Photo from 406mtsports.com
22yo LHP Jose Salvador got the call on 6/8/22 as he was promoted from the Low-A Inland Empire 66ers to the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils. Congrats to Salvador on this big next step on his path to The Show.
Salvador was an International Signing of the Cincinnati Reds back in 2018. Salvador debuted in the 2018 season in the Dominican Summer League(DSL). The then 18yo Salvador dominated the competition at the DSL posting a 1.18ERA over 53.1IP and 72K. The look earned him a move to the states that Red's moved him to the Arizona Rookie League, where he joined the Appalachian League affiliate Greenville Reds.
Salvador got off to a rough start in his first four starts with the Greenville Reds as he posted a 7.47ERA and allowed 23H over 15.2IP. However, he turned it around over his last seven starts, and he threw 30.2IP with a 3.82ERA and 43K and earned a promotion to the Pioneer League Billings Mustangs. With Billings, he helped them earn a spot in the playoffs in 2019 as he posted a 3.86ERA in 11.2IP and 15K-6BB.
Salvador was PTBNL in a deal between the Angels and Reds during the 2020 season when the Angels traded OF Brian Goodwin to the Reds. After not pitching in 2020 due to the pandemic and canceled season, Salvador found himself with the Low-A Inland Empire 66ers to begin the 2021 season.
2021 was the 21yo first taste competition with an A in the title for the level. The 6'2" lefty struggled. In 17GS(games started) for the 66ers, he pitched to a 5.91ERA over 96.0IP, allowing 100H, 63ER with 115K-47BB and allowed opponents a .272BA against him. It is worth noting that he has struggled to miss bats thus far in his career. However, he only allowed 10HR during the 2021 season.
Post pandemic wasn't pretty for the young man; however, now adjusted to the California League, Low-A ball, and being stateside, Salvador found himself in 2022 thus far. In 10GS, he has worked to a 2.66ERA in 47.1IP, allowing 42H and 2HR while racking up an impressive 68K-15BB and only allowing opposing hitter a .228BA against him.
Through his MiLB career, the lefty is 13-13 in 53GS, with a 4.06ERA over 254.2IP with 327K-101BB and opposing batters hitting .239BA against him. Salvador is one of my favorite builds for a young pitcher in the minors; he pitches directly to contact, as seen by his career 8.13H/9, while not giving up HR to truly hurt his team as he holds a dismal 0.67HR/9 in his career. If he can maintain and improve his 3.80RS/9 and keep the Dust Devils in games, he should be a valuable piece.
The pitch mix for Salvador is also exciting as he brings a fastball that can range from 90-96MPH, mixed with an above-average curveball that often looks like a + curve if he has it working for him. He also has an average changeup that is still developing. He does throw the changeup with good arm speed and close to the same slot as the fastball.
Join me in welcoming Salvador to High-A and the Tri-Cities! He will make his High-A debut against the Canadians in game one of a double header on Friday, June 10th.
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