Juan Salas Traded To Cleveland Indians

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 19, 2009 3:04 PM EST

Just got word that Juan Salas has been dealt to the Indians for minor leaguer, Isaias Velasquez. Velasquez is a 20 year old second basemen out of Panama. He signed with the Indians as an undrafted free agent in August of 2004. He spent 2008 in the NY-Penn league where he was an all-star. On the season he hit .281/.368/.343.

Here is a recent scouting report on him:

Strengths & Opportunities: Velasquez is a very exciting player to watch who has a lot of athleticism and swings the bat very well. He has worked really hard in the cages to improve as a hitter, and as he refines his swing and learns to try and not do too much he should start driving some balls into the gaps with authority and even out of the ballpark. He is a very good fundamentally sound middle infielder, though he needs some work as he makes some good plays, but makes unnecessary throws. He is very versatile and can play anywhere in the infield, though his strongest position is probably second base.

Outlook: Velasquez looks like a good utility player in the making, and should open the 2009 season either as the starting second baseman at Single-A Lake County or be the utility player there.

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Comments

I guess it's better that he's in the majors somewhere.

Although I don’t think that’s much of a haul – a not young for league middle infielder in short season who’s eligible for Rule 5 next year.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 19, 2009 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Velasquez scouting report

http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009/01/indians-top-100-prospects-82-isaias.html

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 19, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I expected to lose Salas and get nothing in return.

Can’t complain about getting anything back.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 19, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

Why?

Salas still had an option left, we could have stashed him in AAA all year again.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 19, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

I figured a team would claim him and we'd just let him go

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 19, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

BTW

Did you add the scouting report, or did I just completely miss that you had it up there when I posted a link to it?

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 19, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

I posted the first line real quick and then went back and looked for a scouting report.

It was a coincidence that we found the same one.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 19, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't trippin

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 19, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Can't complain for a meh reliever like Salas.

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Feb 19, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, he's so meh.

How exactly?

NCAA Baseball Opening Day - Feb. 20th

by RATW on Feb 20, 2009 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

52.2 Major League innings

5.24 FIP, 1.75 K/BB, 1.37 HR/9. Thats pretty meh. Now as a minor leaguer, he’s great, but not so much major league.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 20, 2009 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

Don't you think the circumstances under which he was up

might have affected his performance a bit?

Personally, I have more confidence that Salas will have a career as an above-average reliever than, say, Mitch Talbot.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 20, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

I was just about to add that I like Salas

and think if he gets regular work in Cleveland he could be a solid MR for them. However, Talbot has five pitches with control of all. If given the same opportunity as Salas should get in Cleveland, I believe Talbot is the better pitcher.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 20, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

"Personally, I have more confidence that Salas will have a career as an above-average reliever than, say, Mitch Talbot."

Yeah, it’s not like above average starters at every level ever become good relievers or anything…

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 20, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

A few points

- Who knows if Talbot is an above-average starter. He keeps putting together good half seasons. I know I keep harping on this specific example, but Hammel’s minor league record indicated he should be a good reliever as well, and he better fit the profile of a reliever than Talbot does, and you know how that’s turned out. I’ve been closely following prospects for a pretty long time now (7 years or so), and based on that it just doesn’t happen as frequently as you otherwise might think.

- If Talbot becomes a reliever, most pitching coaches would make him focus on 2 or 3 pitches. Salas’ best two pitches are better than Talbot’s best two pitches. The decent starters who become good relievers tend to be the ones who have two plus pitches or one plus-plus pitch, not the ones who have 4 or 5 average pitches with good command.

- Salas’ minor league track record is better than Talbot’s.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 20, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

.

- No.

K9 BB9 HR9
9.56 2.89 0.4
8.01 2.44 0.27
6.93 3.3 0.73
7.88 1.96 0.5

Those are full season (with one 60 inning stint thrown in) numbers, if he’s really poor for one half season, then he must be vintage Pedro during the other half.

- Um, Salas being a reliever might have something to do with that, but his numbers aren’t that much better. Reference Talbot above, but here’s their FIPs:

Salas:
Year IP FIP
2006 34.2 1.5
2006 28.2 3.51
2007 36.1 6.13
2008 44.2 2.28

07 only includes Rays, 08 only includes Durham

Talbot:
Year IP FIP
2006 90.1 2.81
2006 66.1 2.81
2007 161 4
2008 161 3.03

Better? Not really.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 20, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

And that's not to say I don't think Salas can't be an above average reliever.

But if you’re offering me Talbot or Salas, I’m taking Talbot 10 out of 10 times.

Plus, what measure are you using to judge Salas’ stuff v. Talbot?

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 20, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Evan Longoria and David Price - the fight for my heart

by joeybw on Feb 19, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know if the Rays could do anything with Marte

I’d say the Rays are a bit too deep in corner IF positions to put Marte anywhere above AA unless Morgan Ensberg is completely lost. There’s probably a better fit for him somewhere else.

by kericr on Feb 19, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions