The Orioles may not have had much to celebrate in terms of wins and losses in 2025, but behind the scenes, their international program quietly took a major leap forward - and it starts with a name that’s quickly becoming a cornerstone in Baltimore: Samuel Basallo.
Basallo, recently crowned MLB.com’s top catching prospect for the second consecutive year, etched his name into Orioles history as the first Latin American player signed under the current front office to reach the big leagues. That’s a milestone not just for the player, but for the organization’s evolving international strategy - one that’s been steadily taking shape since Mike Elias took over as president of baseball operations and brought in Koby Perez to lead international scouting and operations.
Basallo’s journey is significant for a few reasons. First, he was the initial international signing under Perez back in January 2021, when he agreed to a $1.3 million deal as a highly touted teenage catcher from the Dominican Republic.
Fast forward to 2025: just five days after making his major league debut, the Orioles locked him up with an eight-year, $67 million extension that includes an option for 2034. That’s a major commitment - and a clear sign that the Orioles see Basallo not just as a promising young player, but as a long-term pillar of the franchise.
He also holds another distinction: Basallo is the first homegrown player from the Dominican Republic to suit up for the Orioles since 2011. That’s a long drought, and his arrival could signal a turning point for a franchise that’s been playing catch-up in the international market for years.
Now, as the Orioles prepare to announce their latest crop of international signees, there’s a clear goal: find the next Basallo.
They’ve got the resources to do it. Baltimore enters the signing period with one of the largest international bonus pools in the league - $8,034,900 - tied with six other clubs, including the Diamondbacks and Guardians. That kind of flexibility gives them a real shot at landing high-upside talent.
It’s been a long build for Perez, who joined the organization in 2019. But the patience is starting to pay off.
In 2024, the Orioles opened a new training complex in the Dominican Republic, and they’ve ramped up their scouting presence there with six scouts now on the ground. The result?
A growing list of international signees who are now climbing the organizational ladder.
Beyond Basallo, seven players signed under Elias and Perez currently rank among the Orioles’ top 30 prospects. That includes right-handers Esteban Mejia (No. 6) and Keeler Morfe (No. 16), outfielder Stiven Martinez (No. 17), left-hander Luis De Léon (No. 18), infielder Aron Estrada (No. 22), outfielder Jordan Sanchez (No. 24), and shortstop José Peña (No. 29).
Let’s break down a few of the names making noise:
Esteban Mejia might be the pitcher to watch. The 18-year-old righty signed for $150,000 two years ago and had a strong first full season stateside in 2025.
After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, he posted a 2.94 ERA over 14 games between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Delmarva last year. That kind of early success suggests a player who’s adjusting quickly and has the tools to keep climbing.
Then there’s Luis De Léon, who might be the closest to a big-league call-up. The 22-year-old lefty was a bargain-bin signing at just $30,000 during the 2020-21 period, but he’s pitching like a hidden gem.
In 2025, De Léon went 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA across three levels - Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen, and Double-A Chesapeake - and here’s the stat that really jumps off the page: he didn’t allow a single home run in 87 1/3 innings. That’s not a fluke either - he’s allowed just five homers in 256 2/3 minor league innings overall.
That kind of command and deception plays.
He also impressed in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts for Peoria, further solidifying his status as a potential impact arm.
Aron Estrada is another name to circle. The 21-year-old infielder signed for $175,000 in 2022 and put together a well-rounded season in 2025.
He hit .288 with an .813 OPS, 10 homers, 53 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases in 108 games between Aberdeen and Chesapeake. Estrada’s versatility is a plus - he’s primarily played second base but has also seen time at shortstop and in the outfield.
That kind of flexibility could help him carve out a role at the next level.
Keeler Morfe, meanwhile, had a tougher go in 2025. The Venezuelan right-hander, who signed for $207,500 in 2022, struggled to a 7.48 ERA in 12 games between the FCL Orioles and Delmarva. But he did get the nod to start in last March’s Spring Breakout Game, which shows the organization still sees potential in his arm.
Stiven Martinez, a $950,000 signing in 2024, is still adjusting to pro ball in the U.S. The 18-year-old outfielder hit just .185 over 74 games between the FCL and Delmarva, which isn’t uncommon for young international players in their first stateside season. The tools are there - it’s just a matter of development and time.
On the flip side, Jordan Sanchez, a 20-year-old Cuban outfielder, showed he might be ready to move quickly. He hit .291 with a .950 OPS, seven homers, and 49 RBIs in just 58 games between the FCL and Delmarva. That’s a strong showing for a player who signed for $450,000 in 2023.
José Peña, the Orioles’ biggest international signing of 2025 at $1 million, is just getting started. The 17-year-old shortstop hit .240 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 54 games in the Dominican Summer League - a solid debut for a player his age.
And while he didn’t crack the top 30 prospects list, Luis Almeyda is still a name worth watching. The 19-year-old infielder, born in Paterson, New Jersey, moved to the Dominican Republic during high school and signed for $2.3 million in 2023.
In 2025, he hit .240 with three homers and 42 RBIs over 73 games between the FCL and Delmarva. It wasn’t a breakout year, but it was a step forward.
The Orioles’ international pipeline is no longer a quiet side project - it’s becoming a legitimate engine for talent. Basallo’s rise is the headline, but the depth behind him tells the real story: this is a system that’s finally starting to reap the rewards of long-term investment, smart scouting, and patience.
And if Baltimore can continue to hit on these signings - especially with their sizable bonus pool this year - we may be looking at a new era where international talent plays a central role in the Orioles’ resurgence.