Angels Agree To Sign Kevin Maitan

The Angels have agreed to sign former Braves top prospect Kevin Maitan, organization sources confirmed to Baseball America on Tuesday.

Maitan, the top player in the 2016 international class, signed with the Braves for $4.25 million and made his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues this season. Major League Baseball made Maitan a free agent on Nov. 21 after ruling the Braves violated international signing rules to get him.

Maitan, 17, signed with the Angels for $2.2 million, sources confirmed to BA. The Venezuelan shortstop will receive that bonus on top of the $4.25 million from the Braves he gets to keep.

Maitan struggled in his first professional season, hitting .240 with two home runs, 18 RBIs and a .629 OPS in 38 games. He still ranked as the Appalachian League’s No. 1 prospect and was the Braves No. 9 prospect before he was declared a free agent.

The Angels acquired $1.21 million in international signing bonus space in a trade with the Braves last week, giving them extra money to sign prospects such as Maitan.

Maitan was one of 12 players declared free agents from the Braves organization as part of the fallout from their international signing violations. Another of the ex-Braves players, righthanded pitcher Yefri Del Rosario, signed with the Royals for a $650,000 signing bonus on Tuesday as well according to MLB.com.