State Of The System: International Penalties Update
The 2017 offseason was a dark one for the Braves.
A Major League Baseball investigation into infractions by previous leadership resulted in the forfeiture of 13 international prospects, strict restrictions on the international market for three years and the loss of a third-round pick in 2018.
The Braves were prohibited from signing any international player for more than $10,000 during the 2019-20 signing period and their international signing bonus pool for the 2020-21 period is reduced by 50 percent. That pool was originally $4.75 million, so there is finally money to spend but still not the full amount. They also lost the ability to sign shortstop prospect Robert Puason during the initial period.
The infractions centered around package deals that the Braves made by agreeing to reduced signing bonuses with players but funneling additional money to the players’ agents through inflated bonuses to other players. It wasn’t a new concept to the international market and wasn’t the first time punishment was dealt, as the Red Sox lost five players in similar fashion in 2015. But it was particularly brazen and MLB made an example of Atlanta with severe punishment designed to halt such actions.
I’ll get into the individual players who were given up as part of the punishment, and where they are now, in the next installment. It was a hefty price to pay, because the class was extremely hyped and would have had the minor league system set up to potentially create a steady flow of talent to the major league roster for years to come. There’s a lot of volatility in signing 16-year-old international prospects, or 16-year-olds in general, but it was a massive class of highly regarded prospects. Some were sure to land, and it cost the Braves dearly.
Not only did they miss out on the big amount of money spent to bring in such a huge class, but the Braves are feeling the effects of the punishment now and could continue to do so. The lack of international resources is starting to show in the lower levels. The system would be top-heavy regardless, because the upper levels are stacked with potential major league talent. But a few surprise prospects are keeping the bottom half from being completely barren. The Braves took a different strategy to the 2019 draft by going with overslot, prep fliers in the middle rounds. The organization certainly hopes that strategy will inject some ceiling into the lower levels as a way to combat the lack of international talent.
From this perspective, it’s wise for Alex Anthopoulos to hold on to the upper-level prospects until the time and opportunity are absolutely right. The Braves are more than fortunate to have a core of young talent locked in at the major league level along with an increasing payroll to supplement that core. They need the final wave of upper-level prospects to land at multiple positions, especially in the outfield and on the mound, or trading them away must mean landing on the returning talent. With very little coming up behind this last wave, every move involving those prospects is crucial. That lack of breathing room is due in part to the international limits.
Where do the Braves go from here? As previously mentioned, the 2020-21 pool is cut in half, so it’s not all gloom and doom again this year. It also means the organization can see the light at the end of the tunnel and a return to normal international spending very soon.
International staff will likely ramp up. It’s good timing because Anthopoulos’s front office is able to put its fingerprint on that side of operations. It’s now a cohesive effort in scouting and development. That’s a positive with normal bonus pools on the horizon.
It’s also not a moment too soon. The Braves aren’t in desperation mode because their core is stacked and with talented upper-level prospects right behind them. Almost every organization would envy their current state. But for an organization that does rely on its system a good bit, an infusion of international talent will be a welcomed sight.