The Texas Rangers have dramatically increased their investment in international scouting over the past 4 years.
International signing spending (source: MLB.com, Baseball America):
- 2022-23 class: $5.2M total bonus pool spent (12th in MLB)
- 2023-24 class: $7.8M total bonus pool spent (6th in MLB)
- 2024-25 class: $8.1M total bonus pool spent (5th in MLB)
The Rangers went from a middle-of-the-pack spender to one of the most aggressive in a 3-year window.
Where the signings come from:
- Dominican Republic: 45% of international signees
- Venezuela: 30%
- Colombia: 10%
- Other (Mexico, Cuba, Curacao, etc.): 15%
The academy system: The Rangers operate a training academy in the Dominican Republic (Boca Chica). Players typically spend 6-18 months at the academy before assignment to a US-based affiliate.
Recent upgrades include a new weight room, nutrition program, and English language classes. Source: Baseball America academy report 2025.
Players already producing: The 2022-23 class has produced 3 players now in full-season ball (Low-A and High-A). Two are hitting above .270 with above-average defensive tools. These are 18-19 year olds competing against players 2-3 years older.
The long game: International signings are a 5-7 year investment. The Rangers will not see the full return on the 2022-24 classes until 2028-2030. But early returns suggest the investment is working.
Sources:
- MLB.com -- international signing tracker
- Baseball America -- academy reports
- FanGraphs -- international pipeline rankings
Cost-controlled players for 6 years is the economic engine of every successful MLB franchise. You need cheap, homegrown talent around the expensive stars.