Video: Atlanta Braves New 18 Year Old Shortstop

ATL Braves 18-Year-Old Dominican shortstop prospect Edward Salcedo

Tuesday the Atlanta Braves signed Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo and although there are not very many scouting reports, we will try to get one ASAP.

“This is a significant signing for us,” said Johnny Almaraz, the Braves’ Director of International Scouting and Operations. “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 we’ve seen in a while.”

The $1.6 million signing bonus was the highest bonus ever given to to an international player by ATL and Bill Shanks of Scout.com says:

Salcedo will work out at the Braves academy in the Dominican Republic until he is granted a visa to travel to the United States. Once his visa is granted, Salcedo will have a physical in either Atlanta or Orlando, and the deal will then be finalized.

Shanks also informs us Cleveland signed Salcedo two years ago but questions were raised about how old he really was. MLB found his birth date was July 30, 1991, making him legal

An investigation by Major League Baseball, solicited by the Braves, concluded Salcedo’s birth date was July 30, 1991, making him 18 years old and legal to sign. He is a tall athletic shortstop, who could switch positions by the time he makes it to the bigs, but he is known for his glove and bat.

Shanks brings up a good point, as the Braves lost their first round pick this season due to the Billy Wagner signing, and this kid should replace their first round pick. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus said Salcedo would likely be in his top 5-7 Braves prospects and it is yet to be determined where he will start the season.

Video below.

@MatAnaya