From twins to a two-way player, here are unique signings in the 2025 int'l class
Jesse Borek
@JesseABorekThe 2025 international signing period has been open less than a month, so there has already been a flurry of activity.
We¡¯ve talked plenty about the Top 50 international prospects (with links to each club¡¯s key signings below), but it¡¯s time we give shine to some other names worth keeping an eye on for myriad reasons.
Shotaro Morii, SS/RHP, Athletics
There are few things as captivating to a modern baseball fan as a legitimate two-way player, a category Morii will find himself in once he debuts in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League this summer. Slated to have potentially been a Top 10 selection in the NPB Draft in his native Japan, Morii brings 45 high school homers and a 95 mph fastball to the A¡¯s organization, which has embraced finding ways to accommodate his desire to both hit and pitch.
International signing coverage:
? Everything you need to know
? Top 50 Prospects list
? Each team's top international prospect
Joseph Deng, RHP, Dodgers
While Roki Sasaki was the most notable right-handed pitcher to ink to a deal in the first few weeks of the 2025 international signing period, Deng was undoubtedly the most historic. The first player born in South Sudan to sign a professional baseball contract, the 6-foot-7 hurler has been clocked as high as 95 mph on the mound.
Hansel Ramirez, INF, Rangers
The son of 2006 National League Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez, Hansel has a similarly uppercut right-handed swing that he utilizes to tap into his extra-base pop. The Rangers are bullish on Ramirez¡¯s bona fides in the batter¡¯s box as he¡¯s shown a patient eye at the dish well beyond his 17 years.
More from MLB Pipeline:
? Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Armstrong Muhoozi, INF, Pirates
Pittsburgh is no stranger to tapping into the burgeoning baseball market in Uganda, having signed David Matoma as a member of its 2023 class. Just five players born in the East African nation have signed a pro deal, and Muhoozi was just the second position player. But the Bucs have long shown an ability to find talent from all corners of the globe: right-hander Alessandro Ercolani is from San Marino, a nation with a population just north of 33,000. Their 2025 class already includes players born in six countries.
Raudy Reyes, RHP, Braves
Any human that can hit 102 mph on the radar gun is worth sitting up and taking notice of; that Reyes has done so at 16 years old makes him all the more captivating. Atlanta handed out a signing bonus just south of $1.8 million to have the Dominican righty join the organization. He won't turn 17 until late into his first professional season, giving him ample time to harness the high-octane nature of his arm.
Filippo Sabatini, RHP, Phillies
Philadelphia continues to tap into the Italian baseball landscape, having previously signed Samuel Aldegheri (the first Italian-born pitcher in Major League history) on the international market in July 2019. Sabatini has been a longtime stalwart of the Italian national team, participating at the U12 Baseball World Cup and the U15 and U18 European Championships, at the latter of which he helped his homeland win a gold medal. In parts of two seasons (in which he was nearly a decade younger than the average competitor) in the Italian Baseball League, the right-hander amassed 12.4 K/9 and a 3.29 ERA.
Luis Ram¨®n King, OF, Royals; Luis Stiven King, INF, Royals
Yes, they¡¯re twins! The duo was trained by former MLB outfielder Alex S¨¢nchez in the Dominican Republic. While both are right-handed hitters, Luis Ram¨®n has a bit more pop in his bat at this stage and a strong arm to boot in the outfield. Luis Stiven has quick feet and a frame that evaluators can dream on, needing to add polish as he begins his pro journey.
Robinson Smith, RHP, Pirates
Many players who inked a deal in the 2025 signing class have athletically exceptional parents. But it¡¯s tough to imagine that anyone would be able to best the mother of the Australian hurler in a swim meet. Nicole Livingstone captured a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics before earning a bronze and silver at the 1996 Games. Smith is the latest Aussie to join the pro baseball ranks during what has been a banner year for the nation after Travis Bazzana made history as the first overall pick in the 2024 Draft.
Alex Rodriguez, OF, Rangers
Not that Alex Rodriguez, of course. The switch-hitting 16-year-old outfielder was a member of Cuba¡¯s U12 national team at the 2019 Baseball World Cup before eventually moving to the Dominican Republic, where he has trained ahead of joining Texas' pro ranks.