Braves linked to top prospect infielder Jose Perdomo in international free agency

The international free signing period opens January 15th and the Braves are expected to sign the top-rated player available

The Atlanta Braves haven't had much success in international free agency in recent history. 

The IFA realm, where Atlanta's found such gems as Ronald Acuña Jr out of Venezuela (2014) and Ozzie Albies of Curaçao (2013), was largely unavailable for several years as the Braves suffered through punishments relating to former Braves GM John Coppolella's violations of international signing rules. 

(Here's where we wrote more about what happened, if you're interested.)

The penalties, which lingered through 2021, caused a lack of depth in the organization that's been a contributing factor to Atlanta's farm system being one of the lower-rated systems in recent seasons. 

But now Atlanta's back to a full bonus pool, the third straight season they have one, and they're following up the 2022 signing of Diego Benitez and the 2023 signing of Luis Guanipa with another splash. 

On January 15th, per Ben Badler of Baseball America, the Braves are expected to sign the #1 rated international prospect on their board, SS Jose Perdomo. Here's what Badler said about Perdomo:

Early in the scouting process for this international signing class, Perdomo established himself as one of the premier players available, with a big showcase in Florida focused on him and 2023 catcher Ethan Salas that generated major buzz for both players. Salas was the top player in his class when he signed with the Padres for $5.6 million, with Perdomo in line to sign for similar money. Perdomo’s bat has been his calling card, with a skill set that draws comparisons to Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres. He’s an aggressive hitter who has performed well in games with a simple, direct swing and good hand-eye coordination, enabling him to barrel both fastballs and breaking stuff. Perdomo doesn’t have the physical upside of some of the other prominent players in the class, but as he’s gotten stronger, he has gotten more explosive, giving him more power to go with his hitting ability. While a lot of scouts who saw Perdomo early thought he was ticketed for third base or possibly second base, the improvements he has made defensively give him a greater chance to continue at shortstop. He’s a plus runner with good actions and a strong arm.  

It's important to remember that international signings are some of the riskiest acquisitions a team can make - these are literal teenagers, in a foreign country, with a lot of physical and skill development in front of them before they could conceivably contribute at the major league level. 

As such, most international free agents don't even make it to the United States until the year after they sign, spending that first year competing in the Dominican Summer League, before coming to the states for rookie ball in their 2nd season. 

There is obviously exceptions to this; last year's gem of the international class, Padres catcher Ethan Salas referenced above, finished his 2023 season in AA San Antonio, having signed last January and competing in domestic, full-season ball despite not turning 17 until June 1st. 

But for most of these players, the expectation is that we'll see the bulk of last year's international free agent class debut in North Port this summer. The star of that group for Atlanta last season, outfielder Luis Guanipa, put up a .238/.361/.384 slash line in 46 games in the Dominican over the summer, hitting four homeruns and stealing twenty bases. 

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