Atlanta Braves: Why Diego Benitez is a name to know

With the start of the MLB International Signing Period drawing near on January 15, the Atlanta Braves are an intriguing team to watch.

After the Atlanta Braves made one notable signing this past year when the club signed international free agent and now No. 25 prospect Ambioris Tavarez, the Braves are also linked to one notable top international free agent this year. According to MLB Pipeline as well, the Braves are the favorite to sign him.

Atlanta Braves are reportedly the favorite to sign shortstop Diego Benitez

As you likely know by now, that name that you need to know is Diego Benitez, the No. 10 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline in this year’s international free agent class.

A 17-year-old shortstop from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Benitez is a player who displays average to above-average tools across the board, headlined by his exciting offensive abilities.

Diego Benitez scouting grades (courtesy of MLB Pipeline):

• Hit: 50
• Power: 55
• Run: 50
• Arm: 55
• Field: 50
• Overall: 55

Already displaying solid power from the right side of the plate, Benitez can drive the ball to all parts of the field, and still has plenty of room to develop going forward combined with impressive speed. Also an above-average defender, Benitez displays strong fielding abilities defensively, as well as a plus-arm.

A natural shortstop, Benitez has an exciting toolset at 6’1 190 lbs, and according to MLB Pipeline has even drawn some comparisons to a young Manny Machado. While unable to find any stats for Benitez, the 17-year-old was assigned to Cardenales de Lara of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League back in January.

While it obviously remains to be seen if the Atlanta Braves end up signing Benitez, it certainly appears that the Braves are the favorite. As the international signing period draws near, Benitez is one of the biggest names in this international free agent class that Braves fans need to know.