Wilton Guerrero Jr. leads trio of Dominican prospects signed by the Pirates

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SANTO DOMINGO.– With the official opening of the 2026 international signing period, the Pittsburgh Pirates significantly reinforced their minor league system by reaching agreements with three of the best talents of the class: outfielder Jeancer Custodio, shortstop Wilton Guerrero Jr., and infielder Alexander Pio.

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The three Dominican players are part of the elite group of the international market, headed by Custodio, ranked as the number seven prospect in the ranking, while Guerrero Jr. occupies the 17th position and Pio is just outside the Top 50. The Pirates had an international allocation of US$8,034,900, one of the highest in Major League Baseball, and allocated a large part of those funds to these signings.
Guerrero Jr. received a bonus of US$1.95 million, Custodio US$900,000 and Pio US$500,000. Custodio thus became the highest-ranked international signing in franchise history, and along with Guerrero gives Pittsburgh two Top 20 prospects for the second time in the last five years. Custodio, developed by renowned coach Jaime Ramos, is considered the best hitter of this trio. The right fielder exhibits a compact and balanced swing, with great control of the bat barrel. In the 2024 U-15 World Cup in Panama, he was the second-best hitter for the Dominican Republic team, batting .333 (8 hits in 24 at-bats) and stealing all four bases he attempted. Although he measures 5’10”, evaluators project that his ability to elevate the ball will translate into power with physical development, making him one of the most promising bats in the 2026 class.

Wilton Guerrero Jr., heir to a dynasty

Guerrero Jr. belongs to one of the most prestigious families in baseball. He is the nephew of Hall of Fame member Vladimir Guerrero and cousin of the star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as well as the son of former major leaguer Wilton Guerrero Sr., who was also his coach. It is distinguished by its elite speed, with times of 4.1 seconds from home to first, and a game intelligence that makes it a constant threat on the bases. He is aggressive, competitive, and plays with the intention of impacting every turn.

Alexander Pio: power and projection

Pio, who is 6 feet and 2 inches tall, has trained alongside Custodio and possesses one of the most attractive physiques in the group. At 16 years old, he recorded exit velocities above 105 miles per hour, a clear indication of his offensive potential. Currently projects as a power third baseman, with a strong arm and great physical projection to become an impact bat.

Eligibility and Signature Process

The international period extends from January 15 to December 15. Players must be at least 16 years old at the time of signing and turn 17 before September 1 of the following year. In this window, those born between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 are eligible, provided they are previously registered with MLB.