Scouting the Brewers’ 2026 international signees

The Milwaukee Brewers recently announced their 2026 international free agent class, consisting of 22 prospects from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Notable international free agents signed by the Brewers over the years have included Jackson Chourio, Jesus Made, Luis Peña, and — this name brings back memories —Alcides Escobar.

Almost all these guys are extremely young, so it will most likely be years before any of them make an impact with the big league club. Still, for those of you who follow the Brewers farm system, here’s a full list of this year’s prospects — including everything I could find about them.

No. 24 Diego Frontado (SS, Venezuela)

Frontado is the second-highest-ranked prospect in the Brewers’ international free agent class but commanded the largest bonus ($1.6M). Per MLB Pipeline, the 17-year-old infielder is “an impactful hitter with a smooth glove that can quickly move through a club’s system.” While he’s still growing into his frame, Frontado has a nearly-perfect swing, makes loud contact, and can hit the ball to all fields. He’s also really, really fast for his age, already clocking 60-yard-dash times as low as 6.6.

No. 49 José Rodríguez (SS, Venezuela)

Rodriguez, another 17-year-old shortstop prospect, features quick hands and a compact, efficient swing at the plate. However, his best trait — by far — is his glove. Rodriguez has an above-average arm and the range (and hands) to make difficult plays look easy. Many scouts consider him one of the top defenders in this year’s class. If he develops power with age, he very well might look like a steal in a couple of years.

No. 20 Ricki Moneys (SS, Dominican Republic)

I didn’t think the Brewers could top “Jesus Made,” but Ricki Moneys just might be an even cooler name. I’m a believer in the idea that prospects with cool names always succeed, so if you ask me, this kid is going to be a superstar. Scouts agree, too. Per Pipeline:

“There’s a direct up arrow next to Moneys’ all-around stock. He plays the game with a high intensity and has a record of in-game production that backs up scouts’ belief he’ll hit for even more power as he continues to get more reps. A right-handed hitter with lots of bat speed, he puts together competitive at-bats consistently and can produce moonshots when he runs into them, something of a rarity for teenagers on the international scene.”

As Pipeline puts it, the “draw” in Moneys’ profile is his hit tool and outstanding production in the Dominican Republic. His defense isn’t too shabby, either — Moneys has great hands and an accurate (although not especially powerful) arm. He’s probably not getting to some of the balls that some (Rodriguez, for example) might be able to get to, so he might not stick at shortstop. Still, Moneys makes all the routine plays and doesn’t make many mistakes, traits that hint at long-term defensive viability at whatever position he ends up at.

Moises Salazar (C, Venezuela): $700,000

Standout tool: Arm (60-grade, per Francys Romero)

Angeni Fernandez (SS, Dominican Republic): $500,000

Standout tool: Plate discipline

Osiris Ramirez (SS, Dominican Republic): $450,000

Manny De Los Santos (OF, Dominican Republic)

Leander Matos (SS, Dominican Republic)

Miguel Andrade (RHP, Venezuela)

Jordy Brache (RHP, Dominican Republic)

Sebastian Franeites (C, Venezuela)

Santiago Garcia (SS, Venezuela)

Standout tool: Athleticism