Tim Beckham or Ed Salcedo?

[DennisTheOsFan]

Which guy would be your choice, if the choice was your's for the choosing?

Quite frankly, I'm only now getting to know Beckham's potential, and know very little about Salcedo--but both are generating a lot of hype, and its conceivable that both will be highly sought after (Beckham among the top 6 teams picking in the draft, and Salcedo among any team who's willing to shell out millions of dollars to a young kid).

And for those in the know, can you list the positives for each player?

[Greg Pappas]

Which guy would be your choice, if the choice was your's for the choosing?

Quite frankly, I'm only now getting to know Beckham's potential, and know very little about Salcedo--but both are generating a lot of hype, and its conceivable that both will be highly sought after (Beckham among the top 6 teams picking in the draft, and Salcedo among any team who's willing to shell out millions of dollars to a young kid).

And for those in the know, can you list the positives for each player?

An interesting comparison, but one that is rather difficult with the very limited available information regarding Scott Boras client Edward Salcedo.

Salcedo is listed at 6' 3 190, has solid power potential, good speed and an athletic big league body. Because he may outgrow the position, he may wind up at 3B, but seems capable for now of sticking at SS. Salcedo displays easy actions at short and a very strong arm, having been timed at 93 mph from SS. He kills fastballs and has timing issues with good breaking stuff. This is the one issue that worries me, regardless of his supposed age.

Beckham is the more mature and experienced player, showing no evident game weaknesses, albeit light on power. Beckham, in my estimation is a safer bet to succeed.

[WebLink21]

Who is Ed Salcedo? Can someone give me a link/some more info? Thanks

[DennisTheOsFan]

Who is Ed Salcedo? Can someone give me a link/some more info? Thanks


Yes, more info on this kid will be much appreciated.

So Salcedo has more power potential, but may outgrow SS, while Beckham doesn't appear to have the same power potential, but is likely to remain a SS throughout his career? Both are good defensively and have speed? Both are relatively the same age?

Hmmmm... I'd probably lean towards Beckham, only because I want a guy to cement the SS position for the next decade. But I really don't know much about Salcedo, and who knows, maybe he will remain at SS.

Salcedo won't enter the draft will he? He'll be like a free agent signing, correct?

Wonder if Angelos will be willing to penny up for Salcedo, AND draft Beckham :)

[Battleship]

Salcedo(July '91) is actually a year and a half younger than Beckham (January '90). He'd be a free agent signing out of the Dominican. You can sign 16-year olds from foreign countries like the DR, Venezuela, China, and Australia.

My impression is Salcedo is a special talent that rarely comes along. It looks like he's going to shatter the IFA signing bonus record with either Cleveland or NYY. If you believe the hype he has A-Rod type potential. There are some reports that he's not as good as advertised, but most seem to think he's pretty special. More reports I've seen think he's a shortstop.

Beckham is the more sure thing because he's older and has faced better competition.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Salcedo(July '91) is actually a year and a half younger than Beckham (January '90). He'd be a free agent signing out of the Dominican. You can sign 16-year olds from foreign countries like the DR, Venezuela, China, and Australia.

My impression is Salcedo is a special talent that rarely comes along. It looks like he's going to shatter the IFA signing bonus record with either Cleveland or NYY. If you believe the hype he has A-Rod type potential. There are some reports that he's not as good as advertised, but most seem to think he's pretty special. More reports I've seen think he's a shortstop.

Beckham is the more sure thing because he's older and has faced better competition.


Thanks Battleship.

I just want all of our best talent evaluators scrutinizing his every move, and if they majoritarily agree that he's a special talent worthy of a big payday before he proves anything, then I hope we give it our best effort to bring him to Baltimore.

When is the international free agent signing period?

[Battleship]

It begins July 2nd each year and includes everyone who has turned 16 during the calendar year to that point. As players in the calendar year turn 16 after that they become available on their Bday through the calendar year.

[bluehens45]

Great thread. I like salcedo because we would not have to use a draft pick on him. If we drafted Hosmer then signed Salcedo it would be like getting 2 top 3 picks. My only problem with Salcedo is that we truely dont know his real age. The kid could be 20 for all we know. Im all for signing Salcedo if he truely is 16 and really is a 5 tool type guy. I could only dream of a line up with Kakes, Jones, Rowell, Weiters, Reimold, Snyder, Hosmer and Salcedo. To go along with all the wealth of young pitching we have. If we drafted Hosmer and signed Salcedo i would think we would be rivaling the Rays for the top farm in baseball.

[Battleship]

Great thread. I like salcedo because we would not have to use a draft pick on him. If we drafted Hosmer then signed Salcedo it would be like getting 2 top 3 picks. My only problem with Salcedo is that we truely dont know his real age. The kid could be 20 for all we know. Im all for signing Salcedo if he truely is 16 and really is a 5 tool type guy. I could only dream of a line up with Kakes, Jones, Rowell, Weiters, Reimold, Snyder, Hosmer and Salcedo. To go along with all the wealth of young pitching we have. If we drafted Hosmer and signed Salcedo i would think we would be rivaling the Rays for the top farm in baseball.


They've gotten really good at cracking down on ages. That's not an issue anymore from what I've read.

I'll be stunned if they sign Salcedo or draft Hosmer let alone both. I'm thinking they'll take a college guy. My bet would be Matusz or Smoak.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Seeing how the international free agent signing takes place after the MLB draft, if we don't land Bekcham (or any other highly regarded SS), we may be tempted to make a splash at Salcedo.

If that is going to be our plan B (assuming our plan A is to draft a high potential SS), then I would not mind if we go with a pitcher with the 4th pick (Matusz, Melville). Sure getting power bats and positional players is what I'd prefer, but if we get Salcedo and a potential #1 pitcher (and he'd have to have #1 potential for us to draft him at 4), I would give my stamp of approval on this part of our offseason.

[wayne25]

Depends entirely on wether they can verify his age. If yes, then get him, but don't bid against yourself, as Boras loves to suggest "other " offers.

[Battleship]

Seeing how the international free agent signing takes place after the MLB draft, if we don't land Bekcham (or any other highly regarded SS), we may be tempted to make a splash at Salcedo.

If that is going to be our plan B (assuming our plan A is to draft a high potential SS), then I would not mind if we go with a pitcher with the 4th pick (Matusz, Melville). Sure getting power bats and positional players is what I'd prefer, but if we get Salcedo and a potential #1 pitcher (and he'd have to have #1 potential for us to draft him at 4), I would give my stamp of approval on this part of our offseason.


Salcedo is already eligible to be signed at any time. I've read rumors that he's signed with the Indians already. I'll be surprised if he's still unsigned after the draft.

If you're looking at this year's class, the top hitter I've heard about is a Venezuelan center fielder named Yorman Rodriguez. He's a right handed hitter with a lot of power and speed. He's expected to get the highest bonus ever for a Venezuelan player.

[wayne25]

[QUOTE=Battleship;1224574]Salcedo is already eligible to be signed at any time. I've read rumors that he's signed with the Indians already. I'll be surprised if he's still unsigned after the draft.

If you're looking at this year's class, the top hitter I've heard about is a Venezuelan center fielder named Yorman Rodriguez. He's a right handed hitter with a lot of power and speed. He's expected to get the highest bonus ever for a Venezuelan player.[/QUOTE We should go after ONE of these Blue chippers just to show the rest of baseball that we have turned the page here in bmore. Not to mention, we need bats. This would also give credibility to AM"s claim that we will be doing things differently.

[Sports Guy]

Both......................

[Battleship]

I've read that it's not a simple as money. You have to build relationships with the families and the agents(buscones). I think the O's may have a tough time getting the big guys until they get established down there, unless they overpay. They could do what the Nats did in 2006 and overpay a player to send a message that they're in the game, but that would be hard to do with the top guys.

[Battleship]

It begins July 2nd each year and includes everyone who has turned 16 during the calendar year to that point. As players in the calendar year turn 16 after that they become available on their Bday through the calendar year.

I wanted to correct this information as Chris Kline of Baseball America was incorrect in correcting me on it;)

The signing period is from July 2-August 31 of every year. You can sign any players who have turned 16 from the previous September 1 through July 2(or any older players previously unsigned).

During the signing period, you can sign players that turn 16 on their birthday as Edward Salcedo did last summer. Any players under 16 as of September 1 that year have to wait until the next July 2nd.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Battleship, what else can you tell us about this Yorman Rodriguez?

[bej6789]

Lord all mighty. Comparing a surefire top 10 pick to a player who can just get his license. Saying he's the next Arod or that much potential is pointless. If that was the case, you'd think a team with as much financial flexibility as the Yankees would've signed him by now, don't you?

[DennisTheOsFan]

Lord all mighty. Comparing a surefire top 10 pick to a player who can just get his license. Saying he's the next Arod or that much potential is pointless. If that was the case, you'd think a team with as much financial flexibility as the Yankees would've signed him by now, don't you?

I think the Yanks are trying, but sounds like its a bidding war.

If Salcedo was a high school senior, I wonder where he would stack up against Beckham?

[Battleship]

Battleship, what else can you tell us about this Yorman Rodriguez?


What I've read is he's a right-handed centerfielder with five tool potential. Scouts use a 20-80 scale with 80 being the highest to rate a players tools. Yorman rates in the 70s for both speed and power. Being in the 70s is phenominal and that power/speed combo sounds extremely impressive.

Unfortunately, there isn't much info out there on these guys.

[Battleship]

I think the Yanks are trying, but sounds like its a bidding war.

If Salcedo was a high school senior, I wonder where he would stack up against Beckham?

It's my opinion, but I think Salcedo is clearly in held in higher regard. If Cleveland is offering $3 million for him and the Giants are offering $2.5, then he has serious physical skill.

Keep in mind that Salcedo is a year and a half younger and would only be going into his sophomore or junior year in high school. Beckham is probably a more sure thing, but Salcedo has a ridiculous upside. The biggest difference between the two is power.

[DennisTheOsFan]

What I've read is he's a right-handed centerfielder with five tool potential. Scouts use a 20-80 scale with 80 being the highest to rate a players tools. Yorman rates in the 70s for both speed and power. Being in the 70s is phenominal and that power/speed combo sounds extremely impressive.

Unfortunately, there isn't much info out there on these guys.

Who's in the running for Yorman?

[Stotle]

It's my opinion, but I think Salcedo is clearly in held in higher regard. If Cleveland is offering $3 million for him and the Giants are offering $2.5, then he has serious physical skill.

Keep in mind that Salcedo is a year and a half younger and would only be going into his sophomore or junior year in high school. Beckham is probably a more sure thing, but Salcedo has a ridiculous upside. The biggest difference between the two is power.

It's worth noting that Beckham hasn't started to develop his power yet, though his swing shows potential for generating solid backspin (which is why he's labeled as a 5-tool player despite not hitting for power yet). He has focused on getting on base and causing havoc with his speed. If I had to wager a guess at this early time, I'd say 15-20 is realistic HR projection for Beckham as a ML SS (insane to project, I know, but I'm going strictly off of swing-type). Given Beckham rates as a 60 for defense and arm, and a 70 in speed, I think I may give him the nod.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Beckham sounds like he'd be a good fit at the second slot in the order, since he can spray the ball. Does he have a future as a leadoff? With his speed at the top of the order, he can cause havoc, constantly pestering opposing pitchers on the basepaths.

Seems like Salcedo, with his power potential, could be a #3 batter.

[bej6789]

Its amazing what a few internet reports will do for a player. Suddenly he's the next Alex Rodriguez.

[Jarman8675]

Great thread. I like salcedo because we would not have to use a draft pick on him. If we drafted Hosmer then signed Salcedo it would be like getting 2 top 3 picks. My only problem with Salcedo is that we truely dont know his real age. The kid could be 20 for all we know. Im all for signing Salcedo if he truely is 16 and really is a 5 tool type guy. I could only dream of a line up with Kakes, Jones, Rowell, Weiters, Reimold, Snyder, Hosmer and Salcedo. To go along with all the wealth of young pitching we have. If we drafted Hosmer and signed Salcedo i would think we would be rivaling the Rays for the top farm in baseball.
I would say the chances of seeing this lineup even if we did sign Salcedo and Hosmer/Beckham would be extremely slim. By the time these young guys would be ready for the Majors, if ready for the Majors, some of those guys mentioned will probably be gone from the Orioles. I'm sure you know this, but it is a nice dream.

[Stotle]

Beckham sounds like he'd be a good fit at the second slot in the order, since he can spray the ball. Does he have a future as a leadoff? With his speed at the top of the order, he can cause havoc, constantly pestering opposing pitchers on the basepaths.

Seems like Salcedo, with his power potential, could be a #3 batter.

I could picture Beckham turning into a player that could bat 1-3 or 6. A lot will depend on what his swing turns into once he starts his pro career. His hitting is a 60, so I'm confident he has at least the tools to put the bat on the ball consistently. His plate discipline, pitch ID and ability to control the strike zone should ultimately determine whether he'll have the OBP to be a 1, the contact ability to be a 2, the contact/gap power with holes to be a 6 or the complete package to be a 3.

Just my take as of right now -- a lot will change once he gets to pro ball.

[GoldenRay2007]

Why not play the odds and get both...one of them is sure to pan out right, and if they both pan out, we could be looking at one of them switching to 2B to form one of the most elite middle infields in the league, IMO. But again, we are the Orioles, we won't sign Salcedo.

[bluehens45]

It's my opinion, but I think Salcedo is clearly in held in higher regard. If Cleveland is offering $3 million for him and the Giants are offering $2.5, then he has serious physical skill.

Keep in mind that Salcedo is a year and a half younger and would only be going into his sophomore or junior year in high school. Beckham is probably a more sure thing, but Salcedo has a ridiculous upside. The biggest difference between the two is power.

Any other Latin players out there that could be of interest to us? I really hope this is the year we get more involved, im tired of seeing the Sox and Yanks sign everyone. I also have to say this is a quality thread and i hope the conversation continues. Thanks Battleship

[sammyjoe1]

I think the O's should sign Salcedo for SS and draft Beckham for 2B. This would make one heck of a MI in two years whenever Reimold, Synder, Rowell, and Wieters are ready.

[obannon35]

I think the O's should sign Salcedo for SS and draft Beckham for 2B. This would make one heck of a MI in two years whenever Reimold, Synder, Rowell, and Wieters are ready.

Who are they??

[Maverick2143]

I think the O's should sign Salcedo for SS and draft Beckham for 2B. This would make one heck of a MI in two years whenever Reimold, Synder, Rowell, and Wieters are ready.

Your joking right? The kid is 16 years old and you have him in the bigs in 2 years.:eek: I'm not even going to touch the money issues.

[sammyjoe1]

I think the O's should sign Salcedo and draft Beckham


So then the O's would have two good, young (possible allstar) MI. Beckham and Salcedo would be ready whenever Rowell, Reimold, Synder, and Wieters is ready.

Then sign Teix

SO LINEUP WOULD BE:

2B-Beckham-R?
CF-Jones-R
RF-Markakis-L
1B-TEIX-S
SS-Salcedo-R
LF-Reimold-R
CA-Wieters-S
DH-Synder-L
3B-Rowell-R

[RZNJ]

I think the O's should sign Salcedo for SS and draft Beckham for 2B. This would make one heck of a MI in two years whenever Reimold, Synder, Rowell, and Wieters are ready.

The idea is just fine, the time frame is pretty unrealistic though. Salcedo will be 18 or 19 and Beckham 19 or 20, in two years. You'd be lucky if they are even in AA by that time. Chances are that one of them doesn't even turn out to be an above average ML player. However, I think it's a great idea to get both into the organization if possible. If Beckham continues to be a top 5 talent, I hope the O's can get him, and I'd like nothing better than to see the O's sign a big bonus Latin player, and take a chance.

[paulcoates]

how long until this is moved?

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59583

[Hank Scorpio]

LOL, TWO YEARS?

Salcedo is 16 freakin years old!!!!

[sammyjoe1]

Who are they??

Salcedo is a phenom out of Domincan Rep.--his agent is Boras-He will be during 17 this summer. Boras has claimed that he will be a 18 year old phenom. 6'3" 190lbs. Boras is asking for 5million-but recent offers are around 3million from the Yanks, Redsox, and Indians. I believe Boras is great at finding talent, but he always want to take your wallet.

Beckham is a TOP Highschooler this coming draft-TOP 5 pick-TOP Middle Infielder-has played SS and 2b

[Mackus]

Salcedo is 16, he won't be ready until 2011 and thats if he's absolutely everything everybody hopes he'll be, and he won't be a major impact player until 2013 even if he's ready in 2011. That'd be in the majors by 19, a star by 21. Incredibly unlikely.

Beckham won't be ready until 2011 at the earliest either, and again even that is incredibly unlikely.

So while I think it'd be smart to sign a talent like Salcedo, and to draft Beckham if you think he's the best player, assuming these guys will help the MLB roster in the next 3-4 seasons is incredibly risky.

[TJ Wrangler]

Salcedo is less likely to stick at SS than Beckham....and Beckham is regarded as a possible gold glover. Not to mention the money it will take to sign Salcedo, mixed with our complete lack of a presence in the DR. That alone makes this idea nearly impossible, and thats not even taking into account the 2 year time frame you give. This is a very unlikely scenario. Fun idea, but its not going to happen.

[TJ Wrangler]

Was there a need to post this twice? As I said before, Beckham is regarded as the better defender and more likely to stick at shortstop. Fun idea, but not going to happen.

[mapierce]

Not sure why this post is in this forum... but the smart thing to do would be sign Salcedo. We'd basically have 2 first round picks this year whether or not we take Beckham. I'd love to see us start spending some cash on top-notch young foreign talent but I wouldn't get my hopes up for Salcedo.

[TJ Wrangler]

Not sure why this post is in this forum... but the smart thing to do would be sign Salcedo. We'd basically have 2 first round picks this year whether or not we take Beckham. I'd love to see us start spending some cash on top-notch young foreign talent but I wouldn't get my hopes up for Salcedo.

Agreed, it is a great idea to sign Salcedo, but it won't happen...not with our presence in the DR. With how highly Beckham's defense is regarded, it doesn't make sense to move him to 2nd for Salcedo.

[lovetoaster]

mixed with our complete lack of a presence in the DR.

It would be a hell of a way to establish a presence though.

[hoosiers]

There's probably someone on a fan web-site of 25 other teams begging for Salcedo to be signed.

[TJ Wrangler]

It would be a hell of a way to establish a presence though.

That is true. At least we'd send a message that we're not unknowns in that market until we can get our facilities up to par.

[Stotle]

That is true. At least we'd send a message that we're not unknowns in that market until we can get our facilities up to par.

Shrug. I think hiring Felipe Alou, Jr. as our chief guy down there is by far the best move we could have made. He adds instant credibility to the organization; I don't think there will be the slow build-up of momentum that some are envisioning. BAL should be a big player right away.

[DennisTheOsFan]

I hope Alou's credibility will instantly start to bring in some top prospects to our facility in the Dominica Republic.

I'd like to sign both Salcedo and Beckham with the hopes of them both panning out, but I would be happy with taking one or the other.

Wonder if Salcedo having Boras as his agent could work in our favor? Maybe if we draft a Boras player and sign him to his asking price, Boras would do us a favor by giving us Salcedo.

[TJ Wrangler]

Maybe if we draft a Boras player and sign him to his asking price, Boras would do us a favor by giving us Salcedo.

Don't count on that. Boras probably doesn't even do his 130 yr old great grandmother favors, so why would he start with us. ;)

[DennisTheOsFan]

Well, McPhail seems to get what he wants (at least close to what he wants), so I like our chances if he goes into the war rooom with Boras.

Anyone know if Triunfel received as much hype as Salcedo? 5 mil for a 16 year old?

[Battleship]

Anyone know if Triunfel received as much hype as Salcedo? 5 mil for a 16 year old?


Not even close. Salcedo is going to set the record for highest bonus ever given to a IFA.

[DennisTheOsFan]

Not even close. Salcedo is going to set the record for highest bonus ever given to a IFA.


With that said, I'm assuming he projects to be a better prospect than Triunfel, and Triunfel one of the top prospects in all of baseball.

I'd like to hear that we are at the very least, making phone calls about the kid.

[bej6789]

Gee.... it's been at least a few months since this guys hype has been up and nobody's signed him. You think MLB teams aren't falling for this?

[mapierce]

Gee.... it's been at least a few months since this guys hype has been up and nobody's signed him. You think MLB teams aren't falling for this?

I thought that he couldn't sign yet? The guy the Reds signed was through some obscure loop hole. Though I could be completely wrong on all of this...

[bej6789]

I think the main issue is professional teams are smarter with their money and they don't give 16 year olds 4 million bonus's. It sets a precedent thats terrible when it comes to international scouting. Give players what they want, and we'll sign em all isn't how it works. You scout them at your facility, you have your coaches look at every aspect of their game, then you start to negotiate. You don't succumb to demands. Especially not a 16 year old who's arrival date in the majors (if everything works out), is probaby 2012, maybe 2013. The Triunfel comparisons need to stop, as he's light years ahead. And this kid may be the next arod, but thats 7, 8 years down the road when they start coming to fruition.