1/18/26 : International Signings
- Steve Potter
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Phillies announced signing 18 international players this past week as part of the 2026 international amateur free agent signing class. Eleven of the players are from Venezuela, two from the Dominican Republic, two from Panama and one each from Aruba, Italy and Japan. The signees range in age from 16 to 18 years of age. LHP Leonardo Larez from Venezuela is the youngest in the group - he turns 17 on June 24th.
Good reviews have been published in both Baseball America and on the MLB page for OF Francisco Renteria, SS Juan Parra, LHP Samuel Ortiz, RHP Justin Burgos, C Sebastian Saenz and RHP Yilmar Samudio. Renteria and Parra are listed as potential standouts.
Here’s some information on two of the other players signed. Sixteen year old Italian infielder Patrick Silva is a left handed hitter whose father Conrado Silva is a highly regarded and renowned coach in Italy. Conrado played for Cuba in the 1990’s. Patrick initially caught the attention of the Phillies while playing for Team Italy during the U15 Baseball World Cup in Colombia where he was among the best players on their national team. He later had a breakout performance with Team Italy’s U18 national team in a tournament which earned him a spot on the WBSC All-World Team. Eighteen year old RHP Alexandre Moreti is a RHP whose parents are from Brazil. They moved to Japan which is where he was raised and went to Homare HS in Aichi Prefecture. Alexandre has a large build at 6’3’ and 215 pounds and throws a low nineties fastball as well as slider, cutter, and forkball. His potential attracted both NPB and MLB scouts. His signing is notable as the organization attempts to establish a bigger presence in Japan and the ability to sign more Japanese players.
Note that some of the more recent international free agent signings and trade acquisitions by the Phillies are currently doing very well for themselves - shortstop Starlyn Caba(signed in 2023 from the Dominican Republic) excelled in the Arizona Fall League and will be in big league camp this spring with the Miami Marlins, catcher Eduardo Tait (signed in 2023 from Panama) is highly regarded and is expected to be in spring big league camp with the Minnesota Twins as is Dominican Republic outfielder Hendry Mendez (acquired in a 2023 trade with Brewers by Phillies - now on Twins 40 man roster). Infielder Hao-Yu Lee (signed in2021 from Taiwan) will once again be in the Detroit Tigers big league camp as he’s on their 40 man roster.
Infielder Aroon Escobar (signed in 2022 from Venezuela) is currently the Phillies top rated international prospect in the system however players such as reigning Eastern League MVP IF/OF Felix Reyes (signed 2020 from Dominican Republic), RHP Raymon Marquez(signed 2025 from Mexico), RHP Jean Cabrera (signed in 2019 from Venezuela - is on Phillies 40 man roster), OF Raylin Heredia (signed 2021 from Dominican Republic), C Anderson Araujo (signed 2025 from Venezuela), LHP Angel Liranzo (signed 2023 from Dominican Republic), OF Manolfi Jimenez (signed 2022 from Dominican Republic) and RHP Brad Pacheco (signed 2023 from Venezuela) are on the rise.
On the big league front Dominican Republic native LHP Christopher Sanchez (acquired in trade with the Tampa Rays for international signee infielder Curtis Mead - signed by the Phillies in 2017 from Australia) has become one of the best pitchers in baseball while Venezuelan LHP Ranger Suarez (signed by the Phillies in 2012) just got paid some serious money by the Red Sox. Catcher Rafael Marchan (signed 2015 from Venezuela) and OF Johan Rojas (signed 2018 from Dominican Republic) are Phillies international signees on their current 40 man roster.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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