Braves set record with shortstop prospect signing

The Atlanta Braves set a record for the richest-ever contract given to a Venezuela-born prospect as they agreed to a $5 million bonus for shortstop Jose Perdomo on the first day of the international signing period. It was the largest bonus given to any player in the class.

“The Braves are adding one of the purest hitters in this year’s international market to their organization,” MLB.com reported. “Atlanta agreed to terms with shortstop Jose Perdomo … for $5 million as the 2024 signing period opened.” 

The Braves used almost all of their $5.284 million signing pool to secure Perdomo, a 17-year-old who ranks number one on Baseball America’s 2024 international prospects bonus board. He is widely acclaimed for his ability to put balls in play along with notable speed and a strong arm on defense.

“Perdomo has highly rated bat-to-ball skills and a short swing that produces a high contact rate, and some who’ve seen his defensive improvement in the past year believe he could stay at shortstop,” per The Athletic. “He doesn’t have a lot of power at this stage, but Perdomo has shown more potential in that area with strength gained since he first drew wide notice at a 2023 showcase event in Florida.”

The Braves have set a league standard for securing, developing and locking in young talent, boasting a core of players in Austin Riley, Josh Harris, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies who can remain under club control through the 2027 season. But their farm system now looks a little shallow, particularly for position players, and the addition of Perdomo makes up for that potential weakness.

“He immediately joins a high tier of Braves prospects, as one of only a couple of position player prospects who have impact potential,” Garrett Spain noted for SBNation.

The big league club should be set at shortstop for some time, with Orlando Arcia, Nicky Lopez and Ehire Adrianza all expected to share time there in 2024. For now, Perdomo will work on adding strength to his penchant for contact and continue to develop his defense. He will most likely head to the Dominican Summer League next, where fans and Braves coaches can keep an eye on his development.