Who Are the Next Top International Players Who Could Jump to MLB?

America's pastime spans across the globe, with several international signings turning into MLB superstars over the years.

Last year, Jose Abreu and Masahiro Tanaka joined the list of players who successfully transitioned to the United States. Yasmany Tomas and Jung-ho Kang headline this offseason's top imports, leaving several appealing talents available to jump aboard.

While two premier Japanese pitchers will have to wait until 2016 at the earliest, other international stars could come in play this season. A few Cuban prospects are working toward that goal, and other defectors loom as future signees.

Let's become acquainted with a few of those players.

Yoan Moncada, SS, Cuba

The next Cuban slugger ready to jump ship, Yoan Moncada wields the highest upside of all potential imports.

A switch-hitting prospect with lightning bat speed, plus pop and defensive acumen, Moncada will draw a sizable payday when he leaps to the big leagues. Baseball America's Ben Badler, who analyzes Moncada at the end of the above video, reported that Moncada underwent a private session with the New York Yankees: 

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From conversations with several industry sources, the Yankees are one of the frontrunners to sign Moncada, who has residency in Guatemala and is a free agent, though Major League Baseball won’t let him sign until he receives a specific unblocking license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). While the young Latin American talent in the organization is promising, the Yankees are light on young, impact position players. Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitter who would likely slot it at second or third base, would immediately change that, and slot in as the Yankees’ top prospect if he ended up signing with them.

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That jives with Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs' earlier declaration that the Yankees and Boston Red Sox are early favorites for the teenage star. In October, McDaniel wrote about the intriguing prospect, who he said possesses "talent like Yasiel Puig":

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Moncada is 19 and packs a lot of tools into his 6’1/210 frame. He’s a plus-plus runner with above average raw power from both sides of the plate and the tools/skills to stick in the infield, possibly at shortstop. Moncada is the quick-twitch type with big bat speed that clubs covet and his track record of hitting at big tournaments and in Cuba’s professional leagues is excellent considering his age. 

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The Yankees' aging lineup could use an exciting young commodity to give fans hope. For that matter, any team would love to extend Moncada a long-term deal and let him blossom in the farm for a couple seasons.

Kenta Maeda, SP, Japan

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Kenta Maeda will remain with his Japanese club for at least one more year.

A hot candidate to join the majors this season, Kenta Maeda will instead remain in Japan after the Hiroshima Carp refused to post him. 

Were the 26-year-old righty made available, he would have commanded a sizable sum. Through seven seasons in the Japan Central League, he notched a career 2.44 ERA with 3.81 strikeouts per walk.

Not a flamethrower akin to fellow countryman Yu Darvish, Maeda thrives on command and keeping the opposition off balance. Although he wouldn't anchor a staff or contend for a Cy Young, he'd deliver valuable innings as a steady midlevel starter.

While he won't come to the U.S. just yet, several MLB stars had a chance to face him in Osaka, where the ace threw five shutout innings during November's Japan Series. Against a squad featuring Puig and Robinson Cano among other top talent, Maeda breezed through the batting order.

"He can pitch in the big leagues," Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "I'm sure we'll see him over there. He's got good stuff."

Hiroshima can still post him next year, but Maeda does not become an unrestricted free agent until 2017. Buzz would certainly fade after such a delay, as any suitor would then have to pay him into his 30s. But since his 2.60 ERA actually marked his highest clip since 2009, he has a chance to upgrade his stock with a stronger 2015.

Hector Olivera, 2B, Cuba

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Hector Olivera could deliver an immediate contribution to an MLB club.

Moncada is currently Cuba's most desired talent, but Badler identified second baseman Hector Olivera as "one of the most fascinating players to ever leave the island":

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At around 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Olivera is a physical righthanded hitter with a loose, quick swing and a good hitting approach. He showed good power for a middle infielder, and given that several Cuban players have transformed their bodies and increased their power since leaving the island, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Olivera did the same. His size, athleticism and plus speed (at least at his peak) made him one of the most well-rounded players in Cuba.

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Set to turn 30 on MLB's Opening Day, Olivera is not a project signing. He'd fill an immediate hole for someone searching for a quality infield bat. That makes injury and regression concerns all the more alarming.

After missing all of 2012-13 with a blood disorder, he returned to hit .316/.412/.474 through 73 games in Serie Nacional. While that represents a strong slash line, his power took a massive hit, declining from 2011-12's .626 slugging percentage and 17 homers through 60 contests. 

Health and age concerns would deflate any bidding wars. Again, the Yankees make perfect sense on paper. After trading Martin Prado to the Miami Marlins, Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela currently represent their top candidates to start the season at second base.

Having defected in September, it's only a matter of time before he establishes U.S. residency and can declare for MLB free agency. 

Jose Miguel Fernandez, 2B, Cuba

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Jose Miguel Fernandez will intrigue MLB teams searching for a high-impact bat up the infield.

Three months ago, Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reported that second baseman Jose Miguel Fernandez defected from Cuba. He's a long shot to become the country's best Jose Fernandez, but the 26-year-old should capture some clubs' attention.

Well polished at the plate, he displayed a keen batting eye for his Cuban club. Badler offered his scouting report promptly after Fernandez's defection: 

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A lefthanded hitter, Fernandez is excellent bat control and plate discipline with occasional power, producing a .326/.482/.456 line in 314 plate appearances during the 2013-14 season, good for second in the league in OBP. During the 2014-15 season, which started in September, Fernandez is hitting .315/.415/.426 in 65 plate appearances.

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His power potential is capped at around a 10-15 homer threat, and he can't run like the prototypical middle infielder. Yet he gets on base, which could make him a potential Matt Carpenter clone worthy of assuming a starting gig the moment he signs.

If he doesn't become eligible during the season, expect Fernandez to serve as a top international free-agent target next offseason.

Dayron Varona, OF, Cuba

There is not much fanfare and information available on Dayron Varona, but that will likely soon change. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that he worked out for MLB scouts Tuesday. 

The 25-year-old outfielder hit .312 in Cuba's Serie Nacional, but other holes in his ledger depict more of a risky role player than big-time splash.

A strong contact hitter, his 6.6 career walk percentage could scare off some teams. After getting caught stealing 25 times in 47 attempts, he won't get the green light anywhere he goes. 

While he's a raw talent, his pretty swing is worth a look for a low-level investment. Maybe he can amount to more with a little seasoning.

Jeong Choi, 3B, South Korea

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Third baseman Jeong Choi has been labeled the David Wright of South Korea.

Dubbed Korea's David Wright due to his well-rounded game and star marketability, Jeong Choi has taken the SK Wyverns to three championships in South Korea. Hitting his peak years at age 27, now would be a prime time for him to take the plunge to the U.S.

Last April, agent Melvin Roman told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that his client "has a strong desire to come and play in the major leagues." Nothing has since materialized, but he certainly brandishes the repertoire to make a splash.

A career .292/.382/.494 hitter, Choi has hit above .300 with a slugging percentage over .500 during each of the past five seasons. Playing just 82 games in 2014 prevented him from extending his streak of 20-homer campaigns during that time frame. 

Although it remains to be seen how he'll translate to the majors, he offers a five-tool skill set in Korea. Not many MLB clubs have such an asset at the hot corner, so Choi is a name to keep on the radar.