May 25, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Phillies hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Francisco Renteria: The Next Phillies International Superstar

Originally posted on Philadelphia Phillies on SI
By Ian Harper | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 1:43 PM ET

The 2026 International Free Agent signing class officially inked their deals with major league clubs on Thursday, and the Philadelphia Phillies landed a big fish.

The international amateur market has produced some major success stories for the Phillies in recent years, with former starting pitcher Ranger Suarez among the most notable. They tied a team record this week with the largest signing bonus ever given out, a whopping $4 million.

Their prize? The top Venezuelan prospect and #3 overall prospect on the MLB Pipeline list, outfielder Francisco Renteria.

The son of former 15-year MLB shortstop Edgar Renteria, Francisco hails from Maracaibo, Venezuela, the same hometown as Hall-of-Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio and current Milwaukee Brewers 21-year-old outfield phenom Jackson Chourio.

The Future in Philadelphia?

In terms of projectability, Renteria has about as high an athletic ceiling as a player can have. The 6'4", 200-pound 17-year-old possesses 30+ home run power, incredible bat speed, and a mix of solid defense and above-average speed that gives him true five-tool potential.

Renteria is rather far away from making any sort of impact at the MLB level, but he could very well become the face of the Phillies' franchise when he does. MLB Pipeline graded him out as a 60-grade profile, with a 60-grade hit tool, 65-grade power tool, 60-grade run tool, 55-grade arm, and 60-grade fielding (all on a 20-80 scale).

He flashed his power recently in a Venezuelan home run derby in December of 2025, out-slugging longtime MLB catcher Salvador Perez in an impressive performance.

One of the most appealing aspects about him as a player, one that won't show up on any scouting charts, is his wealth of high-level experience at his young age. He appeared in the Venezuelan Major League for a brief period of time when he was just 15 years old, and hit a respectable .285 across 28 at-bats, including two hits off of former MLB pitchers.

There's always a big risk with international prospects, with the other $4 million signing bonus that the Phillies handed out going to Dominican shortstop Jhailyn Ortiz, who never made it to the MLB. However, Renteria is far from your average IFA. It's not often that the Philadelphia developmental system, one that has made massive strides in recent years, has gotten the opportunity to work with a raw talent like him.

It will be a few years, at least, until the true payout of the Phillies' investment will be realized, but Renteria is a prospect every Philadelphia fan can get excited about.