The 16-year-old Cuban free agent known as ‘Lazarito’ had a private workout Saturday with the Braves and has been linked to them and at least eight other teams, but he’s not the teen free agent Atlanta seems most likely to sign.
That player is Kevin Maitan, a switch-hitting Venezuelan shortstop who’s been at the center of the Braves’ international radar for more than a year. He turns 16 this week and will be eligible to sign for the first time on July 2, when the next international free-agent signing period begins.
A respected scout compared him to a young Chipper Jones.
You compare. Here's a look at both players' swings.
First Chipper:
Now Maitan:
Maitan is rated by many — including Braves officials – as the jewel of the international free-agent class. The Cardinals and Padres are among the many other teams that have heavily pursued Maitan.
» What are the Braves' chances of signing Maitan? Read more on myAJC