Phillies Sign A Free Agent Outfielder

Courtesy International Power Showcase

Fresh out of reports the Phillies were possibly looking around Venezuela for someone to pitch for them, the Phillies have turned to another country: Germany.  I did not know that Germany really had baseball, but the Phillies have signed a 17 year-old outfielder named Julsan Karmara.  Karmara is considered one of the top prospects in Germany.

MLB Trade Rumors describes the signing:

Kamara is considered one of Germany's best prospects. The right-handed swinger competed in last winter's International Power Showcase at Marlins Park in Miami, is a member of the German Junior National Team, and attended the MLB European Academy in Tirrenia, Italy.

The International Power Showcase website lists Karmara as primarily a center fielder and describes him:

Very Toolsie player, still a bit raw and inexperienced, from Germany with +++ strength, plus running speed and ++ bat.

As MLB Trade Rumors notes, the Phillies rarely sign international free agents.   They might as well: it only costs them money.

Ian Riccaboni over at Phillies Nation points out that he already has a baseball card.   Donruss-Leaf no longer has the license to make Major League Baseball cards (Topps Company has an exclusive deal) so they make different types of non-MLB-related cards when they can.  The International Power Showcase was an opportunity for them to make some cards.