When the Atlanta Braves handed outfielder Diego Tornes a $2.5 million signing bonus in January, they believed they had landed one of the premier bats in the 2025 international class. Just months later, the17-year-old switch-hitter is already showing why scouts were so high on him.
Tornes, standing at 6-foot-2 with a projectable frame, has drawn early comparisons to Anthony Santander thanks to his offensive profile — an advanced approach, bat speed, and the potential for middle-of-the-order power. While the Braves’ recent history with big-money international position player signings has been underwhelming, Tornes may be poised to reverse that trend.
Through his first 32 games in the Dominican Summer League, Tornes is slashing .279/.395/.402 with five triples and 24 stolen bases. He’s yet to homer, but his ability to get on base, control the strike zone, and use his speed on the base-paths is already standing out.
The Braves aren’t focused on stats at this stage — the DSL is about acclimating to the pro game — but the 17-year-old is already translating his tools into live-game success. His next step will be maintaining his hit tool as he adds muscle, a development that could unlock his projected power and cement him as a potential five-tool player.
Signed out of Cuba by former MLB outfielder Alex Sanchez’s Dominican academy, the young outfielder already projects as a prototypical right fielder with the tools to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Tornes possesses above-average arm strength and fluid defensive actions suggest he could handle a corner spot long-term, while his plus speed gives him range that plays in all three outfield positions. Offensively, Tornes’ advanced strike-zone discipline and ability to produce hard contact from both sides of the plate provide a strong foundation for his hit tool, with the expectation that added strength to his 6-foot-2 frame will unlock above-average game power. If those developmental benchmarks are met, he profiles as a middle-of-the-order run producer — the kind of international signee the Braves have been seeking to anchor their lineup for years.
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