Royals Land 19 International Prospects, Headlined by Venezuelan Phenom Angeibel Gomez
The Kansas City Royals made a major splash during the 2026 international signing period, officially welcoming 19 new prospects into the organization. It’s a class loaded with upside, featuring a mix of arms, athleticism, and raw tools that could shape the franchise’s future. With over $8 million in international bonus pool money to spend, the Royals didn’t hesitate to invest in potential.
And leading the charge? A 17-year-old outfielder from Venezuela who’s already turning heads across the scouting world.
Angeibel Gomez: A Star in the Making
Angeibel Gomez is the name Royals fans will want to remember. The right-handed outfielder signed for $2.9 million, the largest bonus of Kansas City’s class, and for good reason. Gomez is widely considered one of the top international prospects in the 2026 class-and for some scouts, he’s the top Venezuelan talent available.
Gomez brings a smooth, compact swing from the right side that projects to grow into serious power. There’s already chatter about his potential to become a 25+ home run hitter, and when you pair that with elite defensive instincts in center field, you start to see why the Royals were willing to invest so heavily.
Back in 2024, Gomez was named MVP of the Amateur Scouting League after posting a .370 average and a 1.216 OPS across eight games. That kind of production at a young age, on a big stage, speaks volumes. His athleticism and defensive range give him a real shot to stick in center field long term-a premium position that’s notoriously tough to fill.
Kansas City has had success mining talent from Venezuela before-just look at Salvador Perez, a franchise cornerstone, and Maikel Garcia, who recently inked a contract extension. If Gomez follows a similar trajectory, the Royals may have landed another gem.
Royals Also Sign Cuban Shortstop Jaider Suarez
The Royals didn’t stop at Gomez. They also added Jaider Suarez, a 17-year-old shortstop from Cuba ranked No. 22 among MLB Pipeline’s top international prospects. Suarez signed for $1.7 million and brings a different kind of profile to the table-one built around contact, plate discipline, and speed.
In Cuba’s 15U National League, Suarez put up eye-popping numbers: a .355 batting average with a .495 OBP and .605 slugging percentage. He walked 22 times and struck out just seven in 101 plate appearances. That kind of plate discipline is rare for a teenager, and scouts love his advanced approach at the dish.
Defensively, Suarez has a strong arm and the kind of quick-twitch athleticism that allows him to cover ground in the infield. He’s also a threat on the bases, with elite speed that could add another dimension to his game as he develops.
High-Upside Arms and Depth Across the Diamond
Beyond the headliners, Kansas City’s 2026 class is rounded out by a group of intriguing arms and position players from across Latin America. In total, the Royals signed eight pitchers, four infielders, four outfielders, and three catchers.
Among the more notable names are left-handers Diony Brujan and Janiel Hernandez, both from the Dominican Republic, who bring projectable frames and developing secondary pitches. Venezuelan catcher Adrian Lunar also stands out as one of the top players at his position in this year’s international class.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Royals’ international signees:
Pitchers:
- RHP Alejandro Beltran (Dominican Republic)
- RHP Frankeury Marte (Dominican Republic)
- RHP Delvin Medina (Dominican Republic)
- RHP Ernesto Mejia (Dominican Republic)
- RHP Garvell Pinales (Dominican Republic)
- LHP Diony Brujan (Dominican Republic)
- LHP Janiel Hernandez (Dominican Republic)
- LHP Luis Mateo Garces (Colombia)
Catchers:
- Alberto Aguilar (Venezuela)
- Marcos Hernandez (Venezuela)
- Adrian Lunar (Venezuela)
Infielders:
- Leandro Briceno (Venezuela)
- Maicoll Rondon (Venezuela)
- Jaider Suarez (Cuba)
- Renso Tenas (Panama)
Outfielders:
- Max De La Cruz (Dominican Republic)
- Angeibel Gomez (Venezuela)
- Daury Martinez (Dominican Republic)
- Tomas Rivas (Venezuela)
Building for the Future
Royals executive Rene Francisco praised the class in a team statement, highlighting the work of the international scouting department and expressing excitement about the future of these young players.
“This group highlights the tremendous work done by the entire international scouting department,” Francisco said. “We cannot wait to see these young men grow into professionals as they chase their dreams of playing for the Royals.”
It’s no secret that international scouting has become a cornerstone of roster building in today’s MLB. For a team like Kansas City, which prides itself on development and long-term growth, this 2026 international class could be a foundational step toward the next era of Royals baseball.
Time will tell who emerges from this group, but the early signs are promising. With Gomez and Suarez leading the way, the Royals may have just added some serious firepower to their farm system-and possibly, future stars to their lineup.