Report: Phillies Sign Top-Rated International Prospect

Despite the ongoing lockout, the Philadelphia Phillies are still making acquisitions during the offseason, their latest being Venezuelan prospect William Bergolla Jr.

According to MLB Network's Jesse Sanchez, the deal is for an estimated $2.2 million. The Phillies have yet to officially announce the signing.

Bergolla Jr. is the fourth ranked prospect on MLB's top 50 international prospects list. His main skills include great hitting and fielding along with high defensive and offensive IQ.

The 17-year-old would join several other international players currently within Philadelphia's organization, such as Jhailyn Ortiz and Johan Rojas. Bergolla Jr. has the potential to be a key piece for the next generation of Phillies baseball.

It's not entirely clear where he will start his career within the organization, though it seems likely that he will begin his 2022 in some form of Rookie Ball.

After finalizing the $2.2 million deal, Philadelphia would be left with a base signing pool of $2.9 million, a total which would allow them some future flexibility in the international amateur free agent market. 

The 2022 international amateur free agent signing period officially begins on Jan. 16 and runs through Dec. 15.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

• The Best, Worst, and Most Likely Case for the Phillies' Top Six Prospects

• Following MLB and MLBPA Meeting, Where Do They Go From Here?

• The Dreary Foreshadowing of the Phillies' 2012 Trade Deadline

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