The Atlanta Braves today announced the club agreed to terms with 13 international prospects, including the top overall prospect according to Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com, shortstop Kevin Maitan.
The Braves also landed the 15th and 16th overall prospects on Baseball America's list, catcher Abrahan Gutierrez and shortstop Livan Soto and the 19th best available player according to MLBPipeline.com, shortstop Yunior Severino. In all, the club signed four infielders, three catchers, three outfielders and three pitchers (two right-handers and one left-hander).
"This is a great day for the Atlanta Braves, our fans, and our future," Braves General Manager John Coppolella said. "We are excited about the impact these signings will have on our franchise for years to come."
Maitan, 16, ranked as the top overall prospect in this year's international class. The switch-hitting shortstop throws right-handed and stands 6-foot-2 while weighing 175 pounds. He is a native of Carabobo, Venezuela.
Gutierrez, 16, participated in MLB's international showcase in February, playing in two games and singling in his only at-bat. The 6-0, 203-pound native of Miranda, Venezuela, throws and bats right-handed.
Soto is one of the youngest prospects in this year's class; he turned 16 on June 22. The 5-11, 165-pound native of Valencia, Venezuela hits left-handed and throws right-handed.
Severino, 16, is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and played in three games at the international showcase. He is a switch-hitter, stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 170 pounds.
The Braves also agreed to terms with right-handed pitchers Guillermo Zuniga (17 years old, Colombia) and Juan Contreras and left-handed pitcher Lisandro Santos (17, Dominican Republic). Contreras, 16 out of the Dominican Republic, also participated in MLB's international showcase in February, facing four batters and recording one strikeout.
The Braves' other international prospects include outfielders Antonio Sucre (16, Venezuela), Jefry Ramos (17, Dominican Republic) and Franger Carrillo (17, Venezuela), infielder Braulio Vasquez (17, Dominican Republic), and catchers Adrian Adrianza (17, Venezuela) and Victor de Hoyos (18, Colombia).