The Chicago White Sox officially kicked off the 2026 international signing period last week by announcing a deep class of 18 prospects, spending a significant portion of the $6,679,200 international bonus pool that was allocated to the club this year.
Spread across position players and pitching prospects, Chicago’s international class tilts slightly toward the mound while investing well on both sides of the ball. Leading the way are a pair of dynamic prospects who each project to play key roles in the organization moving forward.
Top of the class: Catcher Fernando Graterol
The crown jewel of Chicago’s class is Venezuelan backstop Fernando Graterol. The 17-year-old bats from the right side and is regarded as one of the top catching prospects in the cohort.
Among his projected plus-tools, Graterol features:
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6´2´´ frame with room to continue filling out
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Plus bat speed and power with the ability to tap it over the fence as he gets older
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6.8-second 60-yard dash time showcasing elite speed and athleticism that’s rare to see from a catcher
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Ranked as Baseball America’s No. 27 international prospect and slots in as the top catching prospect in MLB Pipeline’s 2026 class.
Given MLB’s premium on quality catchers along with his offensive tools, Graterol is definitely the cornerstone piece of this White Sox class.
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Standout outfielder: Sebastián Romero
Also anchoring the group is Sebastián Romero, a left-handed hitting outfielder from Los Teques, Venezuela.
Romero features:
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Projectable 6´2´´ frame that should continue to fill out naturally with age and strength
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A smooth left-handed swing that includes quality contact skills and developing power
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Defensive versatility with a chance to stick in center field, though a move to a corner outfield spot could enhance his run-production profile as he progresses
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A spot in Baseball America’s Top 50 international prospects at No. 31
Romero has an intriguing combination of tools that should allow him to find success offensively while remaining versatile defensively. If those traits translate, Chicago just added another piece that could help bolster the system’s outfield corps, an area that certainly lacks organizational strength.
Class overview: Depth and balance
Beyond the headliners, this White Sox class features a mix of tools and positional balance:
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Nine right-handed pitchers who add to their prospect capital on the mound
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Three catchers, including Graterol and two others, as the organization continues to make the backstop position a priority
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Three shortstops and three outfielders, diversifying the position talent
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Players hail from the Dominican Republic (9), Venezuela (7), Colombia (1), and Mexico (1), underscoring the club’s broad scouting reach
This is the second international class under David Keller, special assistant to the executive vice president and general manager of international scouting. Keller appears to be laying the groundwork for a long-term influx of young talent.
Looking ahead
It’s always difficult to project how teenage signees will translate to big-league talent, but Chicago’s early returns are promising. They now have two top-50 international prospects and have shown a concentrated effort in several premium areas on the path to development. Here’s hoping that many from this specific group can factor significantly on the mound, behind the plate, and on the basepaths moving forward.
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