Royals add multiple top prospects during baseball’s international signing period
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals signed 19 international prospects in 2026; had an $8,034,900 bonus pool.
- Venezuelan outfielder Angeibel Gomez led the class with a $2,900,000 signing bonus.
- Jaider Suarez adds contact hitting and speed; lefty pitchers bolster left‑hand depth.
The Kansas City Royals welcomed 19 new players during the 2026 international signing period on Thursday afternoon.
The club agreed to terms with eight pitchers, four infielders, four outfielders and three catchers during the international cycle. The club had $8,034,900 in international bonus pool money to spend.
Venezuelan outfielder Angeibel Gomez headlines the group. The 17-year-old prospect signed for $2,900,000, per MLB.com. He has a smooth right-handed swing that projects to develop in coming years.
Gomez was MVP of the Amateur Scouting League in 2024. He batted .370 with a 1.216 OPS in eight games. There is a chance he’ll stick in center field due to his elite athleticism.
The Royals have found success in Venezuela before. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez were international free-agent signees. Perez is a franchise legend and Garcia just signed a contract extension.
It’s possible Gomez can follow in their footsteps. He ranks No. 4 among top international prospects, per MLB Pipeline.
The Royals also added top-30 international prospect Jaider Suarez on Thursday. The Cuban shortstop ranked No. 22 overall and signed for $1,700,000. The 17-year-old projects as a contact hitter with good plate discipline.
Suarez posted a .355 batting average in Cuba’s 15U National League. Defensively, scouts note his strong arm and elite speed on the basepaths.
The Royals’ international haul also includes some high-upside pitchers. Left-handed pitchers Diony Brujan and Janiel Hernandez hail from the Dominican Republic, while Venezuelan catcher Adrian Lunar is ranked among the top players at his position during the 2026 international period.
“The 2026 international signing class features 19 incredible athletes that we are so excited to welcome to the Royals family,” Royals executive Rene Francisco said in a news release. “This group highlights the tremendous work done by the entire international scouting department, and we cannot wait to see these young men grow into professionals as they chase their dreams of playing for the Royals.”
Here is a look at the Royals’ newest international signees:
Kansas City Royals’ 2026 international signees
Pitchers
RHP Alejandro Beltran | Dominican Republic
RHP Frankeury Marte | Dominican Republic
RHP Delvin Medina | Dominican Republic
RHP Ernesto Mejia | Dominican Republic
RHP Garvell Pinales | Dominican Republic
LHP Diony Brujan | Dominican Republic
LHP Janiel Hernandez | Dominican Republic
LHP Luis Mateo Garces | Colombia
Catchers
Alberto Aguilar | Venezuela
Marcos Hernandez | Venezuela
Adrian Lunar | Venezuela
Infielders
Leandro Briceno | Venezuela
Maicoll Rondon | Venezuela
Jaider Suarez | Cuba
Renso Tenas | Panama
Outfielders
Max De La Cruz | Dominican Republic
Angeibel Gomez | Venezuela
Daury Martinez | Dominican Republic
Tomas Rivas | Venezuela
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 1:41 PM.
