Orioles' connection to a top 2027 international prospect is another sign of their strength in the market

After years of investing very little in international scouting and player development, the Baltimore Orioles have become a major player in the international market. The rise in both the number and quality of international prospects moving through the organization, along with the strength of their recent signing classes, is evidence of that transformation.

The 2026 international class signed by the Orioles featured just 10 players, but included LHP Andri Hidalgo, who signed for $625,000 and was considered by many to be the top arm in the entire international class, and four bats who all received signing bonuses north of $1 million. 

The transformation is exactly what Mike Elias envisioned when he arrived in Baltimore. In 2019, the then-new Orioles general manager emphasized how important it would be for the organization to succeed in the international market, saying, “You have to go all in. It’s a market that basically produces one-third of the major league talent now, so to ignore it is not an option. You’re just putting yourself at a huge disadvantage if you do that.”

Not only are the Orioles no longer ignoring the international pipeline, but they continue to thrive in developing it.

Orioles' connection to power-hitting Dominican teenage phenom is emblematic of a strong IFA strategy

As reported by Baseball America, the Baltimore Orioles are expected to sign outfielder Antonio Figueroa from the Dominican Republic for a signing bonus exceeding $1 million. 

Listed as a 6-foot-3, 215-pound outfielder, Figueroa recently turned 16 in August, making him one of the youngest prospects in the 2027 international signing class. Baseball America’s Ben Badler notes that Figueroa has arguably the most power potential among his peers, while scouts who have followed him are also excited about his strong hit tool and surprising athleticism that should allow him to begin his career in center field. 

Based on some of the limited video footage available, Figueroa has a very quiet setup in the batter’s box and explosive bat speed, giving him the look of an exciting young prospect.

The Figueroa connection is particularly notable because it fits a common strategy the Orioles have employed under Director of International Scouting Koby Perez: sign talented players young, challenge them aggressively, and accept some early struggles in exchange for getting them into the organization’s development system sooner. 

Look at outfielder Stiven Martinez, who was signed as a 16-year-old with enormous raw power. He was pushed to Single-A last year at 17 and had his struggles, but wrapped up the 2026 season just a couple of weeks after his 19th birthday, playing the best baseball of his career. He should begin 2027 as a 19-year-old in High-A with a chance to get to Double-A around his 20th birthday. That’s four years of professional instruction and development, and he will still be younger than most college prospects drafted next year. 

There is one important thing to keep in mind when it comes to the Orioles' reported connection to Figueroa.  While teams continue to agree to handshake deals with international prospects eligible to sign in 2027, no one is sure whether teams will be able to sign their 2027 international classes as they’ve spent the last couple of years forming, or if we see the implementation of an international draft next year. It may be some time until there’s more clarity there. 

Regardless of what happens with the international signing system, the Orioles have gone from being an afterthought in the market to one of its most aggressive organizations in a remarkably short period of time. Their reported connection to one of the top players in the 2027 class is simply the latest sign that Baltimore intends to remain a major player in the international market.

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