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Phillies likely to sign 16-year-old Dominican slugger

A year ago, on the first day of baseball's international signing period, the Phillies expended a combined $1.55 million to sign a pair of 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstops.

A year ago, on the first day of baseball's international signing period, the Phillies expended a combined $1.55 million to sign a pair of 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstops.

On Thursday, when the next period opens, the team with baseball's worst record is expected to spend more than twice that amount on one 16-year-old slugger who boasts what is said to be loads of raw power potential.

The Phillies have long been the favorites to land Jhailyn Ortiz, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound Dominican whom Baseball America ranks as the 18th-best prospect in this class.

Several reports peg the signing bonus the Phillies are set to give Ortiz in the range of $4 million. In a market in which handshake agreements are commonplace, the buzz in the Dominican Republic is that the Phillies have had Ortiz locked up since last year, according to one Latin America talent evaluator who has watched Ortiz play three times.

The righthanded-hitting Ortiz plays left field and first base, but questions about his athleticism could result in his sticking to first. His bat is regarded as among the best in the Dominican Republic along with that of outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Baseball America's top prospect in this international class. Scouts around baseball are mixed on Ortiz overall, though, some viewing him as somewhat one-dimensional.

"No doubt he is impressive to watch in person, and he stands out from almost every other prospect at the events batting-wise," said the scout who saw Ortiz on three occasions. "He has a big body that he needs to get in shape or develop into."

Ortiz, who played in the International Prospects Series in Cary, N.C., in March, is said to put on shows in batting practice but to be vulnerable to breaking pitches. He is also, of course, only a teenager who doesn't turn 17 until November. The organization would have plenty of time to develop him.

The Phillies have $3,041,700 in international bonus pool money for this period. Unless they trade for more - which they very well could - they would likely surpass their bonus pool by signing Ortiz. Baseball America has also linked them to 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Rafael Marchan, a converted shortstop whom the publication ranks as the 23d-best prospect in this class.

If a team outspends its international bonus pool, it cannot allot more than $300,000 in bonuses in the next two international signing periods. The Phillies could decide this is the year to do it, as more young Cuban talent continues to leave the island. The rebuilding club needs to continue to inject as much amateur talent into its farm system as possible.

Last July 2, the Phillies signed Venezuelan shortstops Arquimedes Gamboa for $900,000 and Daniel Brito for $650,000. In August, they added another 16-year-old shortstop in Jonathan Arauz of Panama for $600,000. Gamboa and Arauz are with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League rookie ball affiliate in Clearwater, Fla., and Brito is playing with the organization's Dominican Summer League team.

International Prospects

Here is a look at the progress of some of the amateur talent the Phillies signed last summer during the international signing period:

Arquimedes Gamboa: The Venezuelan shortstop was the Phillies' top signing ($900,000) last summer. Last week, the 17-year-old began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Through 21 at-bats entering Wednesday he had only two hits, one a triple.

Daniel Brito: He is with the Phillies' Dominican Summer League affiliate. The 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop went into Wednesday hitting .310 through 58 at-bats, with two doubles and a triple.

Jonathan Arauz: He doesn't turn 17 until August and has been playing second and shortstop for the GCL Phillies. The Panamanian went into Wednesday with six hits, including a home run and two doubles, in 21 at-bats.

Lenin Rodriguez: The 17-year-old Venezuelan catcher the Phillies signed for $300,000 last July is hitting .218 in 32 games with the organization's Venezuelan Summer League team.

Jhon Nunez: The 17-year-old lefthander from Panama is 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA in three starts in the DSL. He signed for $90,000 last July 2.

- Jake Kaplan

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