The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the signing of 12 free-agent players representing the Dominican Republic and Venezuela on the first day of Major League Baseball’s international signing period for 2026. Five outfielders, four pitchers, two infielders, and one catcher were among the signees who will all be assigned to the Dominican Summer League.
All of the players are being signed for the 2026 minor league season and are subject to MLB approval. A complete listing of the Cardinals international player signings is below:
Name Pos. B/T HT WT DOB Age Hometown
Jordan Beltran RHP R/R 6’0” 170 9/17/2008 17 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Carlos Carrion SS S/R 6”0” 160 12/4/2008 17 Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
Roberth Castillo INF S/R 5’9” 160 1/12/2009 17 Valencia, Venezuela
Luis Estrella OF R/R 6’1” 230 10/5/2008 17 Santiago, Dominican Republic
Jhon Franganten OF R/R 6’2” 205 8/25/2009 16 Higuey, Dominican Republic
Emilio Jimenez LHP L/L 6’7” 190 1/20/2009 16 Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
Emanuel Luna CF R/R 6’1” 205 1/15/2009 17 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Javier Martinez RHP R/R 6’1” 186 3/22/2009 16 San Jose de Barlovento, Venezuela
Rafeli Moronta RHP R/R 6’3” 207 8/15/2009 16 Montecristi, Dominican Republic
Sebastian Rojas C R/R 5’11” 195 9/1/2008 17 Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Misael Sanchez OF R/R 5’11” 190 10/3/2008 17 Valencia, Venezuela
Christopher Vargas OF R/R 6’1” 200 9/15/2008 17 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
St. Louis Cardinals on X (formerly Twitter): “We have agreed to terms with the following 12 free-agent players on the opening of the 2026 international signing period. pic.twitter.com/kVRdaoeySv / X”
We have agreed to terms with the following 12 free-agent players on the opening of the 2026 international signing period. pic.twitter.com/kVRdaoeySv
