Phillies rumors: Team agrees to deals with top international prospects
By John Town
The international signing period opens up Sunday and the Phillies are rumored to have deals in place with several top international prospects.
With the draft come and gone, the next phase of talent recruitment for the Phillies comes in the form of the international signing period. July 2 opens up the 2017-2018 signing period, and Philadelphia is expected to be active.
Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports that the team has agreements with several international prospects.
The most highly-regarded player the team has a deal with is Dominican shortstop Luis Garcia, who turns 17 Oct. 1. Baseball America ranks him as the No. 12 overall prospect in this international class. He is a defense-first shortstop who is quick on his feet with an above-average arm. He should be able to stick with the position with ease.
More from Phillies Rumors
- Phillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen role
- Could Phillies sign 2nd former Mets starting pitcher in same offseason?
- Phillies rumor: Dansby Swanson could be club’s alternative to Trea Turner
- Rob Thomson apology hints possible Phillies blockbuster signing
- Phillies rumors: Club likely to land top shortstop on free-agent market
Offensively, Garcia is a slap-hitter who will spray the ball all over the field but won’t hit for a whole lot of power. Some scouts believe in his hit tool and think he could be a No. 1 or 2 hitter while others don’t see enough to stay out of the bottom of the lineup.
Salisbury said Garcia will sign to a $2.5 million bonus.
The team also has agreements with two pitchers in BA’s Top 50, Colombian Victor Vargas (25) and Venezuelan Carlos Betancourt (41).
Vargas is expected to stick as a starter with a four-pitch mix featuring a curve, slider, and changeup. His fastball won’t overpower anyone, but at 6’1 180 he has enough projectability to sit in the low-90s.
Betancourt has a fastball that is already in the low-90s and could very well get up into the high-90s with time. His breaking ball flashes above-average with some scouts projecting it as plus. However, he lacks a third pitch and his command is spotty, leading to a potential role as a reliever rather than a starter.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could still struggle greatly in 2023 season
- Philadelphia Phillies: Most impactful transactions in 2022
- How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023?
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
The team has also agreed to a deal with Venezuelan catcher Cesar Rodriguez, who BA ranks No. 42 overall. The 16-year old is 5’8 and weighs 180 pounds. He is an advanced hitter who can hit line drives all over the field and has solid plate discipline. However, his slight frame will likely hurt his ability to ever be a big power hitter.
Scouts question Rodriguez’s ability to stay behind the plate because he isn’t very athletic, but he does have an above-average arm and is a “steady defender.”
Salisbury also reports that the team agreed to a contract with another Venezuelan catcher, Oscar Gonzalez. Not much is known about Gonzalez and he doesn’t appear on BA’s Top 50.
Next: Cameron Perkins has a tough first week in Majors
The final player Salisbury said the team agreed to terms with Dominican righty Israel Puello. BA released this video of him from this year’s international showcase. They said he performed well there and can hit up to 92 mph with his fastball.