The Phillies have been busy on the first day of the new international signing period for 16-year-old players.
As long expected, they have an agreement with slugging first baseman/outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz of the Dominican Republic. The deal will be for in the neighborhood of $4 million when it becomes official. According to sources, there are several details that must still be finalized, but the deal will happen.
Ortiz is a 6-2, 260-pound right-handed hitter with huge power. Phillies scouts have been on him for months and word is the two sides have had an agreement dating to the fall.
The Phillies have signed Rafael Marchan, a highly regarded catcher from Venezuela, for $200,000. He is a converted shortstop and switch-hitter. Scouts are high on his bat.
The Phils have also locked up middle infielder Keudi Bocio and left-hander Manuel Silva, both of the Dominican Republic.
Major League Baseball gives every team an allotment of money for signing qualified international players. It is based on the previous year’s record and other factors. The Phillies’ allotment for this signing period is $3,041,700. Teams that go over their allotment face penalties ranging from a tax to forfeiting the ability to sign top international players in future signing periods. Ortiz's signing alone will put the Phillies over their allotment, but teams can trade for more international bonus money to avoid penalties.