We're still only about halfway through January, but it feels like spring training is right around the corner. There's still plenty of offseason left, however, and the Philadelphia Phillies are in hot pursuit of Bo Bichette, which would be a massive get. While that excitement plays out, seeing as it's a new year we should turn our attention to the future with international free agency about to open.
Officially beginning on Jan. 15, the signing period will run to Dec. 15 before resetting next January. Still teenagers, the young prospects who will sign as international free agents are years away from making their potential MLB debuts.
Regardless, there's some exciting talent and we've got you covered with everything you need to know about the Phillies' international signings in 2026. When last year's international signing period opened, the Phillies' top signing was 17-year-old shortstop Nieves Izaguirre, cousin of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. This year is shaping up to be even more exciting.
How MLB international free agency will work for the Phillies in 2026
The international free agency system can be somewhat confusing for fans, so here are the basics. As we already covered, the signing period opens on Jan. 15, 2026, and runs for 11 months through Dec. 15. To be eligible, players must be 16 before signing and turn 17 before Sept. 1 the next year.
Teams have a pool of money they can use to sign players. This year, the Phillies have a bonus pool of $6,679,200. It's up to each team to try to determine what amount prospects are worth and what will ensure that their previous handshake agreement is honored. Note that players signed for less than $10,000 don't count against the bonus pool allotment.
Phillies' expected 2026 international signing class includes an exciting top name
The Phillies are expected to sign just two of the top 100 players on Baseball America's bonus board. However, one of those players, Francisco Renteria is one of the top players in the class.
While Renteria, an outfielder out of Venezuela, doesn't have the same family ties as last year's signing Izaguirre, he's one of the most exciting and projectible top players available. Renteria, who just turned 17, is expected to sign with the Phillies for around $4 million (subscription required), the second-richest deal this period.
Renteria is MLB Pipeline's No. 3 international prospect and has already drawn comparisons to the No. 1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin. Per his scouting report, Renteria, is "a contact monster, which when coupled with his excellent understanding of the strike zone and his plus-plus raw power, leads to him having one of the highest offensive upsides in the 2026 international class."
Francisco Renteria's physicality, power and athleticism all make him stand out.
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 5, 2026
The 16-year-old outfielder from Venezuela is expected to sign with the Phillies for one of the largest bonuses of the international class. pic.twitter.com/aNQrKiFY5L
With the expected 89th-highest signing bonus, per Baseball America, the Phillies are also expected to sign shortstop Juan Parra from Venezuela. According to MLB Pipeline, which ranks him No. 39 among international prospects, the switch-hitting 17-year-old trains in Bobby Abreu's academy. He doesn't show a lot of power yet, "but his loose 6-foot frame should allow him to pack on some muscle as he matures, giving hope there will be more extra-base thump to come," per he scouting report.
There will be more signings than Renteria and Parra when the international signing period gets underway on Thursday, but expect these two names to dominate the Phillies' headlines.
Some of the other names you can expect to hear about when the international signing period opens include these players who are committed to signing with the Phillies:
- RHP Jose Romero (Ven.)
- LHP Samuel Ortiz (Ven.)
- C Sebastian Saenz (Ven.)
- OF Miguel Laya (Ven.)
- OF Edwin Ramirez (Ven.)
- RHP Justin Burgos (Dom.)
- RHP Yilmar Samudio (Pan.)
- RHP Jorge Miranda (Pan.)
- 1B Patrick Silva (Ita.)
- LHP Jona Widmann (Ger.)
- RHP Alexandre Moreti (Jpn.)