Jaider Suárez, a right-handed-hitting Cuban shortstop, is expected to sign with the Kansas City Royals when the international signing period opens on Jan. 15, 2026, according to a post by Francys Romero on his X account on Nov. 26.
Cuban shortstop prospect Jaider Suárez (16) has been declared a free agent by the MLB Commissioner’s Office, according to sources.
The Kansas City Royals are the favorites to sign Suárez for around $1.7M when a new international signing period opens on January 15, 2026. pic.twitter.com/9JYRsFSkGV
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 26, 2025
Suárez, 16, made his mark in Cuba as the youngest player on their U15 team which won the National Championship in 2023. He led the team in home runs with three and stolen bases with 12. Suárez is 6-foot, 170 pounds and his lean frame allows him to run the 60-yard dash at 6.5-6.6 seconds. His slash line was .385/.450/.615 in 25 games.
Suárez was also on the U15 World Cup team that took second place against team USA in the World Cup in 2023 in Sonora, Mexico. He also played on the Tigers de Ciego de Avila for their 16U team in Serie Nacional de Béisbol in Cuba and had an OPS of 1.100 in 101 plate appearances. He led the league with three home runs and 17 stolen bases. Suárez walked 22 times and struck out nine times for the Tigres de Ciego de Avila.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCR70jex4NN/
He fled Cuba for the Dominican Republic in 2023 and trained in the Javier Rodríguez Academy. During these past two years, he has focused on professional development by participating in several showcases and private workouts.
Suárez is ranked as the 21st international prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 Rankings for the 2026 class. His hitting is graded 55, along with his power and speed. His throwing arm is graded 60, his fielding is 50, and his overall grade is 50.
“Even at a young age, Suárez has the physical look of a potential impact talent. His right-handed swing routinely produces loud contact, and his consistency in keeping his head still at the point of impact allows him to get to extra-base pop,” MLB Pipeline’s profile of Suárez says.
Suárez has a good chance to stick at shortstop because of his quick lateral movement and strong throwing arm. He should also be able to add more power once he bulks up and adds muscle to his frame. Suárez has the potential to be a 15-20 home run bat with 20 or more steals while playing elite defense.
The Royals have never signed an international free agent out of Cuba to this reported number of $1.7 million. Suárez would be the highest deal of a Cuban international free agent in team history.
The Royals have had a lot of success signing international free agents over the last 20 years, such as Salvador Perez and Maikel Garcia out of Venezuela, Kelvin Herrera, Yordano Ventura, and Adalberto Mondesi out of the Dominican Republic.
The Royals will also hope that Suárez becomes a success story if the signing does come to fruition this upcoming January.
Photo: Kauffman stadium during the fourth inning of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
