Name: Nikau Pouaka-Grego
Position: 2B
Born: September 13, 2004
Country: New Zealand
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height/Weight: 5’10” 175lbs
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Signed: January 15, 2022
Bonus: $250,000
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
MiLB Free Agency: 2028
Stats
Prospect Rankings
Role: Everyday Infielder, Probably at Second
Risk: Extreme – Pouaka-Grego ended up missing all year to a knee injury and is not playing in the ABL either. All of the questions about his future power potential remain.
Summary: Since he missed the full season, there are no games to evaluate Pouaka-Grego on this year. He has reportedly progressed in his rehab and was on the field doing drills by the fall. Pouaka-Grego has a great feel for bat to ball and surprising power. His final defensive position is still a question, with second base the most likely, but not a certainty. He should be healthy to open the 2024 season, and will only be 19.
2024 Outlook: Pouaka-Grego will join a crowded mix looking to open on the 2024 Threshers, but he should spend much of his season there.
Role: Everyday Infielder, Probably at Second
Risk: Extreme – Pouaka-Grego had about as good a debut as a 17 year old could have in the FCL. He looks like he has a chance to really hit. The real question will be how much power can he actually hit for, and will it be enough for whichever position he ends up at defensively.
Summary: For the second year in a row the Phillies signed an international second baseman and sent them directly to the Florida Coast League. Pouaka-Grego has less physicality and track record than Hao Yu Lee, but he was also a year younger. One of just a handful of 17 year olds in a stateside complex, he was also one of the best hitters in the Florida Coast League. He has shown a good feel for contact and approach at the plate. Pouaka-Grego hit for a surprising amount of power due to a quick swing, though he does not post the same high end exit velocities Lee did, but he does make hard enough contact to actualize much of the power he grows into. The biggest question for Pouaka-Grego is his position. He is still moving around the infield and probably is best fit at second base, but he is not a good defender there yet. If he has to move off of the infield dirt, his bat would need to take a large step forward to play in an outfield corner.
Normally, Pouaka-Grego would be slated to join the Threshers as one of the few 18 year olds in full season ball. However, while playing for Adelaide this winter he suffered a knee injury that ended his winter season and seems possible to linger into the minor league season. Depending on the severity (has not been publicly stated), he might start his year with the FCL again before making his way to the Threshers later. If he does lose significant time to injury, it is a pity but he is young enough and will likely go to winter ball again, so he should be able to get back on track soon.
2023 Outlook: We don’t have clarity on Pouaka-Grego’s injury, so it is hard to project how his full 2023 season might look. Assuming he does come back over the summer, he probably gets some time with the Threshers with a look at making up at bats in the ABL (probably with Adelaide).
Role: Everyday Infielder, Probably at Second
Risk: Extreme – Pouaka-Grego ended up missing all year to a knee injury and is not playing in the ABL either. All of the questions about his future power potential remain.
Summary: Since he missed the full season, there are no games to evaluate Pouaka-Grego on this year. He has reportedly progressed in his rehab and was on the field doing drills by the fall. Pouaka-Grego has a great feel for bat to ball and surprising power. His final defensive position is still a question, with second base the most likely, but not a certainty. He should be healthy to open the 2024 season, and will only be 19.
2024 Outlook: Pouaka-Grego will join a crowded mix looking to open on the 2024 Threshers, but he should spend much of his season there.
Role: Everyday Infielder, Probably at Second
Risk: Extreme – Pouaka-Grego had about as good a debut as a 17 year old could have in the FCL. He looks like he has a chance to really hit. The real question will be how much power can he actually hit for, and will it be enough for whichever position he ends up at defensively.
Summary: For the second year in a row the Phillies signed an international second baseman and sent them directly to the Florida Coast League. Pouaka-Grego has less physicality and track record than Hao Yu Lee, but he was also a year younger. One of just a handful of 17 year olds in a stateside complex, he was also one of the best hitters in the Florida Coast League. He has shown a good feel for contact and approach at the plate. Pouaka-Grego hit for a surprising amount of power due to a quick swing, though he does not post the same high end exit velocities Lee did, but he does make hard enough contact to actualize much of the power he grows into. The biggest question for Pouaka-Grego is his position. He is still moving around the infield and probably is best fit at second base, but he is not a good defender there yet. If he has to move off of the infield dirt, his bat would need to take a large step forward to play in an outfield corner.
Normally, Pouaka-Grego would be slated to join the Threshers as one of the few 18 year olds in full season ball. However, while playing for Adelaide this winter he suffered a knee injury that ended his winter season and seems possible to linger into the minor league season. Depending on the severity (has not been publicly stated), he might start his year with the FCL again before making his way to the Threshers later. If he does lose significant time to injury, it is a pity but he is young enough and will likely go to winter ball again, so he should be able to get back on track soon.
2023 Outlook: We don’t have clarity on Pouaka-Grego’s injury, so it is hard to project how his full 2023 season might look. Assuming he does come back over the summer, he probably gets some time with the Threshers with a look at making up at bats in the ABL (probably with Adelaide).