The Phillies are on the verge of landing a highly regarded international prospect.
According to major league sources, the team is extremely close to an agreement with Venezuelan outfielder Carlos Tocci. The deal could be finalized this week when Tocci turns 16. It is believed that Tocci will receive a 750,000 signing bonus, one of the largest the Phillies have ever given a Latin American player.
Tocci, who stands 6-2 and weighs 160 pounds, is considered an extremely athletic player with high upside and excellent speed and hitting potential. He throws and bats right-handed.
The addition of Tocci will help the Phillies minor-league system absorb some of the void created by the loss of Domingo Santana, a high-upside, 19-year-oldoutfielder from the Dominican Republic, who was shipped to Houston last week to complete the Hunter Pence trade. The Phillies gave up three other prospects in that deal, including power-armed righthander Jarred Cosart and top hitting prospect Jonathan Singleton, a first baseman.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.