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Jose Salas, IF

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Scouting report

Salas signed for big money ($2.8 million) in July of 2019 and is the highest-variance prospect in this system. Even at 17, this is a broad-shouldered, up-the-middle teenager who already has pretty impressive pop. Salas had "the look" at 2020 instructs, filling out a uniform as well as anyone in the 2020 Jupiter/West Palm contingent even though he was only 17. He puts on quite a show during BP, at least as a lefty hitter. His lefty cut has some length but also has serious, lift-inducing leverage, and Salas can put balls out to all fields. His righty swing is borderline unusable right now, but remember we're talking about a super young switch bat; he deserves time to hone that righty feel to hit. After instructs, Salas went to Venezuela to play winter ball against grown men and really struggled. The length in his swing was exposed and he K'd in about half of his at-bats. He saw time at both middle infield spots and all three outfield positions while in Venezuela. Because Salas is already filled out and seems very motivated to be in the weight room, he's not likely to stay at shortstop and has a better chance of leaning on his good hands and actions at second base. The swing-and-miss piece is scary. Heuristically, Salas and Cubs shortstop Reggie Preciado belong in the same FV bucket, but the mechanical length creates some distance for me. He could be a Top 100 prospect in a year or a giant swing-and-miss red flag might reveal itself on paper. Several players behind Salas on this list have more likely big league utility than he does, but almost none of them have his ceiling. (Fall Instructional League, Venezuelan Winter League)