Carlos Tocci- AP Photo
Outfielder Carlos Tocci was signed by the Phillies for a reported signing bonus of $759,000 in the summer of 2011 on his 16th birthday. The native of Maracay, Venezuela participated in the Florida Instructional League that year, but made his official pro debut in 2012 as a member of the Gulf Coast League Phillies.
Last season, Tocci posted a .278 average with two doubles and nine RBI in 38 contests in the GCL, with all but one of his games played before his 17th birthday.
Having displayed little power in his debut season, Tocci, who hits from the right side, developed a bit of a reputation for being too skinny. The player known as “Toch” added a good amount of muscle this off-season, thanks to a training routine provided by the Phillies. He now has his 6-foot-2-inch frame up to a more desirable 170 pounds.
On defense, Tocci has very good range and appears to glide to the ball, easily covering a lot of ground to track down fly balls.
Tocci is described by Phils director of player development Joe Jordan as the most instinctive young player has has seen in a while. He has quick hands, shows a solid ability to get the barrel of his bat to the ball and can hit to all fields.
The youngster sports excellent speed and was successful in nine of 11 stolen base attempts last season. Scouts think Tocci projects to be quite the speedster on the bases.
While Tocci might begin the upcoming season in extended spring training, he could see time with full season Class A Lakewood during the 2013 season, according to Jordan.
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