The Seattle Mariners have been one of the best teams in baseball when it comes to navigating the international signing period over the last handful of seasons.

The Mariners' franchise superstar and three-time All-Star Julio Rodriguez was an international signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2017.

Two of the team's seven top 100 prospects (per MLB Pipeline): Outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 29 MLB Pipeline top 100) and Michael Arroyo (No. 63) were also international signees.

Some of Seattle's other top prospects, such as shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 8 team prospect per MLB Pipeline) and outfielder Yorger Bautista (No. 10 team prospect), were also international signings.

The 2026 international signing period opened Jan. 15 and the Mariners wasted no time adding more notable prospects to their ranks.

Seattle announced it signed five international players, all out of the Dominican Republic, on the opening day of the signing period.

Those players are: outfielders Juan Rijo, Gregory Pio, Jarvis Gomez, Ambeiro Recio and infielder Leonardo Reynoso.

Rijo is the 12th-ranked international prospect according to MLB Pipeline's 2026 rankings, while Pio is ranked 32nd and Reynoso is ranked 48th.

"It’s always a fun and proud time for our Mariners scouting staff, to get to this International Signing Day and witness the fruit of everyone’s collective efforts," Mariners senior director of international scouting Frankie Thon Jr. said in a news release. "More importantly, these players – along with their families – get to achieve a life-long dream, while also taking their first step into professional baseball. It’s a special day for all involved."

Rijo will likely be considered the crown jewel of the international class for Seattle. He signed for $2.2 million, which comprised about 30% of the M's $7.357 million signing pool money.

MLB Pipeline had the following scouting report on Rijo:

JoJo Parker was a late-blooming Mississippi high schooler who soared up Draft boards in 2025 as he showcased an advanced approach at the dish and a sweet swing that was geared for loft, especially as he matures. Rijo gives off similar offensive vibes to the eighth overall pick, a hitter who has refined his mechanics and begun to tap into more all-around impact as he gains more high-profile experience.
In his younger days, Rijo gave off a Jon Jay-esque profile as a high-contact, hit-over-power left-handed-hitting corner outfield bat. But in the pivotal development years since, he has enjoyed a growth spurt and packed on some good weight, which has allowed both his raw power and in-game ability to tap into it take a leap. Rijo has an advanced knowledge of what he wants to do in the box and allows the ball to travel, which helps him spray hits to all parts of the diamond.

Over Slot founder and prospect guru Joe Doyle compared Rijo to Arroyo back when the 2025 international signing period opened.

The Mariners have navigated the international market as well as almost any other team in baseball and there's a good chance this class will continue that trend.

However, it will be years before the Mariners see the fruits of their labor. Each player figures to be four years away, at minimum, from making it to the big leagues.

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