The Washington Nationals have officially wrapped up their 2026 international signing class-and they didn’t hold back. Headlining the group are a pair of highly touted outfielders, Samil Serrano and Isaias Suarez, both of whom inked deals in the $1.9 million range. These are the kinds of signings that can quietly shape a franchise’s future, even if the payoff is still years down the road.
Serrano and Suarez are consensus top-50 prospects in this year’s international class, and while they’re just 17, there’s already plenty to get excited about. Serrano, in particular, has scouts buzzing.
He’s got one of the smoothest left-handed swings in the class-pure, fluid, and projectable. At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame that suggests more power is coming as he matures.
If he fills out the way many expect, you’re looking at a potential corner outfielder with both pop and hit-tool polish. That’s a profile every team covets, and it’s easy to see why the Nationals were willing to make a significant investment.
Suarez, meanwhile, might need more time at the plate, but the athleticism is real. He’s a rangy defender with upside in the field, and if the bat comes around, he could become a well-rounded outfielder with impact potential. He's more of a long-term project, but the ceiling is intriguing.
The Nationals didn’t stop there. They allocated nearly $6 million of their $6.67 million international bonus pool to just four players-all outfielders.
Joining Serrano and Suarez in that group are Angel Ramirez and Juan Duran, each of whom also landed seven-figure deals. Ramirez brings switch-hitting power to the table, a rare and exciting combination, while Duran is another big bat with loud tools.
The common thread here? Upside.
The Nats are clearly betting on power and athleticism in this class.
This approach isn’t without risk. The international market is notoriously volatile-raw talent, teenage bodies, and years of development ahead.
But the payoff can be massive. Just look at last year: Marconi German signed for $400,000 and was barely on the radar.
Twelve months later, he’s considered the crown jewel of the Nats’ 2025 class. That’s how quickly things can change with these signings.
A name like Euris Acosta, who didn’t command big money this year, could very well be the next breakout.
In total, Washington signed 15 players in this cycle. Realistically, most won’t reach the big leagues.
That’s the nature of the international free agent game-it’s a numbers play, and the odds are steep. But if even one or two of these players develop into legitimate MLB contributors, that’s a win.
And if one turns into a star? That’s a franchise-altering moment.
Nationals fans don’t need a reminder of that-Juan Soto was once just another name on an international signing list, too.
It’s also worth noting that this entire group was scouted and signed under the previous front office regime. With Paul Toboni now overseeing the Nationals’ player development and scouting departments, it’ll be fascinating to watch how his influence shapes future international classes. The IFA market doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s a critical battleground for building sustainable success-especially for teams not spending at the top of the free-agent market.
For now, the Nationals have planted their flag with a class full of high-upside outfielders. It’s a bold strategy, but if even one of Serrano, Suarez, Ramirez, or Duran clicks, it could pay off in a big way. These are the kinds of moves that don’t make headlines in January-but could define a roster five years down the line.