The Phillies have reportedly signed Nieves Izaguirre (center) as part of their international signing class. (@Johnhawy/X)
A new MLB international signing period began Wednesday, and the Phillies have already reportedly signed a slew of talented prospects.
While the Phillies weren't able to secure a meeting with the top international prospect available in this year's cycle in Japanese RHP Roki Sasaki — who has yet to pick a team at the time of publication — Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Phillies have come to terms with other international players:
Nieves Izaguirre, SS, Venezuela
Elias Marrero, SS, Dominican Republic
Deivis Velasquez, C, Venezuela
Geremi Viloria, RHP, Venezuela
Daibert Cruceta, OF, Venezuela
Leonardo Carpio, OF, Venezuela
Rafael Oropeza, SS, Venezuela
Filippo Sabatini, RHP, Italy
Deiry Gonzalez, RHP, Dominican Republic
Anderson Araujo, C, Venezuela
Samuel Salcedo, SS, Venezuela
Nelson Prieto, C, Venezuela
Carlos Severino, SS, Dominican Republic
Reyner Zambrano, RHP, Venezuela
The Phillies have $6,261,600 they are operating with in this year's international signing period.
Of the players that Badler reports have signed with the Phillies, Izaguirre is the highest-rated prospect, with MLB Pipeline saying he's the No. 44 player in this year's international signing period:
"At just 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Izaguirre eschews a power approach that extenuates the positives of his line-drive method. Equipped with plus plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone, he utilizes his athleticism to his advantage both in the box and once he gets into motion.
"Having ripped off 60-yard dash times clocked as quick as 6.5 seconds, Izaguirre uses those wheels to his benefit up the middle defensively. His footwork and hands garner positive reviews along with his ability to make the routine plays consistently, with a penchant for the spectacular ones on occasion. He figures to get reps at short as his pro career gets underway, having solid projection as a middle-of-the-infield defender."
It's also worth noting that Izaguirre, who is 17, is a younger cousin of former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.
Elsewhere, here's a look at the limited video and/or photos of the other players that are part of this class:
The Phillies are projected to sign Dominican Republic SS Elias Marrero when the International Signing Period opens on January 15th.
Baseball America has Marrero projected to receive the 67th largest signing bonus during this signing period. pic.twitter.com/2PM207K81p
Dos firmas más para La Sabana, Nieves Izaguirre y Deivis Velasquez con los Phillies. 👏🏼👏🏼🔥🔥✍🏼✍🏼🇻🇪🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/7xjfYOOYrz
The Phillies are projected to sign Venezuela C Deivis Velasquez when the International Signing Period opens on January 15th. pic.twitter.com/4TiSUJLV1L
Philadelphia Phillies sign righthander Filippo Sabatini from Italy 🇮🇹https://t.co/aCRAKA5LSP pic.twitter.com/lbigDbYYT5
Filippo Sabatini escapes a jam in the 6th and Italy is 3 outs away from advancing to another gold medal game in the U18 European Championship pic.twitter.com/dt3IVg2jLr
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