The top 9 signings from MLB.com's list add up to $5,302,500, which left them with $2,054,600 to work with on the other 11. Also, if the Angel Ozuna signing happens that's 500k of that. The other names on this list that aren't on the MLB list add up to 435k, which supposedly leaves them with $1,119,600 if all my math was correct for the other however many remaining guys (if I didn't double up math anywhere)

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-international-prospects-signing-day-2026

Thats what I have as well.  Top 12 players where we see salary numbers is about 5.8M add in Ozuna and that puts it at 6.3M with 8 more players to sign.  I'd say they are spending it all. Can't imagine there would be much left after they sign the rest.

[bunsen82]

I had mentioned the Angel Ozuna exclusion on Friday/Saturday.   At this point there are 2 options in my opinion.  He was added to the 2025 list - when I added up the money I was coming up no where near our allotment.  That information also came out in November.  The signing period for 2025 ended in December 15th.  If I were to guess this is what occurred. 

Angel did not show up on any other list.  The only other option is he was continuing to negotiate.   It is possible someone else became aware after the reporting and tried to get involved.   

[bunsen82]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

8 pitchers? Did I count that right? I could be wrong, but I don't recall them signing anywhere close to that many arms for some time.

I don't ever remember this many or what seems to be higher ceiling pitchers.  It sure seems like for having a higher amount of guaranteed money,  our teams have struggled in the DSL.  I think its been a lack of focus on the pitching.   I think its a bad philosophy.  I still am not sure I like getting a top 29-34 prospect as our best prospect,  but it does look like we got a ton of depth.    

If Angel Ozuna is an additional add,  but as part of last years class, this is an extremely deep group of kids.   I had lamented previously not getting someone higher on the list,  especially for $1.5 million.   All things considered I am as happy as you can be with a box of chocolates LOL.   

[TopGunn#22]

They had a sizable amount of money and signed a LOT of guys.  I might have preferred seeing them sign about half as many and aim higher for better quality over quantity.  I know that at the age many of these kids are signed it's virtually impossible to project what they will grow up to be, but sometimes talent is so obvious you just have to pay a little more to ensure you get it.  

[USAFChief]

Having one of the larger pools to spend and ending up without a single top 30 signee is pretty poor resource allocation, IYAM.

 

[twinsfansd]

Looking at the bonuses paid is misleading. That 1.5 million deal was probably made 2 years ago before any possible ranking was done.

[DocBauer]

5 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

I don't ever remember this many or what seems to be higher ceiling pitchers.  It sure seems like for having a higher amount of guaranteed money,  our teams have struggled in the DSL.  I think its been a lack of focus on the pitching.   I think its a bad philosophy.  I still am not sure I like getting a top 29-34 prospect as our best prospect,  but it does look like we got a ton of depth.    

If Angel Ozuna is an additional add,  but as part of last years class, this is an extremely deep group of kids.   I had lamented previously not getting someone higher on the list,  especially for $1.5 million.   All things considered I am as happy as you can be with a box of chocolates LOL.   

I think the increase in arms selected is probably a reflection of the new guys in charge. 

I hear what you're saying about our top signee being rated in the 30's. It doesn't sound very exciting. But after seeing so many highly ranked 16-17yo washing out and a lot of depth signings turning out to be quality players, I've just come to the conclusion it's almost impossible to predict kids this young. More than the ML draft, it's "trust your scouts and hope for the best". Lol

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, twinsfansd said:

Looking at the bonuses paid is misleading. That 1.5 million deal was probably made 2 years ago before any possible ranking was done.

Owners have to have their arms twisted to commit to 28-year-old experienced MLB players two years out, there is zero chance any deal offered two years ago to a 14, 15 or 16-year-old is anything more than a preliminary suggestion.

[bunsen82]

18 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Owners have to have their arms twisted to commit to 28-year-old experienced MLB players two years out, there is zero chance any deal offered two years ago to a 14, 15 or 16-year-old is anything more than a preliminary suggestion.

They are as valid as Angel Ozun'a 5 million pre arrangement with the Yankees.  These deals can be reneged on ect.   The deals are not done until they are singed.  

[nicksaviking]

I don't buy the quantity over quality argument. We can even set aside the notion that across all sports, winning teams tend to "go for it" while prudent half-measures and hedging your bets tend to be the hallmark of mediocre franchises.

The real problem with this argument is that even if the Twins signed one or two of the top international prospects, they STILL could have signed 20 players in all. Instead of signing five guys in the 500K to 1.3M range, you sign one or two of the top players and then sign a bunch of 20K to 100K players. If it's truly all about quantity, that approach should still fit the bill.

But I'd guess the real reason the Twins aren't getting the top guys is because other organizations were faster to recognize them as top players a couple years ago. If the Twins  identified, vetted, nurtured and built a relationship with a 15-year-old who two years later ended up being the top rated prospect, they wouldn't walk away from him, they'd crow about it and make sure Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes wrote articles about him.

[SteveLV]

Isn't it also possible that the very top players can select which organizations they want to sign a deal with?  It certainly seems reasonable a young man might be more interested in signing with the Yankees than the Twins if the money is similar.  One organization is a winner, the other is not.

[bunsen82]

12 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't buy the quantity over quality argument. We can even set aside the notion that across all sports, winning teams tend to "go for it" while prudent half-measures and hedging your bets tend to be the hallmark of mediocre franchises.

The real problem with this argument is that even if the Twins signed one or two of the top international prospects, they STILL could have signed 20 players in all. Instead of signing five guys in the 500K to 1.3M range, you sign one or two of the top players and then sign a bunch of 20K to 100K players. If it's truly all about quantity, that approach should still fit the bill.

But I'd guess the real reason the Twins aren't getting the top guys is because other organizations were faster to recognize them as top players a couple years ago. If the Twins  identified, vetted and nurtured a 15-year-old who two years later ended up being the top rated prospect, they wouldn't walk away from him, they'd crow about it and make sure Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes wrote articles about him.

If Twins were willing to give a top 15 prospect $4 million - they could get one - they have done it in the past,  but they really haven't see positive results from that.   I think its why I am fine with getting a lot of players who have quite a bit of projection left but have the framework, they could turn into something.  

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, SteveLV said:

Isn't it also possible that the very top players can select which organizations they want to sign a deal with?  It certainly seems reasonable a young man might be more interested in signing with the Yankees than the Twins if the money is similar.  One organization is a winner, the other is not.

Well so far I count the A's, Reds, Royals, Giants, Rays, Tigers, Angels and Cardinals among teams that gave out +2M contracts. 

And then if you want to go by prospect ranking, here's the top 20:

 

Any list that has the Pirates on it twice can't have any relevance to competitiveness. 

[ashbury]

25 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't buy the quantity over quality argument. 

I took a look at the Dominican Summer League for 2015, and spotted these significant future major leaguers among the league leaders, then looked up their signing bonuses:

Keibert Ruiz: Dodgers, $140,000

William Contreras: Atlanta, $10,000

Johan Duran: Arizona, $65,000

There were additional future major leaguers, either ones who have already washed out or who have bounced around (including two who eventually found their way to the Twins, Diego Castillo and Vidal  Brujan).  

My interim assessment is that there certainly were some gems to be found, but it involved a whale of a lot of sifting to find them among the dozens and dozens signed that year, and that the bonus outlay doesn't strike me as highly correlated to success.

My scanning wasn't systematic and I could have missed something important.  Someone could redo it, perhaps some other methodology, and reach a very different conclusion.  I also don't know where to get a complete list of 2015 international signings to see how those investments went - maybe those players didn't go to the DSL.

[nicksaviking]

7 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

If Twins were willing to give a top 15 prospect $4 million - they could get one - they have done it in the past,  but they really haven't see positive results from that.   I think its why I am fine with getting a lot of players who have quite a bit of projection left but have the framework, they could turn into something.  

I don't think they've given out a contract like that since Wander Javier? And that was back when Terry Ryan was in charge. And I'm pretty sure the Twins have yet to see one of their international signings under Derek Falvey reach the majors. 

So I might argue that it's time for a different approach. Even if it's just once.

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I took a look at the Dominican Summer League for 2015, and spotted these significant future major leaguers among the league leaders, then looked up their signing bonuses:

Keibert Ruiz: Dodgers, $140,000

William Contreras: Atlanta, $10,000

Johan Duran: Arizona, $65,000

There were additional future major leaguers, either ones who have already washed out or who have bounced around (including two who eventually found their way to the Twins, Diego Castillo and Vidal  Brujan).  

My interim assessment is that there certainly were some gems to be found, but it involved a whale of a lot of sifting to find them among the dozens and dozens signed that year, and that the bonus outlay doesn't strike me as highly correlated to success.

My scanning wasn't systematic and I could have missed something important.  Someone could redo it, perhaps some other methodology, and reach a very different conclusion.

Well that's perfect then. You sign two +2M plus players, and then 18 of these. 

Instead of five 500K players and 15 of these.

Honestly, I think this validates my argument. If it's truly dart throws, throw at a couple big prizes since these 10K to 150K targets are paying off as much as the 500K targets.

[Major League Ready]

37 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't buy the quantity over quality argument. We can even set aside the notion that across all sports, winning teams tend to "go for it" while prudent half-measures and hedging your bets tend to be the hallmark of mediocre franchises.

The real problem with this argument is that even if the Twins signed one or two of the top international prospects, they STILL could have signed 20 players in all. Instead of signing five guys in the 500K to 1.3M range, you sign one or two of the top players and then sign a bunch of 20K to 100K players. If it's truly all about quantity, that approach should still fit the bill.

But I'd guess the real reason the Twins aren't getting the top guys is because other organizations were faster to recognize them as top players a couple years ago. If the Twins  identified, vetted, nurtured and built a relationship with a 15-year-old who two years later ended up being the top rated prospect, they wouldn't walk away from him, they'd crow about it and make sure Aaron Gleeman and Dan Hayes wrote articles about him.

About 3 years ago I put together a list of the top International signings over a decade plus.  What I found was that the very top guys were generally speaking a very bad investment.  The next tier (800K-1.8M) actually produced better results.  Of course, I am going back 15 years so the $800K equivalent is probably 50% more.  After putting that information together, I would not sign the very top guys.  Of course, we are talking about roughly 40 players.  On one hand it represented literally 100% of the top signings.  On the other hand, it's still a small data set.  The next 40 could be different but I having done this, I would spread $5M over 4 or 5 guys over one guy at 5M.