Philadelphia’s top international signing from 2022, shortstop William Bergolla Jr., hit .380/.470/.423 with just three strikeouts in 83 plate appearances last year in the Dominican Summer League. Catcher Rickardo Perez, one of the organization’s big international signings from 2021, hit .349/.387/.398 in 93 plate appearances last year in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. This year the Phillies signed another prominent prospect who should have a smooth transition into pro ball, along with several other names to know.
Top Of The Class
The Phillies added one of the premium shortstops available this year in Starlyn Caba, who signed for $3 million out of the Dominican Republic. Caba, 17, is a stellar defensive shortstop for his age. He has a great first step and outstanding quickness at shortstop. He’s a springy athlete with plus speed who moves his feet well at shortstop. He can make throws going in different directions with a tick above-average arm that could develop into another plus tool. His instincts and internal clock give him a chance to become a plus defender, with some scouts thinking his fielding could ultimately grade out even higher. At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, Caba isn’t that big and doesn’t project to be a big power threat, but he has the offensive skill set that could potentially fit toward the top of a lineup. He’s a switch-hitter who tracks pitches well and makes contact at a high clip from both sides of the plate. Caba’s bat-to-ball skills are a little more advanced from the right side with more of a power-hitting approach from the left side. He has some sneaky pop and strength for his size, with a chance to hit 15-20 home runs, but it will likely always be a hit-over-power profile. At times he gets too uphill trying to manufacture power, but he’s at his best when he maintains his more contact-oriented approach.
Names To Know
Wen Hui Pan, RHP, Taiwan: A 20-year-old righthander signed for $350,000, Pan is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and quickly caught the attention of pro scouts who saw him in spring training. He can run his fastball up to 99 mph, sitting in the mid 90s in short bursts with late life up in the zone that helps him miss bats when he elevates. Pan’s best secondary pitch is his splitter, an average pitch with projection for more with late tumble. He’s still developing a reliable breaking ball, with a slider that flashes fringe-average on occasion. He should develop as a starter and has a chance to continue in…
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