Adrian Salcedo Stats & Scouting Report

IP	586
ERA	3.379
WHIP	1.261
BB/9	2.58
SO/9	7.08

Full name Adrian Arturo Salcedo
Born 02/05/1991 in Mocha, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Salcedo remains one of the Twins' hardest workers, a slender righthander who keeps himself in excellent physical shape. He had a strong spring training and seemed ready to move back up this list. An avid runner, he finally added weight to his slender 6-foot-4 frame while also better incorporating his lower half into his delivery. His velocity spiked as a result, as his fastball touched 96 in the spring. However, Salcedo's arm apparently wasn't ready for the extra velocity and he had an injury-plagued season. He went on the disabled list in May with an elbow strain, and working his way back to the mound for only four more outings before tightness in his shoulder capsule ended his season. He didn't have surgery, but he still had trouble getting loose and remained in rehab mode throughout instructional league. When healthy, Salcedo pounds the strike zone with a fastball that usually sits at 90-93 mph and two inconsistent breaking balls, a slider and a curveball he struggles to separate. His fastball and solid changeup both feature sink. A healthy Salcedo would be a boon to Minnesota's thin pitching ranks, though the team opted not to protect him on its 40-man roster this offseason.
Salcedo announced himself as a prospect when he walked just three batters in 62 innings during his 2009 U.S. debut. His polish prompted Minnesota to accelerate him to high Class A in 2010 when it needed a spot starter, and his first full Class A load came at Beloit last year. He posted a 2.93 ERA in a career-high 135 innings, though his stuff failed to take a step forward. Early in games, Salcedo works off a 90-93 mph fastball, which helps his fringy changeup play up. Both pitches have late sink and generate groundballs. Salcedo has some feel for spinning a breaking ball, which varies between a curve and a slider and features sharp break at times. As he gains strength, it should become an average pitch as well. While he doesn't have true command, he's an excellent athlete who throws a ton of strikes. Salcedo doesn't maintain his stuff deep into games, often falling into the upper 80s with his fastball after a couple of innings. He's a dedicated runner with tremendous work ethic, and the Twins hope he can add strength as he ages. He'll have a more permanent place in the Fort Myers rotation in 2012 and projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Salcedo emerged on the prospect scene by posting a 1.46 ERA and 58-3 K-BB ratio in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2009. His ability and injuries at Fort Myers prompted the Twins to move him from extended spring training to high Class A last May. He got hit hard but regrouped and showed more trust in his secondary pitches when sent to Elizabethton, his originally planned destination. Long and thin, Salcedo has room to grow physically but is mature mentally. He's the system's hardest worker, establishing that reputation even as a teenager. His 90-93 mph fastball features late action, as does his changeup. He throws both a slider and a curveball, with his slurvy slider reaching the low 80s. It can get a little big, and Salcedo must focus on either tightening his slider or committing to more of a true curveball. He has excellent movement on all of his pitches, yet manages to throw them for strikes. Thanks to his sound delivery and excellent athleticism, he projects to have at least average command. The Twins usually move pitchers slowly, but Salcedo's stuff, feel and dedication could put him on the fast track. He's slated to start 2011 in low Class A.
The Twins have become prolific winners in Rookie ball, thanks in part to their ability to get their pitchers to throw strikes. Ivan Arteaga, their Gulf Coast League pitching coach the last five seasons, has fashioned impressive pitching staffs that pound the zone. His 2009 staff averaged 2.2 walks per nine innings and led the GCL with a 2.47 ERA, and had four starters who pitched at least 50 innings and walked fewer than 10 batters. Salcedo had the best ratios, with just three walks and 58 strikeouts in his first season in the United States. He also has the highest upside of the group, which also included B.J. Hermsen, Michael Tonkin and Blayne Weller. It's hard not to get excited about Salcedo, who has a projectable build at 6-foot-4 at 175 pounds, as well as a 90-94 mph fastball. He flashes a power curveball with plus potential that reaches 84-85 mph at times. He shows the makings of solid changeup as well. Salcedo has a loose, quick arm and a sound delivery that accounted for his miniscule walk total. He's a workout monster who outruns and outworks many of his peers. Salcedo has yet to make the jump to full-season ball and hold up over the course of 100-plus innings. He'll get that chance in 2010 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Twins sent Salcedo from extended spring training to high Class A Fort Myers in mid-May to cover for injuries. He ran up a 6.26 ERA, relying mostly on his fastball, while waiting for Elizabethton to begin play at the end of June. In the Appy League, he did a better job of incorporating his secondary pitches. An exceptional athlete, Salcedo picks things up quickly, works hard and throws strikes. His sinker sits at 90-93 mph and bores down and in on righthanders. His slurvy, low-80s slider shows consistent tilt when he gets on top of the pitch. With his athleticism and arm strength, Salcedo is a safe bet to reach his potential. Whether he does so as a starter or reliever will depend largely on how well he can fine-tune his changeup.
The Twins led the GCL with a 2.47 ERA, and B.J. Hermsen and Salcedo were two big reasons why. A lanky 18-year-old, Salcedo posted a 1.46 ERA and 58-3 K-BB ratio in 62 innings. Early on, he tried to strike everyone out, but Twins manager Jake Mauer said Hermsen's approach of attacking hitters rubbed off on Salcedo. Salcedo has a loose arm that generates a 90-94 mph fastball with late, sinking movement that results in groundouts. He also mixes in a hard breaking ball that sits at 84-85 mph and he maintains good arm speed with it, making it a nasty offering. His changeup also has potential, as it features good deception and fade.