MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Rockies Invites, Brentz, Cosart, Galvis, Concepcion

• The Colorado Rockies have announced their non-roster invites to spring training, notes Thomas Harding of MLB.com.  Position players Nolan Arenado, Tim Wheeler and Kent Matthes will be in attendance, as well as pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz.
• Mike Newman of FanGraphs.com breaks down Red Sox OF prospect Bryce Brentz, who had a monster 2011 season but doesn't profile as a dynamic player at the next level.
• Jarred Cosart should begin the 2012 season in Double-A, but he's been working out this off-season in the big-league park of his new organization, the Houston Astros, having grown up practically in it's back yard, reports Brian McTaggart for HoustonAstros.com.
• Now that the Phillies have re-signed Jimmy Rollins to a long-term deal, Freddy Galvis' path to the big-leagues is blocked, points out Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.  But that still gives the Phillies the option of using him in the majors this year as a back-up infielder, a role best suited to his current abilities, or sending him back down to the minors to see if his bat develops.
• The Cubs have signed Gerardo Concepcion, an 18-year-old LHP who defected from Cuba last June, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.  The team has reportedly signed a multi-year major league deal with the club.

Prospect Hot Sheet - 4/22

Baseball America released their weekly Prospect Hot Sheet yesterday, with a number of new names not featured in week one.  Making an appearance on this week's list are:

• Mark Cohoon
• Jaff Decker
• Danny Duffy
• Jedd Gyorko
• Yasmani Grandal
• Billy Hamilton
• Brad Holt
• Jae-Hoon Ha
• Eric Hosmer
• Brett Jackson
• Tom Koehler
• Jefry Marte
• Marcell Ozuna
• Jacob Petricka
• Anthony Rizzo
• Jonathan Schoop
• Eric Thames
• Alex Torres
• Kolbrin Vitek
• Alex White

Appearing on the bad part of the list this week are Zack Cosart, Yorman Rodriguez, Joe Cruz, and Trevor May.  Decker and Jackson are the only players to appear on both lists thus far this season.

 

Blogs Track Teams - 4/10/11

• IndiansProspectInsider.com has the details on Jason Kipnis' 3-RBI day and Alex White's no-decision, as well as other Indians info.
• TalkingChop.com has the info on Matt Lipka's removal from his game after one inning and other Braves happenings.
• Steve Foster of InsidetheRockies.com comments on Tyler Matzek's up and down day, Tim Wheeler's hot hitting, and other Rockies results.
• Jared Massey of LAdodgertalk.com updates us on the performances of Dee Gordon, Scott Elbert and Leon Landry, and other Dodgers prospects.
• Jack Dempsey of PineTarPress.com has the details on the first starts of the season for Danny Duffy and Will Smith, a rough day for Mike Moustakas, and other Royals prospect happenings.
• Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com mentions Starling Marte's big day at the plate and other Pirate performances.
• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com tells us about Dave Sappelt and his continued hot start, Juan Duran's first good day at the plate this season, and other Reds info.
• Jordan Tuwiner of Orioles-Nation.com checks in with results on Manny Machado's double-header day and other Orioles outcomes.
• FutureRedbirds.com makes note of Maikel Cleto's solid debut and other Cardinal prospect notes.
• Josh Norris of MinorMatters.com mentions Jesus Montero's homer, Slade Heathcott's extra-base power, and other Yankee updates.

 

Trout, Chisenhall, Turner Among Victims on Roster Cutdown Day

• The Pirates sent ten players away from major league camp on Monday, including prospects Daniel Moskos and Gorkys Hernandez who were optioned to Triple-A, prospect Jeff Locke who was optioned to Double-A, and Andrew Lambo and Chase D'Arnaud who were not on the 40-man roster and were re-assigned to minor league camp, but both of whom will also begin the season in Triple-A, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• The Angels made a round of cuts on Monday that included top prospect Mike Trout and pitchers Trevor Reckling and Loek Van Mil, reports Owen Perkins of MLB.com.
• Greg Halman was optioned to Triple-A by the Mariners on Monday, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• The Royals optioned both second base prospect Jeff Bianchi and outfield prospect Derrick Robinson to Double-A, says Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• The Indians re-assigned Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White, and Jason Kipnis to minor league camp, as well as optioned Nick Weglarz and Zach McAllister to Triple-A, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• The Astros re-assigned Koby Clemens, Jiovanni Mier, Doug Arguello, Jon Gaston and J.D. Martinez, to minor league camp on Monday, says Farmstros.com.
• The Tigers have re-assigned catchers Patrick Leyland and Bryan Holaday to minor league camp, and have optioned Cale Iorg, Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner to Double-A, says DetroitTigerTales.com.
• The Orioles optioned first base prospect Joe Mahoney to Triple-A, says Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.

 

Prospect Performances - Viciedo, A's, Dominguez, Indians

• Dayan Viciedo paced the White Sox with three hits on Tuesday, and catching prospect Tyler Flowers added a home run.
• Michael Taylor hit his second homer of the spring for the A's, one of two hits on the day for the OF prospect, raising his batting average to just .150, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Short stop prospect Grant Green singled in his only at-bat, while 2010 first-rounder Michael Choice went 1-for-2.  Anthony Rizzo doubled in the game for the Padres.
• Matt Dominguez hit his second homer of the spring, showing the Marlins that his bat is catching up with his glove, says Jason Beck of MLB.com.
• Ryan Lavarnway hit a two-run homer to help the Red Sox win a split-squad game on Tuesday, says Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Cory Vaughn hit a game-tying two-run homer in the 9th inning, but the Mets lost in extras, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
• It was good news and bad news for the Indians on Tuesday, as third base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall continued to hit everything in sight, knocking four more hits and raising his batting average to .550 for the spring, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Unfortunately, fellow prospect Alex White struggled mightily on the mound for the Tribe, giving up four runs and seven hits in two innings of work.  Corey Kluber was even worse, allowing four runs in one-third of an inning.