MLB Prospect Watch

Position Battles - Royals, DeJesus, Francisco, Craig, Minor

• It appears that Tim Collins and Aaron Crow have secured spots in the Royals bullpen, according to Michael Engel of KingsofKauffman.com.  Engel also suggests that Nathan Adcock has an above-average chance of claiming a spot on the staff as well.
• Ivan DeJesus, Jr. is in the lead to be the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day second baseman, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
• Juan Francisco is battling with Fred Lewis for the last spot in the Cincinnati Reds bench, says John Fay of the Cincinnati Enqurier.
• The only thing keeping Allen Craig off the Cardinals Opening Day roster would be the team's ability to give him enough at-bats, says Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Mike Minor lost his spring training battle with Brandon Beachy for the final spot in the Braves starting rotation, but if Jair Jurrjens can't make his first scheduled start, it will be Minor that takes his place, says David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

Cuts and Position Battles - Minor, Morel, Ramos, Francisco

• The battle for the final spot in the Braves starting rotation is going to Brandon Beachy, as the Braves optioned Mike Minor to Triple-A on Thursday, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Brent Morel was offically named the White Sox Opening Day starter, says Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• The Nationals have sent Jesus Flores to Triple-A, leaving the door open for Wilson Ramos to be the Opening Day starter behind the plate, says Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• Juan Francisco appears set to make the Reds 25-man roster, playing a left-handed utility role while seeing time at third base, first base, and in the outfield, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

 

Prospect Performances - Nats, Braves, Lyles, Rizzo

• Bryce Harper had a pinch-hit RBI single, but the real story for the Nationals was Danny Espinosa, who reached base safely in all four plate appearances, reports Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Both Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor threw well again in a "B" game as they continue to compete for the Braves final rotation spot, notes David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, although Beachy did have one uncharacteristically wild inning, says Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Jordan Lyles gave up two runs in three innings of work, but the Astros prospect pitched better than his line would suggest, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
• Diamondbacks OF prospect Collin Cowgill blasted a first-inning grand slam off of Randy Wolf.
• Alex Liddi also hit a grand slam for the Mariners, notes Danny Wild of MiLB.com, and Dan Cortes threw a scoreless ninth inning in the victory.
• Trevor Reckling gave up seven earned runs in two innings of work after entering the game for the Angels in a tie ballgame, says Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
• The Padres were led by a pair of rookies on Wednesday, as newly-acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo homered and Cory Luebke allowed just one run over 4 1/3 innings of work, reports Paige Schector of MiLB.com.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Parker, Cox, Beachy

• The biggest happenings in Diamondbacks camp surround a player who likely won't even make the team's Opening Day roster, writes Bob Baum of the Associated Press, who notes that top prospect Jarred Parker should end up in Arizona at some point during the 2011 season and is feeling as good as ever coming off of Tommy John surgery.
• Zack Cox has never had questions about his bat, but there are questions about his glove, both at his natural third base position and whether or not he may be able to transition to second base should the Cardinals ask, which is why he's in camp early putting in lots of extra defensive work, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Brandon Beachy's back-story explains why he has shown he can handle pressure situations, reports Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and why he won't be fazed if he can't crack the Braves rotation this spring.

 

 

Beachy to Start for Braves Tonight

Earlier in the day  David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Atlanta Braves had brought their organizational minor league pitcher of the year, Brandon Beachy, to Philadelphia as a potential emergency starter in case scheduled starter Jair Jurrjens couldn't pitch.  It appears that has become the case, as Jim Bowden was just told by Braves GM Frank Wren that Jurrjens knee will not enable him to start, and that Beachy will make his major league debut tonight against the two-time defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The Braves confirmed the news on their official Twitter page as well.