MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - 3/5

Some prospect links for your weekend enjoyment...

• Noel Arguelles threw off of a mound for the first time in Royals' camp, and everyone of importance made the trip to see it, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
• The Oakland A's went above slot to sign Max Stassi in last-year's draft, but his combination of talent and bloodlines should make him worth the investment, notes Jane Lee for MLB.com.
• Sandy Alomar, Jr., who is in Indians' camp as an instructor, praises the defensive work being done by Lou Marson behind the plate, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Add Cubs' bench coach Alan Trammell to the Starlin Castro fan club, notes Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.  Castro, in his first camp, is taking some of the heat off of Andrew Cashner, Muskat says.
• Thank you Pat Andriola of The Hardball Times for finally having some perspective on Jenrry Mejia.
• Bryan Augenstein is in competition for the 5th spot in the Diamondbacks rotation, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

Cashner Battling for Bullpen Spot

In yet another article touting Starlin Castro, this one by Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, Cubs' manager Lou Piniella mentions the possibility of pitching prospect Andrew Cashner making the big league club out of Spring Training.  Cashner has been a starter throughout his minor league career, but the Cubs rotation is virtually set.  If Cashner was to make the Cubs 25-man roster it would be as a reliever.

Cashner has a fastball that can tough the upper 90's and a power curve ball, both of which can be plus pitches, but lacks command and his change up is a work in progress.  Some scouts have questioned whether Cashner's future was in the rotation or as a power arm in the back end of the bullpen, so while this move would be made out of necessity for this year, it may have been something the Cubs were considering all along.

Q & A with MLB.com

The various talented beat writers for MLB.com answered e-mail questions from readers, giving us a better idea about where certain players stand within their organizations and where they may start the 2010 season.  Players mentioned included:

• Starlin Castro (CHC) - SS
• Andrew Cashner (CHC) - SP
• Brett Wallace (TOR) - 1B/3B
• David Cooper (TOR) - 1B
• Kevin Aherns (TOR) - 3B
• Ian Desmond (WAS) - SS
• Justin Turner (BAL) - 2B
• Neil Walker (PIT) - 3B
• Pedro Alvarez (PIT) - 3B
• Jose Tabata (PIT) - OF
• Tony Sanchez (PIT) - C
• Desmond Jennings (TB) - OF
• Reid Brignac (TB) - SS
• Jeremy Hellickson (TB) - SP
• Daniel Schlereth (DET) - RP
• Casper Wells (DET) - OF
• Jesus Montero (NYY) - C

Link: Cubs' Prospects' Fall Performances

Matt Swain over at the blog Wrigley Bound gives out his grades for the Chicago Cubs prospects who participated in the Arizona Fall League.  Players include:

• Starlin Castro
• Andrew Cashner
• John Gaub
• Blake Parker
• Josh Vitters
• James Russell
• Wellington Castillo
• Mike Brenley

Link: More from Law on the AFL

Keith Law of ESPN.com has another scouting update posted from the Arizona Fall League (ESPN Insider subscription needed).  Among the things he saw:

• Chicago Cubs P Andrew Cashner was throwing gas...
• ...but Texas Rangers P Tanner Scheppers was even better.
• The Atlanta Braves may have a bullpen arm for next year in Lee Hyde.
• Not as if we didn't already know this, but Florida Marlins OF Mike Stanton can mash.
• And fellow Marlin Matt Dominguez can pick it at 3B.
• It looks like the holdout might have cost Seattle Mariners RP Josh Fields, and not in cash.