The Phillies continued to make a splash during the International Signing Period adding two more prospects yesterday. 18-year-old outfielder Lou Helmig from Germany, and 17-year-old middle infielder Nikau Pouaka-Grego from Australia were both signed by the Phillies.

The team has now signed nine total international prospects. They started with William Bergolla Jr. on Saturday, the 4th ranked international prospect according to MLB.com. The team added six additional players on Sunday, and have now added two more in Helmig and Pouaka-Grego. Here’s the full list of signings. 

Phillies International Signings

William Bergolla Jr: INF/Venezuela

Aroon Escobar: INF/Venezuela

Romel Mendez: OF/Venezuela

Neify Rosario: OF/Dominican Republic

Leny Carela: SS/Dominican Republic

Nolan Beltran: SS/Colombia

Monolfi Jimeneze: OF/Dominican Republic

Lou Helmig: OF/Germany

Nikau Pouaka-Grego: INF/Australia

Lou Helmig sits at 6’5 190 pounds and hits from the left side of the plate. Helmig was born into a baseball family, as his father and grandfather both played for the German national team, along with many leagues around Germany. 

Helmig is a player that can play all around. He’s taken reps in the outfield in Germany, along with first base as well. Helmig also DH’s on occasion as well. Helmig hit .214/.200/.286 throughout the 18U European Championship in 2021, where he DH’d and played first throughout the whole tournament.

Nikau Pouaka-Grego is just 17 years old. According to Perfect Game, he brings a “medium athletic build with good present strength for his age” to his game. He’s a “Left-handed hitter has a short and compact swing with good hand quickness, very accurate barrel and made consistent square contact…hits to all fields and flashed some pull power”. 

Pouaka-Grego also “showed very good raw arm strength for his age and can make plays in the hole”. The prospect is listed as a SS/2B, with 3B as an option as well, showing his versatility around the middle and left side of the infield. He sits at just 5’10 165 pounds, but plays like an experienced player. Here’s some cage work by the 17-year-old.

Mandatory Credit: Marco De Luca