The Arizona Diamondbacks are once again making waves on the international stage, using the opening of the 2026 international signing period to inject even more talent into a farm system that’s been steadily on the rise. After last year’s trade deadline helped restock their prospect pipeline, the D-backs are doubling down with a deep and intriguing international class - headlined by one of the most polished young shortstops available.
That would be Ruben Gallego, a switch-hitting shortstop ranked No. 42 on MLB Pipeline’s list of international prospects. Gallego’s story is already one of determination - born in Cuba, he moved with his parents to the Dominican Republic in pursuit of his baseball dream. And now, that dream is taking shape in the desert.
Gallego is the kind of hitter who turns heads in batting practice. From the left side, especially, he’s known for squaring up the baseball with authority.
His swing is smooth, his contact skills are already above average, and he’s got some sneaky pop thanks to a well-timed leg kick that helps him generate loft and carry. He’s still growing into his frame, and there’s an expectation that with added strength, the power will come naturally.
Defensively, Gallego has the kind of actions you want to see in a young shortstop. He moves well laterally, has a quick first step, and shows the instincts to stick at the position long-term.
His arm strength isn’t elite - partly due to inconsistent arm slots - but he makes up for it with quick hands and good footwork. The D-backs clearly believe in his upside, reportedly signing him for $1.8 million, a significant chunk of their league-high $8.03 million international bonus pool.
But Gallego isn’t the only name to watch in this class.
Just outside the top 50 international prospects is Dominican outfielder Yohendi Hernandez, who signed for $547,500. Hernandez has a knack for finding the barrel and projects as a corner outfielder with offensive upside. He’s already shown the ability to drive the ball, and the organization is betting that as he matures physically, the extra-base power will follow.
Then there’s Loidel Amaya, another outfielder from the Dominican Republic who trained at the same academy as Gallego in Santo Domingo. Amaya brings a different kind of energy - he’s a grinder, the kind of player who impacts the game on both sides of the ball. He’s shown flashes of being a capable center fielder, but even if he shifts to a corner, his glove and instincts give him a shot to stand out.
Behind the plate, the D-backs added Venezuelan catcher Jhosep Villarroel, who brings a bat-first profile to the position. He’s compact, but don’t let the frame fool you - he hits the ball hard and consistently. The team is high on his offensive ceiling, especially given the exit velocities he’s already posting at a young age.
And if recent history is any indication, Arizona’s international strategy isn’t just about the big names. Over the past few years, the D-backs have quietly built a track record of finding value in less-heralded signings.
In fact, half of the bottom third of their current Top 30 Prospects list is made up of players signed internationally over the last three classes. That includes Dominican right-handers Yordin Chalas (No.
21), Yassel Soler (No. 23), and Daury Vasquez (No. 25), Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Virahonda (No. 24), and Taiwanese lefty Chung-Hsiang Huang (No.
30).
The Dominican Summer League will be the first proving ground for these 2026 signees, and it’s worth noting that last year’s DSL squad turned up a couple of under-the-radar gems in outfielder Alfredo Benzan - who stole 15 bases and posted an .846 OPS - and left-hander Naimer Rosario, who racked up 64 strikeouts, the second-most in the league.
The D-backs are playing the long game here. With international players eligible to sign between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15 of the year they turn 16 (and must be 17 before Sept. 1 of the following year), the club is investing in players born between Sept. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009 - teenagers who are years away from the big leagues, but who already show flashes of future impact.
The international market is always a blend of projection and patience. But if this year’s class pans out the way Arizona hopes, it could be another big step in building a sustainable contender in the desert.