Braves close to signing Dominican SS Salcedo

[BarveFanHawaii]

http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/statuses/9406873679
http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/statuses/9406918735

That's on top of Bowman reporting it as well.

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


If anyone thinks the kid's name sounds familiar, it's explained in Bowman's link. He's the guy that had his contract with the Indians nullified in 2007 because he was born in 1991, not 1989.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

from the few bp swings I saw in the video, I like the signing...

[KB 34]

It sounds like the Braves were after him in 2007 as well. It sounds like a good deal to make that reminds me of the Tehran signing.

[BarveFanHawaii]

Multiple sources saying we got him signed (DOB and Bowman). O'Brien saying it's $1.6M or so. Announcement coming when kiddo passes his physical.

[Andy G.]

Braves sign highly regarded Salcedo (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100223&content_id=8123082&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Atlanta makes splash to land top international shortstop

"This is a significant signing for us," Braves director of international scouting operations Johnny Almaraz said. "We feel that Edward is one of this year's most talented prospects. He has outstanding makeup, and the combination of his fielding and hitting ability make him one of the top international players that we've seen in a while."

With his five-tool talents, Salcedo has led some Braves talent evaluators to draw comparisons to Marlins All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

Based on the way Atlanta handled Yunel Escobar after he was selected in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, there's reason to believe Salcedo will likely spend most of the upcoming season with Class A Rome. The club has routinely kept many of its top young prospects in Rome for a majority of their first full season in professional baseball.
Wow. Comparisons to Hanley, huh? That's enough to make you glad we got the kid.

As for him spending this year in Rome, I find that surprising. It could just be Bowman spouting off without having heard this from anyone in the organization. Or it could be that someone let him know that this is what the Braves plan to do with him. Escobar was 22 years old when the Braves drafted him, so it wasn't surprising that he went to Rome very quickly. This kid is 18. If he goes straight to Rome and performs well, then we have a seriously talented baseball player on our hands.

[BarveFanHawaii]

Also read somewhere they have questions about his ability to remain at shortstop as he grows into his body.

Methinks the hints were at suggesting he could be a third baseman...coinciding nicely with another player's eventual career twilight.

[Andy G.]

I had those same thoughts once I saw "6-foot-3".

[CharlotteBrave]

Really excited to see how he works out. Wonder where he'll rank on the prospect list.

[The Rap]

Nice overall view;

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3rl0

[-Dr. Brave-]

Nice overall view;

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3rl0

Didn't see Salcedo listed. Wrong thread?

[Dreamscape]

Back to Salcedo...a scout told Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein that while not a shortstop, Salcedo should be much higher than fifth on Braves prospect lists. He has such a strong arm and power and we should "get ready" for him.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

We still got a long way to go with him, but I believe the Braves found there future 3B in this kid...