Braves Kick Off 2025-26 International Signing Period with Promising Haul of Young Talent
January 15 might not carry the same weight on the baseball calendar as Opening Day or the trade deadline, but for international scouting departments, it’s circled in bold. It marks the first day international amateur free agents can officially sign with MLB organizations - and for the Atlanta Braves, this year’s class is already shaping up to be a strong one.
As of now, the Braves have secured four signings and are expected to add several more in the coming days and weeks. Not every deal gets finalized on Day 1, but the early returns show a clear focus: high-upside athletes with tools to dream on and room to grow.
Budget Breakdown
Atlanta entered this signing period with a bonus pool of $6,679,200. So far, they’ve committed roughly $3.64 million to their first four signees.
Add in the rumored deals still in the pipeline - reportedly totaling nearly $1.7 million - and the Braves are already about $5.32 million deep into their pool. That leaves some flexibility, but the core of this year’s class is already taking shape.
Let’s take a closer look at the players who are officially in the fold - and some of the names expected to join them soon.
Signed Players
Jose Mañon, SS, Dominican Republic - $1.5M
The headliner of Atlanta’s 2026 international class, Mañon enters the system with legitimate top-50 pedigree, ranking as high as No. 26 by Baseball America and No. 39 by FanGraphs. A lean 6'2", 175-pound shortstop, Mañon brings a well-rounded toolset that starts with his glove. His defensive instincts, plus arm, and speed give him a strong chance to stick at shortstop long-term - always a valuable commodity in today’s game.
Offensively, Mañon is more gap-to-gap right now, but scouts see the potential for power to emerge as he fills out. He’s not just a smooth defender - he can hit, too. If the bat continues to develop, Mañon could become a true two-way threat up the middle.
Starlyn De La Cruz, OF, Dominican Republic - $1.2M
De La Cruz brings some serious electricity to this class. Though he’s listed at just 5'10", 180 pounds, he’s loaded with twitchy athleticism and explosive tools. A plus-plus runner, he projects well in center field and could become a difference-maker defensively.
But what really turns heads is the bat speed. De La Cruz generates loud contact and already flashes power beyond his frame.
He’s not just swinging out of his shoes, either - the hit tool has made strides, and he’s showing signs of becoming a more complete hitter. Some evaluators have even thrown out early comps to Michael Harris II, which is lofty praise for a 16-year-old.
If he continues to refine his approach, De La Cruz could emerge as one of the more dynamic players in this class.
Edelson Cabral, INF, Dominican Republic - $600K
Cabral might be the sleeper of the group - if you can call a top-100 prospect that. Baseball America has him at No. 84, while FanGraphs is even higher on him, ranking him 18th overall. That kind of variance often signals a high-upside player still figuring things out - and Cabral fits that mold.
At 6'1", 175 pounds, Cabral has projection left in his frame and already generates impressive exit velocities thanks to his quick hands and bat speed. There’s a chance he sticks at shortstop, but he’s also athletic enough to slide over to second or third if needed.
His arm strength gives him that flexibility. If the bat continues to play and the defensive tools hold, Cabral could be a valuable infield piece with offensive upside.
Jonathan Hechavarria, RHP, Cuba - $340K
Hechavarria is a bit of a wild card - and that’s exactly what makes him so intriguing. Originally an outfielder, he’s transitioned to the mound and is already touching 94 mph with his fastball. At 6'2", 200 pounds, he’s got the frame and physicality to handle a starter’s workload, and he’s already flashing a promising slider to complement the heater.
Because he’s relatively new to pitching, there’s not a ton of mileage on the arm - which gives the Braves’ development staff a clean slate to work with. The raw stuff is there. Now it’s about refining the mechanics, building consistency, and seeing how far the ceiling can go.
Rumored to Be Signing
While the following players haven’t officially inked their deals yet, multiple reports suggest they’re expected to join the Braves’ class soon:
- Durban Arnedo, INF, Colombia
- Efrain Caminero, RHP, Dominican Republic
- Josue Castro, LHP, Venezuela
- Sherrintely De Costa, OF, Curacao
- Luis Fortunato, OF, Dominican Republic
- Geowin Gomez, RHP, Colombia
- Giovanni Medina, RHP, Venezuela
- Cesar Navarro, RHP, Venezuela
- Jose Nelo, C, Venezuela
- Darren Pereira, RHP, Panama
- Jorwin Pulido, C, Venezuela
- Derek Torres, RHP, Venezuela
This group represents a mix of arms and position players, with a heavy emphasis on pitching - particularly from Venezuela and Colombia. It’s a balanced approach that reflects the Braves’ continued effort to build depth across the system.
What About Alfredo Sena?
One name that’s been floating around Braves circles - but won’t be found on this list - is Alfredo Sena, the highly touted Dominican shortstop who’s considered the top prospect in his class. That’s because Sena isn’t eligible to sign until next year. He’s still just 15 years old and will have to wait until the next international signing period opens.
There’s been buzz linking him to Atlanta, and with a projected signing bonus in the $5.8 million range, he’ll be one of the most closely watched players in the 2027 class. For now, though, he remains on the radar - not the roster.
Final Thoughts
It’s still early in the international signing period, but the Braves are off to a strong start. With a mix of top-50 talent, high-upside athletes, and projectable arms, this class reflects a clear organizational philosophy: invest in tools, trust the development, and build a sustainable pipeline of talent.
The international market is always a bit of a long game - these players are 16 years old, and their big league dreams are years away. But the foundation is being laid now. And if even a few of these names develop the way scouts believe they can, we could be looking back at this class as another key chapter in Atlanta’s player development success story.