ProPublica details exploitation of Dominican baseball prospects

A ProPublica investigation has reported that Dominican baseball prospects, including children as young as 11, are exposed to informal early agreements, trainer fees and high-interest loans secured against future signing bonuses.

The report said Major League Baseball teams paid Dominican prospects US$1.042 billion in bonuses from 2012 to early 2026. ProPublica’s analysis estimated that as much as US$500 million was diverted to trainers and lenders, though that figure was not independently verified in the source material.

Dominican prospects generally enter professional baseball through “preacuerdos” — unwritten agreements made before they are officially eligible to sign. Trainers, or buscones, commonly provide coaching, accommodation and equipment in return for about 35% to 50% of a player’s signing bonus.

One case examined by ProPublica involved Belfi Rivera, who agreed to a reported US$1.8 million bonus with the Arizona Diamondbacks at 14. The report said Rivera’s trainer received US$630,000 and more than US$950,000 went to lender Santo Caraballo. The Diamondbacks did not respond to ProPublica’s request for comment.

The investigation also examined Caraballo’s business relationship with former Red Sox player David Ortiz. Records reportedly show the pair entered a Florida business partnership in 2021; the company was dissolved the following year. Ortiz acknowledged investing millions in Caraballo’s baseball business but said his dealings involved loans to trainers, not children.

Ortiz also urged Dominican players and trainers to oppose an international draft in an audio message obtained by ProPublica. He denied that his position was motivated by personal interests, saying it reflected his views about player development. MLB supports a draft, while the players’ union has opposed it, citing player choice and the potential for lower bonuses.