Avisail Garcia Out with Foot Injury
Detroit Tigers OF prospect Avisail Garcia injured his heel lunging for a base on a close play at first base earlier this week and is out until further notice, reports George Sipple of The Detroit Free Press. His injury all but ends his chances of breaking camp with the major league club this spring.
Although a long-shot, Garcia was in the discussion to fill the Tigers opening in left field at the beginning of the spring. I've argued that he needs more time in the minors, and this injury should do just that, perhaps making it a blessing in disguise. The injury shouldn't keep him out for too long, but it should be enough to help the Tigers make the right direction regarding Garcia and send him to Triple-A for more development.
Heredia May Be Delayed to Begin Season
The Pittsburgh Pirates have displayed a cautious approach when it comes to developing pitching prospects in recent years, and it appears they will take the same strategy in the development of young prospect Luis Heredia. Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com reports that Heredia is set to make his full-season debut this year in Low-A West Virginia of the South Atlantic League, but that that debut may not come at the beginning of the year, as the organization attempts to limit Heredia's innings.
As Williams notes, the Pirates took a similar approach with Jameson Taillon, and if they were that cautious with Taillon, who dealt with a full high school workload, they will certainly be as careful with Heredia, who has seen limited game action (by the Pirates' design) since signing with them at the age of 16. Now still just 18, there is plenty of time for the Pirates to build up his innings, so there's no reason for concern.
Khris Davis Destined for Brewers Bench?
Typically prospects are ticketed for either a starting spot on a major league roster or a trip back to the minors to further their development, but the Brewers may keep outfield prospect Khris Davis in the majors as a fourth outfielder/pinch-hitter, notes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
The move fits for a player like Davis. He's not the caliber of prospect that would make the Brewers hold off on keeping him in the majors for player-control reasons if they feel he can help now, but as a left fielder playing behind all-star Ryan Braun, he's obviously not cracking the starting lineup anytime soon. Davis has just turned 25 and has had over 1,400 minor league plate appearances, so there's not much left for him to prove.
The team may explore his ability to play right field (where he's played just two minor league games) in order to get his bat in the lineup, but he would be below average there. Whether or not Davis can be an everyday player in the majors is still in question, but he does have a bat that could help the Brewers this season, either off the bench or in a part-time role.
