Jarrod Saltalamacchia

2013

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2012

Saltalamacchia overcame a tough start to the season to be a pretty reliable backstop with some occasional power and had the most plate appearances of his career. He wore down toward the end of the season and that was reflected in his .191 average over the final two months. It looks like the team will give prospect Ryan Lavarnway a shot to earn a job on the major league roster, though he's not ready to take over the load full time. Saltalamacchia will be right back at it for Boston in 2012.

2011

In the early stages of the offseason, Saltalamacchia is considered Boston's catcher on Opening Day. And that may very well be the case, but the Red Sox aren't exactly comfortable giving him the keys to the car every day -- at least not until we see what transpires in spring training. Saltalamacchia may develop during the exhibition season and the team will feel confident in him, but there's nothing in his recent history to suggest that 2011 is any different than 2009 or 2010 when he was given a shot as the Rangers' everyday backstop.

2010

Salty had his season effectively ended in early August due to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, but failed to hit (again) when he was healthy earlier in the season (.233/.290/.371, 22:97 BB:K in 283 at-bats). Of concern was his dropoff against righties (.235/.294/.369 in 187 at-bats), which he had shown some competency to hit in the previous two seasons. His winter ball stint ended with additional shoulder discomfort, though it was deemed "normal" by the doctor that performed surgery in August. Texas was said to be in the market for a catcher this winter, in part due to Salty's injury and in part due to his anemic bat. His career line of .251/.314/.389 in 789 at-bats are a far cry from what was expected as a prospect in the Braves' system, and there's been no sign of growth to get too excited about going forward.

2009

As Salty's minor league totals get further and further away in the rear view mirror, one has to accept the fact that his career major-league numbers (.261/.327/.399, 149 Ks in 506 at-bats) just aren't very good. He battled a groin injury early on, and a forearm injury ended his season in early September. He continued to show some value as a possible platoon player, hitting .311/.426/.451 in 122 at-bats against righties (.290/.335/.461 in 193 at-bats against righties in 2007), but a lot more was expected of him coming up through the minors. His name surfaced in numerous winter trade talks, but nothing beyond tire kicking. There's still value if he lands in a situation where his exposure against lefties is limited. The trade of Gerald Laird to Detroit frees up some at-bats.

2008

Salty split time between first base and catcher all season, but Texas announced over the winter that he'll go back to being a full-time catcher. His major league debut (.266/.310/.422 overall, .252/.290/431 with Texas) wasn't as good as hoped, but his numbers against righties (.290/335/.461 in 193 at-bats) show some promise even if he's limited to a platoon role. How much he'll play largely depends on what Texas decides to do with Gerald Laird.

2007

Despite a subpar year in the minors, Saltalamacchia is still regarded as perhaps the top hitting prospect in the Atlanta system. He made a strong impression in big league spring training, but then slumped in the first half with Double-A Mississippi by hitting just .197/.311/.297 and struggled with a sore wrist. Scouts and coaches said his defense improved despite his problems at the plate and he rebounded somewhat in the second half of the season and had a strong limited AFL campaign (.565 with three home runs in 23 at bats). With the Braves set at catcher for some time with Brian McCann, "Salty" might be a candidate to be traded this offseason. He'll start the year at Double-A and there's been talk he could be moved to first base if the Braves want to move his bat into the lineup quicker with McCann around.

2006

Saltalamacchia may be the top prospect in the Braves organization after hitting .314/.394/.519 for High-A Myrtle Beach with 19 home runs at age 20. He seems to have everything you'd want in a catcher: raw power, a good eye at the plate, a strong arm and he hits well from both sides of the dish. About the only negative is that Atlanta already has a young phenom catcher at the major league level in Brian McCann. He'll need a full season at Double-A before becoming a factor in the majors, but he's a keeper to grab in deeper leagues.