The international market was once a rich source of talent for the Braves. From Hall of Famer Andruw Jones to superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., global free agents have taken Atlanta by storm. Recently, though, it seems like the only riches are the signing bonuses. A trio of prospects that commanded seven figures at signing missed out on Baseball America’s Top 30 list, indicating a potential problem with overpayment in the Braves’ organization.
Shortstop Jose Perdomo broke the record for largest signing bonus for a Venezuelan player when he signed with Atlanta in 2024. Scouts loved his hitting ability, and MLB.com considered him the fourth-best prospect in a class that featured Jesús Made, Edward Florentino, and Luis Peña, all now Top 100 prospects. Perdomo hasn’t panned out as well. Given the $5 million devoted to bring him into the fold, he would be quite the bust.
In recent years, the Braves have spent big and missed out on international free agents
Perdomo is perhaps the most concerning case among the three payday prospects. A hamstring injury limited to eight games in 2024, and he produced a .544 OPS in 54 games in 2025. Of course, he’s still young (he’ll turn 20 near the end of the 2026 season), but the Braves need hope on the horizon at shortstop. If any of Perdomo’s injury or hitting concerns become long term, he may move from “may be” to “has been.”
Outfielder Luis Guanipa has already shifted from promising prospect to potential bust. His plus-speed made him a strong possibility to stick at center field, but he hasn’t produced at the plate. Injuries limited him to just 35 games last season, which likely did little to improve his approach at the plate.
Finally, right-hander Raudy Reyes, who signed for just under $1.8 million last season, appears to be not only a threat to the Braves’ scouting reputation, but to the well-being of opposing batters. His high velocity comes with virtually no control, as evidenced by his 23.2% walk rate in the Dominican League last season. To be fair, he’s still just 17. The Braves’ development staff have a chance to help him harness his abilities before he turns into Charlie Sheen in Major League.
Whatever the Braves do to turn the tide, they need to do it fast. They keep throwing money at young players, and while they have found a few gems (Didier Fuentes and Diego Tornes, notably), the Braves have more than a few expensive regrets.