MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Snyder, Turner, Vitters

• The Baltimore Orioles have essentially sold Brandon Snyder to the Rangers, trading the first base prospect to the reigning American League Champions for cash considerations, reports Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  Snyder is no longer a true prospect, having never really taken off with the bat despite finding a home defensively at first base.  With the Orioles logjam at first base, there was little room for Snyder to get at-bats, but depending on the cash return, it still seems like they could have gotten a player in return.  For the Rangers, Snyder could see time as a platoon partner with left-handed hitting Mitch Moreland.
• The Detroit Tigers have let it be known that top prospect Jacob Turner is not untouchable for the right trade offer, notes Jason Beck of MLB.com.  Turner is slated to compete for the team's fifth starter position this spring, and it appears the team would only deal him for a starting pitcher in return.
• Carrie Muskat of MLB.com discusses the possibility of Josh Vitters over-taking Ian Stewart for the Cubs third base job this spring.  Stewart joined the team via trade this off-season and it will be his starting job to lose at the hot corner, but if he struggles and Vitters hits this spring, the depth chart could certainly change.

Prospect Potent Potables - Carter, Royals, and much more

• Now that Triple-A Sacramento's season has ended, the A's will recall top prospect Chris Carter, tweets Susan Slusser.  Carter had an inauspicious stint in the majors earlier this season which saw him go 19 at-bats without a hit.
• The Kansas City Royals have had six prospects named to the USA team for the Pan American Games, reports Kings of Kauffman.  Selected by the committee were Eric Hosmer, Mike Montgomery (who earned a playoff victory on Monday night), Danny Duffy, Tim Collins, Mike Moustakas, and Everett Teaford.  All but Teaford are legitimate prospects.
• Harold Garcia turned himself into a prospect in the Phillies eyes through nothing more than hard work, says Mike Drago of Baseball America.
• The Red Sox may shut Felix Doubront down for the season, not wanting to take any chances with the lefty and his pectoral injury, says Ian Browne of MLB.com.
• Dillon Gee struggled with his command on Monday, but threw six scoreless innings anyway, reports Andy Martino of the NY Daily News.  Not responding as well to big league competition is Lucas Dada, but Mets manager Jerry Manuel is going to stick with the rookie, reports Marty Noble of MLB.com.
• Matt Mangini had a breakout season at the right time, and given the impending turnover on the Mariners roster, should be a player to watch in spring training, says Doug Miller of MLB.com.
• Brian Bogusevic is learning the art of pinch-hitting from a few major league veterans, notes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, which could prove valuable as Bogusevic develops into a 4th outfielder for the Astros.
• The Orioles want to give Brandon Snyder a chance to get comfortable playing in the majors and get an extra look at him before next season, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• John Lamb pitched in the Texas League playoffs Monday night, and Drew Osborne of RoyalsProspects.com has a game report on the lefty's performance.
• Shelby Miller and Jacob Turner were both highly regarded prep arms in the 2009 draft, and John Sickles reports on just close their development has been since joining the Cardinals and Tigers organizations respectively.

Call-Ups and Other Prospect Movement

Notable prospects promoted today...

• Jenrry Mejia (NYM)
• Carlos Carrasco (CLE)
• Yonder Alonso (CIN)
• Jeremy Jeffress (MIL)
• Mat Gamel (MIL)
• J.P. Arencibia (TOR)
• Brandon Snyder (BAL)
• Freddie Freeman (ATL)
• Desmond Jennings (TB)
• Jeremy Hellickson (TB)
• Tyler Flowers (CWS)
• Brandon Allen (ARI)
• Cory Luebke (SD)
• Chris Nelson (COL)

In other news...

• Pat Vindette, the Yankees switch-pitching prospect, has been promoted to Triple-A, reports Mike Ashmore of The Trentonian.
• Dillon Gee should be joining the Mets this week, says Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com.
• Mike Moustakas will not be called up by the Royals this month, says Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star, as the team is choosing to keep its prospects where they will be playing every day rather than have them sit the bench in the majors.
• No one is doubting Aroldis Chapman's abilities at this point, but Jack Moore of FanGraphs.com examines what his stint in the Reds bullpen this fall could do to his contract, and the amount of money he's owed, in the future.

And finally, MLB Prospect Watch would like to welcome Ryan Westmoreland back to the baseball diamond, as the Red Sox top prospect, who has missed the entire 2010 season due to brain surgery this spring.  Westmoreland is going to join the Red Sox Rookie-level affiliate in Lowell to re-acclimate himself to baseball life, says Pete Kerzel of MLB.com.  

Prospect Potent Potables - 8/7

• Now that Jordan Lyles is in Triple-A, there is realistic chance he could make an appearance in Houston by the end of the season, reports Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
• More bad news for the A's regarding Michael Ynoa, as the team is seeking additional medical opinions to determine if the 18-year-old pitcher needs surgery on his ailing elbow, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
• Despite his poor numbers, Casey Kelly feels he's continuing to get better, says Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Orioles' fans were hoping to see Brandon Snyder in Baltimore by now, but there's still enough of the season left to make up for lost time, says Roch Kubatko for Baseball America.
• Rockies' catching prospect Wilin Rosario will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL, reports Daren Smith of MLB.com.
• Rubby de la Rosa has continued his dominant pitching in the Southern League despite some control issues after the Dodgers promoted him two levels.

Notable Prospect Performances - 6/12

Let's take a look at some of the best and worst performances from the guys who are allowed to use their hands...

• A pair of Angels' pitching prospects shined on Friday night, as Tyler Chatwood won his 7th straight California League game, says Daren Smith of MLB.com, and Garrett Richards allowed just one hit over 6 innings of work, reports John Parker for MLB.com.
• Orioles' 1B prospect Brandon Snyder was 2-for-3 with a homerun and two stolen bases while Zach Britton, the team's best pitching prospect still in the minors, allowed just one run in 6 innings, lowering his ERA on the season to 2.84, reports Dean Jones, Jr. of the Baltimore Sun.
• Kyle Gibson has now had two rough starts in a row, after allowing 5 ER in 5 IP on Friday night.
• Lonnie Chisenhall has been hot lately, homering in his second straight game and in three of his last four.
• Mike Moustakas hit his 14th homerun of the season in game 1 of Friday's double-header, but it is his only hit in his past 4 games.  He's still batting .345 on the season, however.
• After a hot start to the season, Padres' pitching prospect Wynn Pelzer has struggled with his command of late, walking 12 batters in his past two starts, including 5 on Friday night.
• Grant Green has been proving his 1st round worth lately, blasting his 4th home run of the season on Friday, and batting .442 over his last 10 games.