Phillies sign Venezuelan SS Anderson Gonzalez

International Signings

In today’s Gelb-Brookover collaboration, they note the Phillies have signed Venezuelan SS Anderson Gonzalez for $300K, the amount that seems to have become the Phillies comfort amount over the last few years in Latin America. For reference (and this is off the top of my head), a $300K bonus for a player drafted in June would be 3rd round money. Here is what G-B have to say

The Phillies lost a talented prospect when they surrendered single-A Lakewood shortstop Jonathan Villar in the deal with Houston that brought them righthander Roy Oswalt at the trade deadline. They are hoping they signed another talented shortstop prospect in Anderson Gonzalez, who recently received a $300,000 bonus. That’s the largest bonus the Phillies have paid to any of their international signings this year. “I love his hands, his athleticism and the way he plays the game,” said Sal Agostinelli, the Phillies’ international scouting supervisor. “He’s built a little bit like [Derek] Jeter. It’s a body that he will fill into. The thing I really love is that he can hit. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but he’s only 16.” Gonzalez is the second Venezuelan shortstop the team has added during the international signing period, which began July 2. They also signed Francisco Silva for $180,000. The Phillies could not sign Gonzalez at the beginning of the international signing period because he was not yet 16 years old. He turned 16 July 25. Agostinelli said Gonzalez will soon join the Phillies’ Venezuelan Summer League team and report to the Florida Instructional League later this year. He will also play in the Venezuelan Parallel League during the winter.

18 thoughts on “Phillies sign Venezuelan SS Anderson Gonzalez”

  1. Maybe the depth at SS discussed at the time of the Villar trade revolved around these two signees. Best case, these guys could see the big leagues in 5 years? The organization is still high on Galvis but they know he’ll never fully replace Rollins. With the glove he’s an all star now. With the bat, he’s Bud Costello.

    Like

  2. As per BaseballAmerica
    ANDERSON GONZALEZ, SS
    VENEZUELA
    B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 160
    Gonzalez, a 15-year-old from Barquisimeto who trains with Jose Montero, stands out from other shortstops in this year’s July 2 class with his ability to stick in the middle of the diamond. Gonzalez has the potential to be quality defender with excellent hands. An average runner who has been timed at 7.0 seconds in the 60-yard dash, Gonzalez has an average arm, though his arm action isn’t classic for the position. With a slender 6-foot-2 build, he has a projectable frame but doesn’t have much present power. He doesn’t stand out in batting practice and some scouts wonder whether he will hit enough to be an everyday player in the big leagues, but others have been more comfortable with what Gonzalez has shown against live pitching. The Phillies have shown strong interest in Gonzalez, though he won’t be able to sign until he turns 16 in late July.

    Like

  5. Since it is not my money (at least not directly) any signing is good, right?
    $300K to a 15year-old. Wow. So by age 19ish he will need to be on the 40-man and by age 22ish he will need to be in the majors. No pressure.

    Like

  7. His clock will start next season. He is ineligible for the VSL this season since he just turned 16. The Phillies would then have 5 years until he is rule 5 eligible, so after the 2015 season.

    I like the signing as well given the lack of middle infield depth in the system. Hard to know if he can actually hit, but since this is the second mid-level SS signing this year we are at least adding several options. Nerio Rios has not done much from a couple of years ago unfortunately.

    Like

  8. I hate to be ‘that guy’ but it was Bud ABBOTT and LOU Costello.

    That aside, this looks like a good thing to me. Pretty good size already as 15/16 year-old. As stated , I would expect him to fill out a bit, but even if he never hits with plus power, I’d be okay if he just hits in general. Multiple options are good

    Like

  9. I think this is a lesson for the chorus of us (I was one) crying for a middle infielder in the draft. The Phils know what they’re lacking. They won’t draft someone just to list them as a SS, they want someone they think will actually be able to play there. Nice work, Phils international scouts!

    Like

  10. 300k is a lot for the Phillies. They must really see something. Villar only got 110k. Santana was the last non-pitching, international sign to get that much, I believe.

    Like

  11. Snakster: What. You never heard of Bud Costello? He’s a Real Estate CEO in Fla.
    You know some of the best baseball prospects come from Fla. Judging from his bio,though, he might be a bit overaged as a prospect. Probably can’t hit the curveball either.
    The last Phillies shortstop prospect named Anderson (Machado) never panned out.
    Ed Wade loved him though. Let’s hope this one performs a lot better.

    Like

  13. We were at least able to get something for Machado in trade. He was a good signing. His defense was super, his speed was ok, he just never learned to hit well enough.

    Like

  17. hey Rick Wise Guy ,,how can you say that Anderson Machado never panned out when the Phils never gave him a true shot because they picked up Rollin’s option and need bullpen help to make a run at the postseason and traded him for Todd Jones ???

    Like

  18. Rick Wise Guy
    You can go to the HOF and hear Bud. Please don’t knock Wade . He is the second best exec on the Phillies just after Omar. Ya gotta love the NL east. Nice doggies

    Like

Comments are closed.