As MLB draws to a close on International Signing Day 2024 for prospects, the Atlanta Braves strengthened their farm system with some notable acquisitions. However, one sticks out from the others.
According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, the Braves and Venezuelan shortstop Jose Perdomo reached one of the largest agreements of the day on Monday, January 15.
The Braves now have one of the best hitters available on the foreign market this year in Perdomo, thanks to his acquisition to the farm system. This is unmistakably evidence that Atlanta is prioritizing replenishing their lower-tier clubs.
The Braves not only gave away the most money to an international prospect on International Signing Day, but they also completed 12 other transactions. They were all from Venezuela or the Dominican Republic, and seven of them were pitchers. Along with the three outfielders, they also added two infielders:
R.H. Duarte Fernando – Venezuela
RHP Anferni Gonzalez — Republic of the
R.H. Francique Kendy, Republic of the Dominican
LHP Venezuela’s Rafael Lasorsa
R.H. Marquez Noslen, Venezuela
R.H. Venezuela’s Jorge Nunez
R.H. Pinero Yander, Venezuela
INF Juan Mateo, Republic of the Dominican
Venezuela’s INF Jose Perdomo
OF Gabriel Cesa, Republic of the Dominican
OF Juan Espinal, Republic of the Dominican
OF Isaac Osorio, Republic of the Dominican
Due to rule infractions from back in 2017, it appears that the Braves were hindered on the foreign market for a number of years. They were compelled to release 12 candidates from that class as a result. As the team works to restore their potential in their farm system and erase the infractions from a few years ago, it is encouraging to see the club returning to the international scene with vigor.
The Braves are undoubtedly back on track for the future after setting a record for their international signing period.
On the opening day of the 2024 international signing period, Perdomo’s $5 million bonus with the Braves was the biggest sum. Furthermore, it was the highest for an international amateur player of Venezuelan descent.
The 17-year-old shortstop was praised highly by MLB Pipeline, who ranked him as the No. 3 eligible prospect:
“The teenager is one of the class’s greatest hitting prospects, with above-average bat-to-ball skills.
“His swing is becoming better, and he has good feel for the strike zone. Scouts have observed that he has a flair for making hard contact and that he can drive fastballs and off-speed pitches to all fields with reasonable ease. He always puts the ball in play and hardly ever strikes out. Perdomo might be a problem on the basepaths in the future with his plus runner potential.”