Juan Salas

From BR Bullpen

Juan Salas

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.

Debut September 5, 2006
Born November 7, 1978 in Santo Domingo, D.R.

[edit] Biographical Information

Juan Salas was the first major leaguer suspended for positive drug tests in 2007, being served with a 50-game suspension.

Salas was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as an amateur free agent in 1998. He debuted in 1999 with the Princeton Devil Rays, hitting .259/~.305/.337 as a utility infielder. He split 2000 between the Hudson Valley Renegades (.268/.344/.385, 16 doubles in 231 AB) and the Charleston RiverDogs (.241/.270/.305 in 60 games) as a regular option at third base. In 2001, Juan struggled with Charleston, only hitting .228/.255/.332 with 93 strikeouts and 17 walks in 500 AB and 15 times caught stealing in 24 tries.

Salas fared well with the 2002 Bakersfield Blaze, batting .323/.349/.419. Had he qualified, he would have been thirdi n the California League in average. The Dominican third sacker split 2003 between Bakersfield (.321/.365/.511 in 37 games) and the Orlando Rays (.272/.297/.348 in 75 games).

In 2004, Juan spent all year at AA, producing at a .246/.277/.345 clip for the Montgomery Biscuits and fielded .938 in 78 games at third. He only drew 9 walks.

Salas moved to the mound in 2005. He split the season between Montgomery (1-0, 3.68 in 15 games) and the Visalia Oaks (2-1, 1 Sv, 3.52, 47 K in 38 1/3 IP).

Juan was even sharper in 2006. In 35 innings for Montgomery, he allowed no earned runs (four runs total) and only 13 hits while striking out 52. He was 3-0 with 14 saves in 23 games. With the Durham Bulls, Salas went 1-1 with 3 saves and a 1.57 ERA, allowing a .149 average with 10.36 K/9. He debuted in the majors, with 8 games for the 2006 Devil Rays (0-0, 5.40). He faced one batter in the 2006 Futures Game and retired them. Baseball America rated him the #18 prospect in the Southern League and the best reliever. Overall, his .128 opponent average was second-lowest among minor leagues behind Troy Cate's .127.

Salas was 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in his first 15 games for the 2007 Devil Rays before he was suspended for 50 games for a positive banned-substance test.

Sources: 2000-2007 Baseball Almanacs, MLB.com