Jeff Salazar Stats & Scouting Report

AB	298
AVG	.232
OBP	.335
SLG	.349
HR	4

Full name Jeffrey Dewan Salazar
Born 11/24/1980 in Oklahoma City, OK
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Oklahoma State
Debut 09/07/2006
Drafted in the 8th round (231st overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2002.

View Draft Report

Like many of the center fielders in the Big 12 Conference this year, Salazar is a speedy tablesetter. The difference between him and the others is that he provides punch from the left side of the plate. Oklahoma State coach Tom Holliday calls Salazar the best center fielder the program has had in his 25 years. He makes Jim Edmonds-like highlight plays and could be a nice fourth- or fifth-round pick for someone.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

An eighth-round senior sign like Jim Miller, Salazar narrowly missed a 30-30 season and led the South Atlantic League in homers and RBIs in his first full year as a pro in 2003. He reached Triple-A last year and continued to show flashes of being a total-package center fielder, but his previous consistency was missing. For the first time in pro ball, he struck out more than he walked. Salazar needs to learn to stay back on pitches and use the opposite field if he wants to reach his potential. A top-of-the-lineup candidate, he offers power and speed as well as good on-base and bunting ability. Defensively, he has excellent instincts and the confidence that's mandatory for a center fielder. His arm is below-average. He could prove to be a nice fit in Colorado, possibly by midseason. Cory Sullivan impressed the Rockies with his hustle and defense as a rookie last year, but Salazar offers more upside.
A senior sign out of Oklahoma State, Salazar quickly established himself as a legitimate prospect, leading the South Atlantic League with 29 homers and 98 RBIs and just missing a 30-30 season in his first full year. He hit the wall after a promotion to Double-A last year. Salazar is a plus defensive center fielder with offensive potential. He has above-average arm strength and tremendous natural instincts in center. He's a potential top-of-the-lineup threat with gap power. He works deep counts, bunts well and can steal bases. Salazar has to redefine himself at the plate. Though he hit 29 homers two years ago, power is not his game. He'll hit a few naturally, but his strength is getting on base and using his speed. Given his second-half struggles, Salazar needs to return to Double-A. Preston Wilson's contract expires following the 2005 season, and the Rockies hope to turn the position over to Salazar at that point.
Signed as a college senior out of Oklahoma State, where Matt Holliday's father Tom was the coach, Salazar led the South Atlantic League in homers and RBIs in his first full pro season. He nearly put together a 30-30 year. While his power numbers were embellished by the short right-field fence at Asheville's McCormick Field, Salazar has legitimate life in his bat. He'll hit for average with at least gap power in the majors. He uses all fields and controls the strike zone. A plus runner, he's learning how to bunt. He gets himself in trouble when he gets too pull-happy. Salazar is a good center fielder who's technically proficient at the position. His arm is below average. The Rockies love his attitude, as he shows up at the ballpark ready to work every day. Based on his success and his age, he could jump to Double-A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Though Salazar nearly went 30-30 in his first full pro season last year, he still had his share of skeptics entering 2004 because of his age. He was old for the Cal League at 23, but he won over managers and scouts with his all-out style of play and his mastery of fundamentals. Salazar uses a contact-focused approach to lace line drives all over the park. He has solid gap power and works counts well. He also owns plus speed and fine instincts, which makes him a proficient bunter and baserunner. Defensively, he has good range and takes good routes on fly balls in center field, though his arm is a tick below average. He tailed off markedly when he was promoted to Double-A, so he'll have to prove himself again in 2005.