The Kansas City Royals are preparing for the future.
Major League Baseball's 2026 international signing period began Thursday, and the AL Central club made a big splash.
MLB.com and Baseball America's Ben Badler report that the Royals have signed Venezuelan outfielder Angeibel Gomez for $2.9 million. The 17-year-old is the No. 4-ranked international prospect on MLB Pipeline.
Gomez is from Maracay, Venezuela, the same city that produced some of baseball's all-time greats, like Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve.
Gomez's skillset and future with the Royals
Still just 17, it could be years until Royals fans see Gomez step on the field at Kauffman Stadium. Most, not all, of international prospects don't pan out the way the organization had hoped. But Gomez has some serious talent.
"Equipped with a right-handed swing that repeatedly generates hard contact, Gomez has shown proficiency in getting to his extra-base power, primarily to his pull side," his MLB Pipeline bio reads. "He won MVP of the Amateur Scouting League in 2024 by hitting.370 with a 1.216 OPS, leading the circuit with 10 RBIs and 21 total bases across eight games."
Kansas City should continue to sign international prospects over the next few days, but none may be more exciting than Gomez.
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