The Houston Astros may have entered this offseason with questions about how much they could realistically spend, but they’ve been anything but quiet. After landing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai-one of the most coveted international arms on the market-Houston is poised to make another splash when the international signing period opens on January 15. The Astros are expected to bring in a promising group of international prospects, headlined by a pair of intriguing shortstops: Albert Fermin and Randy Arias.

Now, international signings can be a bit of a wild card. You’re talking about teenagers, often still growing into their bodies, being projected years into the future. But the Astros have shown they’re willing to bet on upside, and in Fermin and Arias, they’re banking on tools and traits that could pay off in a big way down the line.

Let’s start with Fermin. According to industry sources, he’s slated to receive one of the top international signing bonuses this year-13th overall, per Baseball America’s bonus board.

That kind of investment tells you a lot about how the Astros view him. At 6-foot-3, Fermin already has the kind of frame scouts dream on.

There’s real raw power in there, and more could be coming as he continues to fill out. But what really sets him apart is his approach at the plate.

For a player his age, the reports suggest he’s unusually advanced in the batter’s box-showing patience, pitch recognition, and a feel for contact that you don’t often see in teenage prospects.

There’s a chance Fermin eventually moves off shortstop-taller players sometimes outgrow the position-but the Astros are clearly prioritizing the bat. And when a young hitter shows polish and power potential like this, you find a defensive home later.

Then there’s Randy Arias, a different kind of prospect but a compelling one in his own right. Arias doesn’t have Fermin’s size or offensive ceiling, but he brings quickness, athleticism, and a skill set that could keep him at shortstop long-term.

He’s not without offensive promise-he’s got enough pop to keep pitchers honest-but his glove and range are what make him stand out right now. If the bat comes along, he could be a real asset up the middle.

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The Astros haven’t always leaned heavily on the international market, especially in recent years. A 2024 age fraud issue certainly didn’t help matters, but even so, they’ve managed to find value.

Pitchers like Miguel Ullola and Alimber Santa weren’t big-ticket signings, but they’ve worked their way into the conversation as legit prospects. That’s the beauty-and challenge-of international scouting: sometimes the lesser-known names end up making the biggest impact.

Houston’s hoping this 2026 class can keep that momentum going. Landing two top-20 international prospects is no small feat, and it gives the Astros more talent to develop in a system that’s already been producing.

Of course, signing players is just the first step. Developing them into big leaguers-that’s where the real work begins.

But for now, Astros fans can be encouraged by the organization’s aggressive approach. With Imai already in the fold and a new wave of international talent on the way, Houston is doing more than just staying afloat this offseason-they’re reloading.