Scouting reports for the 2025 Pirates International signing class

This article was submitted by John Dreker:

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed 25 players on the first day of the 2025 international signing period. They spent their entire bonus pool that day with a little help from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The crown jewel of this signing class for them is Darell Morel, who was originally going to sign with Los Angeles.

When they went all in on the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, it opened the door for the Pirates to sign the 17-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. He ended up getting every dollar they had available in their bonus pool. There's still a chance they could acquire bonus pool space in a trade, so this signing period might not be complete. That being said, we can take a closer look at who they picked up so far.

This signing class was a bit odd for the Pirates because they changed their Director of International Scouting late in the process, letting go of Junior Vizcaino while bringing back long-time front office member Max Kwan. Many of these players reached agreements when Vizcaino was in charge. A smaller group including Morel were brought in by Kwan. The latter will be fully responsible for most of the 2026 signing class. That's just how things work on the international side. While you can't sign players until January 15th each year, every single big league team reaches agreements with multiple players 1-2 years in advance. As we saw with Morel, there can be changes after an agreement is reached, but those are usually rare cases.

Despite having two different men in charge of this class, you will hear a lot of the same things about these players. You have to do a lot of projecting when you are agreeing to deals in advance. If you've ever followed a high school draft class any year, you know huge changes can occur while the players are in their senior year. Now imagine how much can change when you're talking about 14/15-year-old players. Athleticism at a young age is key for all players, while a big frame is ideal for pitchers. You will see with a handful of the older players that performance over time was a factor in their signing later than normal.

I had a chance to talk to one of the front office members on the international side about all 25 players who signed on day one this year. I asked them to give me the top reasons each player signed with the Pirates. There's always at least one thing that will stand out about a signing. These are quick scouting reports that are hitting the key points for each player. While the focus was on the positives, you can read between the lines to find the lesser tools for players. That could mean something like a lower bonus total, no mention of power or speed for a hitter, playing a lower-value defensive position, or a pitcher being seen as a bullpen arm already. There are some notes below on that as well.

It's important to keep in mind that the typical international signing class for any team might only get 1-2 players to the majors. Getting one star player can make an entire class for a team. You can hope for better, and it will happen to teams occasionally, but it's best to have realistic expectations for a group of teenagers. I'll note that all of the bonus figures are below except the players from Venezuela who weren't publicly announced already by a major source. We have those figures, but it's been asked for public safety for those players and their families that bonuses from that country aren't released, so we will respect those wishes. I'll also note that the ages shown below are the ages when they signed last month.

I didn't go deep with the reports on the top players in the class because you can find multiple scouting reports on players like Morel, Johan De Los Santos, and Gabriel Rodriguez elsewhere, including on this site. They do have a little extra, though, compared to the other players. I didn't add any thoughts here. Everything you see here was told to me specifically for this article. I want you to keep that in mind when you read the report for Morel. You'll see why I said that below.

Johan De Los Santos, shortstop, DR, 5'11", 165, 16.5 years old

Bonus: $2,250,000

Why the Pirates signed him: The younger brother of Pirates prospect Yordany De Los Santos is a quick twitch athlete, with strong bat-to-ball skills. He's a high IQ player, with an advanced approach for his age at the plate. He should be able to stick at shortstop in the future, though he has an average arm. He projects to have average power. His best tool is his speed, where he rates as being a plus-plus runner.

Darell Morel, shortstop DR, 6'4", 180, 17.3

Bonus: $1,778,600

Why the Pirates signed him: Morel is on a short list of large-framed athletes who play shortstop well. That's his natural position and he will stick there. The Pirates believe that he has superstar upside. People slept on him because he was hidden by the Dodgers after committing early for nearly $1M. He had a growth spurt during that hidden time and blossomed as a prospect. He's considered to be a plus-plus runner, with raw power and the ability to hit for average. I was told that he has scary upside, and also that he's a unique talent. There's a chance he could end up being the best player in the entire 2025 MLB international class.

Gabriel Rodriguez, outfielder, Venezuela, 6'1", 172, 17.3

Bonus: $900,000

Why the Pirates signed him: Rodriguez developed a lot over the last year, pushing him into a top-50 prospect in the signing class. He's a true potential five-tool player, who is very athletic. He's a high contact hitter already, who is growing into his power. He has filled out nicely in a short time. The Pirates see him as someone who will stick in center field in the future. He's a plus-runner with a strong arm.

Robinson Smith, RHP, Australia, 6'4", 165, 17.1

Bonus: $400,000

Why the Pirates signed him: The first pitcher on the list will start the list of key tools that will be repeated here often for pitchers. It was a type of player who was sought out for this signing class. He has a great 6'4" frame with plenty of room to fill out. He's very athletic, coming from good genes. His mom was an Olympic swimmer. He has shown good arm speed, getting up to 93 MPH regularly, while touching 95 MPH. Smith has trained in US already, so the transition to the states should be easy. He took up pitching later, so he's got a fresh arm. He has done well already against strong competition. The Pirates see him as a starter. They like that he has a mean streak on the mound. Side note: He was named after Jackie Robinson.

Hyun Seung Lee, INF, South Korea, 6'1", 175, 16.9

Bonus: $160,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Lee is one of the youngest South Korean players ever signed by an MLB team. He's a good hitter already, with strong hands and gap power currently. He's a shortstop for now, but he could end up at third base in the future. He has shown some athleticism, while displaying average speed on the bases.

Armstrong Muhoozi, outfielder, Uganda, 5'11", 180, 17.5

Bonus: $40,000

Why the Pirates signed him: The Pirates look like they found a hidden gem getting David Matoma from Uganda, a country that has never produced a big league player. They went back there for Muhoozi. He's a very toolsy athlete, with a strong build already. He has shown above-average speed on the bases and solid arm strength. He has played shortstop, but the outfield is possible for his future. He has great bat speed, with lots of current power. Overall he is a little raw all around, but there is plenty of upside.

Luis Cruz, OF, DR, 6'1", 155, 16.6

Bonus: $50,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: He was a lower-priced signing with potential due to his great bat-to-ball skills from the left side of the plate. The bat will be his carrying tool. He still has filling out to do. The Pirates are trying him in center field, where his solid speed should help him out.

Yoslaniel Hernandez, LHP, Cuba, 6'3", 170, 17.5

Bonus: $400,000

Why the Pirates signed him: You can tell from the bonus that the Pirates think highly of Hernandez, a young 6'3" lefty out of Cuba. He throws 94 MPH already with projection to add more as he fills out. He has the frame, athleticism, arm speed, and loose arm/clean delivery that the Pirates focused on with pitchers. They see a future starter who is a real competitor on the mound.

Yoander Santana, INF, DR, 6'0", 180, 17.1

Bonus: $10,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: A $10,000 bonus for a young player won't get many people excited. There is still one main reason that he got a deal on day one of a signing period. He was scouted as a shortstop, but he will end up at any one of the four corner positions. That will be decided at a later date. For now, he was signed due to his bat. He's a strong kid, who has shown solid raw power. The bat is his carrying tool.

Hanley Ramirez, CF, DR, 6'0", 170, 17.6

Bonus: $270,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Ramirez is the type of players scouts can dream on. His progress is expected to be slow at first, but the potential upside is huge if he can be developed. He's an outfielder with a strong build, plus running speed, plus power potential and at least average potential tools all around. The key factor here is that he's also very raw all around. Patience is a must here.

Yhosneiber Torres, LHP, Venezuela, 5'10", 160, 16.8

Bonus: Withheld (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Torres is smaller left with pitchability. He's a strike-thrower, who has shown potential for three average pitches already. His fastball sits 85-89 MPH, but the belief is that his athleticism could lead to more velocity down the line.

Claudio Estelie, RHP, DR, 6'5", 197, 20.6

Bonus: $10,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Estelie is a 6'5" right-handed pitcher, who is already 20 years old. Besides the big frame that still has room to fill out despite his age, he has shown a fastball that is up to 95 MPH, while displaying good spin on his curve. He's a future reliever, who still has some projection with his frame. He's a good competitor on the mound.

Limanol Payero, CF, DR, 6'4", 175, 17.2

Bonus: $200,000

Why the Pirates signed him: Payero was linked to the New York Mets more recently, but the Los Angeles Angels originally had the inside track on him. His six-figure bonus is due to his bat, which has big power projection. He has an athletic 6'4" frame, with room to add weight. He has played center field, but he's a future corner outfielder, who has average running speed. Potential power bat is the key here.

Eydan Fermin, RHP, DR, 6'1", 186, 17.1

Bonus: $50,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: A potential hidden low-priced gem. He's a power righty arm, who has been up to 95 MPH. He has shown an ability to spin his breaking ball. He has a wide frame, with a strong build. Profiles as a reliever for now.

Fredderick Ovalle, SS, DR, 5'10", 150, 17.6

Bonus: $10,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: He was passed over in last year's signing class. He played shortstop, but he's a future second baseman. The Pirates liked that he's had big performances in big games. He has been a strong hitter wherever he goes. He has a high contact rate coming from a smooth swing from the right side. He has below-average speed on the bases. The ability to get on base is the carrying tool here.

Victor Familia, C, DR, 5'11", 196, 17.9

Bonus: $10,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Familia is a somewhat similar story to Ovalle. He was passed over last year, but he has performed well on big stage throughout his amateur career. He has shown good skills on both sides of the ball in big games. The Pirates like his leadership behind the plate at a young age. Good makeup/character.

Victor Marquez, C, Venezuela, 6'0", 170, 16.6

Bonus: Withheld (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Marquez right now is a defense-first player behind the plate, but it was stressed that he is big-time on defense already. He is very athletic behind the plate, advanced for his age while showing off a strong arm. His offense is projectable, but his early carrying tools are all on defense.

Leudy Reyes, RHP, DR, 6'1", 174, 17.4

Bonus: $30,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Reyes has shown big time slider spin, in the 3000 RPM range. He throws strikes while getting his fastball up to 92 MPH. He has an athletic frame, with a clean delivery. He projects to be a starter. Could be a potential steal here for the low bonus. Despite the age, he is a first-time eligible pick, missing the last class cutoff by 11 days.

Edgar Walker, OF, DR, 6'0", 180, 17.3

Bonus: $75,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Walker is another hidden gem, though for a slightly higher bonus. He's a corner outfielder, who was signed for his bat. He makes a lot of hard contact while swinging at everything over the plate. There's a bit of a patience issue, but he has great plate awareness and doesn't miss when he swings. That's quite literal as he didn't swing-and-miss once in numerous looks during a scouting trip by the Pirates. He's already a strong player for his age. It's an advanced bat for his age.

Hamlet Santos, RHP, DR, 6'4", 182, 16.9

Bonus: $145,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Santos was recently converted from shortstop to pitcher, so he has a fresh arm. He's a right-handed pitcher, with a 6'4" athletic frame. He has shown excellent arm speed and the ability to throw strikes. His fastball is currently 86-92 MPH, and he complements it with a slider and changeup. He has loose arm action and a projectable frame. The Pirates see him as a starter.

Fernando Figuera, RHP, Venezuela, 6'1", 170, 18.7

Bonus: Withheld (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Figuera is a recently converted outfielder with a fresh arm. An older signing due to the position change. He has been up to 92 MPH already, but he has the projection for a power fastball due to his arm speed. He also throws a slider and a changeup. There a chance here that he ends up as a starter, but projects more as a reliever due to his age and inexperience.

Jose Sequera, RHP, Venezuela, 5'11", 170, 18.4

Bonus: Withheld (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Another older signing from Venezuela, Sequera has shown fast arm speed that has resulted in 89-93 MPH from his fastball. He spins his slider well and throws plenty of strikes. He's an athletic pitcher with a smaller frame. Projects as a reliever.

Justino Francisco, RHP, DR, 6'2", 178, 17.8

Bonus: $10,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Francisco recently converted from outfield to the mound. Despite the lack of experience, he already shows a nice feel for his changeup. He's another fresh arm, with easy arm action and a solid projectable frame. His fastball has been in the 88-93 MPH range.

Alejandro Rondon, RHP, Venezuela, 5'11", 160, 17.8

Bonus: Withheld (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Yet another converted outfielder who went to the mound out of Venezuela and was passed over in the last signing class. Rondon is a strike-thrower, with a fresh arm. He has his fastball in the 90-93 MPH range while showing an average slider and average changeup, He gets points for being a great competitor on the mound

Maickol Reyes, RHP, DR, 6'2", 196, 16.7

Bonus: $50,000 (per Ethan Hullihen)

Why the Pirates signed him: Reyes is a young right-handed pitcher with a 6'2" frame that has filled out some already. He has an advanced changeup for his age. He has some deception in his delivery that helps his pitches play up, He throws a lot of strikes already. His fastball has been up to 91 MPH. He's a projected starter for now.