Top international prospect and player Jose Perdomo is expected to sign with the Atlanta Braves on January 15th. The international signing period opens on the 15th, and Atlanta expects to make a splash. The front office has struggled with international signings due to restrictions and rule violations, but expect to see a big splash from Atlanta.
Atlanta’s IFA Controversy
The International Free-Agent (IFA) performance in recent history by Atlanta has not measured up to other ballclubs. In 2014, Atlanta signed Venezuelan prospect Ronald Acuña Jr and Curaçao prospect Ozzie Albies in 2013. With two major All-Stars and the most recent MVP, Atlanta’s IFA signings have emphasized the importance of prospect signings outside of the United States.
However, in 2017, all of this changed. Former Braves GM John Coppolella was banned for life by Major League Baseball, and international scouting chief Gordon Blakeley was suspended for one year. Commissioner Rob Manfred imposed the bans because of Atlanta’s use of bonus money on international prospects. The Braves redistributed money and went over budget to sign 13 international prospects. Manfred banned the Braves from signing Latin American prospects until 2021.
Last Year’s Signings
Atlanta wasted no time for IFAs in 2022/2023, signing many players in the pool. The Braves officially signed 22 players, headlined by 17-year-old Venezuelan outfield prospect Luis Guanipa. Baseball America ranked the outfielder the 10th-best prospect in the IFA pool, and the Braves paid a $3 million bonus to acquire him.
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
Jose Perdomo
Atlanta’s continued success in landing Venezuelan talents continues. From Valencia, Venezuela, 17-year-old Jose Perdomo ranks as the third-best IFA prospect in the upcoming pool. According to MLB.com, Perdomo is 5’10, 160 pounds and plays shortstop. Although his defense is good, his hitting is off the charts. To quote his report from MLB.com, “If you’re looking for one of the purest hitters in this class, look no further than Perdomo. The teen’s bat-to-ball skills are above average, and he ranks among the best-hitting prospects in the class.”
Perdomo’s bat skills are amazing, and his ability to read the strike zone is phenomenal. According to Ben Badler from Baseball America, in his prospect showcase in Florida in 2023, he established himself as one of the best watches alongside Ethan Salas. Salas, who signed with the Padres in 2023 with an enormous $5.6 million bonus, impressed alongside Perdomo. His aggressive hitting with a simple, direct swing allows him to hit fastballs and off-speed pitches. Scouts pushed him to become a third or second baseman, but his steady improvement on the defensive side earns him a shortstop spot.
The signing bonus for Perdomo is expected to be around $5 million, a big splash for the Braves IFA signings. Despite recent mishaps, the Braves expected signing of Jose Perdomo is a great bounceback to improve their depleted farm system.
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