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Germany's New Baseball Hope Joins Dodgers
30 Jan
Summary
- Tom Apfelbaum, a German native, signed with the Dodgers.
- Felix LeBron, a Dominican infielder, boasts significant upside.
- Patrick Silva, just 15, played professionally in Italy's top league.
The 2026 international signing period, which began on January 15th, has brought several compelling prospects into MLB organizations. Among them is Tom Apfelbaum, a 22-year-old German pitcher who can throw his fastball into the mid-90s. His father's extensive involvement in European baseball coaching highlights Apfelbaum's strong roots in the sport, as he most recently represented Germany in the U18 World Cup in Japan.
Further international talent includes Kotaro Tsunematsu, a Japanese outfielder who opted for a baseball career over investment banking. From the Dominican Republic, infielder Felix LeBron signed with the White Sox, drawing comparisons to Noelvi Marte due to his bat speed and athleticism. The Phillies have also made significant international signings, notably 15-year-old Italian infielder Patrick Silva, who played in Italy's top professional league despite his young age, and Alexandre Moreti, a Brazilian-born pitcher.
Other international signings of note include Pietro Rienzo, a pitcher from Brazil and nephew of former MLB pitcher André Rienzo, who joins the Pirates. Gilventon Josephina, an outfielder from Curaçao with notable power, has signed with the Reds, adding to the island nation's strong baseball tradition.
