Xander Bogaerts. Rafael Devers. Brayan Bello. All three eventually became impact players for the Red Sox, but long before they reached the majors each signed with the club as teenagers hoping to chase their big league dream.

This week that journey officially begins for a new class of international free agents.

Monday marked the first day of MLB’s new international signing period, a big day on the baseball calendar that allows players and clubs to formalize deals that have often been agreed to years in advance. The Red Sox are expected to spread their $5.284 million in international signing funds across several talented youngsters, continuing an approach that helped net top prospects like Miguel Bleis and Yoenis Cespedes.

Here are a handful of the notable players who are set to join the Red Sox, according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. As of this writing no signings have been officially announced by the club.

Vladimir Ascensio, OF, Dominican Republic

The jewel of the Red Sox latest crop of international standouts, Ascensio is widely viewed as one of the best all-around hitters in his class. Ranked No. 33 by MLB Pipeline, the outfielder is regarded as one of the most difficult teenage hitters to strike out from the Dominican Republic and boasts excellent hand-eye coordination and bat control along with the ability to spray the ball to all fields.

“The 17-year-old has made consistent hard contact during games, and evaluators believe he will grow into more power as he matures,” writes MLB.com. “He remains very much hit-over-power at this stage of his development, but he does sport some sneaky pop.”

At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Ascensio isn’t all that big but boasts enough quickness to allow him a chance to stick in center field. He also reportedly trained with the same club that produced Miguel Bleis, who was Boston’s top international signing in 2021 and currently ranks as the organization’s No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Ascencio reportedly signed for $1 million, which according to Baseball America ranks No. 37 in the class.

Carlos Carrasquel, 3B, Venezuela

Carrasquel has been identified by Baseball America as a prospect to watch and as someone who could be a potential breakout star upon his arrival in the Dominican Summer League. The Venezuelan third baseman stands at 6-foot-4 and reportedly boasts a promising foundation of size, power and all-around hitting ability.

“(He) generates easy power from the right side of the plate and doesn’t have to sell out with an all-or-nothing swing to produce that power, with the strength projection for bigger exit velocity numbers in the future,” Baseball America writes. “A shortstop earlier in the scouting process, Carrasquel has gotten faster and improved defensively, but his size and range fit better at third base, with the arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield.”

As of this writing Carrasquel has not yet officially signed with Boston, but is expected to in short order.

Edwin Brito, OF, Dominican Republic

Baseball America describes Brito as a big right-handed outfielder who has great raw power and bat speed along with the ability to drive the ball with damage. Brito isn’t expected to be as great a contact hitter and projects as a corner outfielder. As of this writing Brito has not yet formally signed.

Dalvinson Reyes, RHP, Dominican Republic

The highest-paid pitcher in this year’s Red Sox class at $450,000, Baseball America describes Reyes as a tall and lanky right-hander who stands at at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds and who already boasts a fastball touching 92 mph. He’ll have plenty of room to grow physically while also improving his curveball and changeup.

Anderson Fermin, SS/CF, Dominican Republic

According to Baseball America, Fermin is a switch-hitting standout with gap power from both sides of the plate, along with high-end athleticism and plus speed that could allow him to star at either shortstop or center field. Fermin has reportedly signed for $400,000.

Rounding things out

According to Baseball America the Red Sox are also expected to sign the following international free agents as well: Justin Gonzalez, OF, Dominican Republic; Tavano Baker, OF, Bahamas; Juan Medina, RHP, Venezuela; Edwin Darvile, SS, Bahamas; Avinson Pinto, SS, Venezuela; Tejahari Wilson, RHP, Bahamas; Justim Sojo, SS, Venezuela.