Any time a young prospect¡¯s ceiling is held in the same regard as Francisco Lindor and Jos¨¦ Reyes, talent evaluators are going to sit up and listen.

Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez, the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 international class per MLB Pipeline, has agreed to terms to join the Giants as the organization¡¯s highest-ranked signee in 13 years. Joining the Dominican shortstop is Aruban outfielder Djean Macares, the No. 25 prospect in this year¡¯s group.

Gonzalez¡¯s deal is worth $2,997,500, while Macares will reportedly land $1 million. The club received $5.15 million in pool money this year.

A switch hitter, Gonzalez is a much more polished product from the left side of the plate (his natural side) and displays plus bat speed with an advanced feel for the barrel. He was regarded as the standout performer of the 18U World Cup in Panama last August where, during a seven-game stint, he went 8-for-22 with four extra-base hits, more walks than strikeouts and five stolen bases.

Overall, it¡¯s an exhilarating offensive profile for Gonzalez, who slots in as the highest-ranked position player in his class. He¡¯ll be 17 years old for the entirety of his first pro campaign, giving him considerable latitude as he makes his way up the organizational ladder.

Top-of-the-scale prospects often get a look at their most natural position as they acclimate to pro ball and that should be the case for Gonzalez. Evaluators are quick to cite his instincts for playing shortstop where he has a potential plus arm, coupling that with quick hands and twitchy actions.

¡°Josuar¡¯s plus tools, especially at the plate as a switch-hitting shortstop, made him a top target that we were thrilled to sign,¡± Giants senior director of international scouting Joe Salermo said in a statement. ¡°Overall, we are excited about the group of players we were able to sign for this year¡¯s class, and the depth they add to our organization.¡±

Only six players born on the island nation of Aruba have ever stepped into a big league batter¡¯s box, with Macares looking to add to that total. The 16-year-old speaks multiple languages, has in-game experience against top talent and is known for a dedicated training regimen.

Macares, a left-handed hitter, shows an advanced ability to discern a variety of offerings and a selectivity that enables him to work counts. While he is contact-over-power at this stage, he has some feel for the barrel, which when coupled with his compact stroke, makes evaluators believe there is some sizable offensive potential to tap into.

The Giants have aggressively pursued top international talent in recent years: Marco Luciano was the No. 4 prospect in 2018 before becoming one of the game¡¯s most highly regarded young talents for years. Rayner Arias was the No. 15 prospect in 2023 but received a signing bonus of $2,697,500, the second-largest the organization has handed out to an international talent (behind only Lucius Fox¡¯s $6 million in 2015). Arias (SF No. 5) has gone on to ascend San Francisco¡¯s Top 30 Prospects list after a dominant run through the Dominican Summer League in his first year.

Competition both at shortstop (Gonzalez) and center field (Macares) figures to be immense as the club¡¯s two top signings get their pro careers underway this summer. Fourteen of the club¡¯s Top 30 prospects are either at the six or on the grass, with many still at the lower levels.

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.