Another year, another pair of impact signings on international signing day for the Cubs. The club has signed shortstops Juan Cabada (MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 10 international prospect) and Wilfri De La Cruz (No. 13), making them the only organization to land two players from the Top 15 in the 2025 class.

Cabada earns a $1.5 million bonus, while De La Cruz¡¯s deal is worth $2.3 million. The club received $6.26 million in pool money this year.

Cabada sports a left-handed swing with significant bat speed that enables him to pepper a variety of offerings to all parts of the field. Evaluators are impressed by his dedication to the game and commitment to improvement in all facets, and he will spend the entirety of his first pro season as a 17-year-old.

An above-average runner who has powerful legs on his developing frame, Cabada is a threat on the basepaths as well as a smooth-moving defender up the middle. There is legitimate five-tool talent present for Cabada, who could be a quick mover if his bat makes an immediate impact, even if he¡¯ll have to come off shortstop to do so.

Evaluators are excited about the 6-foot-2 De La Cruz, a switch-hitting phenom from San Francisco de Macor¨ªs, Dominican Republic. He already has an easy swing from both sides of the dish at 17 years old, and although he currently focuses on line-drive contact, there¡¯s reason to believe there will be significant power gains as he gets into pro ball and refines his approach.

De La Cruz has quick, soft hands and the better-than-average arm strength to go along with it, making for an exciting package defensively. His size -- and the substantial competition for reps -- is likely to push him off shortstop, although his 60-grade throwing arm would be a seamless fit at the hot corner.

The Cubs¡¯ recent track record of landing talented shortstops from the Dominican Republic is considerable. Over the past four seasons, they¡¯ve acquired the quartet of Jefferson Rojas (CHC No. 7 prospect/MLB No. 100), Fernando Cruz (CHC No. 8), Derniche Valdez (CHC No. 13) and Cristian Hernandez (CHC No. 14), building upon a lineage that also included Starlin Castro (a cousin of Cruz¡¯s) earlier this century.

With all of those well-compensated shortstops, it makes offensive progress paramount, particularly at the lower levels. But even Hernandez, the oldest of the group, is just 21 years old. With Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner up the middle at the big league level, and Matt Shaw (CHC No. 1/MLB No. 22) and James Triantos (CHC No. 5/MLB No. 55) at the upper levels of the Minors, the organization has some considerable leeway as it comes to the development of Cabada and De La Cruz, in particular.

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.

Additional notable Cubs signees and their bonuses:

Juan Tomas, SS, Venezuela -- $1,100,000