January 15, 2023 International Signing Period

[julio]

I've inserted an updated table of signings in the top post. I'll keep that one updated.

[Squire]

Looks great. Thanks. At least 8 Hall of Famers on that list I'm sure of it.

[julio]

Looks great. Thanks. At least 8 Hall of Famers on that list I'm sure of it.

You are an optimist!

Updated today because of the reported signing of Luis Avila (about whom I know nothing). He's been assigned to DSL White.

[allentown]

It looks like the VZ bonuses may be hidden for security reasons, but it's been a while since we didn't have a big VZ bonus guy and the listed bonuses don't permit that big a bonus under the cap. It's a long time since we had this DE-centric a signing period. Chance in focus?

[julio]

Updated the table in the top post - three March signings were added to the milb.com transactions pages in the past day or two.

[julio]

From Steve Potter today:

The Adelaide Giants announced on their website that the Phillies have signed RHP Mitch Neunborn to a minor league contract. The 25 year old posted a 2.25 ERA in 28 IP for the Australian Baseball League champion Giants this past season. He’s from Johannesburg, South Africa.

When this is officially announced by mlb, I believe we have to consider this as an International Signing - as far as I can determine, Neunborn has not previously signed a contract in "organized" baseball.

[andyb]

Pitched in the WBC for Australia (even though he is South African originally). Google shows his name in a Baseball America top 10 prospects in the WBC article though the list is of players not yet affiliated with a major league organization.

[fish]

Probably upper levels pitching depth, but he really took it up a notch in the WBC. Almost looks like he’s throwing a change up that’s dipping and fading as much as his curve going straight down. .

https://twitter.com/sameades13/status/1635695321547255808?s=46&t=mvOU_pmOKCjCzc-L4tyU4w

[nycphils]

I like it, in spite of the age and middling velocity. Worth throwing him in AA (I assume the WBC overall was AA quality) and seeing if he can swim.

[andyb]

1 more:

Lost in the various roster moves, the Phillies have signed 18 year old Dominican 6'4" LHP Gregory Lebron. They now have 26 signings this international period.

— Matt Winkelman ( @Matt_Winkelman ) April 4, 2023

[andyb]

Not specifically on the Phillies, but the Nationals here are even worse than the Phillies in Asia. They and the Phillies are 2 of the 5 teams to have never signed a player from the NPB (the Japanese major leagues). I think we have only signed veterans from another major league team (Iguchi comes to mind).

For the Nationals, Asia remains an untapped market for talent

[julio]

The Phillies recently (4/29) signed another Dominican, 20-year-old RHP Naoel Mejia.

[Matt_Winkelman]

Thank you for catching this, also looks like RHP Eduardo Robles from Mexico as well on 4/20 - https://www.milb.com/player/eduardo-robles-810856

[andyb]

Does the DSL start earlier this year? Saw Steve Potter posting about exhibitions against other organizations already and usually there are not more than a couple weeks of that.

[Matt_Winkelman]

Season starts Monday June 5, last year started Monday June 6

[andyb]

I guess they have their own month long extended Spring program. Easier to manage pitch counts and get more players into the game I guess.

[Squire]

2023 International Reviews: Philadelphia Phillies

Not sure if this is behind a paywall

[andyb]

Yes unfortunately behind the paywall. My library app has the paper edition. Not sure these international reviews get there though.

[Matt_Winkelman]

Mentioned players

Starlyn Caba - $3,000,000 - nothing new
Wen Hui Pan - $350,000 - reports on current are out there
Jaeden Calderon - $150,000 - moving from OF to C, impressive bat speed
Luis Martinez - $150,000 - up to 91
Angel Liranzo - $145,000 - very young, up to 90, good feel for curve spin
Renair Manrique - $100,000 - mature approach, probably 2B/3B
Esterling Rodriguez - $100,000 - low effort swing
Eduardo Tait - $90,000 - one of the youngest players in the class, knack for barreling, offensive oriented

[allentown]

I guess change has arrived for the Phillies international scouting/signing side: what stands out for me from this summary is how much the Phillies emphasis has shifted from Venezuela to the far more productive Dominican Republic and also Asia. We have not been served well by the bulk of bonus $ flowing to VZ in recent years.