MLB’s 2026 International Signing Period Opens: What to Know as the Next Wave of Talent Arrives
The gates are officially open. Thursday marks the beginning of MLB’s 2026 international signing period - a crucial stretch on the baseball calendar where teams look beyond the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico to stockpile amateur talent from around the globe. This is one of just two avenues for clubs to sign amateur players, and make no mistake: the talent pool here is deep and often franchise-altering.
Roughly 30% of current big leaguers started their journey as international amateur free agents. That list includes names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and José Ramírez - not just stars, but faces of the game. For perennial contenders like the Dodgers and Yankees, who rarely get top picks in the domestic draft, international free agency becomes a critical tool for injecting elite talent into their farm systems.
The next All-Star, Cy Young winner, or MVP could sign this week. And yes, it’s entirely possible that a future Hall of Famer begins his journey with a handshake and a signature during this signing window.
Let’s break down everything you need to know as the 2026 international signing period gets underway.
A Global Free Market - For Now
This remains a true free agency system, not a draft - a distinction that matters. Back in 2022, MLB and the Players Association couldn’t come to terms on implementing an international draft during collective bargaining talks.
The league has pushed for one for years, arguing it would streamline the process. But the union has pushed back just as hard, citing concerns over player freedom and earning potential.
With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire in December, expect this topic to resurface in the next round of labor negotiations. But for now, international players still get to choose their team - and that freedom is a big deal.
Key Dates and Eligibility
The signing period now runs from January 15 to December 15, a change that was made permanent after the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the 2020-21 calendar. It’s a cleaner, more structured format, keeping everything within a single calendar year.
To be eligible this time around, players must be at least 16 years old and must turn 17 by September 1, 2027. That means this year’s class includes players born between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009. These are teenagers - some just months removed from their 15th birthdays - but they’re already drawing attention from scouts and front offices across the league.
The Bonus Pool System
Money talks in international free agency, but it’s tightly regulated. Each team is assigned a bonus pool - a hard cap on how much they can spend on international amateurs. These pools are tied to a team’s market size and revenue, with small-market clubs getting the most flexibility and large-market teams receiving smaller pools.
There are also penalties. Teams that signed major-league free agents who declined qualifying offers last offseason saw their bonus pools shrink. For example:
- Blue Jays (Anthony Santander), Padres (Nick Pivetta), and Red Sox (Alex Bregman) each forfeited $500,000.
- Astros (Christian Walker), Giants (Willy Adames), Mets (Juan Soto), and Yankees (Max Fried) lost $1 million apiece due to exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold.
Teams can trade for up to 60% more than their original bonus pool, but they can’t go over their final total. It’s a true cap - no exceptions.
One important nuance: bonuses of $10,000 or less don’t count against the pool. These signings are often low-risk flyers, but they can pay off in a big way.
Just ask the Astros, who inked both Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez for $10,000 apiece. Or the Tigers, who landed Eugenio Suárez the same way.
Also worth noting: international players under 25 can only sign minor-league deals. That’s why a player like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was posted at 25, was able to sign his record-setting $325 million deal without being subject to the bonus pool. Roki Sasaki, who was posted at 23, wasn’t so lucky - he fell under the pool restrictions.
Who’s Who in the 2026 Class
Scouting international talent is part science, part art. These players are young, raw, and still developing physically.
Projecting them out is tough, and the top name today might not be the top name a year from now. Still, a few standouts have already emerged as top-tier prospects in this year’s class.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest names to watch:
SS Wandy Asigen (Dominican Republic)
Arguably the most well-known name in this year’s class, Asigen is a left-handed hitter with a smooth swing and the defensive tools to stick at shortstop long-term.
He was originally linked to the Yankees but is now expected to sign with the Mets. Scouts love his polish at the plate and his feel for the game.
C Fernando Graterol (Venezuela)
Graterol is the top catcher available and brings serious thunder with the bat.
His raw power jumps off the page, and he’s got a rocket for an arm behind the plate. He’s been linked to the White Sox and checks a lot of boxes for what teams want in a young backstop.
SS Luis Hernandez (Venezuela)
The consensus No. 1 overall talent in this class, Hernandez is drawing rave reviews for both his physical tools and his makeup.
Scouts highlight his projection, work ethic, and baseball IQ - a rare trifecta. He’s been connected to the Giants and is viewed by many as the best international prospect in several years.
LHP Andri Hidalgo (Dominican Republic)
It’s a down year for international pitching, but Hidalgo stands out.
He’s got a three-pitch mix - fastball, slider, changeup - and the kind of upside that has teams intrigued. The Orioles have been linked to him more than others, and he could be the top arm to come out of this class.
Final Thoughts
The international signing period is one of the most fascinating parts of baseball’s talent pipeline. It’s a reminder that the game is truly global - and that the next superstar could be taking his first professional swings or throws this very week.
For teams, this is about more than just signing a few teenagers. It’s about building the foundation for future contention. And for fans, it’s a chance to get a glimpse - however early - at the players who might be lighting up MLB stadiums in five or six years.
The names may not be household yet, but history tells us they won’t stay that way for long.