The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday they have signed 21 prospects from seven countries in the international signing period, including a pair of players ranked in the top 50.

The list features nine players from Dominican Republic, five from Venezuela, three from Panama and one each from Australia, the Bahamas, Curacao and Haiti.

“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,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said in a statement. “Players signed and developed by our international scouting and development teams are important for our future success in Pittsburgh.”

The Pirates sent director of international scouting Junior Vizcaino, special adviser to Latin America Luis Silverio, international supervisor Jesus Lantigua, international scout Jose Cruz, Venezuelan supervisors Saul Torres and Jose Partidas and the club’s Venezuelan scouting staff to Venezuela for the signing of four players Monday.

For the first time, the Pirates signed 16 players Friday at their Dominican Republic academy, where they will have 18 players graduate Saturday with Pirates chairman Bob Nutting, president Travis Williams and Cherington in attendance.

The highest-rated prospects are both Dominican: Outfielder Bralyn Brazoban, 17, is ranked 38th by MLB Pipeline in this year’s international draft class and 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,” Vizcaino said in a statement.

Shortstop Adbiel Feliz, 16, 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,” Vizcaino said.

The list of Dominican prospects includes Frenkeli Mesta, a switch-hitting third baseman/shortstop with power from both sides of the plate, and Kendrick Herrera, a potential plus defender at shortstop.

Vizcaino called Venezuelan Irwin Ramirez a “projectable right-hander with a developing fastball and feel for solid secondary pitches.”

Vizcaino said Panamanian outfielder Iverson Allen and catcher Javier Acevedo both have the potential to be solid players.

Deshandro Tromp, 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.

Outfielder Phillando Williams, 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.”

Vizcaino said Australian right-handed pitcher Rubens Romero profiles as a “very projectable righty with developing feel for four pitches.”

Pirates international signings

Players listed with position, height, weight and hometown.

Javier Acevedo, C, 5-10, 145, Los Santos, Panama

Iverson Allen, CF, 5-10, 130, Cocle, Panama

Adrian Aray, RHP, 6-1, 170, Anaco, Venezuela

Bralyn Brazoban, CF, 6-2, 167, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Andy Calixte, OF, 6-1, 173, Santo Domingo, Haiti

Adbiel Feliz, SS, 5-10, 155, Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Edward Florentino, OF, 6-3, 181, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Angel Herrera, RHP, 6-1, 165, Las Mercedes, Venezuela

Kendrick Herrera, SS, 6-0, 165, Bani, Dominican Republic

Jesus Lizardo, C, 5-11, 165, Sucre, Venezuela

Randol Martinez, RHP, 6-0, 160, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Frankeli Mesta, SS, 6-1, 162, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Reinold Navarro, LHP, 5-11, 170, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Michaell Ojeda, SS, 6-0, 143, Ortiz, Venezuela

Irwin Ramirez, RHP, 6-3, 160, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Rubens Romero, RHP, 6-2, 160, Brisbane, Australia

Angel Soriano, LHP, 6-1, 188, Chitre, Panama

Anthony Sosa, SS, 6-1, 160, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Jesus Tapia, RHP, 6-0, 172, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Deshandro Tromp, SS, 6-0, 165, Willemstad, Curacao

Phillando Williams, OF, 5-10, 160, Nassau, Bahamas

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