It’s safe to say the Philadelphia Phillies aren’t signing Ronald Acuña Jr. anytime soon, but they might have snagged a connection to the superstar outfielder. The Phillies have signed Nieves Izaguirre, a young shortstop from Venezuela, as part of their 2024 international signing class.
If that last name sounds familiar, there’s a good reason—Izaguirre shares a family link to Acuña Jr., which is enough to spark some excitement for Phillies fans who are always looking to the pipeline for the next breakout star.
Who is Phillies New Signee, Nieves Izaguirre?
Baseball America reports that Izaguirre brings a lot to the table, including a high baseball IQ and a short, efficient swing. Scouts grade his fielding and running as his standout tools, but he’s no slouch in other areas either, earning an overall grade of 45 on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale.
That grade may not jump off the page just yet, but it suggests solid potential, particularly for a 17-year-old still honing his skills. Scouts see him as a middle infielder with a future at second base, which is more likely than a shortstop.
Interestingly, Izaguirre comes from La Sabana, a small Venezuelan town with an outsized reputation for producing baseball talent, including Acuña Jr. himself.
The connection adds a layer of intrigue, but for the Phillies, it’s about developing the raw talent in their system, and this year’s international signing class is shaping up to be one worth watching.
Who Else Did Philly Sign?
Beyond Izaguirre, the Phillies added several other notable prospects, most of them also hailing from Venezuela. Deivis Velasquez, a young catcher, is drawing praise for his offensive upside, though his defense is a work in progress—nothing unusual for a prospect his age.
Meanwhile, pitcher Geremi Viloria is already turning heads with a fastball that touches 93 mph and a slider in development. His 6-foot-2 frame gives scouts plenty to dream about as he continues to refine his arsenal.
This class follows a strong 2023 signing period, during which the Phillies shelled out $1.4 million to ink Javlin Arias, a top-20 international prospect.
Arias showed promise in his first stint in the Dominican Summer League, and most of this year’s signees will likely follow a similar path, getting their start in the DSL before working their way stateside.
The Phillies’ latest signings are diverse, including players from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and even Italy.
Among the Venezuelan prospects, names like outfielder Daibert Cruceta, shortstop Samuel Salcedo, and catcher Anderson Araujo are ones to keep an eye on.
From the Dominican Republic, shortstop Elias Marrero and pitcher Deiry Gonzalez highlight the group.
The international flair of this class is rounded out by Filippo Sabatini, a pitcher from Italy, whose signing adds an intriguing European connection to the pipeline.
While it’s too early to declare future stars from this year’s signees, the Phillies continue investing heavily in international scouting, adding depth and potential to their farm system.
Who knows? Maybe Nieves Izaguirre won’t just be remembered as “Acuña Jr.’s relative” but as the next great infielder to rise through the Phillies organization. Time will tell, but for now, the future is brimming with possibilities.
