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Is supposed phenom Edward Salcedo who and what he says he is?

Dominican phenom Edward Salcedo has been on the Indians’ radar for over a year. As mentioned here many times before, Salcedo has become nearly as mythical as the now infamous Sidd Finch. If you don’t remember Finch, he was Sports Illustrated’s April Fool’s joke circa 1985. Finch was reputed to throw 168 MPH, and set the nation on fire trying to find out who the eccentric pitcher really was. Of course, it was just a joke, but the mythos lives on. Now, Indians’ followers are trying to figure out if the Edward Salcedo mythos is real, or just a joke, propagated by an agent looking to make a whole bunch of money.

Salcedo, supposedly a “16-year old Dominican shortstop”, is reported by many, especially his agent Scott Boras, to be the next Alex Rodriguez. Unfortunately for most scouts, they haven’t had much opportunity to see the kid play, so most of the reports are unsubstantiated. Boras has played his cards right since becoming Salcedo’s agent, building a Finch-like background for his supposed superstar client. If you believe the reports, Salcedo has all the gifts for his position, and his age. He hits for power, average, can steal bases, and has a better than average glove. At 16, his projections would be astronomical.

There have been several rumors involving Salcedo’s contract status and age, which may or may not be hindering the quest for a team to sign the shortstop to a free agent deal. In February, a Dominican newspaper reported that Salcedo had signed a deal with the Cleveland Indians for 2.9 million dollars. The paper also posted a picture with Salcedo smiling, wearing an Indians’ jersey. In the picture, it’s evident that the jersey isn’t anything official, however it’s still was a good sign that Salcedo was wearing the jersey. Of course, this could just be shot of him at the Indians’ Dominican academy, where he has spent many years learning the game. This article coincided with Edward Salcedo’s Hi5 site. In February, I was e-mailed a link to the Hi5 site, and in particular, a photo that Salcedo himself had posted of a Cleveland Indians’ logo. Under the logo, he had it labeled, ‘My Team.’ Again, you could speculate from that statement that he had either signed with the club, or just liked them. Some time over the past two months, however, that picture was removed.

The Indians have stated that they have in no way signed Salcedo to any sort of deal, and Scott Boras seems to back this assumption. However, the rumors just won’t go away. According to Baseball America, at least four major league scouts have questioned Salcedo’s age. Of course, with every camp involved in this soap opera coming out with different statements, there may be more to this than just rumors and innuendos.

It is distinctly possible that the Indians did indeed sign Salcedo to a deal, pending a normal investigation into his background. For those wondering, or just forgetful, investigations into Dominican players aren’t new, and in fact, are commonplace when signing a major league contract. Latin players have historically used false birthdates to gain valuable years to sign major deals. Over the years, several have been caught subtracting years of their true age, including Deivi Cruz and Ramon Ortiz (29, not 26 when both were discovered), as well as Enrique Wilson and Neifi Perez (26 to 28 when both were discovered). Rey Ordóñez went from 29 to 31 and Timo Perez from 24 to 26. Rafael Furcal went from 21-23, and had to give up his ‘most stolen-bases as a 19-year old’ record when he stole 40 bases, breaking Ty Cobb’s ages long record of 23. Of course, Cobb regained the record, although several accounts say Cobb himself was much older than the 19 he proclaimed at the time. Former Indians’ pitcher Bartolo Colon is probably the most familiar case to Tribe fans have made the 26-28 year old jump himself. Then there was Daniel Almonte, who led his 12-year old little team to the Little League World series title. The birth certificate he used to enter the United States proved to be false. Almonte was 14, not 12, and he and his team were ruled ineligible, forfeiting their title.

Dominican birth certificates are easy to forge because of their handwritten nature, and lack of certification. There’s also a significant gap in the technology of the Dominicans, making it very easy for players to make themselves younger, and therefore more enticing to baseballs scouts. Major League Baseball now investigates all Latin signings, that have them going to the source hospital to find the actual records. Of course, now reports are that the hospitals themselves allegedly are more than willing to change birth certificates to help their native sons.

According to the article in El Caribe, he had already passed the age verification, and was getting ready for his physical before making the deal with the Indians official. It seems distinctly possible that Salcedo’s deal is hung up in an investigation that hasn’t been able to verify his age. With the firing of the investigator that was looking into Salcedo’s case, it does make sense that the investigation may have gotten put on the backburner. It’s also possible that there just are unanswerable questions about Salcedo’s age. With the photos missing from Salcedo’s website, it could be a sign that any pending deal with the Tribe is off. Why is just speculation, but there seems to be enough evidence that the Indians were interested, and either backed out, or were told to keep quiet until the investigation is over. Since Boras has also been moderately quiet, these two scenarios seem to make sense. If his client is about to have an official deal certified with the Indians, why talk. If his client is currently not able to answer the question of age, again, why talk.

Watching this play out has been excruciatingly slow. Still, it would only benefit the Indians if Salcedo proves to be the real deal, and not another Daniel Almonte. Signing players of Salcedo’s potential are key to the Indians remaining successful for years to come. Of course, this is only true if they are who they say they are.

Here’s the article paraphrased, very badly, I might add, by google translations:

“La Vega. Edward Salcedo, the new sensation Creole baseball, is just one step away from realize his dream. In passing a physical exam will receive a bonus of 2.9 million dollars by the Cleveland Indians.

Salcedo, a torpedo bomber for 16 years and that shelf to the right, is another client over super agent Scott Boras and according to the eavesdropping is a five-tools player with the conditions of doing things bright in the Major Leagues.

He started practicing full baseball at the age of 12 years in the league that San Antonio Gilberto Ramirez and manages to reach the 15 worked with other people, including former pelotero Sunday Ramos, who is employed by Boras and what was preparing.

The agreement Salcedo has already passed its first two tests in the Dominican Republic, with verification of their age in particular, and looks forward to spending some medical examinations in the United States, where party this weekend, so that they reality the historic pact.

“I thank Gilberto for all the help he gave me and also because it was Ramos who polished me and made me raise my level,” said Salcedo Multimedia to the Caribbean.

What is impressive that Salcedo liked basketball more, but to know baseball had to consult with his mother, solani Diaz, who practise sport and who was influenced their final decision.

The motivation for this sport came while he was in Major League games players delivered in body and soul to do their job. His family, especially her mother, brother, his father Angel Salcedo and his uncle Gustavo Andres gave him the confidence to do what you want.

To engage fully at bat and ball, Salcedo left the college in 2006, but once situated in the United States said that it will not only wants to overcome in baseball, but in the studies.

“I told myself that if I walked out of school was not going to be mediocre and I for the mine. My mother always confided in me because she knows me, “he said.

Obviously Salcedo, 6′2 in height and 200 pounds, got the desired results and now may meet with the guarantee that his mother gave him to compensate his struggle to guide him and his brother Tommy Joel on the path to success.

His profile is a humble young and well educated and is inclined to continue that way because it is an admirer of prints as Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.

“Not just as I like to play but how are outside the ground. I would like to have everything they have. While millionaires are delivered fairly and you can see a lot of passion for the game, “explained Salcedo, who will soon be in your account 98.6 million pesos.

“The money I am interested because it is normal, but the great interest of mine is the ball. My goal is to highlight in my work. ”

Knowing that their social status will change, Salcedo said with certainty that there there will be no change, which will remain the same person and that only those who always seek to have him surrounded.

Preference. Looking to the ball Creole, Salcedo may be eligible to win the novice since 2009 and already has an inclination by a team from the region where he was born, but not by more winner.

“I would like to participate in the Cibao Giants because this is a team that plays together over there and give you the opportunity to everyone. In addition, the team remains for me closer to my home, “he said.

Opinions about the phenomenon

Tommy J. Salcedo
Brother

“I am proud because I know that will come very far. I want to see him in the Hall of Fame and breaking all records. I am your number one fan and always will have my support.

Andres G. Diaz
Uncle

“It has given us an example of how progress. I thank God for giving him his first chance to play professionally and I recommend you keep your dedication.

Is Baseball or basketball?

On his decision between baseball and basketball, his mother, solani Diaz, who advised him to lie down and think which of the two sports gave him more excitement then decide what to practise.

“Actually when things are done with love emerging best. So I told him that what was thought to feel happy with what he was doing, “said Diaz with a face of joy.

Diaz asserts that all this has been indescribable and it feels very proud because Edward has managed to do what is proposed. Now only expected to continue stressing to reality his dream of being in the big ball.

In his two sons, Edward and Tommy Joel, Diaz has instilled put God above all else and that nothing should get them to change because God is first and who cree and hoped he received huge profits.

Diaz added that Edward has to keep his humility and above all that when you make mistakes must realize in time and go to those who really love him.

“Thank God we managed what everyone wanted. See my mother happy for my accomplishments is something very big for me, “explained Salcedo, who added that with the achievements brought his family from a difficult situation.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 11:33 am and is filed under Edward Salcedo, James Pete, Cleveland Indians, Tribe Report. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.