Astros agree to deals with three top 30 international free agents

The defending World Series champion Houston Astros on Sunday agreed to contracts with nine international free agents, including three who are ranked among Baseball America's top 30 prospects in the 2023 international signing class.

The three are shortstops Camilo Diaz and Germán Ramírez, and outfielder Esmil Valencia. All are from the Dominican Republic.

The Astros did not disclose contract terms, but MLB.com reported that Diaz's deal is worth $2.25 million and Valencia got $1.1 million

Eight of the Astros' nine players are from the Dominican Republic, and one is from Venezuela.

"We are excited to welcome a new group of international players into our organization," Astros assistant general manager Charles Cook said.

The other international free agents signed by the team on Sunday, per MLB.com, were outfielders Eduardo Pérez and Juan Sierra; right-handed pitchers Eudy Liriano, Joan Ogando and Rafael González; and infielder Sandro Pereira.

The international signing period runs from Sunday through Dec. 15.