Phillies sign German, Australian international free agents, per report

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed two additional international free agents, according to a report on Monday.

Lou Helmig, a native of Germany, and Australian Nikau Pouaka-Grego are joining the Phillies organization, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Helmig, 18, comes from a notable baseball family. His grandfather, Claus, and great uncle, Jürgen, both started in the first baseball game played by a German national team. Claus Helmig was the first player born and raised in Germany to sign a contract with a major-league team and pitched in the minors.

Lou’s father, Martin, played internationally, professionally in Europe and in minor-league spring training for the White Sox in 1984. He coached in spring training for Atlanta in 1996 and has coached Team Germany in World Baseball Classic qualifying events.

Claus, Jürgen and Martin Helmig are all German Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.

Lou Helmig has played the outfield, first base and DH for Team Germany at different international events.

Pouka-Grego is a 17-year-old infielder with “a short and compact swing with good hand quickness, very accurate barrel and made consistent square contact,” according to a scouting report from Perfect Game. The site noted he can spray the ball to all fields and has some power to his pull side as a left-hander hitter.

The signings of Helmig and Pouka-Grego follow 10 previous deals with international free agents that the Phillies have made this month.

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