The 2024 MLB Draft concluded on July 16, and since then, teams have been active in trying to sign their draft picks. Teams have also signed undrafted free agents who did not get their names called. Here are the six international players who have signed as free agents thus far.
- Francesco Barbieri, CAN – Nationals
Barbieri started his collegiate career at North Iowa Area Community College and played two seasons before transferring to Division II Ave Maria University in Florida. The Brampton, Ontario-born outfielder enjoyed his best year yet this past season for the Gyrenes. He started all 48 games and had a high OPS of 1.340 while walking more times than he struck out.
- Owen Gregg, Canada, MIF, Appleby College High School – Toronto Blue Jays
The lone high schooler on this list, Gregg, is from Oakville, Ontario, and was committed to playing baseball for the University of Utah. Instead of going the collegiate route, Gregg signed a deal with Canada’s team, the Toronto Blue Jays. The 17-year-old is a righty with good bat speed who could either be a shortstop or second baseman at the next level.
- Connor Dykstra, Canada, C, George Mason – Mariners
A backstop from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Dykstra was the Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference catcher his junior year in 2023 for a Patriots team that won the A-10 tournament. In his three years at George Mason, Dykstra never had an OPS less than .851. He has the potential to bring some offensive production to the catching position in the Mariners minor leagues.
- Cesar Franco, Venezuela, OF, Western Illinois – Athletics
Franco is from Caracas, Venezuela, and played his final collegiate baseball season for the Western Illinois Leathernecks in the Ohio Valley Conference. In 137 plate attempts, Franco hit 11 home runs with a slugging percentage of .578, which led to an OPS of .928.
- Rolando De La Cruz, Dominican Republic, RHP, Abilene Christian – Los Angeles Angels
De La Cruz is a six-foot, one-inch pitcher with a fastball velocity in the mid- to high 90s. The 23-year-old international player started his collegiate career at Trinidad State, throwing 133 innings over three seasons. He then transferred to play for Abilene Christian University, and in his second season, he pitched 37.1 innings for the Wildcats.
- Steven Ondina, Puerto Rico, SS, Arizona State – Baltimore Orioles
Ondina was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico on March 30, 2002. He was the number two Puerto Rican player in the class of 2020 and committed to play for Florida International University. After three seasons with the Panthers, he transferred to Arizona State for this past year. He started 52 out of 58 games for the Sun Devils and hit for a slash line of .291/.357/.429.
