The Atlanta Braves made headlines as the international signing period opened, focusing on young talent, particularly at the shortstop position.
That is big news for a team that has been exceptionally quiet all offseason. The Braves have primarily focused on signing depth players, most likely tied to their injury dilemma last season.
Braves Land Dominican Shortstop Yassel Garcia
The standout signing was 23-year-old Dominican shortstop Yassel Garcia. He is a player that former Braves international scout Luis Santos-Bejarán praised for his contact-hitting ability.
Santos-Bejarán highlighted Garcia’s knack for putting the bat on the ball. That is a major a fundamental skill for young players navigating their way into professional baseball.
With a solid 4-for-6 showing in the Cuban National Series, Garcia has demonstrated promise, though his track record is admittedly limited.
Braves Adding More Talent in the International Signing Period
But Garcia wasn’t the only move Atlanta made. On the same day, the Braves inked two promising outfielders—Diego Tornes, who landed a hefty $2.5 million signing bonus, and Elias Reyno.
That’s not all; Atlanta is expected to finalize deals with two Venezuelan shortstops, Angel Carmona and Manuel Campos, along with Dominican right-handed pitcher Raudy Reyes.
Clearly, the Braves are using the international market to stockpile future assets, particularly up the middle of the diamond.
Why Stockpiling Shortstop Prospects Makes Sense
What makes this strategy particularly interesting is Atlanta’s depth of talent at the shortstop position in their minor league system. Prospects like Nacho Alvarez Jr. are ranked No. 4 in the Braves organization by MLB.com.
Jose Perdomo, another top-10 prospect still working his way up from rookie ball, gives Atlanta a strong foundation of young infielders. While it might seem redundant to load up on more shortstop prospects, it’s a smart long-term play.
Players athletic enough to handle shortstop can often transition to other infield spots, and shortstops tend to hold significant value on the trade market—always a useful bargaining chip for a team with championship aspirations.
Orlando Arcia’s Struggles Leave the Door Open for an Upgrade
In the meantime, the Braves’ 2025 shortstop situation at the big-league level remains unsettled.
Orlando Arcia, the incumbent, struggled at the plate last season, hitting just .218 with a .625 OPS over 157 games.
While Arcia provides steady defense, those offensive numbers leave room for improvement, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Atlanta pursued an upgrade before spring training.
Whether that’s through a trade, free agency, or a leap forward from a young prospect remains to be seen.
Building for the Future While Keeping an Eye on 2025
The Braves are playing the long game for now. Their focus on international signings reflects a broader strategy of cultivating depth and flexibility, ensuring the team remains competitive today and for years to come.
This may not be the flashiest moves, but the organization has proven time and time again they are very good at developing young raw talent. An added plus is how team friendly their contracts tend to be. Just look at the current stars in the lineup today as proof.
