The Chicago White Sox wasted no time diving into the 2026 international signing period, inking 18 new prospects and making a strong statement about the future of their farm system. With a $6.68 million international bonus pool at their disposal, the Sox spread their resources across a well-balanced class, but there’s no question-they leaned into pitching while still landing high-upside talent on both sides of the ball.
At the top of the list? Two Venezuelan standouts who could become cornerstones of the organization’s next wave.
Fernando Graterol: A Backstop Built for the Modern Game
Let’s start with the headliner: 17-year-old catcher Fernando Graterol. The Venezuelan native checks just about every box you want in a young backstop.
He’s 6-foot-2 with room to grow, owns a lightning-quick bat, and already flashes legit power potential. And here’s the kicker-he clocks a 6.8-second 60-yard dash.
That kind of speed is rare for any player, but for a catcher? That’s borderline unheard of.
Graterol’s combination of athleticism, offensive upside, and defensive projection makes him a premium get at a premium position. He’s already drawing national attention, ranked No. 27 by Baseball America among international prospects and viewed as the top catcher in MLB Pipeline’s 2026 class. Given the scarcity of true two-way catchers in today’s game, the White Sox may have landed a gem who could anchor their lineup and battery for years to come.
Sebastián Romero: Left-Handed Pop and Defensive Flexibility
Joining Graterol at the top of the class is outfielder Sebastián Romero, another Venezuelan product with a skillset that could play in multiple ways. Romero brings a smooth left-handed swing and a projectable 6-foot-2 frame that should continue to add strength as he matures. He’s already showing signs of developing power, and his contact skills give him a solid offensive floor.
Defensively, Romero has the tools to stick in center field, but even if he shifts to a corner spot down the line, his bat could carry the profile. Ranked No. 31 on Baseball America’s international list, he’s another high-upside piece who gives Chicago much-needed depth in the outfield-an area that’s been thin across the organization.
A Broad, Balanced Class
Beyond the two headliners, the White Sox took a measured approach, spreading their signings across the diamond and emphasizing depth on the mound:
- Nine right-handed pitchers bolster the pitching pipeline, a clear focus area for the organization.
- Three catchers-including Graterol-signal a continued investment in a position that’s often tough to develop internally.
- Three shortstops and three outfielders round out the class, offering positional diversity and plenty of developmental upside.
Geographically, the class reflects a wide scouting net: nine players from the Dominican Republic, seven from Venezuela, and one each from Colombia and Mexico. That kind of international reach speaks to a front office that’s not just chasing talent, but building a sustainable, global scouting infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture
This marks the second international signing class under David Keller, special assistant to the executive VP and GM for international scouting. And while projecting teenage talent is always a long game, Keller and his team are clearly laying the foundation for a more robust and dynamic farm system.
The early signs are encouraging. With two top-50 international prospects already in the fold and a clear emphasis on premium positions-catcher, center field, and the mound-this class has the potential to shape the White Sox’s future in meaningful ways.
Of course, development is everything. But if even a few of these signings hit their ceiling, we could be looking back at the 2026 international class as a turning point in the organization’s rebuild.