2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: September 3rd, 2026:

Bowman Chrome is the most challenging set to judge of the big 3 (chrome, baseball, draft). That’s because a majority of the checklist consists of prospects who were just signed internationally, do not have deep performance history, and do not have much video coverage given they’ve only played in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). You have to dive deep to find good tape and metrics for these kids…that’s what I’m here for. Last year I picked Kevin Alvarez as my #1 chase. I’d be thrilled about that if it wasn’t for the fact that Rainiel Rodriguez was also in that set. But nonetheless, I’ve picked my top 14 chases in the upcoming set. And remember, this is the highest risk set out there (for the reasons above). If a specific name is drawing your interest, go for it, whether they are #1, #14 or not even mentioned here.

This was my cover story on Episode 13 of The Farm Report, check it out here. Or, scroll past the video and check out the full Top-14 with analysis:

Let’s do it…

14. Jurrangelo Cijntje (STL)

13. Christian Zazueta (LAD)

12. Joniel Hernandez (SFG)

Hernandez was a prospect traded at this year’s deadline. We liked the move solely for the fact that the Giants have done extremely well with international prospects as of late. Hernandez has a very nice floor for a young international prospect, but the hit tool will always be a risk.

11. Alex Lodise (ATL) 

Lodise is moving fast, but the same issue applies here. A MASSIVE hit-tool risk. He’ll need to figure that out if he has a chance to stay consistent at the AA level for the long haul.

10. Wandy Asigen (NYM)

Wandy is a bigger name, but contact issues early in the DSL point to a ton of hit-tool risk as well (see the consistent theme with the start of this list?). Yes, a 25-HR shortstop is fun, but these hit-tool-issue kids rarely make it long term. Can he be the exception? Bowman Chrome is all about tools and potential, but you need to try to manage the risk where possible, and others do that more than Asigen. He’s got a MONSTER swing, but you can see why scouts say he has a problem catching up to high fastballs.

9. Santiago Solarte (MIA)

Solarte had double-digit HRs and 30+ SBs in the DSL. As I mentioned, we do NOT take DSL performance too seriously. But the body (6’5″) and the tools all scream upside. Again, he’s this low because of the iffy hit tool. A 26% K-rate in the DSL won’t work; can he shorten the swing and make more consistent contact? There’s no doubting the upside – but this is the prototypical international/Bowman Chrome prospect. All upside, all risk.

8. Diego Frontado (MIL)

THis is where the tide starts to turn. A great combination of hit and power, and one of the better power hitters in the DSL. Again, I’m not really focused on performance, but he’s got the swing and hit-tool upside, and he’s in the right org, of course. The Brewers are a scouting factory. Frontado brings the in-game power with the potential to hit consistently when he comes over stateside.

7. Fabricio Blanco (TB)

Growth spurt, hit tool, elite defense, switch hitter, and now some projection too. When he was signed, he was 5’6″; he’s now 5’11”. He had a back issue earlier this year but put together a great 44-game stint in the DSL. Again, I don’t care as much about that as the tools and projection, which look much better now with the build.

6. Juan Rijo (SEA)

Among the best hit tools in the 2026 international class. Joe Doyle on twitter compared him to  Michael Arroyo.  I’m in. Bigger 17-year-old at 6 ‘1″ body but consistently gets on base. Reached base in 45 of 51 games in the DSL, including a walk-off hit in the championship.

5. Sebastian Dos Santos (STL)

From my sleepers and faves series for the Cardinals. This is a really patient hitter, and for a young international kid, that’s exactly what I want to see. He’s walked 11 times in his first 10 games in A-ball and has a 21% walk rate overall this year. He hits a ton of line drives (27%) and has a nearly 90% contact rate on balls in the zone. He waits for his pitch, then attacks. Where it gets exciting is the raw power –  it’s pretty insane. He was top five in SLG across the DSL last year, and if that translates to stateside pitching, he could be a fast-rising international prospect.

4. Angeibel Gomez (KC)

Everyone’s #1, right? There’s no denying the upside here. The K-rate is low, he makes hard, consistent contact, and has power projection upside. Big 6’2″ body that’s still growing, and he’s crept up into top-100 lists. You could guess

3. Samil Serrano (WSH) 

This is really the main international surprise that I have above Gomez. I had the same gut feeling when I put Kevin Alvarez at #1 in my 2025 Bowman Chrome checklist report. Hit over power – love this. Beautiful lefty swing, tall kid (6’3’’) and some of the same traits that caught my eye with Alvarez last year. In terms of international prospects not named Luis Hernandez, I think he’s got the best combination of floor/ceiling than anyone else in this set.

2. Jaiden Lo Re (BAL)

An elite hit-tool high school prospect from the 2025 draft. Lo Re has a very, very high floor for such a young kid. He can play several positions well, including SS, 2B, 3B, and CF. Through 27 games in A-ball, he’s hitting .350 with 22 BB and 10 K – but more importantly for his development, a 30% HHR, and less than 20% of his contact is “soft.” Now up to A+ and will continue to show the top tier contact rates (90%). 

1. Luis Hernandez (SFG)

Superstar upside. Ahead for his age, and already in A-ball at 17 years old. One of the higher-floor international prospects in some time. Which is crazy given that age. The Giants should be excited for the combination of Gonzales and Hernandez, and don’t forget a kid named Johnny Level whos continuing to impress at upper levels too.