Jose Salas

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #8 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Fla., Salas moved to Venezuela as an adolescent before signing with the Marlins in 2019 for a bonus of $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the pandemic, but he got onto the field during the 2020 instructional league and made it to Low-A in his first official season. He ranked No. 3 on the Florida Complex League's Top 10 prospects.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas showed hints of his upside this season, including a long home run in one of his first games at Low-A. Mostly, though, his power was distributed from gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers. He's better from the left side right now simply because he faces more righties, but overall shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate guided by strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel into different parts of the zone. That same quality, however, can get him into trouble. Internal evaluators note that because Salas knows he can get his bat to so many pitches, he often swings as pitches that he can get his bat to, but not necessarily his barrel. That approach leads to weaker contact, and needs to be refined. In the field, Salas has solid actions and the potential to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field but has plenty of time to iron out the finer points. If he doesn't stick at shortstop he has experience as an outfielder playing internationally.
  
  The Future: After a cameo at Low-A, Salas will likely return to the level, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-diamond riches.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Salas moved to Venezuela as a teen and signed with the Marlins as an international free agent in 2019 for $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic, but he got onto the field during 2020 instructional league and made his official pro debut in 2021. He hit .370/.458/.511 during an exceptional 28-game stint in the Florida Complex League and received a promotion to Low-A Jupiter to end the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas is a balanced switch-hitter who shows hints of being an above-average hitter with above-average power. His power is presently gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers, but he flashed his potential with a long home run in Jupiter. Salas is a better hitter from the left side simply because he faces more righties, but overall he shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate. He has strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel to different parts of the zone. While Salas makes plenty of contact, he has a tendency to swing at pitches he can’t drive and needs to refine his approach and pitch selection. Defensively, Salas has solid actions, an above-average arm and plenty of range with his plus speed to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field.
  
  The Future: Salas will likely return to Low-A in 2022, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-of-the-diamond talents.
  
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #21 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Salas grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to Venezuela before high school and signed with the Marlins for $2.8 million during the 2019 international signing period. His father, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. The Marlins planned for Salas to begin his career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he was limited to instructional league in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A fast-twitch athlete with plus speed and an above-average arm, Salas has raw defensive tools that will play well at shortstop. He has a projectable frame that gives him a chance to add strength and power at the plate, although scouts feel he needs to develop more consistency and fluidity in his swing as he matures. Salas has a chance to hit for average and possesses average power, but he's a long way from fulfilling those projections.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2021. His offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #23 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Marlins' top international signing in 2019, Salas' dad, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. Salas was born in Florida and grew up in Orlando, but before high school he moved to Venezuela, worked out for clubs there, then went to the Dominican Republic before signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Salas has a live, projectable body with lots of room to add strength. He's a quicktwitch athlete with plus speed. At his size, Salas might lose a step as he fills out, but he has significant physical upside to grow into more strength and power. The Marlins liked Salas' chance to hit for average and power, though other clubs were mixed on his hitting ability, with a tendency to get mechanical in his swing and inconsistent game performances. Salas' athleticism and strong arm play well at shortstop, where he gets quick reactions off the bat. He can get erratic in the field, however, so some scouts thought he might fit better in center field. There's also a chance he moves elsewhere in the infield.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2020, likely beginning the year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #3 prospect in 2021
  Salas grew up in Orlando but signed out of Venezuela in 2019 as the Marlins’ top international target that year. He made his official pro debut this year and didn’t spend much time in the FCL before the Marlins promoted him to Low-A Jupiter in mid August. Salas has a good blend of size, quick-twitch athleticism and tools that translate in games. He’s a physical shortstop who moves well for his size, with plus speed now, though some of that could back up as he fills out. He could stick at shortstop, where he reacts well off the bat and has a strong arm, though there’s a chance he could outgrow the position and end up at third base, and some scouts think he could fit in center field. Salas performed well in the FCL. He barreled the ball consistently in games, though his pitch recognition could improve. He’s a switch-hitter who drives the ball well from gap to gap, with the bat speed and strength projection for at least average future power.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Fla., Salas moved to Venezuela as an adolescent before signing with the Marlins in 2019 for a bonus of $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the pandemic, but he got onto the field during the 2020 instructional league and made it to Low-A in his first official season. He ranked No. 3 on the Florida Complex League's Top 10 prospects.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas showed hints of his upside this season, including a long home run in one of his first games at Low-A. Mostly, though, his power was distributed from gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers. He's better from the left side right now simply because he faces more righties, but overall shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate guided by strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel into different parts of the zone. That same quality, however, can get him into trouble. Internal evaluators note that because Salas knows he can get his bat to so many pitches, he often swings as pitches that he can get his bat to, but not necessarily his barrel. That approach leads to weaker contact, and needs to be refined. In the field, Salas has solid actions and the potential to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field but has plenty of time to iron out the finer points. If he doesn't stick at shortstop he has experience as an outfielder playing internationally.
  
  The Future: After a cameo at Low-A, Salas will likely return to the level, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-diamond riches.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Fla., Salas moved to Venezuela as an adolescent before signing with the Marlins in 2019 for a bonus of $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the pandemic, but he got onto the field during the 2020 instructional league and made it to Low-A in his first official season. He ranked No. 3 on the Florida Complex League's Top 10 prospects.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas showed hints of his upside this season, including a long home run in one of his first games at Low-A. Mostly, though, his power was distributed from gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers. He's better from the left side right now simply because he faces more righties, but overall shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate guided by strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel into different parts of the zone. That same quality, however, can get him into trouble. Internal evaluators note that because Salas knows he can get his bat to so many pitches, he often swings as pitches that he can get his bat to, but not necessarily his barrel. That approach leads to weaker contact, and needs to be refined. In the field, Salas has solid actions and the potential to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field but has plenty of time to iron out the finer points. If he doesn't stick at shortstop he has experience as an outfielder playing internationally.
  
  The Future: After a cameo at Low-A, Salas will likely return to the level, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-diamond riches.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Midseason Update: The Marlins began the year with a pack of talented middle infield prospects at their Low-A affiliate, and Salas was the first one to earn the bump to High-A. Scouts have seen Salas show impressive feel to hit, the ability to use all fields and find the barrel often. There&#39s a little bit of inconsistency in his approach, which has led to some streakiness, but overall he looks like a player who can hit for a blend of average and power. How much of each will depend on the kind of approch he chooses to employ going forward. Salas is likely to stick on the dirt as well, but the size and thickness of his body will likely move him to either second or third base.
  
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Fla., Salas moved to Venezuela as an adolescent before signing with the Marlins in 2019 for a bonus of $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the pandemic, but he got onto the field during the 2020 instructional league and made it to Low-A in his first official season. He ranked No. 3 on the Florida Complex League&#39s Top 10 prospects.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas showed hints of his upside this season, including a long home run in one of his first games at Low-A. Mostly, though, his power was distributed from gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers. He&#39s better from the left side right now simply because he faces more righties, but overall shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate guided by strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel into different parts of the zone. That same quality, however, can get him into trouble. Internal evaluators note that because Salas knows he can get his bat to so many pitches, he often swings as pitches that he can get his bat to, but not necessarily his barrel. That approach leads to weaker contact, and needs to be refined. In the field, Salas has solid actions and the potential to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field but has plenty of time to iron out the finer points. If he doesn&#39t stick at shortstop he has experience as an outfielder playing internationally.
  
  The Future: After a cameo at Low-A, Salas will likely return to the level, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-diamond riches.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After growing up in Orlando, Salas moved to Venezuela as a teen and signed with the Marlins as an international free agent in 2019 for $2.8 million. His pro debut was delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic, but he got onto the field during 2020 instructional league and made his official pro debut in 2021. He hit .370/.458/.511 during an exceptional 28-game stint in the Florida Complex League and received a promotion to Low-A Jupiter to end the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Salas is a balanced switch-hitter who shows hints of being an above-average hitter with above-average power. His power is presently gap to gap and goes more often for doubles than homers, but he flashed his potential with a long home run in Jupiter. Salas is a better hitter from the left side simply because he faces more righties, but overall he shows a quick, leveraged swing from both sides of the plate. He has strong, fast hands that allow him to manipulate the barrel to different parts of the zone. While Salas makes plenty of contact, he has a tendency to swing at pitches he can’t drive and needs to refine his approach and pitch selection. Defensively, Salas has solid actions, an above-average arm and plenty of range with his plus speed to develop into a reliable everyday shortstop. He needs to focus on staying more engaged on every play and remembering where he needs to be on the field.
  
  The Future: Salas will likely return to Low-A in 2022, where he, Ian Lewis and Kahlil Watson will form an enviable trio of middle-of-the-diamond talents.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Salas grew up in Orlando but signed out of Venezuela in 2019 as the Marlins’ top international target that year. He made his official pro debut this year and didn’t spend much time in the FCL before the Marlins promoted him to Low-A Jupiter in mid August. Salas has a good blend of size, quick-twitch athleticism and tools that translate in games. He’s a physical shortstop who moves well for his size, with plus speed now, though some of that could back up as he fills out. He could stick at shortstop, where he reacts well off the bat and has a strong arm, though there’s a chance he could outgrow the position and end up at third base, and some scouts think he could fit in center field. Salas performed well in the FCL. He barreled the ball consistently in games, though his pitch recognition could improve. He’s a switch-hitter who drives the ball well from gap to gap, with the bat speed and strength projection for at least average future power.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Salas grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to Venezuela before high school and signed with the Marlins for $2.8 million during the 2019 international signing period. His father, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. The Marlins planned for Salas to begin his career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he was limited to instructional league in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A fast-twitch athlete with plus speed and an above-average arm, Salas has raw defensive tools that will play well at shortstop. He has a projectable frame that gives him a chance to add strength and power at the plate, although scouts feel he needs to develop more consistency and fluidity in his swing as he matures. Salas has a chance to hit for average and possesses average power, but he's a long way from fulfilling those projections.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2021. His offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Salas grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to Venezuela before high school and signed with the Marlins for $2.8 million during the 2019 international signing period. His father, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. The Marlins planned for Salas to begin his career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he was limited to instructional league in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A fast-twitch athlete with plus speed and an above-average arm, Salas has raw defensive tools that will play well at shortstop. He has a projectable frame that gives him a chance to add strength and power at the plate, although scouts feel he needs to develop more consistency and fluidity in his swing as he matures. Salas has a chance to hit for average and possesses average power, but he's a long way from fulfilling those projections.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2021. His offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Salas grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to Venezuela before high school and signed with the Marlins for $2.8 million during the 2019 international signing period. His father, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. The Marlins planned for Salas to begin his career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, but he was limited to instructional league in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A fast-twitch athlete with plus speed and an above-average arm, Salas has raw defensive tools that will play well at shortstop. He has a projectable frame that gives him a chance to add strength and power at the plate, although scouts feel he needs to develop more consistency and fluidity in his swing as he matures. Salas has a chance to hit for average and possesses average power, but he's a long way from fulfilling those projections.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2021. His offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Marlins’ top international signing in 2019, Salas’ dad, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. Salas was born in Florida and grew up in Orlando, but before high school he moved to Venezuela, worked out for clubs there, then went to the Dominican Republic before signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Salas has a live, projectable body with lots of room to add strength. He’s a quicktwitch athlete with plus speed. At his size, Salas might lose a step as he fills out, but he has significant physical upside to grow into more strength and power. The Marlins liked Salas’ chance to hit for average and power, though other clubs were mixed on his hitting ability, with a tendency to get mechanical in his swing and inconsistent game performances. Salas’ athleticism and strong arm play well at shortstop, where he gets quick reactions off the bat. He can get erratic in the field, however, so some scouts thought he might fit better in center field. There’s also a chance he moves elsewhere in the infield.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2020, likely beginning the year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Marlins' top international signing in 2019, Salas' dad, uncle and grandfather all played pro ball in Venezuela. Salas was born in Florida and grew up in Orlando, but before high school he moved to Venezuela, worked out for clubs there, then went to the Dominican Republic before signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Salas has a live, projectable body with lots of room to add strength. He's a quicktwitch athlete with plus speed. At his size, Salas might lose a step as he fills out, but he has significant physical upside to grow into more strength and power. The Marlins liked Salas' chance to hit for average and power, though other clubs were mixed on his hitting ability, with a tendency to get mechanical in his swing and inconsistent game performances. Salas' athleticism and strong arm play well at shortstop, where he gets quick reactions off the bat. He can get erratic in the field, however, so some scouts thought he might fit better in center field. There's also a chance he moves elsewhere in the infield.
  
  THE FUTURE: Salas will make his pro debut in 2020, likely beginning the year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.