White Sox tied to top Dominican prospect in 2029 as revamp of international scouting department continues

When Chris Getz took over the White Sox organization near the end of the 2023 season, it was clear that some changes were needed. Getz embarked on an organizational rebuild from top to bottom, not just involving the players on the field, but the entire structure of the front office. He revamped the team’s player development system both on the mound and at the plate, and helped bring the team into the 21st century. Among the areas gutted and rebuilt was the team’s international scouting department. Longtime international scouting director Marco Paddy was let go during the 2024 season and the team hired David Keller away from the Mets. 

Roughly two years after his hiring, Keller’s hire has been felt immensely throughout the organization. And the latest rumors continue the organization’s international scouting overhaul. According to Venezuelan reporter Wilber Sanchez, the White Sox have a $4 million verbal agreement with Dominican infielder Ransiel Herrera.

The 14-year-old shortstop is considered one of the top prospects in the 2029 international class. He runs a 6.3 second 60-yard dash and has thrown up to 97 MPH from shortstop, and the switch-hitter was first tied to the White Sox by James Fegan in 2025. 

The White Sox have a clear international strategy change under David Keller

It’ll be a few years before the White Sox can officially sign Herrera and bring him stateside, but this reported deal represents a change in the team’s international strategy. During the Marco Paddy era, the White Sox were known for signing older, expensive players from Cuba, and didn’t have much of a pipeline in other countries like Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Some of these players, like Jose Abreu and Alexei Ramirez, worked out great. Others, like Oscar Colas and Yoelqui Cespedes, did not. Other teams have spent money on younger international talent, constantly replenishing their farm system for trades and impact prospects coming to MLB, while the White Sox mostly had to rely on drafting and developing to keep the farm strong. 

Now, under Keller, the White Sox are building a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic and looking to take advantage of all methods of acquiring talent. Keller was only in Chicago a year when the team signed Munetaka Murakami, the first player they’d signed directly from Japan in 20 years. Murakami’s impact was immediately felt on the team, and he’s likely to land a long-term deal this offseason. Hopefully, his success story will keep the White Sox relevant in the free agent market in Japan over the next several years .

Say what you will about the White Sox organization, and many of the criticisms of the past few seasons are deserved. But Chris Getz continues to prove that he’s not like the GMs of the past. The organization has taken huge strides forward in how they identify and develop talent. The next step is proving they’re willing to expand payroll to supplement a winning core, and that begins this offseason. If ownership gets on board and does its part, the future of the White Sox looks incredibly bright.

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