MLB Prospect Watch

Big Day of Cuts - Harper, Rizzo, Pomeranz

Saturday saw a number of teams make significant roster cut downs as all teams approach the March 15th roster cut-down deadline (the last date a team has to assign an injured player to a minor league club - meaning that if a player is still in camp after that date and gets injured, the team can't send him to the minors, which is a risk teams are rarely willing to take for a few extra spring at-bats).  

Among the most notable moves was the Nationals re-assignment of Bryce Harper to Class-A Hagerstown, tweets Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  The move itself is not surprising, as it had already been reported that Harper was slated to begin his first full season in the South Atlantic League, but it does bring an end to an impressive two-week stretch from the 18-year-old Harper, who this time next year, could be legitimately competing for a roster spot.

As always, you can keep up-to-date on all the prospects who were in big league camp, and who still remain, on our spring training prospect page, Below is a list of the other prospects who were sent away from big league camp on Saturday:

• The Kansas City Royals re-assigned LHP's Chris Dwyer, John Lamb, and Will Smith to minor league camp, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  None of the three were on the 40-man roster.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Bryan Morris to Triple-A and re-assigned LHP Rudy Owens to minor league camp, reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
• The Philadelphia Phillies optioned RHP Justin De Fratus, 2B Harold Garcia, 1B Matt Rizzotti and RHP J.C. Ramirez to Double-A and re-assigned Michael Schwimer to minor league camp, reports David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.  Surviving the cuts for now, however, was reliever Mike Stutes.
• The San Diego Padres optioned RHP Simon Castro to Triple-A and re-assigned 1B Anthony Rizzo and 3B James Darnell to minor league camp, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com.
• The Baltimore Orioles optioned RHP's Brandon Erbe and Chorye Spoone to Triple-A and re-assigned catcher Caleb Joseph to minor league camp, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• The Cleveland Indians have optioned RHP Corey Kluber to Triple-A and have re-assigned RHP Nick Hagadone, LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Hector Rondon, LHP Kelvin de la Cruz, and RHP Bryce Stowell to minor league camp, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• The Tampa Bay Rays optioned LHP Alex Torres to Triple-A, says RaysProspects.com.
• The Seattle Mariners have optioned 3B Alex Liddi and OF Carlos Peguero to Triple-A and OF Johermyn Chavez to Double-A, reports Larry Stone of The Seattle Times.
• The Boston Red Sox optioned RHP Stolmy Pimentel and SS Oscar Tejada to Double-A, and have re-assigned RHP Alex Wilson, C's Ryan Lavarnway and Tim Federowicz, and OF Che-Hsuan Lin to minor league camp, reports Ian Browne of MLB.com.

 

Injury Updates - Brown, Hellickson, Brackman

• Domonic Brown had surgery to repair the hamate bone in his right hand today, and while he should be out for 4-to-6 weeks, he could be swinging a bat again in two, says David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.  It is unknown where the Phillies will place the rookie right fielder upon his return, as Brown had been struggling mightily this spring before the injury.
• Jeremy Hellickson threw a bullpen session on Sunday that included 34 pitches, and his balky hamstring gave him no issues, putting him on track to appear in his first spring game for the Rays this Friday, reports Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
• Andrew Brackman faced hitters over the weekend, and his next appearance could come in a game for the Yankees, says Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
• Orioles pitching prospect Brandon Erbe is still working his way back from surgery he had last August to repair his torn labrum, and hopes to be back by mid-season, reports Jeff Zrebiec of MLB.com.
• Anel de los Santos, a catcher in the Angels farm system, will miss 8-to-10 weeks with a torn thumb ligament, reports Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.

 

Injury Updates - Hellickson, Schafer, Parker, Erbe

As Spring Training gets underway, and throughout the season,  MLB Prospect Watch will keep you up to date on all the prospect injury news.  You can go directly to all of our injury updates by clicking our Injury Update link in the sidebar on the left.

• Jeremy Hellickson complained of some tightness in his hamstring yesterday as he threw his bullpen, but the Rays say it is of no concern and he was able to complete his workout uninterrupted, reports Marc Topkin of TampaBay.com.
• After being named the Brewers Minor League Player of the Year in 2009, Logan Schafer had what was essentially a lost year in 2010, thanks to an array of injuries.  This spring, he's back to full health and trying to pick up where he left off last year, says Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
• Jarrod Parker's elboy feels great after Tommy John surgery, but it's his hamstring that is still feeling the effects, reports Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.  Parker does not have the tendon in his forearm usually used to replace the torn elbow tendon during the procedure, so one from his hamstring was used.  The hamstring does not prevent the Diamondbacks top prospect from any of his scheduled throwing.
• Brandon Erbe is starting from scratch after surgery to repair a torn labrum, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, but the Orioles pitching prospect hopes to miss only a few weeks of the minor league season as he gets his arm back in game shape.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Chapman, Erbe, Stoneburner

• The Reds may be leaning towards leaving Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen for the time being, reports Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, this according to general manager Walk Jocketty.
• Once a highly-touted prospect within the Orioles system, injuries and inconsistency have jeopardized Brandon Erbe's status in the team's plans for the future.  His latest setback was surgery to repair a torn labrum, a procedure that ended his 2010 season, but should allow him enough recovery time to be ready to throw again by spring training, according to Roch Kubatko of Baseball America.
• The Indians are excited about second-round pick LeVon Washington, who they will play in center field and hope to get into full-season ball in 2011, says Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
• The Padres inked Dominican outfielder Edwin Moreno last week, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.  The 17-year-old lefty was delayed in signing after he failed a drug test as an amateur.
• The Yankees think that pitching prospect Graham Stoneburner compares favorably to current major leaguer Jake Westbrook, according to George King of Baseball America.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - 8/11

• The Cubs received OF Evan Crawford from the Giants in return for 2B Mike Fontenot, reports Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, and also called up INF Darwin Barney to fill Fontenot's spot on the roster.  Crawford is a speedster who doesn't know how to properly use his plus speed, as evidenced by his 54% SB success rate this season and low OBP (.319).  Barney was one of the leaders of the Oregon State championship squad, but as a professional has not shown any power or the ability to get on base consistently.  He can, however, be a useful defender at any infield position (despite playing primarily SS in the minors) and does not strike out very often.
• It seems every time the Rays promote a young pitcher to the majors, they have another prospect right behind him dominating in the minors.  This year, it's Matt Moore that has established himself as a premier prospect, according to Marc Topkin in Baseball America.
• Delino DeShields, Jr. made his professional debut yesterday with an 0-for-5 performance leading off for the Astros' GCL team, says Farmstros.com.  DeShields should be joining the team's Rookie-level team in Greenville soon.
• Caleb Gindl may not be putting up the numbers this year that he has in the past, but the Brewers' prospect is certainly holding his own while making the transition to the upper-minors while also learning to play centerfield, writes Tom Haudricourt for Baseball America.
• Brandon Erbe will have surgery to repair his torn labrum, says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.  This is a major blow to the up-and-down career of the Orioles' 2005 third-round pick.
• The injury that ended Wilin Rosario's season is even more of a shame because of how well the Rockies' catching prospect was beginning to hit the ball, says Jack Etkin for Baseball America.