Pirates sign pair of shortstops ranked in top 20 to headline international class

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a pair of shortstops from the Dominican Republic who are both ranked in Baseball America’s top 20 international prospects to seven-figure deals Wednesday.

Headlining the Pirates’ international class is Johan De Los Santos, who signed for $2.25 million, and Darrell Morel, who signed for $1,778,600. The Pirates’ international bonus pool is $6,908,600.

The 16-year-old brother of Pirates No. 13 prospect Yordanny De Los Santos, Johan is a 6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitter who is ranked the No. 9 international prospect by Baseball America and No. 23 by MLB Pipeline.

Baseball America wrote that De Los Santos “stood out early in the scouting process for his combination of quick-twitch athleticism and high level of baseball acumen for his age.”

The Dominican SS Johan De Los Santos officially signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bonus deal: $2,400,000.

It’s the highest bonus for the Pirates in this class.

One of the most experienced players in the class and a member of the Dominican Republic U-18 in 2024. pic.twitter.com/xRonk5YfpH

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2025

Yohan De Los Santos SS, DR Expected to sign Jan 15th 2025 with the #Pirates joining brother Yordani De Los Santos who signed in 2022. #MLB #MiLB pic.twitter.com/kNclPaR023

— ProspectosMilb (@ProspectosMilb) November 30, 2024

The Pirates benefited when the Los Angeles Dodgers delayed signing Morel while focusing instead on top international prospect Roki Sasaki, the coveted 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from Japan. Where Morel expected to sign with the Dodgers, he instead picked the Pirates.

At 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, the 17-year-old Morel is bound to draw comparisons to Oneil Cruz as both are left-handed hitters with power who are among the tallest at their position. The 6-7 Cruz started at shortstop for the Pirates before switching to center field late last August.

Baseball America wrote that Morel “can launch balls out of the park deep to his pull side and still has plenty of space to fill out his extremely projectable, broad-shouldered frame, giving him the potential for at least plus raw power that could be a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.”

Darrell Morell, SS, DR flipped by the Pittsburg #Pirates from the #Dodgers for a bonus close to $2M. A player who has shown considerable growth his original bonus with the Dodgers was below $1M. pic.twitter.com/Z5gInhBkW5

— ProspectosMilb (@ProspectosMilb) January 14, 2025

Darell Morel signs with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a tick under $1.8 million. Previously expected to sign with the Dodgers.https://t.co/aCRAKA5LSP pic.twitter.com/QKT9gqDQMR

— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) January 15, 2025

Per Baseball America, the Pirates also signed Venezuelan outfielder Gabriel Rodriguez, Cuban left-handed pitcher Yoslaniel Hernandez, Australian right-hander Robinson Smith, South Korean infielder Hyun-Seung Lee and Ugandan infielder Armstrong Muhoozi.