The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a pair of Dominican teenagers who are ranked in the top 32 international prospects by Baseball America and top 50 by MLB Pipeline when the MLB’s international signing period opened Monday.
Brailyn Brazodan, an outfielder who turned 18 on Jan. 9, is the highest regarded prospect of the 10 players signed by the Pirates. Baseball America ranks the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder as its No. 12 international prospect, touting his lean, athletic frame, the ability to hit with power and the speed and arm strength to play center field. Brazodan is ranked the No. 38 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Abdiel Feliz, who turns 17 on Feb. 23, is a 6-foot, 160-pound shortstop known for his quick-twitch athleticism and the “ability to make flashy, highlight-reel plays,” per Baseball America, which ranks him No. 32. MLB Pipeline ranks Feliz 50th, noting that he is agile and has good footwork. Feliz trains with former major league pitcher Bartolo Colon through the MLB Trainer Partnership Program.
The Pirates, who are expected to announce their international signings on Friday, also added a pair of prospects ranked in the top 100 by Baseball America in Dominican shortstop Kendrick Herrera (No. 79) and Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Irwin Ramirez (No. 91), a 6-foot-4, 190-pounder who has touched the 90s with his fastball and also throws a curveball and slider.
In addition, Baseball America reported that the Pirates have agreements with Dominicans in outfielder Edward Florentino, left-hander Reinold Navorro, right-handers Frankeli Mesta, Randol Martinez and Jesus Tapia, Venezuelan catcher Jesus Lizardo and Australian right-hander Rubens Romero.
The Pirates have an international bonus pool of $7,114,800 to sign prospects. Last year, they signed Korean right-hander Jun-Seok Shim to a $750,000 bonus. In 2022, they signed shortstop Yordany De Los Santos to a $1.2 million bonus and outfielder/first baseman Tony Blanco Jr. for $900,000. In 2021, the Pirates spent $2.35 million to sign outfielder Shalin Polanco. In 2020, they signed right-hander Po-Yu Chen for $1.25 million. All five are ranked among their top 25 prospects by MLB Pipeline.
