MLB Prospect Watch

Making Moves - Rizzo, Moustakas, Blackmon

We are seeing an influx of prospect talent called to the majors in the past few weeks, as teams either make a last ditch effort to stay in the race, develop a need due to injury, or have seen the estimated "Super-Two" deadline pass and are ready to let their prospects loose. Prospects of all talent levels, from organizational building blocks to role players, are joining their major league clubs, and MLB Prospect Watch is here to keep you up to speed.

• TheSan Diego Padres promoted top prospect Anthony Rizzo to take over as their starting first baseman and the move paid immediate dividends.
• The Kansas City Royals have added the next piece of their future by calling up 3B prospect Mike Moustakas to take over as their starting first baseman and the move paid tweets the team's official site.
• TheNew York Mets have called up OF Lucas Duda reports ESPNNewYork.com.
• The Colorado Rockies called up Charlie Blackmon to play CF for the injured Dexter Fowler.
• The Florida Marlins called up pitching prospect Brad Hand to join their starting rotation .

 

Prospect Action - Perez, Rizzo, Archer, Ranaudo

• Martin Perez struck out 10 batters in 7 2/3 innings of work, which are both career highs for the Rangers left-handed pitching prospect, notes John Parker of MiLB.com.
• Brad Hand took a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Monday night, reports The Florida Times-Union.  That was the good news from the Marlins farm system, but the bad news came in the form of Tom Koehler, who walked five and gave up three earned runs in just two innings of work, notes Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune.
• Jonathan Shoop extended his hit streak to 15 games, reports TheShoreBirds.com, as the Orioles prospect filled in at SS for the injured Manny Machado, who has now missed 11 straight games.  Shoop was originally a SS prospect, but was moved to third base to accommodate the team's top prospect.
• Anthony Rizzo blasted two more home runs on Monday, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com, giving the Padres prospect 12 on the season.
• Rays RHP prospect Chris Archer gave up three runs in five innings of work, but struck out seven, reports The Montgomery Advertiser.
• Braves prospect Zeke Spruill struck out five in a complete game shutout, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• In a possible preview of a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry of the future, Gary Sanchez homered off of Anthony Ranaudo, one of two homers the Sox right-hander would allow.

 

 

Prospect Playoff Action - 9/18

• Brad Hand is doing his part to lead the Jacksonville Suns to the Southern League Championship despite making only one regular season start for the Marlins Double-A affiliate, says Robert Emrich of MLB.com.
• The Tacoma Rainiers captured the Pacific Coast League crown with the help of leadoff hitter Dustin Ackley, who provided the spark the team needed in their extra-inning series clinching win.
• Eric Hosmer continues to hit home runs throughout the Double-A playoffs, helping lead the Royals Double-A affiliate from Northwest Arkansas closer to a Texas League championship, notes John Parker of MLB.com.  John Lamb threw 6 2/3 strong innings in the game, while the only run scored by the Oakland A's affiliate from Midland came via a solo home run by Grant Green, notes RoyalsProspects.com.
• Jason Kipnis hasn't been with the Columbus Clippers for long, but the Indians prospect helped them close out the International League title by hitting for the cycle as the team's DH, says Danny WIld of MLB.com.
• Garrett Richards pitched his Rancho Cucamonga team to a victory on Friday night, helping the Angels' California League affiliate even their championship series at a game a piece, according to Daren Smith of MLB.com.

Making Moves - 9/7

• The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have called up top hitting prospects Hank Conger and Mark Trumbo, reports Evan Drellich of MLB.com.  Trumbo, a first baseman, is a candidate for the minor league player of the year and should be in line for significant at-bats in 2011, while Conger, a catcher, entered the season as the Angels' top prospect and performed solidly, allowing himself an opportunity to battle for the team's starting catcher position next season.  While Conger's bat is certainly close to being major league ready, manager Mike Scioscia is typically hesitant not only to play rookies, but especially play rookie catchers at a position where he puts immeasurable value on defense and experience.
• The Red Sox have called up Josh Reddick and Lars Anderson, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald, and Anderson went 0-for-4 in his major league debut.  Reddick figured out Double-A this season, but struggled initially upon arrival in Triple-A before having a strong final two months.
• The Marlins have moved Kyle Skipworth and Brad Hand up to Double-A for the Southern League playoffs.
• The Pirates promoted 8 more players, including Brad Lincoln, who will work in a relief role for the remainder of the season, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.

Prospect Hot Sheet - 6/25

This week's edition of Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet looks a little different thanks to the start of the summer leagues and all-star breaks in many of the full season leagues.  Here are this week's honorees:

• Dellin Betances
• Domonic Brown
• Jedd Gyorko
• Brad Hand
• Brett Jackson
• Jason Kipnis
• Brandon Laird
• John Lamb
• Brett Lawrie
• Jordan Lyles
• Chris Marrerro
• Tyler Matzek
• Wade Miley
• Aaron Miller
• Matt Moore
• Mike Moustakas
• Michael Pineda
• Domingo Santana
• Brett Wallace
• Chris Withrow

Even during a slow week, some players struggle.  This week it was Peter Bourjos, Aaron Crow, Adeiny Hechavarria.