Braves close to signing stud Dominican SS

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http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100219&content_id=8100178&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

Atlanta becomes front-runner for highly-regarded shortstop
fan comments (30)print this page e-mail this page post on facebook By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

02/19/10 5:11 PM EST

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Braves appear to be nearing a deal for highly-regarded Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo.

A Braves source said Friday afternoon that the club is "close" to signing the 6-foot-3, 190-pound shortstop. Earlier in the day, a report by The Associated Press out of the Dominican Republic quoted the 18-year-old shortstop's agent as saying Atlanta currently ranks as the front-runner to sign his client. But Mercedes added that they are still listening to offers from other clubs.

This report also indicated that the Braves have applied for a visa that would allow Salcedo to travel to their Spring Training headquarters for further evaluation.

The AP also reported that the $2.3 million agreement with the Indians in 2007 was nullified when the United States raised suspicions about Salcedo's claim that he was born in 1989.

At the Braves' request, Major League Baseball has reportedly performed an investigation and determined that Salcedo was born in 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndsO9mrJxao

[jeffmerk]

Since when do Dominican players try to pass for being OLDER than they really are?

[kab21]

Since when do Dominican players try to pass for being OLDER than they really are?

your reading comprehension is a little off. The US govt questioned his age a couple of years ago.

It will be interesting to see if he is still considered a stud prospect or not. He's obviously still very good but he had a lot of hype a couple of years ago.

[jeffmerk]

Since when do Dominican players try to pass for being OLDER than they really are?

your reading comprehension is a little off. The US govt questioned his age a couple of years ago.

It will be interesting to see if he is still considered a stud prospect or not. He's obviously still very good but he had a lot of hype a couple of years ago.

Last I checked, people born in '89 were older than those born '91. Did Uncle Sam think he hadn't turned 16 yet?

[kab21]

Since when do Dominican players try to pass for being OLDER than they really are?

your reading comprehension is a little off. The US govt questioned his age a couple of years ago.

It will be interesting to see if he is still considered a stud prospect or not. He's obviously still very good but he had a lot of hype a couple of years ago.

Last I checked, people born in '89 were older than those born '91. Did Uncle Sam think he hadn't turned 16 yet?

Maybe I'll work on my reading comprehension skills. I think there is a typo then.

[18 and 1]

The Braves have reached a $1.6 million deal with Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo, reports Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Salcedo only needs to take a physical for the contract to be made official. The 6-foot-3 18-year-old has been a well-known international talent for several years and nearly signed with the Indians back in 2007. He's likely to kick off the 2010 season at Single-A Rome or high Single-A Myrtle Beach.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Where would he fit into rankings compared to other SS like Escobar, Castro or Gordon?

[jeffmerk]

Scouting Book placed him at #208 overall and they don't expect him to stay at SS.

[kab21]

Where would he fit into rankings compared to other SS like Escobar, Castro or Gordon?

BA just answered this in the latest ask BA column. I wouldn't put him with that grouping but instead the more raw flores, Sano, Triunfel types that are likely headed to 3B.

Where would you rank the newly signed Braves shortstop sensation Edward Salcedo on BA's Top 100 Prospects list, if at all?

Kevin O'Brien
Yonkers, N.Y.

Where would Edward Salcedo fit on BA's Braves Top 10 Prospects list? Moreover, if he had signed in time, would he have made the list of Top 100 Prospects?

Jay Lalach
Calgary

The hype on Edward Salcedo quieted down because it took so long for him to actually sign, but I remember him getting hyped like Miguel Sano did last year before signing with the Twins. How would you compare the two? Where do you see Salcedo starting his professional career, and where would he rank among Braves prospects?

Ryan Hall
Abingdon, Md.

Salcedo, who signed with the Braves for $1.6 million on Feb. 23, is quite similar to Sano, who received a $3.15 million bonus from the Twins in September. Both were the most hyped international amateur free agents of their 16-year-old classes, Salcedo in 2007 and Sano in 2009, and both had their signings delayed because of questions about their age. Both are 6-foot-3 shortstops who may outgrow the position. Both project as quality hitters with above-average power, average speed and plus arm strength.

Sano has a little more power and a little more speed, so he'd rate the edge as a prospect. He checked in at No. 94 on the Top 100, and Salcedo wouldn't quite make the cut for me. In the Braves system, I'd rank him behind outfielder Jason Heyward (No. 1 on the Top 100), first baseman Freddie Freeman (No. 32), righthanders Julio Teheran (No. 51) and Arodys Vizcaino (No. 69), and lefthander Mike Minor (who barely missed the cut). Salcedo figures to start his career at low Class A Rome.