Phillies sign international prospects from Germany, Australia

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Add a couple of more names to the list of prospects the Phillies signed as the international market for players who have turned 16 swung open on Saturday.

The Phils landed Lou Helmig, an 18-year-old outfielder from Germany, and Nikau Pouaka-Grego, a 17-year-old middle infielder from Australia.

The Helmig name is synonymous with German baseball. The young player's father, Martin, grandfather, Claus, and great uncle, Jurgen, are all enshrined in the German Baseball Hall of Fame.

Claus Helmig played in the Baltimore Orioles farm system in 1956.

Martin Helmig played college ball in the United States and went on to a professional playing and coaching career in several European countries.

Lou Helmig is a 6-5, 190-pound outfielder who hits from the left side. He has played on several German international clubs. Here is some video from a tournament in Mexico last summer.

Pouaka-Grego, listed at 5-10, 175 pounds, is also a left-handed hitter with international experience at the youth level. Here is some of his work in the batting cage.

It's a long journey to the major leagues and not everyone gets there. But the road has to start somewhere and Helmig and Pouaka-Grego will hit the road in 2022 as members of the Phillies organization.

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