50 Biggest International Bonuses Of All Time
As the opening of the 2016-17 international signing period on July 2 approaches, Baseball America has compiled data on the 50 biggest international amateur signing bonuses of all time. The list does not include Cuban players, who we have set aside for this list given their unusual stature in the international marketplace.
There are not many established major leaguers on this list, which is partly a function of the high-risk nature of international scouting, but it’s largely because most of these are relatively recent signings. Of the 50 biggest international bonuses, 13 went to players who signed in 2015, with 21 of them awarded to players who signed between 2013-15.
The best player on the list by far is Miguel Cabrera, who signed a $1.9 million contract with the Marlins 17 years ago. Several players on the list have already flamed out or are heading that way, but Miguel Sano and Nomar Mazara have stood out as big bonus players who are paying off in the majors among recent signings. Gary Sanchez also reached the majors, while Raul Mondesi got there for the 2015 World Series and ranks as the Royals’ top prospect.
The Dominican Republic and Venezuela are the two predominant sources of international talent, but teams have invested far more heavily in Dominican players than Venezuelan ones with their priciest bonuses. There are 33 Dominican players who signed for at least $2 million, while just six Venezuelan players have hit that mark. The Mariners, Rangers and Yankees each signed five players on the list, the most among all teams.
When the 2016-17 signing period opens on July 2, another four or five players are expected to jump on to this list. Shortstop Kevin Maitan should obliterate the record for a Venezuelan bonus, which is $2.8 million for Blue Jays righthander Adonys Cardona in 2010.
| 50 BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL BONUSES |
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| Player | Year | Pos | Org | Age | Country | Bonus |
| 1. Lucius Fox | 2015 | SS | SFG | 18 | Bahamas | $6 million |
| 2. Nomar Mazara | 2011 | OF | TEX | 16 | Dominican | $4.95 million |
| 3. Jairo Beras | 2012 | OF | TEX | 17 | Dominican | $4.5 million |
| 4. Michael Ynoa | 2008 | RHP | OAK | 16 | Dominican | $4.25 million |
| 5. Jhailyn Ortiz | 2015 | OF | PHI | 16 | Dominican | $4.01 million |
| 6. Wander Javier | 2015 | SS | MIN | 16 | Dominican | $4 million |
| 7. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 2015 | OF | TOR | 16 | Dominican | $3.9 million |
| 8. Ronald Guzman | 2011 | OF | TEX | 16 | Dominican | $3.45 million |
| 9. Miguel Sano | 2009 | SS | MIN | 16 | Dominican | $3.15 million |
| 10. Gilbert Lara | 2014 | SS | MIL | 16 | Dominican | $3.0975 million |
| T-11. Dermis Garcia | 2014 | SS | NYY | 16 | Dominican | $3 million |
| T-11. Luis Heredia | 2010 | RHP | PIT | 16 | Mexico | $3 million |
| T-11. Elier Hernandez | 2011 | OF | KC | 16 | Dominican | $3 million |
| T-11. Gary Sanchez | 2009 | C | NYY | 16 | Dominican | $3 million |
| 15. Adrian Rondon | 2014 | SS | TB | 16 | Dominican | $2.95 million |
| T-16. Adonys Cardona | 2010 | RHP | TOR | 16 | Venezuela | $2.8 million |
| T-16. Eloy Jimenez | 2013 | OF | CHC | 16 | Dominican | $2.8 million |
| 18. Ariel Ovando | 2010 | OF | HOU | 16 | Dominican | $2.6 million |
| 19. Starling Heredia | 2015 | OF | LAD | 16 | Dominican | $2.6 million |
| 20. Rafael Rodriguez | 2008 | OF | SFG | 16 | Dominican | $2.55 million |
| T-21. Yorman Rodriguez | 2008 | OF | CIN | 16 | Venezuela | $2.5 million |
| T-21. Victor Sanchez | 2011 | RHP | SEA | 16 | Venezuela | $2.5 million |
| T-21. Jonathan Sierra | 2015 | OF | CHC | 16 | Dominican | $2.5 million |
| 24. Wily Mo Pena | 1999 | OF | NYY | 17 | Dominican | $2.44 million |
| 25. Joel Guzman | 2001 | SS | LAD | 16 | Dominican | $2.255 million |
| T-26. Gilberto Celestino | 2015 | OF | HOU | 16 | Dominican | $2.25 million |
| T-26. Nelson Gomez | 2014 | 3B | NYY | 16 | Dominican | $2.25 million |
| T-26. Byung-Hyun Kim | 1999 | RHP | ARI | 20 | S. Korea | $2.25 million |
| T-26. Seuly Matias | 2015 | OF | KC | 16 | Dominican | $2.25 million |
| T-30. Phillips Castillo | 2010 | OF | SEA | 16 | Dominican | $2.2 million |
| T-30. Renato Nunez | 2010 | 3B | OAK | 16 | Venezuela | $2.2 million |
| T-30. Chin-Hui Tsao | 1999 | RHP | COL | 18 | Taiwan | $2.2 million |
| T-33. Leody Taveras | 2015 | OF | TEX | 16 | Dominican | $2.1 million |
| T-33. Angel Villalona | 2006 | 3B | SFG | 16 | Dominican | $2.1 million |
| 35. Tzu-Wei Lin | 2012 | SS | BOS | 18 | Taiwan | $2.05 million |
| T-36. Aramis Ademan | 2015 | SS | CHC | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Ronny Brito | 2015 | SS | LAD | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Derian Cruz | 2015 | SS | ATL | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Juan De Leon | 2014 | OF | NYY | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Juan Duran | 2008 | OF | CIN | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Raul A. Mondesi | 2011 | SS | KC | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Daniel Montano | 2015 | OF | COL | 16 | Venezuela | $2 million |
| T-36. Guillermo Pimentel | 2009 | OF | SEA | 16 | Dominican | $2 million |
| T-36. Adys Portillo | 2008 | RHP | SD | 16 | Venezuela | $2 million |
| 45. Jose Vinicio | 2009 | SS | BOS | 16 | Dominican | $1.95 million |
| 46. Jose Leal | 2011 | OF | SEA | 16 | Venezuela | $1.925 million |
| 47. Miguel Cabrera | 1999 | SS | MIA | 16 | Venezuela | $1.9 million |
| 48. Brayan Hernandez | 2014 | OF | SEA | 16 | Venezuela | $1.85 million |
| T-49. Jose Almonte | 2013 | OF | TEX | 16 | Dominican | $1.8 million |
| T-49. Anderson Espinoza | 2014 | RHP | BOS | 16 | Venezuela | $1.8 million |
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