January 15 marks the start of MLB’s international signing period. The stakes are high this year, with Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki being included as part of this process. The Orioles are not involved in the Sasaki sweepstakes, so it’s business as usual for them. They kicked off their signing class for this year with a group of 22 players announced.
As has been the norm over the last few signing periods, the Orioles class was headlined by one seven-figure bonus player and filled out with a variety of others. The top name, according to The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka, is Dominican shortstop José Luis Peña, whose signing bonus comes in at $1 million.