Tim Beckham or Ed Salcedo?

[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.