2026 International Free Agent Market

[Jake McKibbin]

So Baseball America has some profiles up on some players who they have inked as going to the Brewers. It's behind a paywall so I'll not share everything but here are some details

 

24. Diego Frontado, SS, Venezuela

Frontado has a good history of in game performance, good plate discipline and pitch recognition and seems to put the ball in play a lot with some projectability for 20+ HR power. He's also a plus runner with a strong arm and a chance to stick at shortstop with good hands and movements in the 6 hole, but a lot will depend on his growth from what's quite a solid build

 

28. Jose Rodriguez, SS, Venezuela

One of the best defensive players in the class, he's wiry at 6'1 and 160 lbs and a penchant for some acrobatic plays. Short swing, solid bat to ball skills but not a ton of power projection expected (some of which may be down to the frame, but its apparently a very short swing)

[snoogans8056]

Also remember that BA ranks these guys on bonus money, not talent (though there’s got to be a bit of a correlation).

[Spencer Michaelis]

Insane timing, as I was working on starting this thread and then saw you had posted it just before I hit send myself lol

Here's a link to Frontado's Instagram

And a link to Rodriguez's Instagram

[Spencer Michaelis]

And while we are here, I might as well start the list of other random projected signees I have found in my internet sleuthing so far.

INF Osiris Ramirez Jr -- Instagram and TikTok

OF Denyer Ramirez -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Rickey Moneys (great name) -- Instagram and TikTok

OF Yasleyker Parra -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Leander Matos (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram and TikTok

C Sebastian Franeites (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Ruben Rebost -- Instagram 

OF (?) Manny De Los Santos -- Instagram -- Lots of video from both sides of the plate in his IG Highlights

INF Frankller Mayora (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram

INF Edison Mota -- Instagram

[Jake McKibbin]

3 hours ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

And while we are here, I might as well start the list of other random projected signees I have found in my internet sleuthing so far.

INF Osiris Ramirez Jr -- Instagram and TikTok

OF Denyer Ramirez -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Rickey Moneys (great name) -- Instagram and TikTok

OF Yasleyker Parra -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Leander Matos (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram and TikTok

C Sebastian Franeites (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram and TikTok

INF Ruben Rebost -- Instagram 

OF (?) Manny De Los Santos -- Instagram -- Lots of video from both sides of the plate in his IG Highlights

INF Frankller Mayora (once thought to be in the 2025 class) -- Instagram

INF Edison Mota -- Instagram

I feel like I've cheated by beating you to the initial post given all this fabulous research haha

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Odd that the Brewers would target ss from Venezuela.  What are the odds.

[Austin Tatious]

Great stuff. One of my favorite topics.  Nice to see good info this early.  

[SF70]

Pipeline city.

Despite the disappointment of the big bonus signings from this last class (Fenelon-Antunez-Acosta), there is still some nice performances on both sides of the ball that can still make the ‘25 class a success.

The ‘24 class was a once in a generation class and no class can stand up to that one. 

Looking forward to seeing this next class from baseball’s best international system.

[BrewerFan]

On 8/21/2025 at 7:11 AM, SF70 said:

Pipeline city.

Despite the disappointment of the big bonus signings from this last class (Fenelon-Antunez-Acosta), there is still some nice performances on both sides of the ball that can still make the ‘25 class a success.

The ‘24 class was a once in a generation class and no class can stand up to that one. 

Looking forward to seeing this next class from baseball’s best international system.

 

This is just... WAY too soon to be talking about the disappointment of the top of this class...particularly Fenelon who has a pretty interesting tool set(not that he's alone). 

 

[sveumrules]

12 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

 

This is just... WAY too soon to be talking about the disappointment of the top of this class...particularly Fenelon who has a pretty interesting tool set(not that he's alone). 

 

An interesting tool set is great and all, but there are 87 Brewers with at least 100 PA on the island since 2021.

Maybe big bonus guys like Pena (173 wRC+), Made (167 wRC+), and Chourio (130 wRC+) have skewed expectations somewhat, but even non-nuclear big bonus prospects like Yophery (124 wRC+), Di Turi (117 wRC+), and Quintana (110 wRC+) still managed above average batting lines in the DSL.

Not to mention all the low bonus guys like Ortuno (157 wRC+), Anderson (147 wRC+). Ibarguen (139 wRC+), Nadal (131 wRC+), Rangel (130 wRC+), Polanco (129 wRC+), Juan Martinez (125 wRC+), et cetera that came out of nowhere to put up big lines.

Fenelon's 95 wRC+ ranked 45th on that list, below even little Luis Lara with a 98 wRC+ in his DSL year.

Antunez (79 wRC+ | 71st) and Acosta (77 wRC+ | 72nd) are waaay down there, especially for seven figure guys.

Hard to classify their professional debuts as anything but disappointing in the context of the talent the DSL Academy has turned out of late. Doesn't mean they are doomed forever to irrelevance, just that their initial performance was below established standards compared to recent performances by similarly heralded (or even much less heralded prospects).

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, sveumrules said:

Hard to classify their professional debuts as anything but disappointing in the context of the talent the DSL Academy has turned out of late. Doesn't mean they are doomed forever to irrelevance, just that their initial performance was below established standards compared to recent performances by similarly heralded (or even much less heralded prospects).

Right. I'm not claiming their performances were good. ALL I am saying is you're talking about...219 PA's from Fenelon for example. And I completely agree with your take here. 

I just don't agree with... effectively saying 'there's still hope in the class despite those guys.'

[ecjimg]

Not one Brewer on Baseball America’s top 35 list of 2025 Dominican league players. A little disappointing for sure.

[Jake McKibbin]

The Top 50 international prospects in the 2026 class

 

Top Baseball International Prospects

 

Draft class rankings are up on pipeline with a blurb on Frontado (#24) and Rodriguez (#50)

[Spencer Michaelis]

1 hour ago, Jake McKibbin said:

The Top 50 international prospects in the 2026 class

 

Top Baseball International Prospects

 

Draft class rankings are up on pipeline with a blurb on Frontado (#24) and Rodriguez (#50)

On 8/20/2025 at 12:05 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

INF Rickey Moneys (great name) -- Instagram and TikTok

Rickey Moneys is also at 19 on the list. He’s been my favorite so far based on my research and the limited video out there, so I’m excited to see him that high already on Pipeline.

[Jake McKibbin]

2 hours ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

Rickey Moneys is also at 19 on the list. He’s been my favorite so far based on my research and the limited video out there, so I’m excited to see him that high already on Pipeline.

I thought I was being incredibly efficient checking off each of the names you mentioned with that list, but never looked above #30 as I thought "nah, too much scrolling". Chanced it, and lost

EDIT: The Pipeline review seems incredibly strong on him. Wow

[jay87shot]

Rickey Moneys, Ricky Moneys, Rickey Moneys    I can't decide if that is beyond sweet Latin Gangster name or a racecar fan (ala Ricky Bobby). Not only does the name buy him some sneaky favorite points, but that scouting report is as good as I have seen from a 16 year old we have signed. Very Nice. Frontado looks pretty high potential as well. With most of the signings from last year likely to repeat in the DSL again I fully expect better result from those squads next year.

[Austin Tatious]

Ricky Moneys is like a combo of two of the all time great Brewer names, Ricky Bones and Don Money.  

But seriously, three of the top 50 looks like a good haul.  I love how we approach it.  Spread out the lottery tickets rather than skewing the budget all at the super top guys.  At age 16-17, it’s so early to tell which of these guys turn into Made or Chourio and which ones become Gilbert Lara.  

Regarding Moneys, his profile sounds legit.  Love to hear about his potential pop and competitiveness.  Maybe he ends up in right.  Who knows, at this point.   Frontada also sounds very intriguing.  Love his frame for a SS.  I like a bit of a lankier frame at the position for range etc. He’s got the defense and hit tool you like to see.  

With the international market, the US draft system, player development, pitching lab, it’s so nice to be able to trust the process here because it is an understatement to say Milwaukee is excelling in these respects.   From 2017 to now, we are consistently going to the playoffs while we have stealthily rebuilt the bulk of the roster.  To keep winning rather than having to start over at the bottom with financial constraints is a testament to the organization’s process. 

 

[BallFour]

Feel like I remember reading about Frontado to the Brewers when he was 14 years old.

[BrewerFan]

On 9/23/2025 at 7:11 AM, Spencer Michaelis said:

 

Any idea why some of these guys who have agreements don't sign?

I'm looking at Jeremy Denaud, considered the 9th rated prospect a couple years ago by BA and tied to the Blue Jays or Jensy Rivas, another highly touted IFA who was supposed to sign with the Mets?

Are these deals that tenuous that... if a deal falls through(I know the Blue Jays had to trade some IFA money a couple years ago for... Bassit maybe) that.. teams lose interest and these guys are just kinda out of luck?

I know Raymel Ortiz was accused of lying about his age... and there was another 3B who was a top ~3, maybe the top prospect who agreed to a deal for 4-5M that was negated, but... what's up with the rest of the players? 3 others from the top 50 unsigned? 

[Spencer Michaelis]

In the midst of watching this insane Game 3 of the WS, I found a new player that's likely to sign, and I think this could be a fun one...

LHP Alexander Mercedes is apparently already sitting 92-94 according to the below IG post and with a build that would seem to indicate the potential for a decent amount more coming down the line.

@deporteadiariord056 • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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Álex Álvarez, el joven pitcher del Milwaukee Brewers, está generando expectativas con su rendimiento en el campo. Su velocidad y control de la pelota son impresionantes, lo que lo...

Believe this is his personal Instagram, but it's private

[jay87shot]

8 hours ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

In the midst of watching this insane Game 3 of the WS, I found a new player that's likely to sign, and I think this could be a fun one...

LHP Alexander Mercedes is apparently already sitting 92-94 according to the below IG post and with a build that would seem to a decent amount more potentially coming down the line.

@deporteadiariord056 • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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Álex Álvarez, el joven pitcher del Milwaukee Brewers, está generando expectativas con su rendimiento en el campo. Su velocidad y control de la pelota son impresionantes, lo que lo...

Believe this is his personal Instagram, but it's private

Looks like a smooth delivery and explosive out of the hand. I always find it interesting to see the fields some of these guys play on. I doesn't look like there is really a mound he is pitching on here. 

[jay87shot]

On 10/8/2025 at 7:59 AM, BrewerFan said:

Any idea why some of these guys who have agreements don't sign?

I'm looking at Jeremy Denaud, considered the 9th rated prospect a couple years ago by BA and tied to the Blue Jays or Jensy Rivas, another highly touted IFA who was supposed to sign with the Mets?

Are these deals that tenuous that... if a deal falls through(I know the Blue Jays had to trade some IFA money a couple years ago for... Bassit maybe) that.. teams lose interest and these guys are just kinda out of luck?

I know Raymel Ortiz was accused of lying about his age... and there was another 3B who was a top ~3, maybe the top prospect who agreed to a deal for 4-5M that was negated, but... what's up with the rest of the players? 3 others from the top 50 unsigned? 

I am sure there is lots of potential reasons, like age issues, some players could have a hard time getting visas and other international issues I would assume. I would guess last year there was probably a little fallout when the Dodgers signed Roki and pacts that the Dodgers may have made a couple years ago fell apart and then teams scramble to sign the Dodgers players and possible go back on deals they already have in place.

[BrewerFan]

On 10/28/2025 at 12:10 AM, Spencer Michaelis said:

In the midst of watching this insane Game 3 of the WS, I found a new player that's likely to sign, and I think this could be a fun one...

LHP Alexander Mercedes is apparently already sitting 92-94 according to the below IG post and with a build that would seem to a decent amount more potentially coming down the line.

@deporteadiariord056 • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

Álex Álvarez, el joven pitcher del Milwaukee Brewers, está generando expectativas con su rendimiento en el campo. Su velocidad y control de la pelota son impresionantes, lo que lo...

Believe this is his personal Instagram, but it's private

That's just insane to me. To me that ball looks like it's got good movement also. A bit of a natural sinker, but just so clean... the velo is already there so you just put him on a strength and conditioning program and a good nutrition program and who knows. Maybe he ends up in our rotation in 2031. 

 

On 10/28/2025 at 8:27 AM, jay87shot said:

I am sure there is lots of potential reasons

Well... yeah, I can guess at the potential reasons, I was just... curious if someone knew. 

I really wouldn't think Visa's would be one. You don't even need the visa to sign. Just sign, they don't come stateside for a year or 2 normally. And which point, you're a professional athlete, so you should be able to get one. 

[Spencer Michaelis]

Here's my current list of names that I am *pretty* confident will be signing in the Brewers 2026 class in about a month (it's so hard to say for sure on all of these though). At least one or two of the ones I listed earlier in the thread appear to be 2027 signings, so there might be a few missing from my earlier list.

Pos	Name	Pipeline Rank	BA Bonus Rank
SS	Diego Frontado	24	24	Instagram
SS	Jose Rodriguez	49	28	Instagram
INF	Osiris Ramirez Jr	N/A	N/A	Instagram	TikTok
INF	Ricky Moneys	N/A	19	Instagram	TikTok
INF	Leander Matos	N/A	N/A	Instagram	TikTok
C	Sebastian Franeites	N/A	N/A	Instagram	TikTok
INF	Ruben Rebost	N/A	N/A	Instagram
OF	Manny De Los Santos	N/A	N/A	Instagram
LHP	Alexander Mercedes	N/A	N/A	Instagram	IG Video
C	Moises Salazar	N/A	N/A	Instagram	TikTok
INF	Santiago Garcia	N/A	N/A	Instagram
RHP	Joan Gonzalez	N/A	N/A	Instagram
C	Darwin Mateo (or Jabiel)	N/A	N/A	Instagram	TikTok
RHP	Diego Trillo	N/A	N/A	IG Post
N/A	Daniel Muñoz	N/A	N/A	Instagram	IG Post
C	Pepe Soto Mir	N/A	N/A	Instagram

[Spencer Michaelis]

Little fun nugget on a player that isn't even signing for 4 classes, but Melkin Guzman has a pre-agreement with the Brewers for $2.3 million in the 2029 class. He's 13-years-old, 6'1", runs a 6.7 60-yard dash and has been gunned at 93 MPH from the outfield. Some video below, where he definitely appears to have the frame of a kid his age, so no clear signs of any age issues. Never know, but I believe this would be the biggest bonus the Brewers have given anyone since the infamous Gilbert Lara, so they're clearly *very* high on him.

miracles (@miracles_baseball) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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164 likes, 4 comments - miracles_baseball on October 12, 2025: "🌟 Melkin Guzmán 📍 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 🗓️ April 14, 2012 ⚾️ CF | R/R 📏 6’1” | 170 lbs 🎓 Class of January...