Tigers leverage big bonus pool, securing top Venezuelan catcher Manuel Bolívar and a deep international class.
The Detroit Tigers made a splash early in Major League Baseball’s 2026 international signing period, leveraging one of the game’s larger bonus pools to add a deep class of amateur talent to their farm system. With a $7,357,100 international bonus pool, Detroit was aggressive in targeting high-ceiling prospects from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, signing a total of 11 players as the window opened Jan. 15.
The headliners of Detroit’s class included Venezuelan catcher Manuel Bolívar, Venezuelan shortstop Oscar Tineo and Dominican outfielder Randy Santana — all of whom received seven-figure commitments and figure to anchor the Tigers’ international pipeline for years to come.
Bolívar, the top commitment in the group, reportedly signed for approximately $2.3 million, making him one of the highest-paid catchers in this year’s international cohort. Standing 6-foot-3 with a strong arm and advanced raw power for his age, scouts view him as a potential cornerstone behind the plate, with offensive upside to match his defensive tools.
Tineo, a switch-hitting shortstop from Venezuela, signed for more than $1 million. Evaluators point to his athleticism, feel for the position and balanced offensive profile as strengths, projecting him as a multi-tool middle infielder who could develop into a high-impact prospect if he fills out and transitions smoothly to pro pitching.
Santana, a 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, also received a seven-figure bonus and brings an intriguing blend of athleticism, arm strength and speed. Originally projected as a center fielder, he profiles as a future corner outfielder if his offensive approach matures. Scouts believe his explosiveness and physical tools give him a chance to be an impact player well above average for his age.
Detroit’s broader class also includes catchers Roman Silgado and Yojan Coronel; infielder Eduardo Tusen; outfielders Douglas Olivo, Diego Orro and Santiago Ventura; and right-handed pitchers Jesus Miranda, Alexander Padilla and Yeuri Ramirez. The Tigers invested heavily in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, continuing a longstanding strategy of building international depth.
While none of these signees are expected to reach the major leagues in the near term, the depth and geographic diversity of the class reflect Detroit’s commitment to sustained pipeline development. Some of the club’s recent international players — most notably Cris Rodriguez, who signed in 2025 and is already generating buzz in the lower minors for his power and athleticism, illustrate how high bonuses can translate into future talent.
In addition to Rodriguez’s progress, a few other Tiger prospects could eventually blossom into major-league players: Franyerber Montilla, a versatile infielder known for his defensive skills and plus speed, ranks among Detroit’s notable minor-league talents and has shown solid progress in the system. Kelvis Salcedo, a right-handed pitcher with promising secondary offerings and control, also figures into Detroit’s midrange prospect mix. Cris Rodriguez himself, with his rare combination of size, power and athleticism, remains one of the more intriguing recent international signees and someone Tigers fans will watch closely as he climbs the ladder.
Josue Briceño's recent ranking in Baseball America's Top 100 is progress, in some ways, since the Tigers have not fared well recently with prospects knocking at the big league level. He could finally be one of the first ones that is not a shortstop (Omar Infante comes to mind) or a pitcher (Gregory Soto)
The Tigers’ 2026 international class may not immediately impact the big-league roster, but hopefully, some of these names can provide an impact soon.
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