On the first day of the international signing period, the Braves made a splash.
The Braves on Wednesday officially signed 16-year-old outfielder Diego Tornes, who originally is from Cuba, to a $2.5 million signing bonus, a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Tornes is viewed as one of the top players in this international class.
Tornes, who is expected to be the Braves’ most expensive international signing in this cycle, continues the recent trend of the Braves bringing in top international talent. Last year, the club signed shortstop Jose Perdomo, one of the best players in his class. The year before that, they brought in outfielder Luis Guanipa, a stud talent in his own class.
Perdomo is the Braves’ No. 8 prospect on MLB Pipeline. Guanipa is their No. 11 prospect. Soon, Tornes, a switch-hitter with power, could join them on that list of the organization’s top prospects.
Baseball America, a respected outlet that provides in-depth prospect coverage, projected Tornes to receive one of the largest signing bonuses in this international period, which lasts until Dec. 15. (Most marquee signings are announced on the first day of the cycle or shortly thereafter.)
Of Tornes, Baseball America wrote this leading to the international signing period:
“Tornes is one of the younger players in the 2025 international class but has long stood out for his power. He’s a tall, physical switch-hitter with big bat speed from both sides of the plate who is able to drive the ball consistently for impact and projects to have plus power. Torres’ swing can cut in and out of the hitting zone too quickly at times, but he’s not a feast-or-famine hitter because it’s an accurate swing and he’s able to pick up spin early with a knack for being on time.”
Baseball America said that early in the scouting process, Tornes “looked like a left fielder who might end up at first base.” But the outlet added that he’s since improved his speed and defense. He has above-average speed and an average arm, the outlet wrote.
The Braves also are expected to sign 16-year-old Dominican right-hander Raudy Reyes, though that isn’t yet official. The hard-throwing Reyes is one of the better pitchers in the class.
MORE TO COME …
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