Braves reach agreement with Edward Salcedo

The Braves will add a significant international player to the farm system.

The Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement with Dominican infield prospect Edward Salcedo. The deal includes a $1.6 million dollar signing bonus, the highest bonus ever given to an international player by the Braves.

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.

Salcedo was involved in somewhat of a controversy regarding his age. The Cleveland Indians reportedly signed Salcedo two years ago, but then questions popped up about how old Salcedo was at the time.

An investigation by Major League Baseball, solicited by the Braves, concluded Salcedo’s birth date was July 30, 1991, making him 18 years old.

Salcedo is a tall shortstop, standing 6-3 and weighing in at 195 pounds. The Braves believe he might stay at shortstop for now, but with no real obvious long-term prospect for third base, Salcedo could find himself at the hot corner down the road as a replacement for Chipper Jones.

Reports posted online have described Salcedo as having a ‘big league body, very strong, and athletic.’ There has also been video online of Salcedo, and it’s obvious he has a very good swing, with good bat speed, for someone his age.

The Braves lost their first round pick when they signed Billy Wagner in November, so the addition of Salcedo to the farm system is practically compensating for that loss.

It might take a few weeks for Salcedo to get the visa to come to the States. Until then, he will continue to work out at the Braves’ complex in the Dominican.

Once the deal is signed, Salcedo will be in the Braves minor league complex and will compete for a starting job in Rome. It's not out of the question for Salcedo to see action this season in High-A Myrtle Beach.


Bill Shanks hosts The Bill Shanks Show on WFSM Fox Sports 1670 in Macon, Georgia and The Braves Show Talk Show. Shanks writes a weekly column for The Macon Telegraph. Email Bill at and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/billshanks.