MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Trout, Harper, Cubs, Braves Invites

• We know Mike Trout is one of the Angels best three outfielders heading into the 2012 season, but Chris Cwik of FanGraphs.com outlines why that may not matter when it comes down to whether or not Trout makes the Opening Day roster.
• Another top-5 prospect battling for a potential starting outfield gig is Bryce Harper in Washington, and while unlike Trout, an argument could be made for Harper getting a little more seasoning in the minors, Nats manager has already come out and said he wants Harper to make the team, points out Dave Cameron of FanGraphs.com, who lays out the potential costs of making such a move.
• The Cubs have announced that they will be opening up a new facility in the Dominican Republic, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.  It will be the largest facility in the D.R.  Despite current contributions from players like Starlin Castro and Carlos Marmol, the Cubs have not been huge players in Latin America in the past decade, choosing to spend the majority of their international budget in the Pacific Rim, especially Taiwan.
• The Atlanta Braves have announced the rest of their spring training non-roster invites, with Sean Gilmartin and Zeke Spruill leading the way for the pitchers, and catcher Christian Bethancourt, third baseman Joey Terdoslavich, and shortstop Andrelton Simmons rounding out the hitters, reports TalkingChop.com.

Prospect Action - Choice, Lobstein, Cowart, Lombardozzi

• A's pitching prospect Carlos Hernandez surrendered six runs in 5 1/3 innings, also allowing 11 hits in his worst start in months, notes the Sacramento Bee.  In California League action, OF prospect Michael Choice blasted his 28th home run of the season.
• Andrelton Simmons had a career night, as the Braves prospect drove in seven runs, knocked three hits, and stole a base, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Marlins prospect Dan Jennings allowed four runs out of the bullpen on Monday night, notes Tim Grubbs of NOLA.com.
• Rays lefty prospect Kyle Lobstein tossed six shutout innings, striking out six, according to ClawDigest.com.  Lobstein was supported on offense by Hak-Ju Lee, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and a steal.
• In other prospect news...
  • Red Sox SS prospect Xander Bogaerts went 4-for-5 with a home run.
  • Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer, but was outdone by teammate Taylor Lindsey, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles.
  • Steve Lombardozzi continues to show why the Nationals were unwilling to part with him at the trade deadline, as the 2B prospect knocked his 4th home run of the season.  Teammate Chris Marrero blasted a homer and a double as well.
  • Astros pitching prospect Ross Seaton tossed six shutout innings, fanning six.
  • Blue Jays prospect Drew Hutchison allowed just one hit over six innings of work.

 

Blogs Track Teams - 5/2/11

• Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com wraps up the Bucco action, including a multi-hit day from Jarek Cunningham.
• RaysProspects.com fills us in on Alex Torres' latest start and other Rays prospect action.
• PineTarPress.com recaps our Royals action, including a solid Sunday at the plate for Johnny Giavotella.
• Jarred Massey of LAdodgertalk.com reports on the Dodgers farm system, including a rough day at the plate for Leon Landry.
• Orioles-Nation.com notes solid days at the plate throughout the O's system, but specifically in Delmarva with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop.
• TalkingChop.com breaks down the Braves action, including Andrelton Simmons and his 3-hit day.
• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com recaps the Reds results, including a home run by Yonder Alonso.
• BluebirdBanter.com has all the Blue Jays prospect action, including three more hits for Brett Lawrie.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Francisco, Brentz, Taillon

• Juan Francisco has had another dominant winter in the Dominican Winter League, notes John Fay for Baseball America, but success didn't come without a price, as the Reds prospect had his winter cut short after he fouled a ball off his leg last month and had to eventually be hospitalized to get his knee drained where the injury occurred, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
• The Boston Red Sox still believe in Bryce Brentz's talent and pedigree, despite his struggles at the plate in 2010, says Alex Speier of Baseball America.
• Almost as impressive as Jameson Taillon's ability on the mound is his make-up off of it, says Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who discusses the maturity and polish of the Pirates 19-year-old pitching prospect.
• The Braves decided to keep Andrelton Simmons as an everyday player despite his high-90's fastball off the mound, and whether he ever hits or not, he should have some value due to his plus defensive ability, notes Bill Ballew of Baseball America.

 

 

Making Moves - 6/13

• The Braves have promoted pitcher Arodys Vizcaino to High-A Myrtle Beach, reports Talking Chop.com.  Vizcaino will join Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran to form a dangerous Myrtle Beach rotation.  The team also signed second round pick Andrelton Simmons, who wants to be a short stop, but the Braves may make a pitcher.
• The Cubs have added Mitch Atkins to their major league bullpen, reports Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
• The Red Sox put Cuban SS Jose Iglesias on the DL last week after he was struck on the hand by a pitch, but could be back by the end of this week, reports John Tomase of the Boston Herald.
• The Oakland A's signed 17 of the players they selected in last week's draft, reports Alex Espinoza of MLB.com.