Tyler Saladino

Position: IF
Born: 7/20/1989
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 200 lb B-T: R-R
Acquired: Drafted 7th round in the 2010 draft out of Oral Roberts
Career Stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #20 – 2010 Postseason
  • #T-8 – 2011 Midseason
  • #4 – 2012 Preseason
  • #17 – 2012 Midseason
  • #14 – 2013 Preseason
  • #23 – 2014 Midseason
  • #16 – 2015 Preseason
  • #13 – 2015 Midseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • International League All-Star, 2014 Midseason
  • Pacific Coast League All-Star, 2019 Midseason

Scouting Report

Tools-wise scouts didn’t seem to love Saladino out of college despite big numbers at Oral Roberts. The power wasn’t expected to translate as a pro, and it appeared it didn’t with just three homers in 2010 after getting drafted. However, Saladino was a big power threat in Winston-Salem in 2011 despite suffering a wrist injury in spring training that kept him out for the first month of the season. He blasted 16 homers and 51 extra base hits in the hitter-friendly home of the Dash.

Saladino struck out 107 times in 2012 and his power dropped both in Double-A Birmingham’s big ballpark and on the road (even though his contact and walk rates improved). The next year he struggled again in Double-A despite repeating the level, and he nearly dropped off the prospect radar. Then in 2014, despite his struggles, he was promoted to Triple-A and had his best year as a pro (.310/.367/.483, 9 HR in 325 PA), until a torn UCL ended his comeback season.

His MLB career peaked with solid showings as a utility player in 2016 with the White Sox and 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s been between Triple-A and the majors since.

Saladino has above average speed and walks a good amount. The power won’t be a huge factor for him going forward, but he’s got enough pop to hit 10-15 HR a year. Contact rates were an issue early on, but he’s improved there. His swing doesn’t have a ton of leverage, but the hands are quick and we’ve seen him turn on fastballs without a problem. Defensively, he has the arm and hands to play any of the skill infield positions (and he’s played mostly 3B in the majors thus far). He’s played all around the horn, along with left field and even first base.