Phillies

The Phillies Reportedly Reached a Pre-Agreement with an 11-Year-Old Kid – is He Elite, or “Not Elite?”

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 17th, 2026 · 4:05 PM EST

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Meantime:

The Philadelphia Phillies have reached a pre-agreement with Venezuelan shortstop David Basabe, a member of the 2031 international class, for a $1.8 million bonus.

At just 11 years old, Basabe becomes the youngest player in history to secure a pre-agreement with a Major League… pic.twitter.com/brX4NTYqfN

— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) February 17, 2026

“The agreement sets a new benchmark in the international market and places David Basabe firmly on the radar as one of the most ambitious bets of his generation.”

The Phillies have the market cornered on preteens. Back in 2024 they came to a verbal agreement with Ronald Acuna Jr.’s brother, who was believed to be 12 or 13 at the time. By the time these guys are ready to play for the big league club, the Flyers will have completed their rebuild.

Heyo!

11 years old is sixth grade, so elementary school or middle school for you and I. We were probably wearing JNCOs and reading Thrasher magazine when we weren’t playing Nintendo 64. Or if you’re Gen Z, playing Roblox and doing TikTok dances, or whatever “kids these days” are up to.

Basabe, however, is raking. He’s looking good. What’s his fWAR? Chase rate? Does he swing at garbage low and away? The Phils could use some protection behind “not elite” Bryce Harper in the four hole. Funny enough, Harp’s contract expires in 2031, so maybe he signs a one-year extension and gets to play with Basabe, kind of like a symbolic passing of the torch.

Gen Alpha baseball! Get ready for it.