The Blue Jays¡¯ path back to the postseason begins with amassing young talent. They may not have landed their white whale ¨C No. 1 international prospect Roki Sasaki ¨C but they believe they¡¯ve still added impact potential with shortstop Cristopher Polanco, the No. 22 prospect in the 2025 international class, per MLB Pipeline.

Polanco¡¯s deal is worth $2,297,500. The Blue Jays initially had $6.26 million in pool money before landing an additional $2 million in the Myles Straw trade. Their combined pool gives them more money to spend on international free agents in the 2025 cycle than any other big league organization.

The left-handed-hitting shortstop has drawn considerable attention from a young age due to his advanced hit tool. Having just turned 17 earlier this month, the native of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic, is one of just seven players in his class to receive at least a 60 grade on his all-around ability in the box.

Polanco has showcased tremendous bat speed with a propensity for hitting the ball hard, traits that will serve him well as he acclimates to facing the increased skill set of pro pitchers.

In a bygone age, Polanco¡¯s smaller stature (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) would have been a mark in his favor as a means of sticking at shortstop, but the combination of significant competition for reps and his advanced offensive profile means he¡¯s likely destined for a shift around the infield as he matures.

Only two players born in Monte Plata, D.R. (the capital city of the Monte Plata province), have made it to the Majors, the first of which was Robinzon Diaz, who was a Blue Jays international signee in 2000 before debuting with the club eight years later.

It¡¯s important to keep long-term perspective in check, even when adding an advanced offensive talent such as Polanco. Orelvis Martinez, the Blue Jays¡¯ No. 2 prospect, was an international signee in 2018 and made his MLB debut nearly six years later as a 22-year-old last summer. Two years ago, No. 13 prospect Enmanuel Bonilla landed a $4.1 million signing bonus, and he just arrived stateside this past summer, debuting in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

But no Blue Jays international prospect has garnered as much acclaim as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The face of the franchise for at least the next season, few prospects have been as heralded as the namesake son of the Hall of Famer. It often takes years for any organization to know what it truly has in talented youngsters, and no two trajectories are the same.

Polanco is likely destined to get his pro career underway in the Dominican Summer League, putting him a few stops behind No. 5 prospect and 2023 first-rounder Arjun Nimmala, who made significant strides both offensively and at shortstop in his first full pro season, in which he reached Single-A Dunedin. Offense will be what carries Polanco up the organizational ladder, as the Blue Jays are banking on landing another potential impact bat to headline their class.

As the signing period opened, Toronto signed players born in six countries ¨C the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, Cura?ao and Panama.

An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.

That means players born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.

Other notable Blue Jays signees and their bonuses:
Juan Sanchez, SS, Dominican Republic ¨C $997,500
Elaineiker Coronado, SS, Venezuela ¨C $797,500