On Friday, the Atlanta Braves made their first free agent signing of the offseason. They came to an agreement with international free agent Anthony Calderon from Cuba for a bonus of $350,000. He is a 6 foot 4 17 year old with reports that show he has power, solid hitting ability, and good defense behind the plate. This signing will go against the 2026 international funds and use almost half of what Atlanta has remaining.
Drake Baldwin has anchored himself as the catcher of the future in Atlanta after being drafted in the 3rd round in 2022 and surprised everyone with what a kid from Missouri State University could do. Since then, most of the minor league production has come from Adam Zebrowski, who has put up an .884 OPS with 22 home runs, but he is a 26 year old. Not exactly what you would call a true prospect. There is not one catcher on the MLB top 30 before this year's draft.
With this latest signing of Calderon, the Braves' catcher depth looks much improved these days.
After a series of moves, the Braves' catching depth is trending up in a big way
Focus at catcher in 2026 started internationally with three signings. Two where in the top 5 in signing bonus amount for the class. Calderon signed for 350,000 on October 30th as a 17 year old.
Jorwin Pulido signed for 350,000 at the beginning of the signing period. He exploded onto the scene hitting .337 with an .893 OPS and getting a very rare mid season promotion from the DSL to the FCL and just turned 18 a month ago. Jose Nelo signed for only 50,000 and was the surprise of the DSL, bursting onto the scene hitting .296 with an .820 OPS and 3 home runs and wont turn 18 until January.
The draft continued the trend in a flurry. Jack Brenner was drafted in the 7th round and signed as an 19 year old and immediately jumped into Atlanta's top 30 at number 19 showing off a great hit tool and very surprising speed for a catcher. Jacob Jerrell was selected in the 8th round as a senior sign from Clemson who hit .269 with 18 home runs as a senior.
Dominic Kibler was drafted in the 12th round out of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a 4th year junior who hit .300 with a .988 OPS before being drafted. Dalton Harper was drafted in the 16th round as a 3rd year junior who hit an insane .556 with 17 home runs for Niagara County Community College and signed for 150,000. Austin Fawley was drafted in the 19th round out of Mississippi as a senior sign who hit .234 with 13 home runs in his senior campaign.
Three catchers where heavily invested internationally. Five more catchers where drafted in July. Since Baldwin was drafted, no true prospects have shown they want to fight for his spot. Atlanta invested heavily this year into heating up that competition.
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