January 15, 2023 International Signing Period

[Squire]

Mod's Note: I'm inserting the summary table in the top post here, so it's easy for all to find. I'll update this as players are reported signed. - J

Player	Position	Signed	Nationality	Birth	Age at Signing	Bonus
Caba, Jesus Starlyn	SS	1/15/23	Dominican	12/6/05	17	3,000,000
Calderon, Jaeden	OF	1/15/23	Dominican	9/17/05	17	150,000
Cardoza, Victor	OF	1/15/23	Venezuela	1/19/06	17
De La Cruz, Alexis	RHP	1/15/23	Dominican	9/20/04	18
De Los Santos, Alexander	RHP	1/15/23	Dominican	8/23/06	16
Diaz, Joseph	RHP/OF	1/15/23	Dominican	12/8/05	17
Dominguez, Luis	RHP	1/15/23	Dominican	12/17/01	21
Escolana, Yhoan	C	1/15/23	Venezuela	11/4/05	17
Fernandez, Eduardo	LHP	1/15/23	Venezuela	9/4/04	18
Ferrebus, Alirio	C	1/15/23	Venezuela	9/12/05	17
Julio, Jorge	OF	1/15/23	Venezuela	8/4/06	16
Liranzo, Angel	LHP	1/15/23	Dominican	8/5/06	16
Manrique, Renair	SS	1/15/23	Venezuela	2/8/06	16
Marchan, Jose	OF	1/15/23	Venezuela	12/20/05	17
Martinez, Luis	LHP	1/15/23	Dominican	12/5/05	17	150,000
Pan Wen-Hui	RHP	1/15/23	Taiwan	9/19/02	20	350,000
Peralta, Pedro	RHP	1/15/23	Dominican	7/27/06	16	140,000
Ramirez, Isaac	OF	1/15/23	Dominican	10/7/05	17	50,000
Rodriguez, Esterling	OF	1/15/23	Dominican	9/8/05	17
Tait, Eduardo	C/3B	1/15/23	Panama	8/27/06	16
Mota, Rainy	RHP	2/1/23	Dominican	1/26/06	17
Avila, Luis	RHP	2/23/23	Venezuela	5/26/03	19
Diaz, Cristian	RHP	3/6/23	Venezuela	6/12/05	17
Charles, Jendry	RHP	3/9/23	Dominican	4/25/02	20
Jean, Enderson	RHP	3/12/23	Dominican	9/21/04	18
Reyes, Ramon	RHP	3/15/23	Dominican	2/15/02	21
Lebron, Gregory	LHP	3/29/23	Dominican	7/9/04	18
Robles, Eduardo	RHP	4/20/23	Mexico	6/27/05	17
Mejia, Naoel	RHP	4/29/23	Dominican	7/5/02	20
Pacheco, Brad	RHP	5/18/23	Venezuela	6/9/05	17
Polanco, Yonkelvin	OF	6/5/23	Dominican	7/13/06	16
Neunborn, Mitch	RHP	6/5/23	S. Africa	6/27/97	25
Rosario, Raymon	LHP	6/13/23	Dominican	6/6/05	18
Gonzalez, Orlando	RHP	7/29/23	Mexico	11/22/02	20
Venegas, Jousten	RHP	8/23/23	Venezuela	2/5/06	17
Speirs, Declan	C	9/12/23	Australia	6/16/05	18
Vargas, Hanfermin	RHP	12/2/23	Dominican	8/12/04	19
Arias, Eligio	RHP	12/2/23	Dominican	3/26/03	20
De La Cruz, Joshue	RHP	12/5/23	Dominican	10/17/05	18
Aguila, Denilson	SS	12/6/23	Cuba	2/28/06	17
Bonuses Over $10,000, Total:						3,840,000
Pool:						4,644,000
Remaining:						804,000

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BA First 2023 International Report and we are listed (with previously noted SS Starlyn Caba):

Starlyn Caba, SS, Dominican Republic
Team: Phillies

The top Phillies international signing in their class from this year's signing period that opened on Jan. 15, 2022 was William Bergolla Jr., a lefthanded-hitting shortstop from Venezuela. Bergolla Jr. hit .380/.470/.423 in 83 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League this year, drawing 11 walks and striking out just three times (3.6%), showing minimal power but with outstanding contact skills and the defensive attributes to stay at shortstop. Their top player for Jan. 15 is another shortstop with a similar build at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds who projects to stick at the position. Caba isn't a huge slugger, but he has more ability to drive the ball with impact at the same age compared to Bergolla Jr., driving the ball well to the gaps from both sides of the plate. He's a plus runner and a good athlete, which is evident in the way he plays shortstop. He's a fluid defender whose hands and feet work well at the position with an arm that's nearing plus and should be there soon with more strength gains.

[gmwannabe]

That sounds good. I guess if he is written about, he must be in their rankings. Does he have any ranked position? Thanks Squire

[fish]

That sounds good. I guess if he is written about, he must be in their rankings. Does he have any ranked position? Thanks Squire

9 on fangraphs (non-asian players)

[andyb]

The players might win this lawsuit (remember it is filed in the Dominican, not the US). MLB really needs to do more than use the international talent pool as a collective bargaining chip.

Two Dominican players suing Angels over deals

[gmwannabe]

Thanks fish. the article is pretty interesting. maybe I missed it but, what will be said for players that do agree and then reneg. will they be held accountable.
gm

[fish]

That sounds good. I guess if he is written about, he must be in their rankings. Does he have any ranked position? Thanks Squire

Bergolla had polish, and Ortiz had made a name for himself 2 years before the signing period, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Caba is going to be the mostly highly regarded international prospect the phils have signed (at least leading up his signing). The current size, tremendous athleticism, defensive ability and projectability are better than I've ever seen in a Phillies Latin prospect (pre-signing).

[allentown]

Good to hear.

[andyb]

No idea if the Phillies are one of the teams in on this guy, but this is the thread for rumors:

According to Apple Daily, 19-year-old RHP 潘文輝 (Pan Wen-Hui) has received offers from 5 MLB teams.

He is likely to sign with a team in the National League East, the signing bonus is rumoured to be around 400,000 USD.

Pan's fastball maxed out at 158 kph (98.2 mph). #MLBTW pic.twitter.com/sDwA99byrw

— CPBL STATS - ️ #95 , Mina, LIKE ( @GOCPBL ) June 1, 2022

[gmwannabe]

go get him DD. Hau Lee's best friend.
gm

[fish]

They have spent every last dollar in their pool and then some, so unless they mean that he'll sign in January, it's not the Phillies.

[andyb]

He is signing next January. Just about any prospect who will get a $400K bonus has to wait till next year.

[andyb]

They are really for future posting periods, but here is more on the two great young players from Japan. We have noted Sasaki around his early season no-hitters, but Murakami is having as good a year at the plate. 55 HRs so far (and he hits more to the opposite field than his pull side). 22 year old 3B so he is at least 3 years away.

Baseball’s Best Young Hitter and Pitcher Play in Japan

[bkeich]

It is unfortunate the Phillies won't even be considered (or take any action) concerning the Japanese players. Have we ever even been mentioned as a real contender for a significant Japanese player?

[Austinfan]

Have any East Coast teams? Maybe the Yankees, because of the Brand.
Japanese players like the West Coast for obvious reasons.

[Philsmania]

Have any East Coast teams? Maybe the Yankees, because of the Brand.
Japanese players like the West Coast for obvious reasons.

The Rangers signed Yu Darvish when he was a big deal coming over. You could say that Texas--the place, not the baseball organization--is a brand as well with its sense of bigness, ostentatiousness, cowboys and Americana.

[bkeich]

Red Sox have also been active signing Matsusuki years ago and Sawamuri last year.

Other teams have at least been "involved" in the discussions. We don't seem to even talk to them, certainly we are not contenders in these signings.

[fish]

It's possible to create the culture but it requires making the investment...and consistently investing..as the White Sox did with their Cuban presence. There has to be a foundation and some street credit - guys who have had a positive experience, and a support system in place. Safe to say that, at the moment, the Phillies don't have anything that resembles that.

[flyers19rw]

Haven't the Phillies attempted to do this in Venezuela? I recall that Agostinelli was involved in setting things up for the organization in that country. Unfortunately it hasn't born too much fruit to this date aside from Ranger Suarez. There may be some talent in the pipeline.

[Philsmania]

Haven't the Phillies attempted to do this in Venezuela? I recall that Agostinelli was involved in setting things up for the organization in that country. Unfortunately it hasn't born too much fruit to this date aside from Ranger Suarez. There may be some talent in the pipeline.

We are wasting our money in Venezuela. Pull out already.

[zambonir]

Those connections also got them Herrera (and the intel on his ability to move from 2B to CF specifically).