Oct 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view as the Philadelphia Phillies take batting practice before game one of the NLDS round of the 2025 MLB playoffs against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
As the Phillies continue to try to build a presence in Asia, they've reportedly made a signing of a talented young pitcher.
According to Joe Doyle of Over-Slot, 17-year-old Chan-min Park has signed with the Phillies, and the brief scouting report Boyle provided sounds intriguing:
The Philadelphia Phillies are signing Korean RHP Chan-min Park, 17, to a 7-figure deal.
Park (6-3, 205) is up to 94 and can really spin it. He’s got four pitches and a polished operation/strikes. FB, SL, CB, CH/SPL.
Used the $500k for Griff McGarry to help get it done. pic.twitter.com/bvXLiyho00
It's always difficult to project young pitchers, but having a four-pitch mix at 17 years old — with the ability to "really spin it" — is pretty encouraging. "Up to 94 mph" doesn't blow you away in today's game, but you can still succeed throwing that hard, and he's young enough that there could reasonably be velocity some uptick as the Phillies begin to work with him. You obviously can't guarantee health with any pitcher, but if this signing does indeed come to fruition, it may be one that helps the Phillies to begin to make a real dent in the international signing market, particularly in Asia, where they've lagged behind some other contending teams.
Both RHP Andrew Painter and outfielder Justin Crawford will soon have played enough MLB games to no longer be considered prospects, which will leave the Phillies relatively thin in their farm system once again. If Aidan Miller (back) is able to begin swinging this week, that would be encouraging, because he's definitely their most talented remaining farmhand. Although if he gets healthy, the 21-year-old could graduate to the majors in the not-so-distant future. Whether it's RHP Gage Wood, second baseman Aroon Escobar or outfielders Francisco Renteria and Dante Nori, the Phillies do have some other intriguing pieces in their farm system. But you can never have enough, and perhaps Park can be part of the next wave of young talent.
