Atlanta Braves Ink Kevin Maitán and 12 Others

Atlanta Braves Ink Kevin  Maitán and Others As International Signing Period Opens

Jesse Sanchez reports and Baseball America confirms The Atlanta Braves started their Saturday and the International signing period by inking the man – teenager – that they had been tracking for over a year, Kevin Maitán for $4.75M.

Both reports also say that the Braves also signed:

• Venezuelan shortstop Livan Soto (BA 16, MLB 24) $1M
• Dominican shortstop Yunior Severino (BA 8,MLB 19) $1M
• Venezuelan catcher Abrahan Gutierrez (BA 15, MLB 18) $3.5M
• Dominican righty Juan Contreras (BA 41) $1.2M

The Sanchez report indicates that the Braves added Dominican 3B Yenci Pena, ranked (BA 32, MLB  22) for $1 million and unranked Columbian RHP Guillermo Zuniga for $350K.

Herewith the scouting information and videos I could round up.

Maitán Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50

The Braves and others have had their eyes on  Maitán who some scouts have designated him as a once-in-a-generation prospect and others say is the best international prospect since Miguel Sano, since he was thirteen.  MLB pipeline’s scouting report says that at the plate Maitan “have been compared to a young Miguel Cabrera and Chipper Jones” and that “every scout knows he is special.”

He’s a switch-hitter with demonstrated power from both sides of the plate. He’s sound defensively at shortstop  with good range, soft hands and a plus arm. Braves Scout Gordon Blakeley gave David O’Brien his report on  Maitán back in February.

"“My comparison when I talked to our people was Chipper Jones. . .he’s a 6.6 runner in the 60, . . .has power from both sides of the plate, he can hit a ball out of a big league ballpark now. He’s got good hands, , , Big time power from both sides, and does it easy. Bat whip. Loves to play, loves to compete.”"

Although a shortstop now,  Maitán profiles will likely follow Chipper and end up at third.

Next: Severino, Gutierrez