Phillies Notes: Team signs several top Latin teens; Jerad Eickhoff ready for rehab start

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NEW YORK -- As expected, the Phillies signed several highly-regarded Latin American prospects when the international signing period for 16-year-olds opened Sunday.

Tops on the list is Luis Garcia, a switch-hitter and gifted defensive shortstop. He was ranked among the top dozen international prospects. The Phillies signed him for $2.5 million.

The Phillies also signed three highly regarded pitching prospects:

Victor Vargas, a right-hander from Colombia.

Israel Puello, a right-hander from the Dominican Republic.

Carlos Betancourt, a right-hander from Venezuela.

The Phils also signed Cesar Rodriguez and Oscar Gonzalez, a pair of catchers from Venezuela.

Before the summer is over, the Phils are expected to sign about 20 teen prospects from Latin America.

"I think Sal Agostinelli and our international group did a really good job on this class," general manager Matt Klentak said Sunday. "There's a variety of skillsets in this class, ranging from what we hope is going to be an impact middle infielder to a couple of intriguing arms and a couple of catchers. They did a good job identifying players of different backgrounds and different skillsets and creating what we hope will be an impactful class."

Eickhoff to pitch in Trenton
Jerad Eickhoff, on the disabled list with an upper back strain, will make a minor-league rehab start for Double A Reading on Tuesday night in Trenton.

If all goes well, he could start Sunday, the final game before the All-Star break.

Mark Leiter Jr. has made two starts in place of Eickhoff and will start for the Phillies on Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

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