MLB Prospect Watch

Position Battles in Camp

• Blake Wood is making a strong case for a spot near the back of the Kansas City Royals' bullpen, says Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
• Gaby Sanchez is in the lead over Logan Morrison for the Marlins' first base job, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, and the decision is based solely on performance.
• Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com expects the Pirates to hold Pedro Alvarez in the minors to start the season because of service time.
• Matt Tuiasosopo is making his case for a spot on the Mariners' bench, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, and he's doing it by showing off his versatility with the glove.

Prospect Performances - 3/11

Your daily wrap up of how prospects are doing in camp.

• Kyle Drabek threw two scoreless innings for the Blue Jays in his first chance to face his former organization, the Philadelphia Phillies, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Mike Leake showed his Reds' team that you don't have to throw 100-mph to be effective, as he threw 2 scoreless innings of his own, reports Tom Singer of MLB.com.
• Jacob Turner, the Tigers' first round pick in 2009, got to face major league hitters for the first time, and struck out one of the best, reports John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press. 
• Marlins' prospect Mike Stanton hit a no-doubter off of Wandy Rodriguez, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
• Blake Wood threw a perfect inning for the Royals on Wednesday, and is becoming a more likely candidate for the team's bullpen, says Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  Wood has been a starter in the minors, but has transitioned smoothly to the bullpen this spring.
• Jared Mitchell won't make the White Sox' roster, but he's leaving a good impression on manager Ozzie Guillen, something that's not easy to do, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• A.J. Pollock got a chance to play for the Diamondbacks Wednesday, and doubled in the first at-bat off live pitching he has had all spring, notes Steve Gilbert in his MLB.com blog.

Prospect Performances - 3/7

We continue to get looks at prospects while they are still in big league camp.

• Aaron Crow worked two scoreless innings fo the Royals on Saturday in his first appearance in a big league uniform, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  The Royals also got a chance to see Rule V draft pick Edgar Osuna and prospect Blake Wood, each of whom threw a scoreless inning, notes Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• Add Fernando Martinez to the list of impressive rookies in Mets' camp.  F-Mart hit two homeruns in a 4-for-4 day against the Nationals, reports Marty Noble of MLB.com.
• Jeremy Hellickson made his Rays debut against the Yankees on Friday, and Kevin Gengler of RaysProspects.com has a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of the young righty's performance.
• Angels fans got to see two prospects in a row, reports Lyle Spencer in his MLB.com blog.  Tyler Chatwood and Trevor Reckling made back-to-back appearances, each throwing two innings.
• Recently acquired Mitch Talbot threw two scoreless innings for the Indians, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Talbot, acquired in an off-season trade with the Rays, is battling to be the Indians' 5th starter.

Best and Worst from 5/11

BEST

• Mike Stanton (FLA) - 2-3, 2B, HR, batting .281
• Neftali Soto (CIN) - 3-3, HR, batting .256
• Austin Jackson (NYY) - 2-4, 2B, batting .365
• Jesus Montero (NYY) - 2-4, 3 RBI, 3B, batting .309
• Brett Wallace (STL) - 3-4, batting .284
• Tim Beckham (TB) - 2-4, 2B, batting .305
• Kris Medlen (ATL) - 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K/3 BB, 0.96 ERA
• Michael Bowen (BOS) - 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K/1 BB, 1.06 ERA
• Matt Maloney (CIN) - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 10 K/1 BB, 2.89 ERA
• Madison Bumgarner (SF) - 6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 K/0 BB, 1.50 ERA in Double-A

WORST

• Blake Wood (KC) - 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 K/0 BB, 6.83 ERA
• Dellin Betances (NYY) - 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 K/1 BB, 4.68 ERA

Best and Worst from 4/29

BEST

• Josh Vitters (CHC) - 2-5, 2B, batting .317
• Beau Mills (CLE) - 3-5, 2 2B, batting .257
• Carlos Santana (CLE) - 2-3, 2 2B, batting .241
• Scott Cousins (FLA) - 3-6, 2B, 3B, HR, batting .225
• Andrew Lambo (LAD) - 3-4, 2B, HR, batting .321
• Brett Lawrie (MIL) - 2-3, 2B, SB,
• Ben Revere (MIN) - 3-5, SB, batting .312
• Ike Davis (NYM) - 3-6, 2B, batting .297
• Adrian Cardenas (OAK) - 3-5, 3B, 5 RBI, batting .355
• Buster Posey (SF) - 2-4, 2B, batting .366
• Brandon Erbe (BAL) - 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 K/1 BB, 0.90 ERA
• Jay Jackson (CHC) - 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 K/3 BB, 6.64 ERA
• Daniel Bard (BOS) - 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 K/1 BB, 1.42 ERA
• Alfredo Aceves (NYY) - 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 3.80 ERA

WORST

• Ryan Royster (TB) - 0-4, 2 K, batting .196
• Luis Exposito (BOS) - 0-4, 3 K, batting .235
• Blake Wood (KC) - 1 1/3 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 K/1 BB, 7.56 ERA