Phillies focused on shortstop prospect with impressive “baseball IQ” in international signing period

Phillies expected to sign top shortstop prospect when MLB international signing period begins

Philadelphia Phillies fans are excited about top prospect Bryson Stott debuting in 2022, but he’s about to have intriguing company on the farm.

The Phillies are expected to sign a top shortstop when the international signing period begins on Saturday, January 15. William Bergolla Jr., who currently ranks in the top-10 on MLB.com and Baseball America’s international prospect lists, has been linked to the Phillies for months. His father was also an infielder, who had a brief big-league career, appearing in 17 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2005.

The young shortstop’s MLB.com scouting report compliments his “all-around game,” and notes that despite his youth,

"“He already shows solid bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach and understanding of the strike zone… good footwork, soft hands, and a strong enough arm to keep him at the position…He has solid range and good baseball instincts. He’s been praised for his baseball IQ and awareness on both sides of the ball.”"

After what Phillies fans had to endure from current shortstop Didi Gregorius this season, it’s clear the franchise needs both quality and quantity in the shortstop department.

Stott is set to debut in 2022, while Bergolla is only 17 years old and will have to work his way up the farm system. So, it’s not so much competition, as a more concrete roadmap to the team’s infield future, which looks much brighter than the past and present.

Update: Phillies sign William Bergolla Jr.

MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reports that the Phillies have signed William Bergolla Jr. for an estimated $2.2M. The club has yet to formally announce the move.