The opening of the Philadelphia Phillies' 2026 international signing period on Thursday was headlined by Francisco Renteria, and for good reason. Signing a 17-year-old to a $4 million bonus will tend to grab attention. However, fans should take note of another prospect signing that has flown under the radar after the Phillies inked Venezuelan shortstop Juan Parra.
The Phillies signed the 17-year-old Parra with a $550,000 bonus. While he may not dominate the headlines like Renteria, Parra was picked by Baseball America's Ben Badler
as one of a dozen breakout international prospects from the 2026 class (subscription required).
Phillies' international signing and breakout candidate Juan Parra trains at Bobby Abreu's academy
An interesting note for Phillies fans as they welcome Parra to the organization is that he has a connection to former Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, who played in Philadelphia from 1998 into the 2006 season. Not only has Parra been honing his skills at Abreu's training academy in Carabobo, Venezuela, he's one of the standouts among the 2026 group from said academy.
Venezuelan shortstop Juan Parra has officially signed with the Phillies for $550,000.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2026
Parra is a switch-hitter from Bobby Abreu’s Academy. pic.twitter.com/fkgCQSLJdL
Parra ranked No. 89 on Baseball America's bonus board (subscription required) ahead of the signing window opening, meaning he was expected to sign for the 89th-highest bonus. But that number can be deceiving, as MLB Pipeline ranks Parra as the No. 39 international prospect from this class.
Here are Parra's scouting grades on the 20-80 scale from MLB Pipeline:
- Hit: 50
- Power: 40
- Run: 55
- Arm: 50
- Field: 55
- Overall: 45
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Parra has the potential to be an athletic, power-hitting shortstop who has good bat speed from both sides of the plate and should stick at the premium position, per Badler.
"Defensively, his athleticism is on display with the way he moves at shortstop, where he has quick, easy actions, soft hands and an average arm," according to Badler.
MLB Pipeline seems to agree with Badler's assessment of Parra's abilities that should allow him to stay at shortstop.
"Much like how prep shortstops Steele Hall (CIN No. 4/MLB No. 79) and Daniel Pierce (TB No. 5) were selected in the first round of the 2025 Draft on the basis of their projection and upside as up-the-middle players, such is the case for Parra. Philadelphia is confident in his ability to stick at the premium position as he makes his way in pro ball. He has the quickness both laterally and on the basepaths to impact the game in a variety of ways."
When Phillies fans will be able to see Parra stateside remains to be seen. He'll likely begin his career in the Caribbean in a development league. He's still going to be a long way off from the high minors, let alone a possible MLB debut, but if things go well, the Phillies' newest shortstop prospect could wind up in Florida in the Complex League soon.