Official: Cardinals secure elite international prospect dubbed the “Dominican Aaron Judge”
The St. Louis Cardinals took another meaningful step toward strengthening their long-term outlook on Thursday, officially announcing the signing of one of the most highly regarded international prospects in recent years. The organization reached an agreement with 17-year-old Dominican outfielder Emanuel Luna, reportedly securing his services for a $2.3 million signing bonus.
Luna entered the international market as one of the premier talents in his class and was ranked No. 8 overall on MLB Pipeline’s 2026 International Prospects List. The deal, which had been anticipated for months, was formally confirmed this week, reinforcing the Cardinals’ commitment to building through young, high-upside talent.
MLB Pipeline acknowledged the signing on social media, noting the significance of the move and the investment St. Louis made to bring Luna into the organization. While many fans may not yet be familiar with his name, Luna has been generating buzz within scouting circles for quite some time. In fact, he earned the eye-catching nickname “the Dominican Aaron Judge” among evaluators following the international amateur ranks.
The comparison, first reported by Wilber Sánchez last November, certainly sets lofty expectations. Sánchez initially revealed that Luna had a pre-agreement in place with St. Louis and was expected to command a bonus in the $2.3 million range, which ultimately proved accurate once the signing became official.
While likening any teenage prospect to a superstar such as Aaron Judge is ambitious, the buzz surrounding Luna reflects just how highly regarded his tools are. Scouts are particularly intrigued by his physical projection, advanced offensive approach, and the raw power already present in his right-handed swing.
According to MLB.com’s scouting report, Luna hails from Santo Domingo, a city that has produced some of baseball’s brightest stars, including Juan Soto, Marcell Ozuna, and Jeremy Peña. Evaluators believe Luna has the potential to follow in those footsteps one day, thanks to his combination of size, strength, and natural hitting ability. He will turn 17 just as the 2026 international signing period opens, giving him ample time to develop under professional coaching.
The report highlights Luna’s muscular frame and significant raw power, traits that allow him to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Despite his strength, he is praised for maintaining balance, strong bat control, and an advanced understanding of the strike zone. Few hitters in his class are said to possess the same feel for hitting or overall offensive approach at such a young age.
Scouts also believe Luna’s ceiling could be even higher as he continues to mature, faces better competition, and benefits from professional instruction. His supporters see room for further growth, particularly as he refines his swing mechanics and adjusts to higher-level pitching.
Although Luna remains several years away from making an impact at the major league level, this type of signing represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking move Cardinals fans have come to expect. Securing a top-tier international prospect with immense upside is a clear signal that St. Louis is investing heavily in its future, hoping that Luna could one day become a cornerstone of the franchise.
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