Washington Nationals 2025 International Signings Review

Top Of The Class

Top signing for the Nationals this year was Brayan Cortesia, a Venezuelan shortstop who got $1.92 million. Early in the scouting process, Cortesia was an athletic, 5-foot-10 shortstop with soft hands in the dirt, but he has grown taller and developed into a well-rounded player. Now 6-foot-1, 165 pounds at 17, Cortesia keeps things simple at the plate with a short, low-maintenance swing from the right side.

He has quick hands, good plate coverage and uses the whole field with a line-drive approach and mostly doubles power, though that has started to trend up with occasional over-the-fence power that should show up with more frequency as he continues to layer on more strength. He’s a plus runner who has a good chance to stick at shortstop, where he has good footwork, hands and an above-average arm. 

Another Venezuelan signing, Daniel Hernandez, is an offensive-oriented catcher the Nationals gave $1.1 million. Hernandez impressed scouts with his hitting ability, using quick hands with a simple, easy swing from the left side with good contact skills and a mature hitting approach for a 17-year-old that has led to a strong track record of game performance as an amateur.

At 6 feet, 165 pounds, Hernandez isn’t physically imposing, but he’s flashing home run power to his pull side now, with large hands and feet, good bat speed and more room on his frame that points to more damage as he continues filling out. Defense will be the key for Hernandez to develop. Some scouts had questions about whether Hernandez would remain a catcher, particularly because of his below-average arm and footwork on his throws, but scouts highest on him liked his flexibility, receiving skills and leadership skills. 

Names To Know

Nauris De La Cruz, OF, Dominican Republic: A lefthanded outfielder from the Dominican Republic, De La Cruz signed with the Nationals for $500,000. He’s 6 feet, 160 pounds at 17 with fast-twitch bat speed that allows him to drive the ball with impact. De La Cruz can hammer a fastball in what could end up a power-over-hit profile with the potential to be a 20-plus home run threat. He’s an average runner who could see time in center field but could move around all three outfield spots. 

Ronny Bello, SS, Dominican Republic: Bello, 17, signed for $450,000. He’s a contact-oriented hitter from the right side who recognizes pitches well and sprays line drives to all fields with gap power from his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame. Bello is an above-average runner who could see time at shortstop, but he might move around to second base, third or possibly the outfield. 

Marconi German, SS, Dominican Republic: The Nationals signed Marconi, 17, for $400,000, and he could end up one of their better mid-range signings in the class. He’s 5-foot-10, 170 pounds with good instincts at the plate and in the field. He’s a switch-hitter who shows promise from both sides of the plate, using a short swing and line-drive approach with gap power. German is a good athlete with a chance to stick at shortstop too with above-average speed and arm strength. 

Esnaider Vargas, OF, Dominican Republic: Vargas, a 17-year-old who signed for $400,000, trained as a shortstop but moved to the outfield. His offensive upside is what sticks out the most with a chance for a blend of hitting ability and power as he fills out his 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame. He’s an average runner who is still learning the outfield, likely fitting best in a corner long term. 

Jonierbis Garces, OF, Venezuela: Garces, 17, signed with the Nationals for $350,000. He’s one of the most physical players in Washington’s class at 6-foot-5, 180 pounds. He’s an above-average runner underway, which gives him a chance to at least start out in center field, though depending on his physical development, he could end up in a corner with an average arm that could also tick up as he fills out. More than anything it’s the power potential that stands out for Garces with a power-over-hit offensive game. 

Edgardo Figueroa, C, Venezuela: An athletic catcher from Venezuela who signed for $300,000, Figueroa is 5-foot-10, 180 pounds at 17 with above-average speed. It’s a tool that should regress as he gets older, but that athleticism and plus arm stand out behind the plate. He’s a righthanded hitter whose athleticism and defensive tools are ahead of his bat. 

Junior Castillo, C, Dominican Republic: Signed for $200,000, Castillo is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with a chance to be a power-hitting catcher from the left side. He will need to hone his offensive approach, but he has the strength to drive the ball with impact when he connects and the mix of hands and arm strength to give him a chance to stay behind the plate. 

Sleeper Watch

One of the under-the-radar names to watch from Washington’s 2025 class is Adrian Tusen, a 17-year-old Dominican shortstop the Nationals signed for $100,000. Tusen is listed at 6-foot-1, 140 pounds, a slender, athletic frame with a lot more physical projection remaining and the look of a player who might still be growing taller. The lack of present strength makes Tusen a deeper projection that could take a little longer to click. However, he already has a fluid, easy swing from both sides of the plate and a sense of the strike zone, so he’s a candidate to make a jump once he fills out.