Phillies Sign International Free Agent Osmel Aguila

The Phillies have dipped into the international market and completed a $100,00  contract with Cuban outfielder Osmel Aguila.

While the contract between the Phillies and Aguila was originally agreed upon prior to the season, the immigration process delayed the deal becoming official. Aguila continued to work out in the Dominican Republic while his paperwork was being sorted out.

A 26 year old right hander has a career .280 batting average during his career for Ganaderos de Camaguey in the Cuban league. Aguila started playing in the professional league when he was approximately 19 years old.

Due to poor documentation, his exact birthdate is not known. He is listed as 26 and reportedly turns 27 during the summer.

In 2010 Aguila hit a career best .296 with 13 home runs, 19 doubles, five triples, and 50 RBIs.

Aguila would be an interesting fit in Triple-A Lehigh Valley considering their current roster. Top outfield prospect Nick Williams has center field covered, but veterans Will Venable and Cedric Hunter are managing the corners.

Hunter is hitting .286 while Venable is struggling with a .192 average. Darin Ruf is also at Lehigh Valley after being sent down last week in favor of Tommy Joseph, who hit his second career home run in a loss to Detroit Monday.

In Double-A Reading there could be more room for Aguila. Cody Asche is there on rehab assignment following a spring training oblique injury. Dylan Cozens has been smashing baseballs in Reading, so his job appears to be safe. Then of course Roman Quinn, one of the Phillies top prospects, is manning center field.

Here are Auila’s unofficial stats from Cuba, courtesy of Baseball Reference.

Matt Breen of Philly.com says Aguila could see time in Philadelphia should he tear it up in the minors. The Phillies could certainly use any help they can get in the outfield, particularly over Peter Bourjos.