Mike González was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1890. Elected to the Cuban National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, the catcher became the first Latin-born player in Braves franchise history when he suited up for the club (then located in Boston) in 1912.
One hundred and thirteen years later, another Havana native has joined the Braves organization. Diego Tornes, a 6-foot-2, 178-pound outfielder, ranks as MLB.com’s No. 15 international prospect in the 2025 class and is the headliner of the club’s newest crop of talent from across the globe.
Tornes’ deal lands him a $2,497,500 signing bonus. The club received $6.26 million in pool money this year.
“He’s lean, he’s athletic, he’s got size, and his swing is pretty short for the levers that he has,” Braves Latin American scouting director Jonathan Cruz said. “We’re pretty excited, and I think he’s gonna bring value the next couple years. It’s gonna be pretty exciting to see.”
For the fourth consecutive year, the Braves have handed out a significant signing bonus in hopes of landing an impact bat. Last year, Jose Perdomo, who is now Atlanta’s No. 8 prospect, received a $5 million bonus (nearly the club’s entire pool allotment) due to his pure hitting ability, which drew lofty comparisons to Miguel Cabrera. In 2023, Luis Guanipa, the Braves’ No. 11 prospect, pulled down a $2.5 million bonus and got his first taste of full-season affiliate ball this past summer with Single-A Augusta. Both players will still be in their teens for the entirety of the 2025 campaign, a testament to how long the road can often be, even for the supremely gifted international talent.
Tornes will be just 16 for most of his first pro campaign, which excites evaluators given his present projection and ceiling. At least average across the board in terms of his package of five primary tools, Tornes is a switch-hitting outfielder who has garnered some Anthony Santander comps in the past. His left-handed swing in particular is geared for power, while he boasts significant bat speed from both sides of the dish.
Tornes’ size may eventually move him to a corner outfield spot, but for now the Braves are projecting him to be a big league center fielder. Equipped with above-average arm strength and a naturally plus run tool, he would be far from a defensive afterthought, able to impact the game on both sides of the ball.
“I don’t see why he can’t be a five-tool player,” Cruz said.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008, will be eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.
Other notable Braves signees and their bonus:
Raudy Reyes, RHP, Dominican Republic – $1,797,500
Angel Carmona, INF, Venezuela – $447,500
