The Oakland A’s are making serious waves on the international market again - and if recent history is any indication, the rest of the league should be paying attention.
Fresh off landing Leo De Vries (MLB’s No. 3 overall prospect) in the Mason Miller blockbuster last July, the A’s are doubling down on elite international talent with the addition of Johenssy Colome, the No. 5-ranked prospect in the 2026 international class. Colome, a Dominican shortstop with big-league bloodlines and even bigger upside, headlines a group of high-ceiling signings that could reshape Oakland’s farm system in the coming years.
Joining Colome in this year’s class are fellow Dominican shortstop Ricky Duran (ranked No. 33) and Venezuelan catcher Jose Perdomo (No. 45), marking the first time since 2016 that the A’s have inked three players from MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects in a single signing period. It’s the latest sign of the aggressive and strategic approach taken by Steve Sharpe, the A’s director of international scouting, who’s helped build a pipeline that’s quickly becoming one of the most well-rounded in baseball.
Oakland entered this signing period with the second-largest international bonus pool ($7,357,100), and they’re putting it to work. Colome is expected to command a significant chunk of that pool, while Duran is reportedly set to receive over $1 million and Perdomo will sign for $675,000.
Let’s start with Colome, a name that’s been buzzing in scouting circles for a while now. He’s a right-handed hitter with a rare trait for a 16-year-old: legitimate home run power.
His swing is loud, his hands are electric, and when he connects, the ball jumps. He’s aggressive in the box but not reckless - he barrels the ball with consistency, and the raw power is already showing up in game action.
Defensively, Colome draws comparisons to Manny Machado for his smooth actions and fluidity at shortstop. That’s not a comp scouts throw around lightly.
Add in the fact that he’s the son of former big league reliever Jesus Colome and the cousin of longtime MLB closer Alex Colome, and you’ve got a player who not only has the tools but also the pedigree. Baseball runs deep in his family, and it shows in how polished his game already looks.
Colome is now the highest-ranked international signee by the A’s since 2023, when they signed Luis Morales, a former Top 100 overall prospect. If Colome’s development continues on this trajectory, he could be a centerpiece in Oakland’s rebuild.
While Colome brings the flash, Ricky Duran brings the balance. Duran’s profile is more well-rounded - a shortstop with a whippy swing, plus bat speed, and the ability to spray the ball from gap to gap. He’s not lighting up the stat sheet with power just yet, but evaluators see a path to a breakout similar to Willy Adames, who quietly developed into a three-time 30-homer guy in the bigs.
Duran’s defensive game has taken noticeable strides in recent years, and he’s built a reputation as a grinder. He may stick at shortstop, but even if he’s forced to move around the infield, he’s got the tools and the mentality to make it work. That kind of versatility and work ethic plays well in today’s game.
Then there’s Jose Perdomo - not to be confused with his older brother, also named Jose, who was the No. 4 international prospect in 2024 and signed with the Braves. This Jose brings a catcher’s mindset and a strong foundation behind the plate.
Scouts love his instincts, his ability to manage a game, and the way he connects with pitchers. The bat is still a work in progress, but there’s real power potential packed into his right-handed swing.
With his defensive chops and baseball IQ, he’ll have every chance to develop into a big-league backstop.
Another name to watch: Edward Suazo, a left-handed-hitting infielder from the Dominican Republic who’s reportedly set to sign for $600,000. Suazo isn’t ranked in the Top 50, but he might’ve just missed the cut.
He’s got a pure contact-first approach that’s rare for his age - almost never swings and misses, and he can handle pitches in all parts of the zone. Defensively, he projects to see time at both second base and shortstop.
With a 5-foot-11 frame and smooth actions, he’s the kind of player who could quietly become a key piece in the system.
All four players are expected to begin their pro careers in the Dominican Summer League, where the A’s DSL squad made a strong run to the DSL Cup last summer. That team featured Edgar Montero (now the A’s No. 23 prospect), who broke out after repeating the level, and lefty Franco Zabaleta, who dominated the league en route to DSL Pitcher of the Year honors with a 0.51 ERA in 11 appearances.
Oakland’s international strategy has taken a sharp upward turn in recent years. After landing two Top 20 prospects in 2025 and pulling off the surprise signing of two-way standout Shotaro Morii, the A’s now have 10 of their top 30 prospects coming from the international market. They’ve also made notable progress in Asia, adding to what’s becoming one of the most geographically diverse and balanced farm systems in the league.
The international signing period officially opened on January 15 and runs through December 15. To be eligible, players must turn 16 before signing and be 17 before September 1 of the following year - meaning this year’s class includes players born between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009. All players must be registered with MLB prior to signing.
With Colome, Duran, Perdomo, and Suazo now in the fold, the A’s are continuing to build something intriguing. These aren’t just lottery tickets - they’re foundational pieces for a franchise that’s betting big on international scouting to fuel its next competitive window. And if this class pans out the way many believe it can, Oakland’s farm system could be knocking on the door of elite status sooner than expected.