standing out

With the addition of Carl Crawford to their lineup, the Boston Red Sox have an imposing group. All-Stars everywhere … except catcher. Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s name stands out because it doesn’t seem to belong. The former Mississippi Brave is penciled in as the BoSox’s No. 1 backstop and No. 9 hitter, seemingly by default. “Salty” was once a prized Braves prospect but hasn’t done much at the big league level: .248 with 23 homers in 250 games. He also has had some defensive issues in the past. Maybe it’ll help that he’s overshadowed by all the big stars. Less pressure to perform. But that only works to a point. In Boston, there’s always going to be scrutiny. It could get tough for “Salty.”
P.S. Former M-Braves lefty Scott Diamond was plucked by the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 draft. Diamond’s record in two years in Pearl was just 9-16, but his ERA was 3.50 and he struck out 201 in 233 1/3 innings. He was 4-1 with a 3.36 ERA the latter part of 2010 at Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s got big league potential, for sure. And Atlanta could get him back if he doesn’t stick with the Twins’ major league team in the spring. … Ex-M-Brave Jeff Francoeur landed in Kansas City, where so many former Braves have gone to play for ex-Braves farm director Dayton Moore. Considering how irrelevant KC has been over the last 25 years or so, will we ever hear from Francoeur again? … Former Meridian Community College star Paul Phillips, a well-traveled catcher, signed a minor league deal with Cleveland on Wednesday. That’s a club he could make. … Mark Feb. 4 on your calendar. Belhaven opens its season that day at Smith-Wills Stadium against Blue Mountain, which is launching its inaugural baseball campaign.