The Atlanta Braves made big moves on the first day of the MLB international signing period, proving they aren’t taking a backseat when it comes to building a pipeline of future stars.
The Braves may have had a slow offseason, but they nailed it regarding their international signings. These young stars have significant potential and hopefully make the MLB roster in the near future.
Raudy Reyes: A 102-MPH Phenom
Their signing of Raudy Reyes was the headline of the day. He is a 16-year-old Dominican pitcher who’s already turning heads with a fastball that reportedly touches an eye-popping 102 mph.
Yes, you read that right—102 mph. That’s a speed many big-league veterans can only dream of, and this kid hasn’t even graduated high school yet.
Oh, and did we mention he’s 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds? At just 16 years old, Reyes is already built like an MLB ace in the making.
The $1.8 Million Gamble on a Rising Star
The Braves didn’t hesitate to shell out for this rising star, handing Reyes a $1.8 million signing bonus.
According to reports, Reyes caught the attention of multiple MLB organizations after a growth spurt and mechanical tweaks last year.
Those tweaks pushed his velocity from the low 90s into elite territory. He now regularly sits at 96-98 mph, with radar guns occasionally lighting up at triple digits.
The Athletic even noted that the Braves clocked him at 100 mph during their evaluations. It’s no wonder he became one of the most talked-about players of the day.
A Big Day for Braves Scouting
But the Braves weren’t done flexing their international scouting muscles. They also inked Cuban outfielder Diego Tornes to a $2.5 million bonus.
Tornes, just 16 years old like Reyes, ranked among the top dozen prospects on FanGraphs’ list of international players this year. The duo of Reyes and Tornes alone made Wednesday a banner day for the Braves, but the team didn’t stop there.
Dominican shortstop Yassel Garcia, described by former Braves scout Luis Santos-Bejarán as having “good contact at the plate,” was another addition to Atlanta’s haul, along with outfielder Elias Reyno.
Two Venezuelan shortstops, Angel Carmona and Manuel Campos, are also reportedly on the way.
Braves Are Building for the Future
While none of these players will be donning an MLB jersey anytime soon, this haul represents a major step forward for the Braves future.
After a quiet offseason, Atlanta fans have every reason to feel energized by the team’s investment in international talent. The potential on display here is off the charts.
While it might take years to see these players in action at Truist Park, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about the foundation being laid for the team’s next generation.
The Braves farm system just got a major boost, and fans should keep an eye on this group—they could be seeing a future ace or All-Star in the making.
