With all of the attention on which MLB team will sign Shohei Ohtani, many have forgotten about the Atlanta Braves lost international prospects. The Los Angeles Angels signed one of those former Braves prospects, Tuesday.
According to ESPN baseball reporter Buster Onley, the Los Angeles Angels and international prospect Kevin Maitan agreed to a deal, pending a physical, Tuesday. Maitan was a former Atlanta Braves prospect, who became a free agent this offseason due to the Braves rule violation with amateur international free agents.
The Angels have agreed to terms with infielder Kevin Maitan, who was made a free agent after MLB ruled the Braves violated rules in signing him.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2017
The deal is worth $2.2 million, per MLB.com reporter Jesse Sanchez.
Source: Angels agreement with former Braves prospect Kevin Maitan is for $2.2 million. The deal is still pending a physical. @Buster_ESPN had the agreement first. @MLBPipeline
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) December 5, 2017
Although the Los Angeles Angels used international slot money to sign Maitan, that doesn’t take them out of the running for Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. Money does not seem to be a factor for Ohtani. The Angels could also use next year’s international slot money to sign Maitan.
This is an excellent move for the Los Angeles Angels farm system. A farm system that ranked in the bottom-ten over the past few seasons. Former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto made some deals that left the Angels without many talented prospects. Current Angels GM Billy Eppler continues to fix that problem. Eppler does this while supplying MLB-ready talent at the same time.
Maitan certainly gives the Angels farm system a boost. The shortstop becomes the Angels’ number one prospect right away.
Kevin Maitan will become the No. 1 prospect in the Angels' farm system, per @MLBPipeline, and their only prospect in the Top 100.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) December 5, 2017
The 17-year-old ranked 38th in MLB pipeline’s top 100 prospects in 2017. Maitan ranked eighth among shortstops. He joins other top-Angels’ prospects including Jo Adell, Jahmai Jones, and Matt Thaiss. Although, Maitan is the only prospect on the Angels that sits in the top 100, as of now.
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The Braves originally signed the Venezuela star prospect back in July of 2016. That year, according to MLB pipeline’s top 30 international prospects, he ranked No.1 on the list. MLB Pipeline compares Maitan to Minnesota Twin’s star Miguel Sano.
Maitan is a switch-hitter. As MLB Pipeline states, he hits with power from both sides but more from the right-side. They also credit him with a talented arm and instincts but note that he lacks speed and agility in the field. It’s unknown what position Maitan will settle down at once he hits MLB.
Shortstop won’t likely be the landing spot because of gold glove Andrelton Simmons manning the position. Although, third, first and second base are all very possible.
In 2017, Maitan struggled in the Appalachian League and the Gulf Coast League. In 42 games, he hit .241/.290/.340 with two home runs, 18 RBI, 15 runs to go along with 49 strikeouts. Not a very good start to his professional career. But he’s still young and will just be turning 18 by the 2018 season.
A scouting report about Maitan can be read here, provided by Call to the Pen’s own Ben Chase.
Next: Angels closer options in 2018
With the Los Angeles Angels already striking a top international prospect in Maitan, imagine if they could land Ohtani as well. If that happens, the Angels will pull off one of the greatest offseason international signings in recent memory.