Phillies Sign Panamanian Pitcher Yilmar Samudio for $150K After Yankees Back Out of $100K Agreement

Yilmar Samudio, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher from Panama, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $150,000 after a pre-agreement with the New York Yankees for $100,000 fell through. The Yankees replaced longtime international director Donny Rowland with Mario Garza earlier in 2026, and the change ended the prior arrangement with Samudio.

Samudio made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League, pitching three innings without allowing a hit or an earned run while recording six strikeouts.

Baseball America described Samudio’s fastball as one that touches 96 mph. Steve Potter noted for his scouting website that the pitcher has a strong fastball for his age with good feel to pitch and the ability to spin a breaking ball. The Phillies have continued to invest in international talent as they seek to sustain long-term success around a veteran major-league core.