The Braves have bolstered their pretty bad farm system with a few international guys:
The Braves signed 21 international free agents on the first day of the signing period pic.twitter.com/oz2kHv0OrW
— Kris Willis (@Kris_Willis) January 16, 2023
Francys Romero has some insight into some of these players:
Cuban catcher Hojans Hernández (16) officially signs with the Atlanta Braves. Bonus deal: $ 40,000.
5’11, 175 lbs. Good arm and instincts as a catcher. pic.twitter.com/bZhAv9lS7o
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2023
Dominican SS Mario Baez officially signs with the Atlanta Braves. Bonus deal: $ 240,000.
Plus speed (6.30 – 60 yds) & solid offensive upside. pic.twitter.com/W0k2Fx84z3
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2023
Dominican SS Carlos Cordero officially signs with the Atlanta Braves. Bonus deal: $ 200,000.
Switch hitting SS with solid speed and projectable pop.
Scout supervisor: Raul González. pic.twitter.com/ijUvz3cUVW
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2023
Dominican OF John Estevez officially signs with the Atlanta Braves. Bonus deal: $ 310,000. pic.twitter.com/WwIlwpnVcS
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2023
The Braves are in their second signing period since getting out of timeout with international signing penalties imposed under former (and recently reinstated) GM Jon Coppolella. Here’s what Baseball America had to say about Atlanta’s newest top signing, Luis Guanipa, who clocks in as their tenth ranked international prospect:
Luis Guanipa (#10)
There are few players in this class who can match Guanipa’s combination of power and speed. He has a strong, compact frame with explosive athleticism, which is evident in the way he moves in center field with plus-plus speed, albeit with a below-average arm. That explosiveness also shows up at the plate, as Guanipa generates impressive bat speed combined with significant strength gains over the last two years that has led to plus raw power. Guanipa often trains at the professional stadium in Margarita, and he shows the ability to hit balls out of the park to all fields. While his swing once had a bigger hitch to it, he has toned that down, showing more fluidity and better balance in the box.
None of the remaining prospects rank in the top 40 for Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, but these teenagers are largely considered lottery tickets anyways. We won’t see them for a few years. Regardless, the Braves need help on their farm, so these guys are all welcome additions.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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