When the 2026 international signing period officially opened Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies delivered the long-anticipated move by landing highly regarded Venezuelan outfielder Francisco Renteria. The 17-year-old prospect hails from Maracaibo and has been on the organization’s radar for years.
Philadelphia committed $4 million of its $6,679,200 international bonus pool to secure Renteria, marking the second-largest deal of the signing period. As is common with elite international prospects, the agreement had been in place well before he was eligible to sign.
According to The Athletic’s Charlotte Varnes, the bonus matches a franchise record for an international amateur, equaling the amount the Phillies gave Dominican outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz in 2015. While Ortiz never reached expectations, optimism surrounding Renteria continues to grow as more evaluators weigh in on his upside.
Now officially in the Phillies’ system, Renteria will need time to climb the minor-league ladder as a newly turned 17-year-old. Still, his advanced skill set and massive power projection give him the potential to become a major impact player for the organization in the future.
MLB Pipeline ranks Renteria as the No. 3 international prospect overall and has drawn comparisons between him and Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin due to his refined hit tool, mature approach at the plate, and elite bat speed.
Widely viewed as the top outfielder in the 2026 international class, Renteria owns an overall grade of 60 on the 20–80 scouting scale. His standout trait is a 65-grade power tool, giving him some of the most tantalizing offensive upside among his peers.
MLB Pipeline scouting grades:
- Hit: 60
- Power: 65
- Run: 60
- Arm: 55
- Field: 60
- Overall: 60
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Renteria is already more physically developed than most players his age. Scouts believe his athleticism and speed could allow him to remain in center field as he continues to mature, according to Baseball America.
MLB Pipeline describes him as a “contact-heavy hitter” whose feel for the strike zone, combined with plus-plus raw power, gives him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the entire international class.
Renteria’s power has already been on display. In December, he dominated Venezuela’s Pepsi Home Run Derby, blasting 18 first-round homers—more than established major leaguers such as Salvador Perez, Willson Contreras, Jackson Chourio, and Maikel García.
His experience goes beyond showcases as well. Renteria debuted in the Venezuelan Winter League at just 15 years old, collecting eight hits in 28 at-bats with three doubles, including knocks off former MLB pitchers.
While it’s far too early to predict when he’ll arrive at Citizens Bank Park, Renteria’s talent suggests Phillies fans may not have to wait too long to see one of the organization’s most exciting international signings take the field.
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