José Salas has been everything the Marlins expected and more. The Venezuelan surpassed his first minor league season with outstanding results, justifying why he was the team’s main goal in the 2019 international free agent market, when he was offered a $ 2.8 million bonus.
One of the club’s main prospects, the 18-year-old with the ability to hit both sides of the plate, left a 305 / .391 / .405 offensive line with two home runs and 14 steals in a 55-game professional debut. divided between the Rookie League and Class A low.
It seems that it was yesterday that Salas went every day to the patio of the house of Leo Posada, an enormous Cuban teacher of generations of Major League Baseball players, to learn the art of hitting. His family has been vital in his development and very soon this boy will have something to talk about.
During a Christmas party at loanDepot park, Salas spoke to el Nuevo Herald about his plans and dreams.
How do you assess what happened in 2021 in your case?
“I felt very good this year, it’s something I had in mind. This offseason we are training hard to get ready for next year. On the ball you are never at rest. ”
Your first full season in the Minors, was that what you expected?
“All was very good. Everything went the way I wanted and I imagine the team did too. I can’t complain and my goal is to keep growing for the upcoming contest. ”
The competition will be tougher in 2022.
“For me nothing is going to change. I am going to continue doing my thing, things my way, training hard and with God’s favor we will go forward for everything that may come.”
I remember when you were almost a boy in Leo Posada’s patio.
“Those are memories that will always stay in my mind. I never forget the people who have been helping me to get to this point where I am. ”
Also, I remember that your dad took you every day to train.
“I thank God for having a baseball family. Also Leo who helped me a lot. I thank God for being here. I grew up a lot with Leo, my dad, my grandfather. I am what I am because of them. ”
If you allow yourself to dream a little, when do you see yourself in the majors?
“In two years”.
This story was originally published on December 22, 2021 2:49 pm.
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We want to give thanks to the author of this article for this outstanding material
He trained in a Miami patio with an old Cuban teacher, now this Venezuelan makes noise in the Marlins