Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 International Signings Reflect a Strategic Global Vision Focused on Upside, Athleticism, and Long-Term Development Potential
The Los Angeles Dodgers have long maintained a reputation as one of Major League Baseball’s most aggressive and successful organizations in the international amateur market. From the signings of Yasiel Puig and Hyun-jin Ryu in the early 2010s to the more recent additions of players like Diego Cartaya and Josue De Paula, the Dodgers have strategically invested their international bonus pool with a long-term vision. The 2025 international signing class follows that blueprint, revealing a philosophy rooted in identifying athletic upside, projectable bodies, and positional versatility—often before players are fully formed. While the results of any international class take years to truly evaluate, the early returns from this year’s crop are indicative of a Dodgers front office that remains as globally attuned and strategically disciplined as ever.
The Dodgers reportedly signed 25 players during the 2025 international signing period, utilizing the majority of their bonus pool of $5,925,000, as allocated under MLB rules. True to form, Los Angeles spread out its resources across multiple countries, including the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and even Cuba—demonstrating a willingness to scout, develop, and invest in underexploited pipelines. The organization’s ability to successfully identify talent outside the top of the consensus rankings continues to be a hallmark of their international program, and this year’s class continues that trend with a mix of raw tools and high baseball IQ.
One of the headline names of this year’s class is shortstop Fernando Tejada, a 16-year-old Dominican prospect whose profile has drawn comparisons to a young Hanley Ramirez. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 170 pounds, Tejada features a wiry frame with room for physical growth and a smooth right-handed swing that projects for power as he matures. Scouts inside and outside the Dodgers’ organization rave about his bat speed, advanced approach at the plate, and quick-twitch athleticism. Defensively, Tejada boasts the actions and arm strength to stick at shortstop, though some believe he could eventually move to third base as he fills out. Either way, the Dodgers are betting on his offensive ceiling and innate baseball instincts.
In addition to Tejada, the Dodgers also made a splash by signing Cuban outfielder Darien Valdés, who defected in 2024 and had been training in the Dominican Republic. Valdés, 18, is a more physically mature player compared to others in the class and brings a unique mix of power, speed, and polish. A left-handed hitter with a compact stroke and strong plate discipline, Valdés is seen as one of the more advanced bats in the class. He is expected to begin his pro career in the Dominican Summer League, where the Dodgers’ coaching staff can closely monitor his development. There’s already talk within the organization of fast-tracking Valdés through the lower minors if he produces early, with some internal projections suggesting he could reach Double-A by age 20.
Another intriguing prospect is Venezuelan catcher Jhonny Rivas, who signed for a reported bonus of $500,000. Though catchers are notoriously difficult to project at such a young age, Rivas impressed the Dodgers’ international scouting department with his high motor, game-calling maturity, and soft receiving hands. Offensively, he has shown flashes of pull-side power from the right side and a solid approach against velocity. Rivas also earned praise for his leadership skills and bilingual communication ability, both important traits for a position that demands command and presence. The Dodgers view Rivas as a long-term project with everyday big league upside, provided his bat continues to progress alongside his defense.
The Dodgers also dipped into Panama for the first time in three years, signing 17-year-old right-hander Jorge Espinosa, a lanky 6-foot-4 pitcher with a loose, whippy arm and a fastball that already touches 93 mph. Espinosa was lightly scouted by some teams but stood out in private Dodgers workouts, where he flashed a feel for a changeup and a developing curveball. His mechanics are still a work in progress, and durability will be something to monitor, but the Dodgers’ track record with Latin American pitchers—such as Julio Urías and Josiah Gray—gives reason to believe that Espinosa will have the right development infrastructure to maximize his potential. Early indicators suggest that the organization will bring him along slowly, prioritizing physical development and pitch design over velocity spikes.
In Mexico, the Dodgers continued their fruitful partnership with various local academies by signing switch-hitting middle infielder Emiliano Cota. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Cota lacks eye-popping tools but has impressed scouts with his compact swing, high contact rate, and savvy base running. He’s been described as a “baseball rat” who plays beyond his years and has a strong internal clock on the field. The Dodgers love his makeup and believe his on-base skills and defensive reliability will make him a valuable organizational player with a chance to evolve into something more. Whether he remains a shortstop or shifts to second base remains to be seen, but Cota is viewed as one of the safer bets in this year’s group.
Another high-upside flyer in the Dodgers’ 2025 class is outfielder Wilfredo Mejía, a 6-foot-3 athlete from Colombia with massive raw tools but limited experience against high-level competition. Mejía’s profile is built around projection—he’s already running a 6.5-second 60-yard dash and has exit velocities approaching 100 mph, but his swing mechanics and approach at the plate are still unrefined. The Dodgers were reportedly drawn to his explosive athleticism and believe that with time in their development system, Mejía could emerge as a breakout star. He fits the mold of previous Dodgers signees who developed slowly but eventually found their way to the big leagues after early struggles, such as Yusniel Díaz or Starling Heredia.
From a developmental standpoint, this class continues the Dodgers’ long-standing approach of spreading bonus money widely instead of concentrating it into one or two mega-signings. Only a handful of players in this year’s group received seven-figure bonuses, allowing Los Angeles to invest in multiple players with varying risk-reward profiles. This depth-based strategy minimizes organizational exposure while creating the possibility of multiple contributors emerging over time. It’s also reflective of the Dodgers’ belief in their player development staff, particularly in the Dominican Republic, Arizona Complex League, and Low-A affiliates.
The Dodgers have also invested heavily in biometric analysis, nutrition, and mental skills training for their international signees—resources that have often separated them from less-resourced teams. International players in the Dodgers’ system undergo detailed biomechanical assessments within weeks of signing, allowing coaches to create individualized training plans that emphasize strength, swing path efficiency, injury prevention, and pitch sequencing. The franchise’s multi-lingual coaching staff and cultural assimilation programs are also considered among the best in the league, helping young players navigate the often-challenging transition to pro ball in a new country.
There is always inherent volatility in international signings, where 16- and 17-year-olds are being evaluated largely on projection and character. But the Dodgers’ internal consistency in identifying and developing talent has allowed them to extract value from these signings year after year. Even when high-profile prospects fail to pan out, the organization’s depth-oriented model ensures that someone else often rises in their place. For every Yadier Alvarez who flamed out, there is a Diego Cartaya or Andy Pages who delivers above expectations.
As the Dodgers look toward the second half of the decade, the international pipeline remains a key pillar of their success. It feeds their minor league depth, fuels trades for star players, and provides long-term roster stability. The 2025 international class will take time to yield tangible major league results, but the early signs are promising. From the high-ceiling potential of Fernando Tejada and Darien Valdés to the dependable tools of Emiliano Cota and Jhonny Rivas, this year’s signings are another calculated step forward in Los Angeles’ mission to remain a perennial World Series contender.
It’s no coincidence that the Dodgers have built one of baseball’s deepest and most consistent farm systems while also competing at the highest level in the majors. Their ability to scout, sign, and develop talent on a global scale gives them an edge that few teams can replicate. The 2025 international class won’t define their future on its own—but it might quietly shape it.
