Reds secure prized Dominican outfielder Angel Nuñez.
The Cincinnati Reds wasted no time when the 2026 international signing period opened on Thursday, locking up one of the top talents available in Dominican outfielder Angel Nuñez for a $3 million signing bonus.
According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Nuñez was the centerpiece of Cincinnati's international class and the biggest investment the organization has made so far this signing period. The Reds received $7,357,100 in pool money this year, and the Nuñez signing represents a major commitment to building their farm system through international talent.
Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America ranked Nuñez as the sixth-best prospect in the entire 2026 international signing class, and there are good reasons for that high ranking.
What Nuñez Brings to the Table
The 16-year-old left-handed hitter showed off his skills on the world stage when he played for the Dominican Republic at the U-15 World Cup in Colombia back in 2024, where he hit .350/.500/.550 with six walks against just three strikeouts and led the entire tournament with nine stolen bases.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Nuñez does not have the same size and strength as some of the other top prospects in this class, but his in-game skills on both sides of the ball really stand out for his age.
He has an aggressive approach at the plate with good bat-to-ball skills, and he shows enough power to drive the ball out to his pull side when he connects.
As he fills out his skinny frame over the coming years, he should grow into more power, though scouts project him to have a hit-over-power game that relies on putting the ball in play and using his speed to create havoc on the bases.
A Lock in Center Field
Defensively, there is no doubt that Nuñez will stick in center field as he begins his professional career.
He has a plus run tool, having been clocked at 6.5 seconds on a 60-yard dash, and that speed helps him cover ground in the outfield while making him a threat on the bases as well.
Scouts have compared his defensive ability to former nine-year MLB veteran Ender Inciarte, praising his quick first step and nose for the ball.
The combination of speed, defense and contact ability gives Cincinnati a high-floor prospect who could develop into something special if everything comes together.
The Long Road Ahead
While Nuñez brings plenty of excitement to the Reds organization, fans should temper their expectations for when they might see him at Great American Ball Park.
International signings typically face a long development path that can take five to seven years before reaching the majors, and Nuñez will begin his pro career as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League or the Arizona Complex League.
The Reds finished the 2025 season with an 83-79 record, good enough for third place in the NL Central and a Wild Card berth before falling to the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
With young stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo already making an impact at the big league level, the organization is hoping Nuñez can follow a similar path to their previous international success stories.
De La Cruz himself was an unheralded signing back in 2018, landing just a $65,000 bonus before developing into one of the game's most exciting players.
The Reds are betting that their scouting department has found another gem in Nuñez, even if this one came with a much higher price tag.