The Braves created two headlines with their acquisitions on the opening day of the international signing window. Diego Torne, a 16-year-old Cuban outfielder, was signed by the Braves on Wednesday for a $2.5 million signing bonus, according to a source who spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In this international class, Tornes is considered to be among the best players.
According to the source with knowledge of the deal, the Braves also signed Dominican right-hander Raudy Reyes, who is known for his hard-throwing style, to a $1.8 million signing bonus. The fastball that 16-year-old Reyes throws has been measured at 101 mph. The Braves announced late Wednesday afternoon that they had signed eight players, including four Dominican Republic right-handers, Wilmer Almonte, Yangel Martinez, Lionel Prevosti, and Yostin Pinales, in addition to Torne and Reyes.
Four other players were also revealed by the team: outfielder Elias Reyno and infielders Juan Elejandro, Malvin Fernandez, and Yassel Garcia, all of whom are from the Dominican Republic. In the days ahead, the Braves should make further additions to their roster.
The Braves have $6,261,600 in their bonus pool, which is the amount they may spend on foreign free agents this season. During this international cycle, which ends on December 15, signings for $10,000 or less are not eligible to receive that bonus pool.
(The first day of the period or soon after is often when the majority of the class’s greatest signings occur.) Tornes, who is anticipated to be the Braves’ most costly foreign acquisition this cycle, carries on the team’s recent practice of acquiring elite position-player talent from abroad. One of the top players in his class, shortstop Jose Perdomo, was signed by the team last year.
They acquired outfielder Luis Guanipa, a standout talent in his own right, the year prior. According to MLB Pipeline, Perdomo is the Braves’ eighth-ranked prospect. Their eleventh-ranked prospect is Guanipa. They may soon be joined on that list of the organization’s top prospects by Tornes, a powerful switch-hitter. Tornes was predicted to get one of the biggest signing bonuses during this international season by Baseball America, a reputable publication that offers in-depth prospect coverage.
International talents were ranked by the publication according to who may be eligible for the biggest signing bonuses. Reyes was 19th on the board, and Tornes was fifth. “Tornes is one of the younger players in the 2025 international class, but he has long stood out for his power,” Baseball America noted about Tornes before to the international signing period.
A tall, strong switch-hitter, he can drive the ball consistently for impact and projects good power. He also has tremendous bat speed from both sides of the plate. Torres is not a feast-or-famine hitter due of his precise swing, ability to pick up spin early, and penchant for being on time, even if his swing may occasionally cut in and out of the hitting zone too rapidly.
Early in the scouting process, Tornes “looked like a left fielder who might end up at first base,” according to Baseball America. However, he has subsequently improved his quickness and defense, the outlet noted. According to the publication, he possesses an average arm and above-average speed.
What about Reyes? He weighs 220 pounds and is 6′ 4″. Later in the scouting process, according to Baseball America, he rose to prominence. He now has a fastball that can reach speeds of 101 mph. “It’s an overpowering fastball against hitters his age, though he will need to show more feel to manipulate his off-speed stuff and land his fastball in the strike zone more often against more advanced hitters,” the publication said of Reyes.
That anecdote followed a section on how teams typically don’t provide overseas pitchers who are 16 years old seven-figure bonuses. But it’s obvious that the Braves were worth it for Reyes. He now joins the system as yet another exciting possibility. Due to the wrongdoings of the previous government, the Braves had to contend with limitations on the foreign market for a few years. The Braves have begun bringing in elite overseas talent every cycle since the sanctions expired.
