Any word on Salome?

[wvpowerblkwel]

Has anyone heard anything at all on Angel Salome this spring? I have been trying to find out how his recovery is coming but have been unable to find anything at all. Any info would be appreciated!

[SenatorShriv]

I watched him doing defensive drills in spring training and he looked very good. He looked agile and quick behind the plate. His arm looked great but that isn't really any news.

 

He also looked good in BP. The ball really jumped off of his bat. He was clearly making more solid contact then some of the other guys in his hitting group.

 

I just can't ever get over how short he is. It will certainly be an obstacle he'll have to continue to overcome.

[Mass Haas]

Yet to appear in a spring game, so he'll most certainly open the season on the DL (from the broken ankle, still rehabbing, I imagine).

[colbyjack]

I believe Reid Nichols mentioned on Talkin' Brewers last weekend that Salome would indeed begin the season on the DL.

[DHonks]

It will certainly be an obstacle he'll have to continue to overcome.

 

wouldn't his height make it more likely that he'll be a long-term catcher?

[dadofandrew]

I have to wonder why height matters. Are we worried about him being posted up on? He can hit and throw. I don't care if he's 3 feet tall.

[dixieflatline]

Hey Al,

 

There was a study done by BP (i think) when Mauer was drafted talking about height and catchers and they showed that, for reasons they couldn't completely identify, that both really tall and really short catchers didn't make it. They were guessing that too tall players had to crouch too far and the too short ones got too physcially beat up. Now, Salome is built like a tank so if they were right that might not apply as much to him but it definitely is something that scouts recognized as well.

[homer]

Well Roy Campanella was 5'8" so I don't think its an absolute - not that you were inferring that. Might something to do with the fact that most little guys are either forced to play the infield or lack the arm strength and bulk to play catcher.

[kaycee2001]

According to my Cactus Spy, Angel's ankle is real strong and he'll be ready.

[UWRyan428]

I would rather have my catching prospect compared to Pudge than Sandy Alomar. Also, as a hitter, isn't it better to have a smaller strike zone?

[sbrylski]

Also, as a hitter, isn't it better to have a smaller strike zone?

 

And shorter height=less time to stand and throw. I'd assume with shorter arms he wouldn't be able to generate great ball speed, but his is phenominal, so no worries there.

 

I think Salome is in his own class.

[Mass Haas]

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com with the update -- nice!

 

In the Class A game, top catching prospect Angel Salome saw live pitching for the first time and collected three hits. Salome suffered a major ankle injury last August.

 

"He had already caught a few games but was not allowed to hit until [Wednesday]," Brewers farm director Reid Nichols said. "He's about to graduate to full-game status."

[bullox]

Wow, that's great news. Looking forward to another great year for Salome.

[JoeHova]

nice, I really like little Angel. I hope he makes it to the Brewers.