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.

 

Notable Prospect Performances - 6/2

• Aroldis Chapman turned in his longest start as a professional, allowing just two runs over 7 innings, reports The Cincinnati Enquirer.
• Mike Stanton launched two more home runs, bring his minor-league leading total to 20 on the season.  It's surprising the Marlins haven't given him even a little bit of time in Triple-A before his inevitable promotion to the majors.
• The Rangers' organizational pitching depth is so deep that prospects like Robbie Ross often get overlooked, but throwing 1-hitters will help him get noticed, according to Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Matt Angle and Caleb Joseph may be blocked in the Orioles' organization by two of the team's biggest names, but both are making a case for consideration, reports Dean Jones, Jr. of the Baltimore Sun.
• Greg Halman's two-homer night shows why the Mariners will continue to give the inconsistent prospect chances to succeed.
• Hector Noesi tossed 6 strong innings for the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, reports John Nalbone of BareBones.com.
• Apparently Mike Trout is unstoppable.
• Domonic Brown is making Jayson Werth expendable.  Will Jonathan Singleton eventually do the same thing to Ryan Howard?
• The Brewers have some impressive arms in the Midwest League, and Kyle Heckathorn may be leading the way.