The Major League Baseball 2025 international free agency period is about to open. While the players who will sign this year are a long way off from making their potential MLB debuts, we've got you covered with all the details you need to know about the Philadelphia Phillies' international signings this year.
At the beginning of last year's international signing period, the Phillies' top signing was 17-year-old Dominican outfielder Jalvin Arias. The organization's top international prospect right now is catcher Eduardo Tait (Phillies No. 4) after 2023's top signing, Starlyn Caba, was traded to the Miami Marlins in the Jesús Luzardo deal in December.
How MLB international free agency works and how much the Phillies can spend
The international free agency system can be confusing, so here's the skinny. The international free agency signing period opens on Jan. 15, 2025, and runs for 11 months through Dec. 15. Each team has a bonus pool of money they are allotted to sign players from foreign countries who are at least 16 or will turn 16 before Sept. 1.
This year, the Phillies have a bonus pool of $6,261,000, which they can disperse among their signings however they see fit. Some players will sign for large amounts, like the latest Japanese phenom, Roki Sasaki. Last year, the aforementioned Arias signed with the Phillies for $1.4 million, while others will sign for much less just for a shot at a career. Players who sign for less than $10,000 don't count against the allotted bonus pool.
Phillies' expected 2025 international signing class is headlined by Nieves Izaguirre
The Phillies reportedly have three of the top 100 international signings already lined up with handshake agreements (as is common practice) before the signing period officially opens.
Baseball America expects the Phillies' top signing will be shortstop Nieves Izaguirre, out of Venezuela (subscription required). Izaguirre, 17, is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 44 international prospect this year, while Baseball America expects him to sign for the 59th-highest amount. Per MLB Pipeline's scouting report, the 5-foot-10 speedster has a top-notch in-game IQ and: "eschews a power approach that extenuates the positives of his line-drive method. Equipped with plus plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone, he utilizes his athleticism to his advantage both in the box and once he gets into motion."
With the expected 67th-highest signing bonus, the Phillies also already have an agreement with Elias Marrero from the Dominican Republic. According to Baseball America, Marrero is an offensive-oriented shortstop with a short, quick swing who "uses his hands well at the plate, stays through the ball well and has occasional power."
Finally, the Phillies are also expected to sign catcher Deivis Velasquez out of Venezuela with the 72nd-highest bonus amount. Despite having an average arm, he reportedly stands out for his bat. As Baseball America reports, "He’s a righthanded hitter with a strong, stocky build that helps him pack a strong punch behind his compact swing, giving him a good balance of hitting ability and power for a young catcher."
There will be more signings than this as the international signing period gets underway on Wednesday, but expect these three names to dominate the Phillies' headlines on Jan. 15.