Kevin Maitán

Kevin Maitán
Los Angeles Angels
Shortstop
Born: (2000-02-12) February 12, 2000
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
Bats: Switch Throws: Right

Kevin Francisco Maitán Hernández (born February 12, 2000) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels organization.

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Maitán was considered the top international prospect for the 2016 class.[1][2] Though a natural shortstop, Maitán has most often been projected as a third baseman in professional baseball.[3][4] He has been called the best international free agent since Miguel Sanó in 2009 and has been compared to Miguel Cabrera and Chipper Jones.[5] He signed with the Atlanta Braves on July 2,[6][7] receiving a $4.25 million signing bonus.[8] Maitán arrived in the United States in September to begin his professional career at the instructional league.[9] He made his debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves on July 3, 2017,[10] and after batting .314 with a .751 OPS in nine games, he was promoted to the Rookie Advanced Danville Braves, where he finished 2017, posting a .220 average with two home runs and 15 RBIs.[11]

On October 2, 2017, Braves general manager John Coppolella and international scouting director Gordon Blakely resigned after an MLB investigation into their activities discovered several rules violations regarding international signings.[12] On November 21, MLB ordered that Maitan and several other players were released from their contracts and declared to be free agents.[13]

Los Angeles Angels

Maitán signed with the Los Angeles Angels, receiving a $2.2 million signing bonus.[14] He is playing for the Orem Owlz of the Advanced Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2018.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Badler, Ben (June 28, 2016). "Kevin Maitan Is Venezuela's Next Great Prospect". Baseball America. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ McDaniel, Kiley (September 30, 2014). "The Next Elite July 2nd Prospect Is 14-Years-Old". Fangraphs. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  3. ↑ Law, Keith; Crawford, Christopher (July 1, 2016). "Profiling the top international prospects and where they're likely to sign". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Shortstop Kevin Maitan tops Braves' international signings". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 2, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  5. ↑ O'Brien, David (February 8, 2016). "Braves free-agent target Maitan compared to Chipper". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ Sanchez, Jesse (July 2, 2016). "Top-ranked Maitan headlines Braves' international haul". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  7. ↑ O'Brien, David (July 2, 2016). "Braves sign bevy of international prospects led by No. 1-rated Maitan". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ foxsports (July 2, 2016). "Braves sign top international prospect Kevin Maitan for $4.25 million". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (September 26, 2016). "Trio from vaunted Rome rotation, Maitan headline Braves' instructs". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ Rosenbaum, Mike (July 5, 2017). "Monday's best: Whitley fires five no-hit frames". MLB.com. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Kevin Maitan Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  12. ↑ Oz, Mike (October 2, 2017). "Braves GM John Coppolella quits suddenly amid MLB investigation". yahoo.com. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Braves penalized for int'l signing violations". mlb.com. November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  14. ↑ Guardado, Maria (May 24, 2018). "Angels agree with Kevin Maitan, Livan Soto". MLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Maitan flying high in early going for Owlz". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
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