Law: Braves Lock Up Top International 2016 FA Kevin Maitan

[chop2chip]

This is huge news and I can't believe no one has reported anything about this yet. I assume its because making agreements this far ahead of the deadline is prohibited

From Eric Longerhagen's ESPN Insider Piece concerning this year's FA class:

The huge name for next year's J2 class is Venezuelan SS Kevin Maitan, a monstrous teenager with an elite body, advanced feel to hit and big-time power projection. He has been on the radar for international scouts for years and is being compared to some generational talents. A scout I talked to whose team has no prayer of signing Maitan said his club has an overall 70 grade on him, the sort of grade that players near the apex of top 100 prospects lists only sometimes garner. And three sources have told ESPN colleague Keith Law that the Atlanta Braves have already locked up Maitan for $4.25 million in advance of the July 2, 2016, signing period. As Keith noted, such deals are "technically prohibited but are de rigueur in that market."

This seems to jive with the industry consensus that the Braves are going to blow past their pool limit next year. If this ends up working out, Hart and Co. deserve a lot of praise for their complete revamp of the organization.

[cajunrevenge]

4.25 million is really low for a generational talent. Maybe we have been sending him Christmas cards since he was 5 and now he is doing us a solid.

[chop2chip]

4.25 million is really low for a generational talent. Maybe we have been sending him Christmas cards since he was 5 and now he is doing us a solid.

All the big dogs are prohibited from spending over $300K on a single prospect which helps keep the bidding lower than it would normally be. Although, $4.25M would have been the highest signing bonus for a 15/16 year old in this year's class. The Braves are definitely paying a premium.

[zbhargrove]

Sounds like this guy has much more potential than Moncada... still lots can go wrong with a 15/16 year old. Let's hope he stays healthy and lives up to even a fraction of the Miggy comparisons we've heard.

[Jay212033]

I said this in the IFA thread and almost got my head chewed off but I told everyone the Braves already had an agreement in place with him. This is HUGE!!!!!

[thethe]

Haha, if this was true then all the BS talk about taking too much pitching in the draft makes complete sense.

Well done front office powerhouse!

[auyushu]

A scout I talked to whose team has no prayer of signing Maitan said his club has an overall 70 grade on him,

Very nice. Hopefully it's true that we have hime locked up and it stays that way till this time next year.

[chop2chip]

This means the kid has a year to change his mind. There is no guarantee he ever actually signs or plays for the Braves. So relax.

It usually doesn't work that way. Kiley McDaniel just went 30/30 reporting this year's J2 signings top 30 signings and he's had the club's down listed for months.

I would be more concerned that Law's sources are wrong than I would be about this kid changing his mind.

[gilesfan]

It usually doesn't work that way. Kiley McDaniel just went 30/30 reporting this year's J2 signings top 30 signings and he's had the club's down listed for months.

I would be more concerned that Law's sources are wrong than I would be about this kid changing his mind.

Was there anyone that he was wrong about? (Fox?)

[NinersSBChamps]

It usually doesn't work that way. Kiley McDaniel just went 30/30 reporting this year's J2 signings top 30 signings and he's had the club's down listed for months.

I would be more concerned that Law's sources are wrong than I would be about this kid changing his mind.

Well that makes sense. I was just getting to the fact that there is nothing set in stone. Sure all signs point to this kid signing with the organization, but I think we should wait before we all start rejoicing.

[Tapate50]

I'd rather be in the drivers seat for this kid than playing catch up!

[chop2chip]

Was there anyone that he was wrong about? (Fox?)

Well Fox was different because he came onto the scene just recently (and he's older). He had reported for some time that the Giants were pushing hard to convince Fox. I don't think Fox ever had a deal in place. It was more so that the Dodgers were the favorite.

[chop2chip]

Well that makes sense. I was just getting to the fact that there is nothing set in stone. Sure all signs point to this kid signing with the organization, but I think we should wait before we all start rejoicing.

That's the more prudent thing to do for sure. Anything could happen. It's just refreshing to see the Braves ahead on something like this for what feels like the first time in a long long time.

[chop2chip]

Shanks confirms Law's source is accurate.

[keithlaw]

Shanks confirms Law's source is accurate.

Huh, I didn't realize I had called Wren a prick recently.

[chop2chip]

Huh, I didn't realize I had called Wren a prick recently.

You did last week in your weekly chat, ol Klawster.

[Braves1976]

If true this is a very good signing for the future.

[smootness]

If true this is a very good signing for the future.

That's an understatement.

[bravesfanforlife88]

I wonder if anything has changed on this end with all the rebuilding

[mqt]

I wonder if anything has changed on this end with all the rebuilding

I don't suspect that would make much of a difference. If anything, our timeline for contending right now would seem to mesh with when Maitan would arrive if he's really the next big thing.