Cardinals in agreement with 10th rank Int prospect

[Hachi]

BA released their top 30 international players in the 2026 signing class (opens in January), and the Cardinals have a verbal agreement with OF Enmanuel Luna (ranked 10th).

He is a power-driven outfielder with the potential to be a 30-homer player and plenty of athleticism in CF. Also has good plate discipline according to BA.

Expected to sign for a bonus of between $2.5 million and $4.0 million

[hugeCardfan]

This is what is most encouraging to me about Cardinal plans in the future. they are going full in in International market.

[Absolut]

Hope he doesn’t record Oli

[BrockFloodMaris]

This is what is most encouraging to me about Cardinal plans in the future. they are going full in in International market.

Agreed! I think this signing is huge, Huge. Plus, he's right handed.

[rockondlouie]

Good to see C. Bloom is using the int. market!

[sdaltons]

I like this a lot.

[ClassicO]

Long overdue. I'd be happier if it were a top-5-ranked prospect.

[82birds]

bats LH or RH?

[freed5179]

Couple things: First, this ranking is not based on talent, but on bonus money to be paid. Who knows if this 16-year-old is the tenth best prospect or not even a prospect at all? Again, he is 16 and as BA wrote, there are "challenges in evaluating players, particularly given how much players who are signing at 16 or 17 can change over the course of a couple years or even the last three to six months."

Glad that the Cardinals are participating, but we are a long, long way from knowing if Luna ever even makes it stateside.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Couple things: First, this ranking is not based on talent, but on bonus money to be paid. Who knows if this 16-year-old is the tenth best prospect or not even a prospect at all? Again, he is 16 and as BA wrote, there are "challenges in evaluating players, particularly given how much players who are signing at 16 or 17 can change over the course of a couple years or even the last three to six months."

Glad that the Cardinals are participating, but we are a long, long way from knowing if Luna ever even makes it stateside.

Yep, all teams take those same risks when signing international players. I, for one, am happy that the Cards are swimming in the deep end of that pool. High risk, high reward drafting and signing is the only way to compete with the big spenders.

[StL Star]

Nice to see big money spent on one particular potential star instead of all the pool spent on depth for the organization ! Cards could have signed Elly DLC if they really wanted to.

[RamFan08NY]

Love them signing some international prospects. Hard to get too excited over a 16 year old though.

[billybaseball]

Looks like the Wagner Mateo blacklisting was very real. IYKYK

[82birds]

This is what is most encouraging to me about Cardinal plans in the future. they are going full in in International market.

not to doubt you Huge, but how do you know they are going full in? Did you read/hear that?

[Talkin' Baseball]

There are about 6 primary ways to improve a team. You can:
1) Trade in the offseason
2) Sign free agents
3) Draft
4) Coach players up
5) International signings
6) Deadline trades
For years we have traded sparingly, signed begrudgingly, and drafted cautiously. They have failed in the areas of development, international signings and trade deadline moves. The kid they signed may, or may not turn out to be any good, but either way I am glad to see the Cardinals participating in a meaningful way. Some things may not change with a new POBO, but this is something you can look to and say, "This is different".

[hugeCardfan]

This is what is most encouraging to me about Cardinal plans in the future. they are going full in in International market.

not to doubt you Huge, but how do you know they are going full in? Did you read/hear that?

Reading between the lines 62. In past years our trades involved relinquishing International $s. This year we've been accumulating them. This large commitment simply affirmed my theory. The signing of Padilla and Rodriguez as well. i think Chaim and his beloved minions are in a bigger hurry than we give them credit for....