Many scouts consider Acu\u00f1a as the top catching prospect in the next class, representing a big miss for the Pirates.<\/p>\n
The Pirates still have a chance to build a great International Signing Period in 2027, so they’ll look elsewhere for those top talents.<\/p>\n
What Does This Mean for the Pirates?<\/p>\n
Scouts do value Acu\u00f1a highly, as he possesses great athleticism and talents at such a young age.<\/p>\n
S\u00e1nchez reported that Acu\u00f1a runs the 60-yard dash in 6.4 seconds, has a pop time of 1.78 seconds, which measures the time a catcher catches the pitch to when it ends up in the fielder’s receiving point, plus an exit velocity of 105 mph off the bat.<\/p>\n
He also said that scouts compare Acu\u00f1a to the power of New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, the speed of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and the defense of nine-time Gold Glove Award winner in catcher Yadier Molina.<\/p>\n
![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgz6tqemwy3tn63kvc.jpg\" "\\"New")
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Oct 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Those projections are incredible for someone like Acu\u00f1a, but also a bit unrealistic for a prospect that young.<\/p>\n
John Dreker, who reports<\/a> on the Pirates’ farm system, said that Acu\u00f1a’s trainer broke off a few deals with other teams recently, so it’s likely he’ll keep moving around to each team until he gets that high payday. <\/p>\n The Pirates have also made some great late signings in the International Signing Period that Dreker mentioned like power-hitter Tony Blanco Jr.<\/a> in the 2022 class, Darel Morrel in the 2025 class and most recently Jhoendris Santos for big money in the 2026 class. <\/p>\n International Signings are also tough for MLB teams, as they are evaluating such young talent that it is tough to decide whether a player is worth signing for six-figures or seven-figures.<\/p>\n Understanding the International Signing Period<\/p>\n The International Signing Period includes players that are already 16 before they sign and not older than 17 before Sept. 1 of the next year, meaning they have to be born between Sept. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2009 for the Class of 2026. <\/p>\n MLB teams have a certain amount of money to spend, a bonus pool, based on a variety of factors like revenue, market size and money earned from trades. Teams can only spend what they’re allotted pool and nothing more.<\/p>\n The Pirates had the highest pool<\/a> in 2026 of $8,034,900, which the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals all have as well.<\/p>\n Deals for $10,000 or less don’t count against the bonus pool, so teams can use that money on just one player, like the Los Angeles\u00a0Dodgers<\/a>\u00a0did with Japanese right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki.<\/p>\n Both top prospects for the Pirates last season in outfielders\u00a0Esmerlyn Valdez<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Edward Florentino<\/a>\u00a0were both signed during this period from the Dominican Republic in 2021 and 2024, respectively.<\/p>\n Nov 9, 2025; Mesa, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Some of the better players for the Pirates have come from international signings, like catcher Manny Sanguillen, outfielder Starling Marte and third baseman Aramis Ram\u00edrez.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgz6wsrwddr1c23tmq.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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