The Mariners didn’t just dip their toes into the 2026 international signing pool - they dove in headfirst, surfacing with three of MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects. Outfielders Juan Rijo (No. 12) and Gregory Pio (No. 32), along with shortstop Leonardo Reynoso (No. 48), headline a promising class out of the Dominican Republic that could add serious depth to Seattle’s farm system in the coming years.
Armed with a $7.36 million international bonus pool, Seattle didn’t hesitate to invest heavily in upside. Rijo reportedly signed for $2.2 million, while Pio commanded $2.9 million. Reynoso came in at a solid $750,000 - all signs that the Mariners clearly believe in the long-term potential of these young players.
Let’s break down what each prospect brings to the table and why Seattle’s international scouting operation continues to be one of the most aggressive - and effective - in the game.
Juan Rijo: A Bat-First Talent With Big League Tools
Rijo is the kind of prospect who would be climbing mock draft boards if he were eligible for the domestic draft. He’s a left-handed hitter with a mature feel for the strike zone and a knack for letting the ball travel - traits that allow him to spray line drives to all fields. That approach has played well in competitive tournaments in the Dominican Republic, where he’s consistently hit against top-tier pitching.
Physically, Rijo has filled out his 6-foot-1 frame and is beginning to tap into real raw power. There’s a reason scouts have drawn comparisons to JoJo Parker, the outfielder Toronto took eighth overall in last year’s MLB Draft. Rijo may eventually move to a corner-outfield spot, but the bat is the main attraction here - and Seattle’s player development staff is eager to get to work with a hitter who already shows such polish and plate discipline.
Gregory Pio: Speed, Power, and Raw Tools to Refine
Pio has been on radars in the Dominican Republic for years, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a long-striding outfielder with legitimate wheels, capable of taking the extra base or tracking down balls from gap to gap in center field. That speed is his most advanced in-game tool right now, but there’s more to his game than just quickness.
He’s got bat speed and raw power, but he’ll need to clean up his approach at the plate as he transitions into pro ball. Pitch selection will be a key area of focus for Seattle’s development team. If he can refine that part of his game, he profiles as a potential fourth outfielder with the kind of speed and pop that can change a game off the bench - or maybe more, if everything clicks.
Leonardo Reynoso: Arm Strength, Switch-Hit Potential, and Infield Versatility
Among the infielders in this year’s class, Reynoso stands out as the most polished. He’s a switch-hitter with a more refined left-handed swing - not surprising given the higher volume of reps from that side - but there’s emerging pop from both sides of the plate. If the power continues to develop, he could grow into a 20-25 home run threat down the line.
Defensively, Reynoso has the kind of arm that keeps him on the dirt long-term. Whether that’s at shortstop, second, or third remains to be seen, but he’s got the tools to stick in the infield. As with most young international signees, it’ll be about how he handles pro-level pitching and competition, but the foundation is there.
Building on a Strong International Track Record
This isn’t a one-off splash for Seattle. The organization has been steadily building a pipeline of international talent, especially in Latin America.
Just last year, the Mariners signed outfielder Yorger Bautista (now ranked No. 10 in the system) and shortstop Kendry Martínez (No. 20).
Bautista, in particular, impressed during his debut in the Dominican Summer League and looks poised for a breakout in 2026.
Go back to 2023, and you’ll find shortstop Felnin Celesten - a $4.7 million signing and now a rising star in the system. Celesten, who got a taste of High-A ball as a 19-year-old, is already trending toward perennial Top 100 prospect status.
And of course, there’s the face of Seattle’s international success: Julio Rodríguez. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger was once the No. 10 international prospect in the 2017 class.
His rise has set the tone for what’s possible when scouting and development align. Now, prospects like Lazaro Montes (No. 3 in the system) and Michael Arroyo (No. 5) are following in those footsteps, showing signs of becoming impact big leaguers in the near future.
The Bigger Picture
The international signing period runs from January 15 to December 15, and it’s open to players who turn 16 before signing and will be 17 before September 1 of the following year. For this cycle, that means players born between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009, are eligible - and they must be registered with MLB to sign.
Seattle’s approach to this window has been clear: identify premium talent early, invest confidently, and trust the player development infrastructure to guide these young athletes toward their potential. With Rijo, Pio, and Reynoso now in the fold, the Mariners have added another wave of talent to an already strong international pipeline - and the future in Seattle just got a little bit brighter.