Atlanta Braves 2017 Top 10 Prospects: Where Are They Now?
By Seth Carter
3. Kevin Maitan
Kevin Maitan was the top prospect in the 2016 international class. Maitan just turned 20 two days prior to Valentine’s Day this year.
His ascent through the Braves’ system skidded to a halt in November of 2017. Then-Braves GM John Coppolella was banned from Major League Baseball for life after he was found to have cheated the international free agent signing bonus rules.
Coppolella was funneling money to a player deemed a foreign professional player and had the money redistributed to the international prospects. In essence, he was paying these prospects more than the Braves were allowed, and doing it under the table, so to speak.
Maitan was one of 13 international players whose contracts were voided as a result of the investigation.
The young infielder was scooped up by the Angels and the Braves were left unable to sign an international free agent for more than $10k during the 2019-2020 signing period. The Braves’ bonus pool for the following signing period has also been slashed in half.
Meanwhile, Maitan made it to Class-A Burlington last season at age 19, hitting .214/.278/.323 with 12 homers and seven steals.
Maitan could very well live up to the expectations as one of the game’s top players, but his future success will forever serve as a reminder to the Braves of the consequences of cheating.
He was once compared to Chipper Jones for his ability at the hot corner. The Braves may have thought they had their next Chipper when they signed him to a $4.25 million signing bonus. Alas, if he ever reaches the heights of a Chipper Jones, he won’t be wearing a Braves uniform.