MLB Prospect Watch

Injury Significant for Nats Marrero

We knew that Nationals 1B prospect Chris Marrero had injured himself a few weeks ago while finishing up his DWL season with the Licey Tigers, but now, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, it appears the injury is more serious than first expected.

Marrero tore his left hamstring, and the tear is bad enough that he might miss the entire season.  Marrero insists he won't miss that much time, but did verify that the hamstring was torn off the bone that he has already had surgery.

Marrero wasn't necessarily a starter for the Nats coming into the season, but he was thought to battle for playing time at first base.

Prospect Action - 11/2/11

Arizona Fall League

• A's OF Grant Green led his Desert Dogs to an 11-8 victory, finishing just a single short of the cycle while driving in three runs.  Reds closer Brad Boxberger picked up his third AFL save.
• The Javelinas pounded out 11 hits, including multi-hit days for Brewers 2B Scooter Gennett, Padres 3B Jedd Gyorko, and Cardinals SS Ryan Jackson.

Dominican Winter League

• Rockies C Wilin Rosario hit his 5th home run of the winter, leading his Aguilas Cibaenas to an 8-1 victory, and tying him for the league lead, and adding to his league leading RBI total.
• Nationals 1B Chris Marrero drove in two runs in the first inning, which proved to be enough for his Tigres del Licey.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Freddy Galvis returned to the lineup, and the Phillies SS drove in three runs with a triple in the sixth inning.

 

 

Prospect Action - Choice, Lobstein, Cowart, Lombardozzi

• A's pitching prospect Carlos Hernandez surrendered six runs in 5 1/3 innings, also allowing 11 hits in his worst start in months, notes the Sacramento Bee.  In California League action, OF prospect Michael Choice blasted his 28th home run of the season.
• Andrelton Simmons had a career night, as the Braves prospect drove in seven runs, knocked three hits, and stole a base, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Marlins prospect Dan Jennings allowed four runs out of the bullpen on Monday night, notes Tim Grubbs of NOLA.com.
• Rays lefty prospect Kyle Lobstein tossed six shutout innings, striking out six, according to ClawDigest.com.  Lobstein was supported on offense by Hak-Ju Lee, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and a steal.
• In other prospect news...
  • Red Sox SS prospect Xander Bogaerts went 4-for-5 with a home run.
  • Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer, but was outdone by teammate Taylor Lindsey, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles.
  • Steve Lombardozzi continues to show why the Nationals were unwilling to part with him at the trade deadline, as the 2B prospect knocked his 4th home run of the season.  Teammate Chris Marrero blasted a homer and a double as well.
  • Astros pitching prospect Ross Seaton tossed six shutout innings, fanning six.
  • Blue Jays prospect Drew Hutchison allowed just one hit over six innings of work.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Marrero, Iglesias, Turner

• Chris Marrero has started to hit like the first-round pick he was back in 2006, but the Nationals prospect has made even more progress at first base, where he is becoming an adequate defender, reports Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
• Red Sox SS prospect Jose Iglesias is adjusting quickly, not only to professional baseball, but to life in America, says Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
• Jacob Turner has improved his sinker after learning from former Tigers prospect Rick Porcello this spring, and its a pitch that could speed up his timetable of getting to Detroit even faster than it already was, notes Jason Beck of MLB.com.
• In a Royals farm system full of prospects with off-the-charts talent, second baseman Johnny Giavotella is standing out for his gritty play and baseball acumen, says Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.

 

 

Winter League Update - 11/10

Arizona Fall League

• Blue Jays pitching prospect Mark Rzepczynski tossed six shutout innings, striking out eight hitters as the Javelinas dropped the Rafters 8-5.
• It was a huge night for Nationals prospects as the Scorpions 11-1 victory was led by Derek Norris, who was 3-for-6 with a home run, Bryce Harper, who went 2-for-5 with two triples, and pitcher Sammy Solis on the mound, who threw five strong innings, giving up just one run and getting the win.  Brandon Belt also contributed with three hits, including a double and a triple, to raise his AFL batting average to .388.
• Michael Taylor's 4-hit, 4-RBI day was enough run support for the Desert Dogs, who got four scoreless innings from Manny Banuelos despite the Yankees pitcher walking four batters.

Dominican Winter League

• Red Sox prospect Yamaico Navarro homered for the second time in as many days to lead his Tigres team to a 3-1 victory.

Venezuelan Winter League

• David Cooper has seen action this week with the Bravos de Margarita, but the Blue Jays first base prospect is off to a slow start.
• Alex Liddi posted a 4-for-5 night with a triple and a home run in the Cardenales 9-3 victory.
• Two hits and an RBI by Mark Trumbo weren't enough to overcome five shutout innings by Austin Bibens-Dirkx, who earned his second win of the VWL season.

Puerto Rican Winter League

• Dee Gordon reached base three times and stole a base, but it wasn't enough offense as his Gigantes fell 5-4 to the Criollos on Wednesday.
• More good news for Nationals prospects, as Danny Espinosa reached base three times and had two extra-base hits and Chris Marrero drove in four runs to help lead the Leones to a 9-3 victory.