Saltalamacchia still on top after down year

Team: Atlanta Braves
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Date: March 26, 2007

Burning Question

Does Jarrod Saltalamacchia still reign supreme, not only as the Braves' top prospect but as one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball?

Uh, yes.

That was easy. Well, let's explain, though, for those who will start to panic when they look at Saltalamacchia's .230 batting average last year as well as the huge dip in home runs and RBIs. Any fears about this youngster's performance were put to rest as the 2006 season drew to a close.

Sure, his numbers were down from the solid 2005 season he enjoyed at Myrtle Beach, but he was dealing with a chronic wrist injury for much of the early part of '06. He was also too concerned, by his own admission, with reaching the Major Leagues. The jump from facing Class A pitching to Double-A pitching is also one of the most difficult in the Minor Leagues.

All these factors combined to leave his batting average just south of the Mendoza Line as Independence Day approached. So, the Braves put him on the disabled list to give his wrist time to heal. And while he was out, Saltalamacchia also took the opportunity to let his mental state heal. The results were more than a bit encouraging.

Saltalamacchia combined to hit .338 over his final 23 games upon his return from the disabled list. He then helped Team USA beat Cuba and qualify for the 2008 Olympics before closing out the season with a strong Arizona Fall League. His AFL run was cut short, though, because of hamstring and groin issues.

But, Saltalamacchia's wrist has healed completely. The other little nagging injuries are also healed and his head is on straight. The Braves can't ask for much more than that. As a result, they ultimately view 2006 as a success and learning experience for the young backstop.

"We feel he's ready to bounce back and have a big year," Kurt Kemp, Atlanta's director of player development said. "He spent the first part of camp on the Major League side and now he's down here and looking forward to a great season."

Kemp said he was still unsure as to where Saltalamacchia would start the year. He could be back in Mississippi or head to Triple-A Richmond, but that call won't be made until later this week. One call that won't be made, though, is the one for Saltalamacchia to switch positions.

Brian McCann is entrenched behind the plate in Atlanta, so it would seem there would be no room for Saltalamacchia. While Kemp said that he is asked about the youngster's potential position switch in every interview he does, but there are no plans for such a move at the moment.

"It's a natural question because of Brian's success," Kemp said. "But our philosophy is to develop to the best of their ability and for what they're best at. We think he's an outstanding catching prospect so there are no plans to change his position at this time."

Other News of the Day

RHP Cory Rasmus said he would remain in extended Spring Training and then head to Danville when the Appalachian League season starts in June. Kemp said the club has no immediate plans to change anything in Rasmus' approach in terms of adding or taking away pitches. "We just want to make sure he's comfortable in his own skin first," Kemp said. "We want to make sure he has a good mechanical foundation and we've worked hard on that early in Spring Training. Adding pitches is not something we want to do at this point. It's counterproductive. Maybe if someone is throwing a splitter and we think it puts too much stress on the arm we might limit it because we don't want to do anything detrimental to the arm. For now, though, we just want to emphasize mechanical efficiency." ... LHP Jonathan Venters continues to make his way back from Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2006. He's been throwing in the low 90s, his slider has bite and he's been working on a changeup. Assistant director of player development Matt Price said he expects Venters to pick up where he left off at Rome in '05, when he was 8-6 with a 3.93 ERA. ... Atlanta's player development staff had a meeting Monday morning and was scheduled to have another Monday night. But Kemp said nothing would be decided in either meeting as to where particular players would be going when camp breaks on Sunday. Some players, he said, still have a chance to make an impression and change what would be there initial destination. "It's like fitting a puzzle together," he said. "We have to find the right level for the right player. It's a fluid process. If a kid comes out and shows something [over the next day or two], nothing is set in stone today or tonight. The goal is to put kids where they match up, get the playing time and are challenged where they don't struggle so mightily that it causes a loss of confidence."

Five Questions with Cory Rasmus

MiLB.com: Your brother, Colby, was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2005 and you were Atlanta's top pick last year. If you faced him in a game, who would come out on top?

CR: He can hit, straight up. It would be tough. I sort of know how to pitch to him so I guess you could say that's an advantage. I know what he likes and doesn't like, but he's gotten so much better. I haven't thrown to him since before my senior year in high school, when he came back to hit against us. I'd probably be excited, though, because one of my goals is to face him on the mound. I would love it, but not in a bad way.

MiLB.com: Have you spoken to your brother about what to expect in your first Spring Training?

CR: I call him two or three times a week, so we keep in touch. I asked him how it was when he went through [Spring Training] for the first time. He told me that I had to try and earn my spot, but that I shouldn't do anything different than I had been doing, just work hard.

MiLB.com: So what has your first Spring Training been like?

CR: It's been pretty fun to be around the Double-A and Triple-A guys and see how hard they work. I want to see myself in their shoes one day. I'm here and I just want to see how it goes. Right now I just want to keep working hard and getting ready for the season.

MiLB.com: If you could have dinner with one person, living, dead or fictional, who would it be and why?

CR: Nolan Ryan because he's probably one of the best pitchers in the game ever. It would be an honor to meet him and talk with him, ask him about the game and try and learn from him.

MiLB.com: You were pitching in high school at this time last year. What's the biggest difference you've noticed in the hitters?

CR: You have to make fewer mistakes with them. If you make one here, they let you know you made one. I don't think you have to do anything special. You just have to be able to throw the ball where you want.

Lasting Impression

Elvis hasn't left the building. Far from it. He's here and he's going to stay.

SS Elvis Andrus won't turn 19 until this summer, but he continues to look, act and play much older. He was one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League last season yet he hit .265 with 50 RBIs at 17 and 18 years old. He stole 23 bases and is an above-average shortstop despite the 32 errors (incredibly that total was only fourth highest among Sally League shortstops) that he committed last year. He has the tools to become an elite shortstop. So what's not to love? "He's a year older and he's more mature," Kemp said. "He's continuing on his progression path and I think he's doing an excellent job. When you compare him to his age group, he's always going to be one of the youngest guys at each level he plays. But he's done more than hold his own.

"Last year in the Sally League he was at the lower end of the age group and he handled that well. We don't want him to be anything different than what he's growing into as a hitter."

Off the Beaten Path

Well, you're in Disney World, so there isn't much that's off the beaten path here. There's plenty to do here besides baseball and that's probably one of the reasons there is no longer a Minor League team here. Folks aren't going to come to Orlando to watch ball during the spring and summer. Spring Training is a little different because you can see the Major Leaguers and it's the start of a new season. Still, the complex where the Braves play is always bustling with activity. On this morning, there was a high school softball tournament being played, both boys and girl's lacrosse tournaments and a high school baseball game as well.

Parting Shots

Atlanta finds itself in unfamiliar territory heading into this season. They won't be raising a division championship flag at Turner Field for the first time since Elvis Andrus was three years old. That should put things in perspective. But the Braves' farm system has talent at every level, some of which should prove beneficial to the parent club this year. Last year's solid draft and some quality international signings this offseason have only helped what was already a solid system. So, even if the Braves don't reclaim their throne this season, based on the talent they have coming up, it won't be long before they do.