Braves sign 18-year-old Dominican prospect for $1.6 million

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Braves and Dominican shortstop prospect Edward Salcedo have agreed to a deal worth $1.6 million. Salcedo has been on the prospect radar for several years and nearly signed with the Indians for a reported $2 million back in 2007, but O’Brien notes that “the deal fell apart because of questions about whether he was old enough to sign with a major league organization.” MLB recently conducted an official investigation at the Braves’ request and found that Salcedo was born on July 30, 1991. So now the Braves have an 18-year-old shortstop prospect who O’Brien describes as “a strong defensive player and a better hitter, with a line-drive swing and good power potential.” He’ll likely begin this season at Single-A, but it sounds like the Braves think the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has the potential to move pretty quickly up the organizational ladder.