Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves secured the services of one of the premier international prospects in the 2024 cycle, 17-year-old Jose Perdomo, who was granted a record-breaking signing bonus of $5 million by the franchise.
Perdomo stands out as the most highly anticipated international prospect the Braves have seen in over half a decade, a distinction not seen since Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies emerged on the minor-league scene. Despite the fact that not all highly touted international prospects live up to their expectations, Acuña and Albies, who didn’t receive anywhere near $5 million signing bonuses, quickly established themselves as some of the best players in their positions at a remarkably young age.
Assessing how a 17-year-old will adapt to professional baseball is an extremely challenging task, but the Braves are confident that Jose Perdomo possesses star potential. A scouting director has even likened him to the next Miguel Cabrera.
“Cruz, the Braves’ director of Latin American scouting, acknowledges that he hasn’t been in the scouting world long enough to make a comparison to Miguel Cabrera, but the endorsement did not originate from him,” as reported by Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Following a showcase in Florida, an event that significantly elevated Perdomo’s value, a seasoned scouting director conveyed to Cruz that Perdomo reminded him of a young Cabrera.”
Drawing a comparison to Miguel Cabrera is a considerable benchmark that is challenging for anyone to meet. Cabrera stands among the elite hitters in the history of the game, boasting first-ballot Hall of Fame credentials with multiple MVP awards, a triple crown, and over 500 career home runs, coupled with a.306 batting average.
While it’s unrealistic to anticipate that Jose Perdomo will replicate Miguel Cabrera’s career, it’s worth noting the cautionary tale of Kevin Maitan, another top international prospect for the Braves who drew comparisons to the Venezuelan legend. Unfortunately, the Braves forfeited Maitan’s rights due to violating international rules on prospect payments, and Maitan’s subsequent minor league career spanned six seasons with a.643 OPS, never advancing beyond the AA level.
Maitan’s journey raised questions about his work ethic, underscoring the unpredictable nature of how a 17-year-old will respond to receiving life-changing money at such an early stage. While Perdomo may currently evoke comparisons to Miguel Cabrera, it’s essential to recognize that Cabrera’s success was the result of tireless dedication and hard work from the moment he entered the professional realm. Perdomo, too, will need to demonstrate a similar commitment if he aspires to achieve even a fraction of Cabrera’s illustrious career accomplishments.
