Angel Salome on an incredible tear

[molitor fan]

With his recent 19 for 36 streak, Salome has gotten his batting average up to a ridiculous level. This season has to be getting noticed on a national level.

[battlekow]

You have to go to the fourth decimal point to demonstrate that Gamel's average hasn't fallen to fourth-best on the team:

 

Salome - .361

Escobar - .345

Gamel - .3313

Brantley - .3305

[JoeHova]

Angel has his OPS above Mat's as well, although in 150 less ABs (mostly) because of the suspension. He's having a very impressive season. Let's hope he can finish strong and get on the radar for next season.

[molitor fan]

with 3 hits in his first 3 at bats tonight, Salome is now 16 for his last 23 with 2 walks and no strikeouts in that span.

 

He is now hitting .367

[kramnoj]

Let's hope he can finish strong and get on the radar for next season.

 

I don't think I understand what you are saying. Which radar do you think he needs to be on, that he currently isn't? He's got to be on track to be the AAA catcher next year, right?

 

Speaking of, what's the deal with Rottino this year? Has he been injured, just having a down year, or has he just peaked and is already declining?

[JoeHova]

I don't think I understand what you are saying. Which radar do you think he needs to be on, that he currently isn't?

The radar of being on the MLB team at some point next season. Also, the top prospect radar, though that matters very little in the scheme of things.

[ILuvDaBush]

Perhaps his Howitzer could use a decent missile guidance system, hence the comment that he needs to get "on the radar"? Seriously, if his defense becomes passable, he could become the answer to who takes Prince's position in the lineup when he inevitably leaves for greener pastures of Mota money (ie. money not well spent).

[Never Outhustled]

I wish Salome would go on an incredible tear defensively. The only position he can play in the Bigs right now is DH. All his offense is wasted if he doesn't make major strides defensively. Salame has poor pop times, and thats the best part of his defense, its really scary the way Don Money talks about his game-calling, and passed balls and framing remains a problem. He's not as good deefensivley as Jonny Estrada. Lucroy is the Brewers best catching prospect, as he is actually a catcher.

[JoeHova]

you really don't like Angel, do you X? I highly doubt that Don Money compared Salome to Estrada, considering that Estrada seems to have become public enemy #1 in the Milwaukee organization.

 

There's no doubt that Salome needs work defensively. However, he's still only 22 and it would be hard to claim that he needs a ton more work defensively than Gamel. I don't get why Gamel is often given a pass for his lackluster D while Salome is not afforded the same courtesy. As we see in the difference between Kendall last year and this year, sometimes catchers can make rapid defensive improvements. I think it's much too soon to write him off or say that LuCroy is better.

[battlekow]

it would be hard to claim that he needs a ton more work defensively than Gamel. I don't get why Gamel is often given a pass for his lackluster D while Salome is not afforded the same courtesy.

Because Gamel can plausibly play another position.

 

[And That]

However, he's still only 22 and it would be hard to claim that he needs a ton more work defensively than Gamel.

There's so much more that goes on defensively at catcher than third base. If you have a bad catcher and a bad third baseman, it's going to take a ton more work to get the catcher to play passably than it will the third baseman. And as battlekow mentioned, Gamel can play LF/RF/1B as well. Salome's frame limits him to catcher or DH... he's simply too short to play 1B.

The weird thing to me about Salome is that he's always had better potential behind the dish than he does at the plate. He has a huge arm, and is athletic back there - he has the upside of a Gold Glover. At the plate, he has a quirky batting stance that looks like it shouldn't work and some people still wonder if it'll work at the big league level. But where he's at right now is completely reverse - he's struggling on defense and hitting lights out. Strange game, baseball.

 

[kramnoj]

Are Salome's only options C or be traded and be a DH? I've never seen the guy play, would he have no ability to become a 2B? I realize he's too short to play 1B.

[TheCrew07]

I don't think it's fair to charaterize X's opinion as he doesn't like him, I think he's been very consistent in his opinion that Salome's defensive issues limit his prospect status. I've beat the Salome drum pretty loudly, and I'd even agree that Lucroy is the better catching prospect at this time.

 

Money didn't compare him to Estrada, what he's said over the course of the summer is that Angel doesn't call a good game... meaning he doesn't setup hitters well. After 4 years of professional baseball, I find that notion somewhat troubling... If he doesn't "get it" by now, he might never get it, like Hall running the bases. In my opinion the game calling issue can be easily overcome by coaches calling pitches from the dugout. It's far from ideal, but it's a solution. The 2 bigger issues in my opinion are the passed balls and poor caught stealing percentage relative to his arm strength. I feel very strongly that those 2 skills have to be addressed before he can ever catch a MLB baseball game.

 

Battlekow already nailed the Gamel "pass", he can play either corner outfield spot or 1B if he doesn't stick at 3B... while we all want him to succeed at 3B, there are other options for him. Angel's arm would play anywhere, but he runs so poorly (he's rated as a 30 from what I've seen, Estradaesque) and is short enough that his only 2 positions would be C or DH.

[Never Outhustled]

Thanks And That, Battlekow, and TheCrew07, you've all illaberated on my points perfectly. I have nothing personal against Salome, from what I hear, he's a great guy and has terrific work ethic, but as The Crew07 points out, it almost seems as he lacks baseball instinct. Thats scary, because as And That points out, theres a million facets to playing the catcher position. Compounding the problem more is the fact that the Brewers will likely always have a number of young starting pitchers that could use the guidance of a smart catcher.

Battlekow has it right that Gamel doesn't have to play 3rd to make it, and if anyone has held Gamel (or more so the Brewers organization) accountable for his defense, its me.

[ILuvDaBush]

Well as I always answered when people asked me what I wanted in a catcher (drunk bar patrons, when I criticized Estrada), "I like a catcher who bats cleanup and DH's on his days off." I always thought there could be but one man to fill that definition, but now, it would seem we have three. But with Salome, you have to keep hoping he just gets it. Geovany Soto was at AAA for three yeatrs before he got finally broke through his barrier and I have no doubt that Angel is better at the plate than the would be ROY or, according to some Wrigleyvillers, the NL MVP. Also, what would be the difference between Dunn's defense and Angel's defense in a corner outfield slot? I don't want to give up on him behind the dish for another three to four years, but if the cards didn't fall altogether in line with the expectations, wouldn't he be just as passable as the Dunn Monument or the Manuelito statue in left?

[homer]

Salome is a good contact hitter but I don't think he has the power to play a corner OF spot - especially since his D will suck.

[dadofandrew]

Salome could absolutely play LF or RF. The bat plays, and if Angel is major league ready but unable to catch, we'll see that. Next year, we may well see Angel play some OF on his days off behind the plate, because they rarely DH in Nashville.

[kramnoj]

I guess I don't see Salome in the OF for the Brewers. There is realistically only one position he could compete for, and there would be a lot of players in line for that spot. Maybe the Brewers put him in the OF in AAA to develop him for a trade if they don't think he can make it as a catcher. I don't see that happening for a couple of years, though.

[TheCrew07]

Salome could absolutely play LF or RF. The bat plays, and if Angel is major league ready but unable to catch, we'll see that. Next year, we may well see Angel play some OF on his days off behind the plate, because they rarely DH in Nashville.

He runs like Estrada, I fail to see how that qualifies him to play the outfield. There's below average speed, then there is dragging a plow behind you slow... I'm as big of a Salome fan as there is, but I'm still trying to realistic about his projections.

[JoeHova]

I meant X doesn't like Salome as a prospect, I should have been more clear, my fault.

 

I know more goes into catcher defense than 3rd base defense, but Gamel is totally not ready for prime time at 3rd either. His career fielding percentage is .876 and this year its .913. Neither of those will play in MLB, as we know. I still think Gamel gets a bit more of a break than Salome for no great reason.

[dadofandrew]

Salome is not fast? Is Adam Dunn? Bonds the last decade? As I said, the bat plays. As for his power, he's got a .500 SLG doesn't he? I don't see him hitting 30 HR's either...lots of guys don't.

[Never Outhustled]

As for his power, he's got a .500 SLG doesn't he?

Al, you consistently point out the inconsistencies of batting average, so I'll have to ask you, do you expect Salame to hit 340 in the majors? Without the average, the slugging disapates. Salame has a consistent right field first approach, which might allow him to hit for a big average, but not too many guys with 30 speed (or anyone else) hit 340 in the majors.

[dadofandrew]

35% of his hits are for extra bases, and as has been mentioned, his speed is Prince-like. I see that as a guy with plenty of power.

 

He may issues making the transition, but power won't be one of them.

[bullox]

Bonds and Dunn are your examples for how slow players can play the outfield. Bonds is the best home run hitter of all time. Dunn is one of the top 5 power hitters in the game over the past few years. I fail to see how Salome compares to either of those examples.

 

And then you mention Prince, a player who basically forced two good hitters to be traded from Milwaukee (Sexson and Overbay) and another prospect to be moved (Hart) all because Prince was too slow to play anywhere but first base. I still don't see a good argument here.

[And That]

35% of his hits are for extra bases, and as has been mentioned, his speed is Prince-like.

How many major league games has Prince played in the outfield, or will he play in the outfield?