This weekend, Padres’ new owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones made an appearance in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, where they spent time with members of the organization’s front office, including President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller and VP and Head of International Scouting Chris Kemp.

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October brings more than just Halloween and the World Series. It also marks the final stretch of the MLB season. But the international market never stops, and with the current signing period set to close on December 15, the activity is only heating up, especially with a potential lockout looming.

This time, I’ll break down the different paths available to Japanese pitching sensation Shoki Oda and examine how much MLB franchises are spending in the international market, how they’re allocating that money, and, most importantly, one key difference compared to previous international signing periods.

Also, what can we know about the future of pitching in MLB by looking at the U-15 World Cup in Mexico? Answers below.

Plus: I think the Padres are up to something with their Minor League pitching staff.

And, by the way, guys: what´s up with the comments, DMs and email replies? HIT ME WITH QUESTIONS !

Let´s jump in…

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Miller joins the Cubs after serving as the Tampa Bay Rays’ Director of International Scouting since 2019.

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The 2026 postseason has delivered an elite brand of baseball through its first half. Power pitching has been one of the biggest storylines, with more than 200 pitches of 100+ MPH already thrown and the record for a single postseason within reach before the League Championship Series even begin.

That has been complemented by the sheer number of plays, a low strikeout rate, and the value of defense and contact hitting, rewarding teams that excel in those areas. All of it has made for a balanced postseason defined by both competition and entertainment.

In this edition, you will learn if just throwing triple-digit pitches will guarantee success in today’s game, and how this contrasts with the biggest trends of the current postseason.

Also, I got to talk with the men of the moment: Victor Mesa Jr. Together, we looked back at the path that led to his home run in Yankee Stadium, and 3 reasons why he has thrived in Tampa.

Plus: A once-promising prospect makes his return to winter baseball.

All of that is below. Thank you all for reading.

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I had the opportunity to speak with more than 10 scouts who were there watching every game, and one thing became clear: there is plenty of talent in this generation, although the future path of some of these players remains uncertain. For some, decisions involving their families, schools, clubs or professional opportunities will determine what comes next. Still, each of the players below showed enough tools and projection to potentially build successful careers in baseball.

Here is my personal ranking, with one important clarification: players who have already signed with MLB organizations are not included. For example, Korean shortstop Junsang Eom, who signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks during this same international signing period, is not part of this ranking.

SPOILER: The tournament’s MVP is not #1 on my list

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Over the past few days, several people have asked me about Cuba’s U-15 team—who is on the roster, which players to watch, and what we can expect from the Cuban squad. In this paid article, I’ll take a closer look at the team, including the players selected to represent Cuba and some of the names that could be worth following throughout the tournament.

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Come September and everything takes its course.

By this point, many franchises have already seen their fate decided. Others will test their destiny in perhaps a week, a few days, or even in a final game.

The international signing period works differently. There is no single month that determines whether you become a contender or a contributor to the system. Instead, your destination is shaped by years of work.

In this edition…

• The Yankees again look up to Europe in search of talent

• The Top 5 players eligible to reach agreements before 12/5

• And how much money every team has left for their international bonus pool $

As a bonus, In my usual mini-profile I will be presenting a prospect who happens to be the son of a former MLB star. I’ll give you some clues, to see if you can find out who his dad is:

• His mom pitched in the Olympics before he ever played a big-league game.

• He hit 165 home runs over his MLB career, and was known almost as much for flashy lifestyle, including luxury cars and horses, as for his power at the plate.

• In 2015, he got traded mid-season to a New York team and went on a home run tear that helped carry them deep into the postseason

The answer is at the end. Let me know in the comments if you struck out or nailed it.

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September has arrived, and with it come new stories and plenty of call ups and promotions to MLB.

Today, we will look at three players from different backgrounds and positions who traveled their own paths to the major leagues, and how different scouts found a way to see the talent before it was ready to emerge. We go deep behind the scenes of two spectacular MLB debuts, and all the work it takes to make it to the Show.

Thank you all for reading.

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As summer draws to a close, international showcase tournaments for future signing classes continue despite the uncertainty surrounding what could happen at the end of 2026. In Medellín, Colombia, more than 10 international directors attended the Copa Polidor, where several players from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes have already reached agreements, along with other events taking place in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Despite the looming possibility of a postponement of signings and potential changes to the international system, most organizations have continued scouting and reaching agreements as if there were no tomorrow.

Welcome to another edition of International Notes.

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In August 2019, Guevara left Cuba for Guyana before eventually reaching Costa Rica, where he settled in hopes of securing an MLB contract. At the time, he was represented by Gustavo Dominguez.

That chapter, however, did not work out. One of the key moments came when Dominguez declined an offer of more than $300,000 from the Chicago White Sox. Two years later, Guevara and his parents moved their journey to the Dominican Republic in search of another opportunity.

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August always marks the point of the season when the playoffs contenders begin to separate themselves from the teams that are no longer in the race. The Rays, White Sox, Braves, Brewers and Dodgers have maintained their position at the top of their respective divisions, but despite months of stability, one bad week of baseball can completely change the reality of an entire season.

Behind the paywall, I examine the possibility of an international signing period taking place in 2026–27 amid a very likely lockout, based on several conversations with industry leaders. Also: the story of a pitcher looking to return to his former level and a rookie prospect who made an immediate impact but will now have to make the necessary adjustments to remain successful at the Major League level.

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As of July 31, a total of 888 players have already been reported as signed, with all 30 organizations spending just over $196 million to recruit these talents.

Let’s see what use every team made out of that cash.

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After a few days dominated by the intensity of the MLB trade deadline, this marked my fifth year covering baseball's busiest stretch as a reporter, navigating the nonstop flow of breaking news and the relentless pace of social media. In this week's The Insider FR, we'll examine some of the key trends that shaped this year's deadline, take a closer look at the significant velocity jump of a Padres pitcher, and explore the development that helped one of the Guardians' young talents reach the major leagues.

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Sánchez, 20, is one of the highest-upside players currently eligible to sign. More than 15 MLB organizations have shown interest in the Santiago de Cuba native, according to industry sources.

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In this week's The Insider FR, I'll break down two intriguing stories from the most recent MLB Draft, along with an in-depth look at how organizations structure deals to extend players and secure financial flexibility. We'll also examine the strategies clubs use to maximize value, manage risk, and position themselves for long-term success.

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The summer heat continues to blanket baseball fields around the world, but even the soaring temperatures haven’t slowed the international signing market. We’re back with another edition packed with news, notes, and behind the scenes information, much of it hidden beneath the spotlight of the MLB season, the FIFA World Cup, or simply never making its way into the public eye.

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Hua, 17, reached an agreement after the Phillies acquired an additional $250,000 in international bonus pool money from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade.

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We’re back with Insider FR. If you’re a new subscriber, this is a weekly section exclusively for paid readers where I explore three different topics, mostly centered on Major League Baseball, a beat I’ve covered for more than a decade. I always aim to include original reporting, and this week is no exception, with a look at an organization that continues to translate success on the field while operating with limited resources.

Also in this edition: the expected return timeline of a player who entered 2026 hoping to rebuild his value, but whose season has instead trended in the opposite direction.

Finally, I take a closer look at the progress of a top baseball prospect and his chances of continuing to make adjustments that will allow him to reach the highest level as prepared as possible.

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The signing ceremony took place in Taiwan and was attended by Yankees international scouting director Mario Garza and Matt Slater, who oversees the club’s scouting operations throughout Asia.

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