Miguel Vargas is the first Cuban-born third baseman selected to an All-Star Game since Tony Pérez in 1970. (Minimum 50% of games played at third base). @baseball-reference.com

Ho Hua, a 17-year-old Taiwanese pitcher, officially signed with the Phillies this weekend. Full story, scouting report + video available on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/phillies-o...

Sources: Seattle Mariners top prospect Lázaro Montes has been promoted to Tacoma, Triple-A.

The New Yankees have officially signed Taiwanese RHP Chien-Fan Lai for $872,500, the largest bonus awarded by the club in the 2025–26 international signing period. Full article in Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/yankees-of...

The Toronto Blue Jays plan to activate right-hander pitcher Lazaro Estrada in the coming hours, per sources. Estrada, 27, threw 12.1 innings on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, recording 13 strikeouts.

More than 700 players have signed so far during the 2025–26 international signing period. The latest big names to sign, the remaining team bonus pools, and much more in the June International Notes. Only at Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/internatio...

Why Yandy Díaz doesn’t use the ABS Challenge? Plus, two rising talents and agency moves, and more in The Insider FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-inside...

Sources: The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up right-hander pitcher Antwone Kelly. Kelly, 22, was born in Aruba 🇦🇼 and represented the Netherlands in the 2026 WBC. In 54 innings with Indianapolis (Triple-A), he has struck out 47 batters, and his fastball reached 101 mph.

Sources: The Houston Astros are calling up Cuban infielder Raynel Delgado. Delgado, 25, was recently acquired by Houston from the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate and is expected to be activated tomorrow in Kansas City. He is represented by The MAS+ Agency.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are finalizing a deal with right-hander pitcher Lin Chun-Hsi for around $350,000 plus a scholarship, per sources. The 17-year-old currently throws 89-92 mph and has plenty of room for further development.

Yoán Moncada will need surgery on his right knee, according to sources.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and a top two-way prospect from South Korea are finalizing an agreement, per sources. Full report on Beisbol FR🔒 www.beisbolfr.com/p/source-dba...

A former MLB manager redirects his career toward college baseball. An underrated pitcher makes history in MLB. And an influential figure from the 1990s returns to the industry in a new role. All that and more in The Insider FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-inside...

Sources: SS prospect San Francisco Giants Jhonny Level has been promoted to Eugene, High-A. Level, 19, from Venezuela, hit .325 with 10 HR and 47 RBI over two months with San Jose in Single-A. He is ranked as the Giants’ No. 4 prospect according to @mlbpipeline.com.

Junior Vizcaino was let go by the Pirates in 2024 due to low production. This season alone, four players signed during the Vizcaino era have already been promoted to MLB. I recently spoke with the current Angels scout. Free story on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/lets-talk-...

The Phillies received $250,000 in international bonus pool money from the Rockies in exchange for minor league right-hander Andrew Baker, per sources. The Phillies now have about $1.3M and are finalizing a deal with 17-year-old Korean RHP Chan-min Park.

This week on The Insider FR, we feature Alimber Santa on his journey, Angel Obando signing with the Blue Jays, a Dominican prospect set to debut at 22 years old, and a newly arrived Cuban talent in the Dominican Republic. Stories only on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-inside...

Cuban SS Jonathan Valle (18) has officially signed with the San Francisco Giants. He trained at Ray Castillo’s academy in the Dominican Republic. Strong defensive tools and stood out as the best defensive shortstop at the 2022 U15 World Cup with Cuba.

Astros star Yordan Álvarez once again won a lawsuit against Manuel Azcona in the Dominican Republic, who was seeking 40% of his contract, according to court documents I obtained. Free story on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/yordan-alv...

Sources: 19-year-old prospect Raydel Sanchez left Cuba in recent hours. Sanchez was a member of Cuba’s U23 national team in 2025 and has 60–70 power on the 80 scouting scale according to some scouts. Full story on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/sources-hi...

Thank you very much for the support. ✍️

When Raisel Iglesias signed with the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 season, many fans and people around the industry viewed the contract as an overpay. The full analysis in my new section, The Insider FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-inside...

NEW: A multi topic section on Beisbol FR. 1st issue features: Raisel Iglesias’ leap in performance at age 36 | Who is Jose Requena? | The White Sox prospect who will miss the 2026 season. www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-inside...

The D-backs traded OF Alek Thomas to the Dodgers for Venezuelan OF Jose Requena, per sources.

Sources: The Toronto Blue Jays are calling right-hander Yariel Rodríguez back up to MLB. It’s still unclear when he will be officially activated, but he is expected to join the team tomorrow. Rodriguez posted a 2.63 ERA in Triple-A Buffalo, with 25 SO over 13.2 innings.

The Baltimore Orioles have called up Cuban SS/OF José Barrero, per sources. Barrero, 26, is not expected to be activated immediately and will initially join the taxi squad while awaiting a roster move.

Sources: The Cleveland Guardians are promoting Cuban right-hander pitcher Franco Aleman to MLB. Aleman, 26, has not allowed a run this season in Triple-A Columbus, with 12 innings pitched and 18 strikeouts. His fastball velocity ranges between 95–99 mph.

The Yankees are promoting outfield prospect Spencer Jones to MLB, per sources. Jones is the organization's No. 6 prospect according to @mlbpipeline.com.

Cuban left-hander reliever Cionel Pérez has signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets, per sources.

MVP Sports Group and Beverly Hills Sports Council have merged to form Evolv Sports Management. Players such as Manny Machado, Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Yordan Alvarez, and Adrián Morejón are represented by MVP, while Salvador Pérez, Jackson Chourio, and Anthony Santander are part of BHSC.

Ibáñez was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.

Source: The New York Mets have acquired Andy Ibáñez from the Athletics.

The San Francisco Giants have called up right-hander pitcher Gregory Santos, per source. Santos, 26, will join the team today in Philadelphia. He posted a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings in Triple-A Sacramento.

Another edition of International Notes, featuring April updates on remaining bonus pools across organizations, Félix Reyes emerging as the only Phillie from the 2019-2020 class. Only on Béisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/internatio...

Yasiel Puig signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League yesterday, per source. Puig, 35, is expected to be on the roster for CBL Opening Day on May 10. However, he has a pending court date on May 26 that could affect his participation in the league.

Source: The Phillies and Korean RHP Chan-min Park are finalizing a deal that will make the highest-bonus pitcher of the current international signing period. More Korean players entering through the international route. Full story on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/source-phi...

I've been following Edgar Quero's career for a while now. A Cuban kid from Cienfuegos, signed for $200,000 in the middle of COVID, skipped two levels in the minors, debuted at 22. Talked to the scouts who signed him. Wrote it all up. New piece is live: www.beisbolfr.com/p/an-island-...

Cuban RHP Cristian Rego has officially signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Bonus deal: $300,000. Rego, 17, was a member of Cuba’s U-18 team in 2024. Potential to develop as a starting pitcher, featuring a fastball (94–96 mph), changeup, slider, sinker, and curveball.

Historic night for Adell. Jo Adell became the first player with three home runs robbed in a single game since @sportsinfosolutions.com began tracking the stat in 2004. Previous record: Nook Logan (2, April 18, 2005) and Jesús Sánchez (2, August 17, 2025).

Dominican right-hander pitcher Jhoriel De La Rosa, 18, has officially signed with the Chicago White Sox for a $10,000 bonus. He trained at Juan Uribe’s academy. De La Rosa’s fastball reaches 91 mph, and he shows plenty of projection in his 6-foot-2 frame.

Cuban right‑hander pitcher Naikys Piedra officially signed with the Chicago Cubs. At 23 years old, he reaches 96–98 mph and projects as a bullpen arm. Piedra will report straight to the Cubs’ complex in Arizona.

In another column covering the international scene, we have several agreements and news, 10 players declared free agents, and a rise in European baseball. Much more on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/internatio...

The Miami Marlins acquired INF Leo Jimenez from the Blue Jays in exchange for infielder Dub Gleed and $250K in international bonus pool money, per sources.

Can confirm that White Sox have told Rule 5 pick RHP Jedixson Páez that he’s made the opening day roster. @francysromero.bsky.social had it first.

Kevin Alvarez, the Astros’ No. 1 prospect according to @mlbpipeline.com, will begin the 2026 season with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Single-A, per source. Alvarez looked very good this offseason, and the Astros chose to skip him past the Florida Complex League (rookie level).

Cionel Pérez has been informed that he has made the Washington Nationals Opening Day roster, per source. Cionel came from outside the roster to earn a spot with 6 scoreless innings, 5 strikeouts, and velocity of 95–98 mph during Spring Training. Represented by Octagon.

The Cuban star pitchers Raidel Martínez (29) and Liván Moinelo (30) are expected to return to Japan tomorrow to rejoin their respective professional teams, per sources.

A nation full of talent brought everything together in a single night to reach the glory. A 5 foot 7 kid stole second base, and despite several absences, they proved that baseball does not believe in favorites. Full story on Beisbol FR www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-night-...

I wrote this piece on the cultural clash at the World Baseball Classic 2026. “When you cross that line, you focus on the game. But that doesn’t mean we’re enemies,” Albert Pujols told me. Free on Beisbol FR. www.beisbolfr.com/p/more-than-...

What I’ve seen from Cuba in this World Baseball Classic has been different in many ways. Not in terms of talent, but in the intangibles that are not often considered. Full story on Beisbol FR: www.beisbolfr.com/p/why-cuba-c...