The Phillies are expected to spend $4.2 million on their top international draft pick on January 15. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP 2013
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to go big — like really big — in the international draft this year, targeting a Venezuelan kid with a comp that could only be described as insane.
The kid is 16-year-old outfielder Francisco Renteria, who reportedly will get a $4 million bonus when he signs with the Phillies on January 15. The Phils’ entire bonus pool for the 2026 signing period is $6,679,200 — the bulk of it flowing to Renteria, the No. 3 overall international prospect, according to MLB.com
Here come’s the fun part — or shall we say, the fantasy part? — the comp. At least one evaluator has compared Renteria to Konnor Griffin. Yes, that Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball, who roared through the Pirates’ minor league system in 2025 as a mere 19-year-old.
MLB.com’s scouting report says, “Renteria earned comparisons from one evaluator to Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ 2024 first-round pick who ascended to No. 1 overall prospect status in his first year of pro ball. Others see even more in the tank for Renteria’s right-handed hit tool due to his advanced offensive approach and considerable bat speed. He’s presently a contact monster, which when coupled with his excellent understanding of the strike zone and his plus-plus raw power, leads to him having one of the highest offensive upsides in the 2026 international class. ”
Check out some footage of Renteria blasting nukes, albeit on a dirt field in front of 16 fans — a veritable galaxy away from Citizens Bank Park:
To clarify how lofty the Griffin comp is: In 2025 — his first pro season — Griffin had a .333 batting average, a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 65 stolen bases and 94 RBIs in 122 games across three minor-league levels that ended at Double-A. And the Pirates’ are reportedly considering Griffin as their opening-day shortstop for 2026.
So comparing Renteria to a prospect who’s been called “a taller Bobby Witt Jr.” needs some explaining. Well, here you go: “Scouts think the 6-foot-3 outfielder has the actions and all-around athleticism to stick in center field long-term. An above-average runner, Renteria impacts the game on the basepaths and utilizes those wheels and his long strides to run down the ball from gap-to-gap,” the MLB.com report said.
From fantasy to reality: The Phillies have whiffed on their top international pick for about forever. More specifically, you have to go back to 2009 when they used their first pick on Maikel Franco, who was the Phillies’ starting third baseman from 2016-2019. Since the Franco pick, the top international selection has yielded the likes of Yemal Flores, Yhoswar Garcia, Starlyn Castill0 and Brayan Gonzalez… uh, who? Right, who.
It should be noted the team traded its 2023 top international draftee — Starlyn Caba — for big-league pitcher Jesus Luzardo, who has shown emerging-ace tendencies. So yes, there is value with these picks to leverage.
It also should noted that the $4 million slated for Renteria will not surpass the $4.2 million bonus the Phillies gave 17-year-old slugger Jhailyn Ortiz in the 2015 international draft. Ortiz ultimately flamed out a few years later and is currently playing pro ball somewhere in Mexico.
So take the Konnor Griffin comp for what it’s worth: practically nothing, but it is fun to dream.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonystitt/2025/11/20/phillies-targeting-prospect-with-crazy-konnor-griffin-comp/
