Every January 15, Major League Baseball teams dive into one of the sport’s most unpredictable talent pools - the international free agent signing period. It’s a high-risk, high-reward game, where clubs invest millions in teenagers who’ve never played a professional inning. For the Atlanta Braves, this year’s class marks an important step toward reversing recent struggles on the international front.
While the Braves didn’t go after the top-tier names like Luis Hernandez or Francisco Renteria in this cycle, they still managed to make waves. Atlanta is expected to sign two promising headliners: shortstop Jose Mañon and outfielder Starling De La Cruz. Both bring intriguing skill sets to the table and could become key pieces of the organization’s future if their development goes according to plan.
Jose Mañon: A Shortstop With Real Impact Potential
Let’s start with Jose Mañon, who’s expected to sign for around $1.5 million. He’s the kind of player scouts get excited about - not just for his tools, but for how advanced his feel for hitting is at such a young age.
Mañon has a knack for finding the barrel, with a swing that suggests he could grow into both average and power as he matures. He’s aggressive at the plate and features a small leg kick, but those are adjustments that can be fine-tuned as he climbs the ladder.
What really elevates Mañon’s profile is his likelihood to stick at shortstop. That’s no small thing.
It’s one of the most demanding positions on the field, and if he can stay there defensively, it adds significant value to his overall projection. The Braves have had success developing athletic infielders in the past, and Mañon fits that mold - a player with twitchy athleticism and the kind of tools you can dream on.
Starling De La Cruz: Speed, Contact, and Center Field Upside
Joining Mañon near the top of Atlanta’s international class is outfielder Starling De La Cruz, expected to sign for about $1.2 million. De La Cruz is a different type of prospect - more speed and contact than raw power - but that doesn’t mean he lacks impact potential. He makes hard contact consistently and has enough pop to keep pitchers honest, even if he’s not going to be a 30-homer guy.
What stands out most about De La Cruz is his speed and instincts in the outfield. He covers ground with ease and has the potential to develop into a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder if everything clicks. He’s not the biggest player physically, and there’s not a ton of projection left in terms of strength, but his skill set is already refined in a way that gives him a solid floor and a sneaky-high ceiling.
Depth Pieces: Familiar Names and Catching Upside
Beyond the headliners, the Braves are spreading their international bonus pool - which sits at a mid-tier $6,679,200 - across a deeper group of prospects. One of the more intriguing names is Jose Perdomo - no, not the current Braves prospect, but his younger brother, who shares the same name.
The younger Perdomo is a catcher with a plus arm and some raw power potential. Catching is always a tough position to project, but having a strong arm and the ability to hit for some pop gives him a shot to climb the system.
Another name to watch is shortstop Edelson Cabral. He doesn’t have the foot speed to guarantee he stays at shortstop long-term, but he’s a quality contact hitter who could grow into more offensive value. Right now, he’s a hit-over-power type, but the Braves clearly see something in the way he squares up the baseball.
A Strategic Shift for Atlanta
This year’s approach feels like a shift in strategy for the Braves. Instead of putting all their chips on one or two big names, they’re aiming for balance - investing in a pair of higher-end talents while also building depth with some intriguing secondary signings. It’s a calculated move, especially given how unpredictable international signings can be.
Atlanta has had its share of misses in recent years on the international market, but this 2026 class offers a chance to reset that narrative. With Mañon and De La Cruz leading the way, and a few high-upside names behind them, the Braves are hoping to build the next wave of talent that could impact the big-league roster down the road.
It’s early - these players are still just kids, and development is anything but linear - but there’s real reason for optimism here. The Braves are betting on athleticism, instincts, and upside. And if even a couple of these signings hit, it could pay off in a big way.