Francisco Renteria has not even signed with a Major League club yet, but that did not stop the 16-year-old from putting on a show at the Pepsi Home Run Derby in Venezuela on Monday night.
How is this relevant to Philadelphia Phillies fans? Well, the young Venezuelan outfielder is expected to sign with the organization during this winter’s international signing period.
Renteria went up against some proven competition and showed that he has some real power at Estadio José Bernardo Pérez on Monday evening.
Phillies’ 2026 signee Francisco Renteria put on a home run derby power display against legitimate MLB competition
Although he didn’t win the derby, Renteria hit more home runs in the first round than some bona fide MLB players including Salvador Perez, Willson Contreras, Jackson Chourio, and Maikel García.
His 18 homers in the first round were bested by Ronald Acuña Jr, Yasiel Puig, and the eventual winner of the competition, Wilyer Abreu.
Parte de la actuación del súper prospecto de Las Águilas del Zulia Francisco Rentería en el Home Run Derby.
18 batazos pa’ la calle 😨😱
16 años apenas tiene este muchacho 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9re2bee4VZ
— Lucky 7 Aguilucho (@lucky7aguilucho) December 1, 2025
If Renteria does sign with the Phillies, he could become a legitimate power prospect right away. He is 6-foot-3 and about 200 pounds. At just 16 years old, there is plenty of time to develop even further and gain strength and muscle.
According to MLB Pipeline’s international prospect rankings, Renteria is ranked No. 3. His scouting grades are above average (on the 20-80 scale) in every category as they stand at Hit: 60, Power: 65, Run: 60, Arm: 55, Field: 60, and Overall: 60.
The Phillies have been involved in the international signing period most recently in signing Starlyn Caba who was later traded to Miami in the Jesús Luzardo deal. It would not be surprising to see them go after a player like Renteria this January.
The Phillies’ outfield has been a problem that has needed to be addressed for the last few seasons. Waiting in the wings are prospects Justin Crawford, Gabriel Rincones Jr., Dante Nori, and Griffin Burkholder.
Given the lack of depth in the organization in the outfield, Renteria could be a huge acquisition. Like all prospects, he is a question mark, but the power potential is intriguing.
One home run derby does not tell the whole story of a player. However, a teenager going head-to-head with some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball is impressive any way you look at it.