Edward Salcedo- 3B/SS-R/R
Salcedo started the season as the shortstop for the Rome team, but was moved to third base after 19 games. It's not that he was terrible at short, but Matt Lipka has proven to be the more likely to stick there long term. He put up a .248/.315/.396 line with 12 home runs and 23 stolen bases. Salcedo has shown improving power and a decent eye at the plate, he needs to work on his pitch recognition but he just turned 20 late in the season so he has some time to work that out.
The bad news is his defense, he committed over 40 errors between short and third. After seeing him play it's easy to see why, though he has decent hands, reactions and a strong arm he appears to have some sort of mental block about throwing to first base. Probably three quarters of the errors he committed were on throws, he seems to think too hard and rush causing him to sail the ball often. This isn't an insolvable problem and many young players struggle with errors early, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him move to an outfield corner if it persists.
Projection: A starting third baseman or left fielder who hits around .275/.335/.415. His speed may begin to evaporate as he fills out but he should be able to continue to improve his power and eye.
Matt Lipka-SS R/R
The first pick of the Braves in the 2010 draft, the "Dirt Devil" has good hands and range a short, his arm is a little below average, but he makes up with it by getting in a good throwing position and a quick release. At the plate he has an improving eye and good bat control, but he makes a lot of weak contact. I give him a lot of credit from going to Rome his first full season out of high school, he will probably start to drive the ball more as he adjusts to the pro-game but will never be a power hitter. The best part of Lipka's game is his speed, he is quick and has speed to burn both in the field and on the bases.
Projection: A good fielding shortstop at the MLB level who could be an everyday player if he can get on base at a decent clip, and provide the speed to be a top of the order hitter. *
* after this post was written it was reported that Lipka is currently learning CF in the instructional league, so though he may be a good fielding SS we may not see him there often in the future.
* after this post was written it was reported that Lipka is currently learning CF in the instructional league, so though he may be a good fielding SS we may not see him there often in the future.
Matt Weaver-INF/OF-R/R
A very interesting guy, if only because of his extreme utility. Weaver has a good glove, and saw time at every position besides catcher and center field for the R-Braves this season, even pitching in one game. He has good reactions, especially in the infield, and an accurate arm. As an outfielder he gets good reads, but occasionally takes a bad route on balls hit hard. He is quick, but not a base stealer, and has a good contact swing that drives the ball where it is pitched. Has doubles power, but isn't a real home run threat.
Projection: Could be an MLB utility man because of his competence at nearly every position, with the potential to be more than that if he can hit enough.
Chris Garcia-1B-L/R
A semi-journeyman at 23 he was cut loose by the Angels after two lackluster season in rookie ball. He found his power stroke in the Independent American Association, and was signed by the Braves in the off season. Though he is a little old for low A ball a .305/.405/.511line is impressive for anyone. He has decent hands around the bag at first, but has very little range.
Projection: He's blocked by Freddie Freeman on the big club, and a few younger guys that project a little better in the Braves system. He has enough of a bat that someone may give him a shot, but it's hard to see him as more than an organizational guy, albeit a talented one.
Tommy LaStella-2B-L/R
One of the most impressive 2011 draftees, he has an easy swing from the left side that generates a good amount of power. He also possesses a pretty good eye at the plate that helped him put up an impressive .328/.401/.543 line in 63 games as the Rome second baseman. In the field he has decent hands a pretty good arm, but isn't the rangiest middle infielder.
Projection: His bat looks like it could play if he can stick in the infield. Could perhaps make a move to third at some point if he doesn't make it at second.
Jacob Dalfonso-1B-L/R
He's a big imposing presence at the plate, with good power but at this point that is about it. He seldom walks, and has yet to really find a position seeing time at all four corner positions. Not a terrible fielder at first, but not particularly rangy. Runs okay for a big guy, but that's not a key part of his game. Could be a 2012 breakout candidate if he can find a position and avoid the injury bug that kept him out for much of 2011.
Projection: Similar to Garcia, his bat has the potential to be valuable, but the glove may hold him back. If he can find a position and walk a little more he could get some attention. Probably not a prospect at this point, but is young enough to turn a corner.
Evan Gattis-C/1B-R/R
You can't mention the 2011 Rome Braves without Gattis, after splitting time with Christian Bethancourt at the start of the year, he started playing every day behind the plate after Bethancourt's promotion to Lynchburg. A .986 OPS is the stat that keeps jumping off the page on his line, and his approach supports that number pretty well. He has a short quick stroke that leads to a lot of line drives and very little weak contact. He doesn't walk a ton, but doesn't strike out much either; may walk more when he faces for difficult pitching but for most of 2011 low A.
Projection: At 23 he was old for low A but he's got a good bat. If he can improve his reactions behind the plate, could end up being a good hitting backup catcher. May move to first or even left at an attempt to advance his bat, as it is much more advanced than his glove.
Projection: At 23 he was old for low A but he's got a good bat. If he can improve his reactions behind the plate, could end up being a good hitting backup catcher. May move to first or even left at an attempt to advance his bat, as it is much more advanced than his glove.
Elmer Reyes-2B/SS-R/R
Reyes came into 2011 looking like one of the Braves top middle infield prospects after a very solid 2010 as a member of two rookie teams putting up a .301/.362/.472 line in his first full season. His 2011 was disappointing, after he faltered out of the gate in Rome and was demoted to Danville. He recovered in rookie ball but still struggled mightily enough to cast some doubt on whether or not he is a legitimate infield prospect. He is a slick fielder with quick hands and a decent arm. Has shown some on base ability and can occasionally can surprise with some pop. He runs well, but isn't much of a stolen base threat at this point. At 20 years old he has some time to make adjustments.
Projection: Probably a reserve infielder unless he can really develop at the plate, but there are times when he swings well enough to make you wonder if a breakout is imminent.
In the next post we will review the Rome outfield. Keep in mind I am not a scout, so don't take the summaries here as gospel it's just my observations. If you have an opinion on any players mentioned please post them in the comments.
