When Johan Rojas made his major league debut this past week he became the first player to do so who began his career at the Phillies Dominican Academy which opened in 2017, Johan was signed as a seventeen year old on January 18, 2018 and played his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League for the Phillies Red team. Ramon Rosso pitched at the Dominican Academy in 2017 however he was initially signed by the Dodgers in 2015 and subsequently released and then signed by the Phillies. (Thanks to Larry Shenk for the research).
This past spring training I did some of my own research on how many international players began their career with the Phillies and eventually played in the major leagues. Based on a quick review I found that since 1997 at least 55 players reached or are presently major leaguers who began their pro careers as Phillies international signees, Johan now being number 56 - the initial 55 listed below, current major leaguers bolded :
Sergio Escolano, Yohan Flande, Cesar Hernandez, Lendy Castillo, Dario Alvarez, Jonathan Villar, Carlos Silva, Jorge Padilla, Franklin Nunez, Anderson Machado, Eude Brito, Yoel Hernandez, Robinson Tejada, Carlos Ruiz, Ezequiel Estacio, Alfredro Simon, Jose Flores, Miguel Ascenzio, Jean Machi, Franklin Nunez, Elizardo Ramirez, Zack Segovia, Amaury Telemaco, Carlos Carrasco, Adrian Cardenas, Antonio Bastardo, Carlos Monasterios, Lendy Castillo, Freddy Galvis, Domingo Santana, Maikel Franco, Yacksel Rios, Carlos Tocci, Jessen Therrien, Deivy Grullon, Franklyn Kilome, Jonathan Arauz, Willians Astudillo, Lisalverto Bonilla, Hector Neris, Severino Gonzalez, Seranthony Dominguez, Ricardo Pinto, Ranger Suarez, Edubray Ramos, Edgar Garcia, Adonis Medina, Mauricio Llovera, Sixto Sanchez, Rafael Marchan, Ramon Rosso, Luis Garcia, Brad Hartman, Simon Muzziotti and Francisco Morales.
Just sayin 🤓
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.