By: Tim Kelly, managing editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies own the No. 1 pick in next month's MLB Draft, though it doesn't appear the draft will be the only place that the team adds elite young talent this summer.
One year after signing Dominican first-baseman Jhailyn Ortiz, the team reportedly plans to put their top international signing bonus to good use. According to MLB Pipeline, the Phillies are the favorite to sign two of the top 30 international prospects.
.@Phillies considered favorites to ink #16 (Morales), #26 (Gonzalez) on International Top 30 https://t.co/j0uuNtRJTH pic.twitter.com/kKG4not3G7
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 5, 2016
As noted above, right-handed pitcher Francisco Morales is the 16th overall prospect on MLB Pipeline's international prospect rankings list, and he comes with an impressive scouting report.
The top pitcher from Venezuela, Morales has the type of fastball that turns heads and the pitch has improved in the last few months. He has been clocked in the 92-96 mph range with movement.
What's more, the tall right-hander has the ideal pitcher's frame and scouts love his upside. It's true some scouts believe Morales is more of a thrower than a pitcher, but the young hurler has been working on commanding his pitches and creating a plan of attack when he's on the mound. And while he has gained attention for pitching with velocity, Morales' curveball could end up being his best pitch. He also throws a changeup and has shown improved control.
Scouts also like Morales' mound presence and makeup. He's a competitor and does not show fear on the mound.
MLB Pipeline ranks prospects on a 0-70 scale, with zero being the worst a prospect can be and 70 being the best. The 6'3'', 16-year-old is ranked at 60 for his fastball and possesses a curveball that the outlet ranked as a 50. His change-up and control weren't ranked as well, as they were ranked at 40, though developing secondary pitches and control are things that most 16-year-old pitchers are working on. Most pitchers at his age can't throw in the low-to-mid 90s, however.
Brayan Gonzalez, who would represent the first signing of a player born in 2000 or later by the Phillies, is a shortstop, who appears to have a high ceiling.
Gonzalez has displayed solid infield actions with soft hands on defense. He's impressed evaluators with the way he controls his body and a quick first step. Want to see a runner get thrown out from deep in the hole on the left side of the infield? There's a good chance you'll get the chance when Gonzalez is patrolling shortstop. Scouts love how he throws now and expect his arm to get even stronger and more accurate as he develops.
Gonzalez also has a plan at the plate and can drive the ball into the gaps. He has a chance to hit for average as a right-handed hitter and is still developing as a hitter from the left side. The consensus is that Gonzalez plays the game well beyond his years and would be a welcomed addition to any club. The teenager is trained by Roberto Vahlis in Venezuela. The Phillies are the favorite to sign him.
Gonzalez's attributes, per MLB Pipeline, top out at 70 with his arm in the field, but he also gets a 60 for his overall fielding ability and a 50 for his overall hitting ability.
The Phillies' top prospect is shortstop J.P. Crawford, though that should have little impact on which international players the Phillies sign. First of all, Crawford has a great skill-set, but he's never played a game in the major leagues and still has to become more consistent as a fielder. Secondly, Crawford was drafted when he was 18 in 2013, and isn't expected to make his major league debut until later this season. Gonzalez is 16, so he most likely wouldn't see major league action until next decade. If both pan out, the Phillies will be in a good situation, where they could move either to third-base, second-base or the outfield.
Assuming the Phillies are able to sign these two prospects, while adding more young talent in the draft, it puts the organization in a tremendous situation for the long-term future, especially when you consider all of the young talent that is already in the organization.
The international signing period begins on July 2.
