2025 Top MLB International Prospects for Dynasty

Chris Clegg breaks down and ranks the top 25 international prospects for dynasty leagues.

It is January, which means we are approaching the beginning of the 2025 International Signing Period. On January 15, international amateur free agents are eligible to sign with MLB clubs, and the signing period lasts until December 15.

For a player to be eligible to sign, they must turn 17 years old by September 1, 2025, and not live or go to school in the United States or Canada. These players are not eligible for the summer's MLB Draft; therefore, they are subject to the signing process.

While most players hail from the Dominican Republic there will also be plenty of players sing from Venezuela and Cuba. While it is known where teams have verbally agreed to sign, the ink hits the paper on January 15 for most.

Every team has a certain amount of money they can spend, with bonuses ranging from $7.55 million to $5.15 million. Players who sign for $10k do not count against that bonus.

Here is where each team stands, according to Baseball America(Teams in Alphabetical Order by Pool):

$7.55 Million

Cincinnati Reds
Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Rays

$6.9 Million

Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Guardians
Colorado Rockies
Kansas City Royals
Pittsburgh Pirates

$6.26 Million

Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Angels
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
San Diego Padres
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals

$5.64 Million

Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals

$5.14 Million

Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants

Now that we understand the process, let’s talk some players. I do want to put a caveat out there and say that players who sign during the international signing period are the hardest to evaluate. People love to speak in definite terms about players, but that is nothing certain about a 16-year-old with minimal data and video to go off of.

Last year’s top dollar signings were Jose Perdomo, Leodalis De Vries, Fernando Cruz, Dawel Joseph, Yovanny Rodriguez, Adolfo Sanchez, Victor Hurtado, Yandel Ricarco, Joswa Lugo, Bralyn Brazoban. Outside of De Vries and Lugo, that list did not perform like top-dollar signees.

Outside of De Vries, who skipped to Single-A, the top performers in the DSL were Jesus Made, who signed for $950k, Emil Morales($1.9 Million), Eduardo Beltre($1.5 Million), Luis Pena($800k), and Yairo Padilla($760k). Those bonuses are still significant, but the top players aren’t always the top signees from a dollar amount.

When I am looking at and evaluating these prospects, I like to look at their body and athleticism. Obviously, a lot changes about 16-year-olds as they grow and mature, but when you have a player with projectability and good athleticism, those players often develop.

I watch any film available and soak up reports from people who have seen these players live. This year, I have also been able to talk to more team sources to get more context on rankings and reports. Ben Badler of Baseball America is the best international resource out there. Each player’s signing team and height/weight stems from his reports.

Without further ado, let's look at the top MLB international players through a fantasy lens from my perspective.

MLB Top International Prospects for Dynasty

*Roki Sasaki is not included in these rankings, his report can be found here in the FYPD Rankings.

1. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, SF, 5’11”/175

Gonzalez is the consensus top prospect in the J15 class from those that I sourced. While he lacks the tall, projectable frame that some in the class have, Gonzalez still has room left to add to his athletic 5’11” frame. He is a quick-twitch athlete who runs exceptionally well and has a great feel to hit.

The switch hitter starts with an open stance and uses a small leg lift to transfer his weight. His entire body works together, and Gonzalez has strong hands, which allows him to create good bat lag and speed through the zone. From the right side, the setup is similar, but Gonzalez has a bit more pre-swing movement and drops his hands a little more before starting his swing. The right-handed swing is geared more toward an upper-cut approach.

He has shown impressive power for his size from both sides of the plate. The speed is presently plus or better, and scouts who have seen him in-game rave about the feel to hit. There are times when he reportedly gets off-timing on breaking balls, but for the most part, Gonzalez is polished.

The Giants have not had a history of skipping top international prospects past the DSL, so we expect him to play the 2025 season there, where he should be the best prospect on the field.

2. Yorger Bautista, OF, SEA, 6’1”/187

Nicknamed “The Beast,” Bautista has a strong 6’1” frame with big power. While having an impressive frame for his age, Bautista still has room to add strength to his frame. He uses a big leg kick but gets his foot down fast before exploding through the zone. Bautista keeps his hands inside well and controls the barrel through the zone well.

In the last few years, Bautista has shown major improvements in speed and power. As he has added weight, Bautista has added bat speed and power and looks like he could grow into plus power long term. Despite the added strength and weight, Bautista was still clocked at a 6.4-second 60-yard dash, showing plus speed.

Bautista has a big arm in the outfield and moves well enough to play center field, though he likely will move to a corner outfield spot long term. The bat will be the carrying tool and the profile will come down to how much contact he can make. The track record is good, and the tools are impressive, making Bautista one of the best players in the class.

3. Cris Rodriguez, OF, DET, 6’4”/200

Rodriguez will still be 16 years old on signing day but will turn 17 at the end of January. Despite being young, he has an impressive 6’4” frame with an offense-first profile. Having massive power upside, Rodriguez might have the best present power in the J15 class.

Having a broad base at the plate, Rodriguez uses a leg kick for timing and weight transfer but puts his front foot down at the same place it starts. Rodriguez creates good hand-to-hip separation and has impressive bat speed. The swing is sometimes a bit long, but the power upside is something to dream on.

The hit tool comes with risk, but Rodriguez is a good athlete with plenty of raw power. If he can be even a 45-grade hit tool, Rodriguez could be a 25-30 home run type bat in the corner outfield. But the profile does come with risk.

4. Dorian Soto, SS, BOS, 6’3”/185

Soto is the player who has moved up the most in the class from people I have talked to. While the signing bonus is modest, Soto has grown since agreeing the deal and now stands at 6’3” with impressive athleticism. He will be 16 years old until mid-February, but reports speak highly of Soto’s work ethic and baseball IQ.

A switch hitter, Soto shows a good feel from both sides of the plate with natural bat speed. There is some aggression in the swing, especially from the right side. Soto uses a big leg kick and has a little bat wrap before exploding through the zone. His in-game swing looks a little more tame than the violent BP swings. The swing is much shorter in game, and Soto controls the barrel well while having a direct path to the ball.

Soto puts up impressive exit velocity data and has shown a good feel for contact in games. If the skills translate to pro ball, Soto could eventually be an above-average or better hitter with plus power.

The size at his age may cause him to move off shortstop, but the bat will be the carrying tool no matter which position he is at.

5. Elian Peña, SS, NYM, 5’10”/170

Peña has been one of the more popular players in the 2025 J15 as a well-known player for some time. Slated to receive the largest bonus in the class, Peña is already well filled out and advanced for a 17-year-old. The left-handed hitter has a smooth swing from the left side and makes plenty of contact.

Watching Peña swing the bat, you will find it to be direct to the ball and everything synced up. He recognizes pitches well in-game and makes good adjustments. Peña will likely not expand the zone often as he pick his spots well.

The approach is to all fields, and Peña will hit the ball where it is pitched. You won’t find him trying to blast home runs, instead letting the power come to him. He is still a player who should develop 20+ home run power.

Peña’s hit tool and plate discipline feel like one of the safer ones in the J15 class, making him a safer bet in dynasty leagues.

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