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After emerging nearly two and a half years ago as one of the top prospects on the Latin American market, Edward Salcedo has finally signed with the Braves.

Salcedo, a 6-foot-3 shortstop from the Dominican Republic, is an above-average runner with a plus arm and above-average bat speed. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Salcedo signed for a $1.6 million bonus.

"This is a significant signing for us," Braves international scouting director Johnny Almaraz said in a press release. "We feel that Edward is one of this year's most talented prospects. He has outstanding makeup and the combination of his fielding and hitting ability make him one of the top international players we've seen in a while."

Questions about Salcedo's age—he had presented himself as being born July 30, 1991, which would now make him 18 years old—delayed his signing until Major League Baseball completed its investigation of him last week. Salcedo also changed representation in the process, leaving the Scott Boras Corporation for Edgar Mercedes' Born To Play Academy, which represented Athletics righthander Michael Ynoa and currently represents outfielder Wagner Mateo.

He was suspended for 1 year by MLB for giving wrong birthdate which he gave as July 30, 1991. Now MLB allows him to sign and the Braves say his new real Birthday is July 31, 1991. Are we missing something here???

Posted by Mark | February 24, 2010 at 12:09 am | Shortcut

Ben,
Are break downs of each teams international signings in the works? How soon before we start hearing about 2010 guys? Thanks

Posted by Joe | February 24, 2010 at 3:18 am | Shortcut

Mark, Ben had a typo. He originally said he was born in 1989, not 1991. I don't know about MLB suspending him, but the US government stepped in and killed his first contract.

Posted by Michael Bohn | February 24, 2010 at 10:00 am | Shortcut

Anytime a player dumps Scott Boras, it makes me happy. Boras helps 30% of his clients make more than they should, but hurts 70% of his clients by ******** up their minds by making them think they are treated poorly, pushing clients to switch teams, or having them hold out for years. If Boras was still Salcedo's agent, we wouldn't be reading this article about the young mans signing.
I'm glad Salcedo finally did sign. Many players that have trouble getting signed, simply disappear, never to be heard from again. Will he be the next Wilson Betemit, or a major league starter for the Braves?

Posted by Phil Case | February 24, 2010 at 10:01 am | Shortcut

WAIT…… Just trying to understand this. Salcedo claimed a birthday that would have made him younger then he claimed to be?? That would be a new first. As far as I have ever heard players from DR change their birthdates to make them selves younger. You are saying he was suspended by MLB for saying he was younger then he is?? From what I recall he claimed to be 16 2 years ago. MLB found that he was older and suspended him. Now BBA is saying he is actually younger?? I don't buy it!!!

Posted by Mark | February 24, 2010 at 12:21 pm | Shortcut

There is no typo, and MLB never suspended Salcedo

Posted by Ben Badler | February 24, 2010 at 12:23 pm | Shortcut

No Mark, I didn't say any of that and I'm not sure BA did either. He claimed to be be born in 1989 two years ago. He was really born in 1991. How do you get that he claimed to be younger than he really was?

Posted by Michael Bohn | February 24, 2010 at 1:56 pm | Shortcut

Ben, if there is no typo, I think you may want to clarify. Are you referring to when he signed with the Indians in 2007, or only the current contract?

Posted by Michael Bohn | February 24, 2010 at 1:57 pm | Shortcut

Ben, Very confused. All reports said that Salcedo was older then he claimed. The Indians backed out of a deal {which was to pay him 3 times what he got from the Braves} becuase they were pretty sure he was in fact older then he claimed. From what was said in other reports MLB at the very least did not allow him to sign to they figured out how old he was. Now, the Braves claim he is not 2 years iolder then he claimed {which was the consensus thoughts}but, in fact 2 years younger then he claimed?? I am not sure that I have ever heard of a DR prospect claiming to be older then he is. You can see why something seems strange here??

Posted by Mark | February 24, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Shortcut

Salcedo has, to my knowledge, always presented himself to MLB teams as being born July 30, 1991, which would have made him eligible to sign on his 16th birthday on July 30, 2007, but concerns about verifying his age and identity prevented him from signing with a major league club until this week. I don't know where you guys are getting 1989 from here.

Posted by Ben Badler | February 25, 2010 at 11:48 am | Shortcut

ese tipo eh un mostron.. yo lo conozco a mi pana edward salcedo.. un buen pelotero tira.apara y batea.. tiene la 5 herramienta.. lo admiro por su trabajo no eh logrado.. nunka se vencio.. siempre estubo la fe en Dios.. sigue asi edward..

Posted by valor | February 26, 2010 at 3:07 pm | Shortcut