A year ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a bold move during the international free agency period by going all-in on Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. This gamble paid off spectacularly, as Sasaki quickly became a key player out of the bullpen. His contributions helped propel the Dodgers to their second consecutive World Series championship. However, the downside was that Los Angeles missed several other international prospects in 2025, putting them at a crossroads heading into the next season.
This year, the Dodgers have returned to form, demonstrating their prowess in building a top-ranked farm system. With a pool of $6,679,200, the team strategically spread its resources across 22 international prospects. The headline names include Dominican outfielder Rubel Arias and shortstop Ezequiel Melbourne, both of whom have generated considerable buzz in scouting circles.
Arias, standing tall at 6-foot-4, is a switch-hitter renowned for his impressive leg kick and a smooth swing that generates high bat speed. He is ranked as the No. 46 prospect according to Baseball America. Training at the Jaime Ramos Baseball Academy, which also produced top Dodgers prospect Emil Morales, Arias is lauded for his exceptional feel for hitting. Although scouts project him to develop a hit-over-power profile, there is optimism for his power potential as he fills out his lean frame. Baseball America projects him to eventually settle in a corner outfield spot, equipped with an average arm.
Melbourne, another tall and slender switch-hitting prospect, has also caught the attention of scouts. He moves gracefully at shortstop and possesses a plus arm, which sets him apart in the international pool. Unlike Arias, Melbourne shows a stronger tendency to make contact from the left side and displays more power when batting right-handed. Overall, he’s recognized as a “selective hitter who rarely chases” by MLB Pipeline. Currently ranked 67th by Baseball America and as their No. 29 international prospect for 2026, Melbourne is one of the younger talents in the class, set to turn 17 this June.
To round out their impressive list, the Dodgers also signed a pair of Dominican shortstops: Ariel Reynoso (ranked No. 86) and Jose Victorino (ranked No. 93). Additionally, they added Tom Apfelbaum, a promising 17-year-old left-handed pitcher from Germany. Standing at 6-foot-4, Apfelbaum’s fastball currently emerges in the low 90s, but he has reached 94 mph while pitching for his country in the U-18 World Cup last year. His emergence marks him as one of the standout prospects hailing from Europe.
Dodgers’ 2026 International Signing Class
The Dodgers’ 2026 international signing class showcases a diverse array of talent, bringing in 11 players from Venezuela, four from the Dominican Republic, alongside prospects from Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Curacao, Germany, and Russia. Here’s the complete list of their new signings:
- Oliver Chapman, catcher, Venezuela
- Aaron Guzman, catcher, Venezuela
- Haram Hernandez, catcher, Venezuela
- Ricardo Pulles, catcher, Russia
- Roberto Saucedo, catcher, Mexico
- Ezequiel Melbourne, shortstop, Dominican Republic
- Jose Victorino, shortstop, Dominican Republic
- Willy Bergola, infielder, Venezuela
- Adrian Del Cid, infielder, Panama
- Ariel Reynoso, infielder, Dominican Republic
- Rubel Arias, outfielder, Dominican Republic
- Fran-Jean Haseth, outfielder, Curacao
- Helvin Mendoza, outfielder, Venezuela
- Jose Requena, outfielder, Venezuela
- Jeibert Rondon, outfielder, Venezuela
- Anderson Carias, right-handed pitcher, Venezuela
- Diego Paez, right-handed pitcher, Venezuela
- Luis Ricart, left-handed pitcher, Cuba
- Kenry Alvear, left-handed pitcher, Colombia
- Tom Apfelbaum, left-handed pitcher, Germany
- Miguel Herrera, left-handed pitcher, Venezuela
- Victor Tovar, left-handed pitcher, Venezuela
Other International Signings in Southern California
Meanwhile, a mere thirty miles down the 5 Freeway, the Los Angeles Angels made headlines by securing MLB Pipeline’s No. 9-ranked prospect, Dominican shortstop Yeison Horton, for a whopping $2 million.
According to Baseball America, Horton has been recognized for his impressive left-handed hitting, speed, defensive skills, and strong arm since an early age. Although he stands at just 5-foot-10, his athleticism and offensive upside continue to make him a coveted prospect.