Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

With the Braves free and clear of any penalties following their international signing infractions, they aggressively went after talent when the 2022 signing period opened. Benitez was the big catch, ranked No. 10 overall on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects list and given $2.5 million to sign. He hasn’t exactly set the world on fire yet production-wise, but did take some nice steps forward from a rough Dominican Summer League debut after signing to his first taste stateside in the Florida Complex League in 2023.

Even though he’s still learning to use it consistently, Benitez has an exciting offensive toolkit. There’s bat speed to spare with a good right-handed swing. He was overly aggressive at times in the FCL last year, but improved as the summer wore on, getting back to the more solid approach he had shown in the DSL. It remains to be seen how much he can tap into his raw power, but evaluators feel he can really drive the ball.

While Benitez, who will be 19 for all of the 2024 season, has only played shortstop over his first two summers of pro ball, some feel he’s going to need to move off the premium position in the future. His strong arm would work well from third, though that would put more pressure on his bat, with confidence there’s still plenty of untapped potential in that regard.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Some top international prospects hit the ground running and put up gaudy numbers in the Dominican Summer League. Others stumble a bit out of the gate to translate their raw tools into production. Benitez, who signed for $2.5 million in January 2022 at the start of that signing period, fits into the latter category. The athletic infielder struggled in the DSL, but the Braves are still bullish on his tools.

There were some very encouraging signs from Benitez, even if he didn’t impact the ball consistently during his pro debut. He still has excellent bat speed and showed impressive control of the strike zone, keeping his strikeouts down and drawing a ton of walks while never chasing out of the zone, even when he was scuffling. It’s a pretty good swing with the chance to drive the ball if he can get back on track.

Benitez is a solid defender at short with an arm that flashes plus. The Braves see a little Manny Machado in him -- body-type wise -- and there is the chance he’ll outgrow the premium position and need to move to third base. For now though, he’ll continue to play short until he shows he can’t handle it while working to turn his potential into performance.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Braves were fully out of the international signing penalty box when the 2021-22 signing period opened up on January 15 of this year, and they wasted no time, signing six players to bonuses of six figures or higher. Benitez, who came in at No. 10 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects list, was the headline, getting $2.5 million to sign and add his considerable tools to the organization.

Big, strong and athletic, there are some evaluators who see a little young Manny Machado in Benitez. With excellent bat speed, he can drive the ball to all fields and there’s a chance he could have better than average power when all is said and done as he matures and gets professional reps. Plate discipline and pitch recognition should also sharpen as he gets instruction and sees competitive pitching on a regular basis.

Right now, Benitez has the actions, footwork, hands and especially the arm to play shortstop. It’s possible that he could have to move over to third if he fills out his frame and slows down too much. That’s a question for a day down the road as he’ll make his pro debut this summer in the Dominican Summer League.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55 

Benitez is a toolsy shortstop that has drawn some comparisons to a young Manny Machado.

He’s big -- 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds -- and strong with signs of power now that project to increase as he develops. He can already drive the ball out of the ballpark and hits line drives to all fields with authority. He shows good bat speed and a solid approach at the plate. He should benefit from the daily instruction in a team’s academy once he signs, but there is already a lot to working in his favor.

He’ll have to work on plate discipline and pitch recognition as he advances through the Minor Leagues, but that’s common for all young prospects -- domestic or international. On defense, he shows good footwork, soft hands and a strong arm that has a chance to be plus-plus potential.

There’s also a chance he will be a plus runner.

He trains with Venezuela’s Emiro Barboza, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program. The Braves are the favorite to sign him.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/28/2024	SS Diego Benitez assigned to FCL Braves from Augusta GreenJackets.
	03/07/2024	Atlanta Braves Prospects activated SS Diego Benitez.
	09/19/2023	Augusta GreenJackets activated SS Diego Benitez.
	08/29/2023	SS Diego Benitez assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from FCL Braves.
	06/04/2023	SS Diego Benitez assigned to FCL Braves.
	05/02/2023	Braves Organization activated SS Diego Benitez. Ext Spring Game.
	03/27/2023	SS Diego Benitez and assigned to Atlanta Braves.
	03/17/2022	DSL Braves activated SS Diego Benitez.
	03/17/2022	SS Diego Benitez assigned to DSL Braves.
	01/15/2022	Atlanta Braves signed free agent SS Diego Benitez to a minor league contract.
	01/04/2021	SS Diego Benitez assigned to Cardenales de Lara.
	01/04/2021	SS Diego Benitez assigned to Cardenales de Lara.