Star Prospect Saltalamacchia to catch for Braves tonight

jeckll · May 2, 2007

Warning to bettors looking at the PHI/ATL game tonight. Brian McCann, the Braves' All-Star starting catcher, was hit on his catching hand during a swing last night, re-injuring his ring finger that he bruised while attempting to put down a bunt last week. His backup, Brayan Pena, was then injured on a backswing to the head. He probably has a concussion.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the top prospect in the Braves organization, the top Catching prospect in baseball and one of the Top 10 overall prospects in baseball, has been called up and will start behind the dish tonight for the Braves.

Odds are Pena will go on the DL, "Salty" will start for McCann for several days and then back him up once he can play. This kid is a fantastic switch-hitting catcher who has hit over .300 in a few minor-league years. He absolutely crushes the ball. Given that McCann is locked up with the Braves and, with Joe Mauer is probably the best young catcher in baseball, Salty's future with the Braves is up in the air. He may be moved to 1B or traded for starting pitching or LF, the Braves' two major needs. He would be huge trade bait and could command a serious price in trade.

Just a heads up for those of you looking at this game.

5teamparlay · May 21, 2011

http://m.eagletribune.com/eagletrib...DC4F8634BD234905998DE85D?contentguid=pGD2TY89

Salty is finally coming around ... maybe
By Christopher Smith

Posted: 05/21/2011 1:48 AM
BOSTON — "It's not like I kind of just rolled (from) underneath a rock and never swung a bat before," Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said last night when asked about improved hitting this past week.

The Boston switch-hitting catcher went 2 for 3 with three runs scored, one RBI, one long home run and two walks in the Red Sox' 15-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs here at Fenway Park last night in front of 37,140.

"I feel good at the plate," Saltalamacchia said. "I've been working with Mags (Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan), been feeling good at the plate, putting good at-bats together, and it's just nice to put those pitches in play rather than foul them off."

Saltalamacchia said he worked on being more patient offensively.

"Not trying to hit the ball as far as I can every pitch," he said. "Be patient, see some pitches, slow the ball down and just put the ball in play."

Saltalamacchia has stroked six hits, including two home runs and one double, in his past 14 at-bats.

Saltalamacchia started the season off brutally, hitting just .216 with no home runs, six RBIs and only one extra-base hit in April.

"I want to see him have good at-bats because he's so strong," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "You're going to see him hit some balls hard. ... If he swings at strikes and doesn't jump, he's just a big strong kid."

Red hot Red Sox

The Sox (24-20) have one seven straight games and sit only a half game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the standings this morning.

Second-place Boston is a half-game ahead of New York.

"We know what we're capable of doing," Saltalamacchia said. "We know we should be in first. We have a great team, a great pitching staff and there's no reason why we shouldn't be in first place right now."