Royals Make Big Splash as 2026 International Signing Period Opens
The 2026 international signing period is officially underway, and the Kansas City Royals aren’t wasting any time making their presence felt. With one of the largest bonus pools in baseball - $8.03 million, tied with six other clubs - the Royals are diving headfirst into the international market, continuing a trend of aggressive talent acquisition that’s already paid dividends in recent years.
We’ve seen them hit on international signings before - All-Star infielder Maikel Garcia came out of Venezuela, and the farm system now features rising names like Kendry Chourio, Ramon Ramirez, Luinder Avila, Felix Arronde, and Asbel Gonzalez. This year, Kansas City is doubling down on a familiar strategy: targeting players who can control the strike zone and put the ball in play - traits that have become increasingly valuable in today’s game.
Let’s take a closer look at the headliners from this year’s class - a group that could shape the next wave of Royals prospects.
Angeibel Gomez, OF - The Crown Jewel of the Class
There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Angeibel Gomez, and for good reason. Some scouts view him as the top overall talent in this year’s international crop.
While rankings vary - Baseball America has him at No. 7, Fangraphs at No. 3, and MLB Pipeline at No. 4 - the consensus is clear: Gomez is a potential star.
At 6-foot-2, the right-handed outfielder already brings a big-league frame to the table. He’s a true five-tool athlete, earning high marks for his power and speed.
He’s not just a physical specimen, though - he’s got feel at the plate. Gomez makes consistent, hard contact and shows an advanced understanding of the strike zone.
MLB Pipeline praised his “patient and mature approach,” and his production backs it up. He earned MVP honors in the 2024 Amateur Scouting League after hitting .370 with a 1.216 OPS - eye-popping numbers at any level.
Baseball America projects him as a 25-homer-per-year threat who can stick in center field, thanks to his “plus-plus” speed and baseball instincts. MLB Pipeline adds that he’s a “savvy runner” with a high baseball IQ - the kind of intangibles that separate tools from true talent.
Gomez reportedly signed with the Royals for $2.9 million, a strong investment in a player who could fast-track his way into the club’s top prospect conversation.
Jaider Suarez, SS - Cuban Power with Versatility
Another big-ticket signing is shortstop Jaider Suarez, a name that’s been on scouts’ radars since his early days as a standout in Cuba. He was the youngest player on Cuba’s roster at the 2022 U-15 World Cup and went on to lead the Cuban U16 National League in home runs at just 13 years old.
Now training in the Dominican Republic, Suarez brings a strong, athletic frame and a right-handed bat that flashes both contact skills and emerging power. Baseball America notes his “broad shoulders” and ability to draw walks, while also projecting 20+ home run potential. That kind of offensive upside from a middle infielder is always going to draw attention.
Defensively, Suarez is a plus runner with a strong arm. Some scouts believe he may eventually shift to third base, but others are confident he can stick at shortstop while providing impact with the bat. He signed with Kansas City for $1.7 million and immediately becomes one of the more intriguing names in their system.
Adrian Lunar, C - Contact-First Catcher with a Strong Arm
The Royals continued their strike-zone-savvy approach with Venezuelan catcher Adrian Lunar. A left-handed hitter with a level swing, Lunar rarely swings and misses - a trait that’s becoming increasingly rare behind the plate. He’s not likely to develop big-time power, but he offers a high-contact profile that could make him a pest at the plate.
Ranked No. 43 by MLB Pipeline and No. 60 by Baseball America, Lunar is still developing defensively, but he’s already showing promising tools. He’s posted strong pop times and has a live arm, giving him a solid foundation to build on. He’s also been training with former MLB catcher Miguel Montero, which could help fast-track his development behind the dish.
Maicoll Rondon, SS - High-Energy, Top-of-the-Order Potential
Venezuelan shortstop Maicoll Rondon brings a different flavor to the Royals’ class - think energy, contact, and speed. At 6-foot, 150 pounds, he’s still filling out physically, but the tools are there. Baseball America describes him as a “savvy, high-energy ballplayer” with a knack for putting the ball in play.
He’s an above-average runner and an average defender for now, though some evaluators believe a move to second base could be in his future. Rondon profiles as a top-of-the-order type who can set the tone with his bat-to-ball skills and speed. The Royals signed him for $700,000.
Leandro Briceño, SS - Strike Zone Discipline and Baseball IQ
Another Venezuelan shortstop, Leandro Briceño, checks in at No. 77 on Baseball America’s list. He may not have the same loud tools as some of the names above, but he’s described as a “smart, headsy player” with a good feel for the strike zone - a recurring theme in this class.
Briceño signed with Kansas City for $650,000 and adds more depth to a system that’s clearly prioritizing baseball IQ and plate discipline across the board.
Renso Tenas, SS - Instinctive Infielder from Panama
Panamanian shortstop Renso Tenas brings a contact-heavy profile to the table. He doesn’t boast much power, but he’s described as an “instinctive” player who finds ways to contribute. The Royals signed him for $350,000, adding another high-IQ infielder to the mix.
Luis Garces, RHP - Projectable Arm from Colombia
Rounding out the Royals’ early signings is Colombian right-hander Luis Garces. At 6-foot, 175 pounds, he’s already touching 90 mph with a smooth, easy delivery.
He mixes in a curveball and changeup, giving him a solid three-pitch mix to build on. While he may be a bit of a project, the foundation is there for a potential rotation piece down the road.
Looking Ahead
These signings are just the beginning - the international signing period runs through December 15, and teams can continue to add talent throughout the year. Players must be at least 16 years old before signing and 17 before September 1 of the following year. For this cycle, that means players born between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009 (and older) are eligible.
The Royals’ bonus pool - tied for the largest in MLB - gives them plenty of flexibility, and they’re using it to stockpile high-upside talent with a shared thread: plate discipline, athleticism, and baseball IQ.
It’s too early to know which of these names will break through, but if the Royals’ recent track record is any indication, there’s a good chance one or more of these young players will be making noise in the farm system - and maybe even Kauffman Stadium - in the not-too-distant future.