Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Pirates Bralyn Brazoban, center, is pictured with family and Pittsburgh Pirates front office members Bob Nutting, Travis Williams and Ben Cherington following his signing Friday in the Dominican Republic.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday that the club has signed a total of 21 players during the first week of the 2024 international signing period.

Junior Vizcaíno, director of international scouting; Luis Silverio, special advisor to Latin America; Jesus Lantigua, international supervisor; Jose Cruz, international scout; and Saul Torres and Jose Partidas, Venezuelan supervisors, along with the rest of the organization’s Venezuelan scouting staff were present Monday in Venezuela for the signing of four players. Sixteen of the 17 remaining players were signed in the Dominican Republic for the first time ever Friday.

Eighteen players along with a staff member will take part in the organization’s 14th high school graduation ceremony at the club’s facility in the Dominican Republic today, which will be attended by Bob Nutting, Pirates chairman of the board; President Travis Williams; and General Manager Ben Cherington.

The organization has signed a total of 21 players from six different countries (Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Curacao, the Bahamas, Australia and Panama) during the first five days of this year’s international signing period.

“We are thrilled to welcome another important international signing class to the Pirates. Our staff has worked tirelessly to get to know this group of players and we can’t wait to see them in black and gold,” Cherington said. “Players signed and developed by our international scouting and development teams are important for our future success in Pittsburgh.”

Seventeen-year-old Bralyn Brazoban, who is ranked 38th by MLB Pipeline in this year’s international draft class, was signed by Pirates scout Daurys Nin.

“Bralyn has the potential to be a plus defender in the outfield and produce for average and power,” said Vizcaino.

Sixteen-year-old shortstop Adbiel Feliz, who is ranked 50th by MLB Pipeline in this year’s international draft class, was signed by Pirates scout Esteban Alvarez.

“Adbiel has the potential to be a plus defender at shortstop and a top-of-the-order hitter,” said Vizcaino.

Among players from the Dominican Republic, Frenkeli Mesta is a switch-hitting third baseman/shortstop with power from both sides of the plate with the defensive ability to be a solid defender at either position according to Vizcaino. Kendrick Herrera, who also is from the Dominican Republic, is a potential plus defender at shortstop with solid bat-to-ball skills according to Vizcaino.

Irwin Ramirez, who is one of five players signed out of Venezuela, is considered by Vizcaino as a “projectable right-hander with a developing fastball and feel for solid secondary pitches.”

Outfielder Iverson Allen and catcher Javier Acevedo, who were signed out of Panama, both have the potential to be solid players on both sides of the game according to Vizcaino.

Shortstop Deshandro Tromp, who was a member of the 2019 Curacao Little League World Series team, has the tools to play both shortstop and third base and drive the ball with power on the offensive side of the game according to Vizcaino.

Outfielder Phillando Williams, who was signed by scout Jesus Lantigua out of the Bahamas, is regarded by Vizcaino as “a plus-plus runner with the potential to hit at the top of the order and affect the game with his speed on both sides of the game.”

Right-handed pitcher Rubens Romero, who is from Brisbane, Australia, profiles as a “very projectable righty with developing feel for four pitches” according to Vizcaino.

The Pirates signed a total of 30 players from 22 different countries during the 2023 international signing period. The 2023 international signing period was closed out with the acquisition of 25-year-old Emmanuel Chapman, who was born in Baguanos, Cuba, and pitched for three seasons in the Cuban National Series. The organization also signed 17-year-old shortstop Jayden Kim, who was born in Goyang, South Korea, and resides in Maidstone, Australia. Kim’s father, David, was selected by St. Louis in the 18th round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft out of Seton Hall University.