MLB Prospect Watch

Winter League Recap - 11/9

Arizona Fall League

• Dan Merklinger earned his first AFL win of the fall, tossing three scoreless innings and getting run support from Michael Taylor and Kyle Skipworth, who both doubled in the Desert Dogs three-run fifth inning.
• Andrew Lambo hit a walk-off grand slam to cap a 6-run bottom of the ninth comeback for the Solar Sox.  Jeremy Jeffress was pulled two batters before the slam, but he was charged with four of the six runs in the inning, failing to record an out in the four batters he faced.
• The Saguaros scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to go up 6-4 and take the lead for good, behind three straight hits from the top of their order - Ben Revere, Eduardo Escobar, and Leslie Anderson.  Dustin Ackley reached base three more times in the loss.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Rays pitching prospect Alexander Torres threw five shutout innings to earn his first VWL win of the winter, striking out 11 batters in the process.
• Wilson Ramos wend 2-for-4 with a home run to help propel his Tigres team to a 6-0 victory.

Dominican Winter League

• Fernando Abad gave up one earned run over four innings of work on Tuesday , striking out three.
• Josh Reddick drove in three of the Gigantes eight runs to help lead them to an 8-5 victory.  Fellow Red Sox prospect Yamaico Navarro hit a two-run home run in the loss.

 

 

Winter League Recap - 10/28

Arizona Fall League

• The Saguaros put a 15-1 spanking on the Desert Dogs on Thursday, led by multiple-hit games by Ben Revere, Eduardo Escobar, Devin Mesoraco, Joe Benson, and others.
• The Javelinas connected for three home runs off of B.J. Rosenberg in the 6th inning, including one by Koby Clemens, en route to a 6-4 victory over the Solar Sox.
• Sammy Solis gave up eight hits and five runs (two earned) in five innings of work, but the Scorpions fought back behind Conor Gillespie's 4-hit, 2-home run day to win 9-5.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Mark Trumbo hit two home runs (one off of Mariners relief prospect Dan Cortes) and drive in six in the Navegantes 12-8 victory over the Cardenales.  Alex Liddi struck out three times in the loss.

Dominican Winter League

• Josh Reddick reached base four times, but it wasn't enough offense for the Gigantes as they fell to the Tigres 6-3.  Yamaico Navarro and Carlos Peguero each had a hit in the victory for the Tigres.

 

AFL Weekend Wrap-up

Thursday, October 14th

• The Mesa Solar Sox took down Surprise Rafters 11-6 thanks to a 19-hit onslought led by Cubs third base prospect Josh Vitters, who went 3-for-6 with a double.
• Despite 23 combined hits, both Peoria teams played to a 4-4 tie in 11 innings.  Twins outfield prospect Ben Revere had four hits for the Saguaros and stole two bases while Red Sox catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway hit the game's only home run for the Javelinas.
• Austin Romine led the Phoenix Desert Dogs to a 5-1 victory in Scottsdale with a 3-for-5 day at the plate and a stolen base.  Grant Green also had two hits for Phoenix as the A's short stop prospect got the start at third base.  Brandon Belt went 2-for-4 with a double for Scottsdale.

Friday, October 15th

• Indians second base prospect Jason Kipnis hit a triple and a home run to lead the Javelinas to a 13-5 victory over the Saguaros.  Jose Iglesias and Ben Revere each had three hits apiece.
• Tigers pitching prospect Chance Ruffin blew a save for the Surprise Rafters, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.  Andrew Lambo homered in the vistory for the Solar Sox.
• The Scottsdale Scorpions posted 17 hits, led by Orioles prospect Xavier Avery's 4-hit day.  Brandon Belt chipped in with two doubles as well and Erik Cordier took the loss for Phoenix.

Saturday, October 16th

• Michael Taylor's 3-hit day wasn't enough suport for Phoenix pitching, which allowed ten runs to the Surprise Rafters in a loss.
• A pair of Nationals prospects led the way for Scottsdale, as Derek Norris continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-4 day, and 2010 draft pick Samy Solis got his first AFL start, giving up one earned run over three innings of work.
• Josh Vitters hit his first AFL home run in Mesa's 10-1 rout of the Saguaros.

 

Making Moves - 9/4

Even after all the prospect promotions at the start of the month, there are stil moves to be made...

• Brent Morel could be added to the White Sox roster soon, and will be used as a defensive replacement, says Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• The Phillies may call up Vance Worley to make a spot start in the second game of their Monday doubleheader, reports Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The Phils also made some decisions regarding former top picks, as Joe Savery will head to Clearwater to participate in the Florida Instructional League in hopes of becoming a hitter, while Anthony Hewitt has been excused from the league so that he can take some time off from baseball after a difficult season, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Ben Revere may join the Twins soon to help fill a void in their depleted outfield, reports Kelly Thesier of MLB.com.  The team has also moved pitcher Carlos Gutierrez to the bullpen, a move they have made before, but this time likely for good, according to Phil Miller of Baseball America.
• Zach Lee may have been a tough sign, but Kevin Baxter of Baseball America explains how the Dodgers were able to get it done.
• Despite his relief role this season, the Rangers still plan on developing Michael Kirkman as a starter for the future, says T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

Prospect Potent Potables - 8/18

• The Orioles managed to sign top draft pick Manny Machado just before the August 16th signing deadline, and after a physical, he should report to Sarasota and play in some Gulf Coast League games this season, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• It's been a mixed season for Twins' OF prospects, as the team was forced to demote Joe Benson for a month to build his confidence enough to hit at Double-A, says Phil Miller of Baseball America, while fellow prospect Ben Revere was cementing his prospect status with another solid season until he was struck in the face by a pitch and saw his season come to an end, notes Stephanie Storm of MiLB.com.
• Andrew Lambo, who had begun to re-established his top-prospect status upon arriving in the Pirates' organization, suffered a separated shoulder this weekend, but will play through the discomfort, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• Nationals' prospect Destin Hood appears to be learning how to put his athleticism to good use on a baseball field, says Jim Shonerd of Baseball America.