MLB Prospect Watch

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 - Dodgers, Drabek, Myers

• Some of the Dodgers top talent spent 2010 in the low minors, particularly in A-ball, between Great Lakes and Inland Empire, says Jared Massey of DodgerTalk.com.  Particularly of note are Aaron Miller and Ethan Martin.
• For every prospect that's rushed, there's another who was allowed to take their time, and as Jessica Quiroli points out, just because Kyle Drabek falls into the latter category, doesn't mean the Blue Jays should have promoted him sooner.
• Wil Myers had been struggling in fall instructs, but the Royals catching prospect broke out in a big way on Tuesday night, with a opposite field double and a homer.
• The Padres fell to two games out of the NL West lead on Tuesday night, but if they do manage to climb back into the post-season, rookie Cory Lubeke wants to be a part of it, and will fill any role necessary to make it happen, says Corey Brock of MLB.com.
• Chase D'Arnaud has been added to the Team USA roster, in place of fellow Pirates farmhand Andrew Romaine, who was promoted to the majors instead, reports John Manuel of Baseball America.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Montero, Drabek, and more

• Jesus Montero will miss the remainder of the season with a leg infection, reports Conor Foley of The Times Leader.  No timetable is set for the Yankees' prospects return for winter action.  The team also called up Juan Miranda and Kevin Russo to the majors.
• The Blue Jays have called up Kyle Drabek, and he will make his first career start on Wednesday as the team goes to a 6-man rotation for the remainder of the season.  Also going to a 6-man rotation is the Milwaukee Brewers, which will allow former first round pick Mark Rogers to get a start, says Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
• Padres prospect Cory Luebke credits the development of his change-up while injured earlier this season as a key to his success this year, says Corey Brock of MLB.com.
• And finally, as part of a segment that I love (and wish I had thought of first) John Sickles looks at the "Double-A Transition" of prospects as they make what is widely considered the most difficult jump in professional baseball before hitting the majors.  Sickles examined the seasons of Alex Liddi and Conor Gillespie yesterday and Blake Tekotte and others on Friday.

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.  

More Call-up Fun

Aroldis Chapman is coming to Cincinnati.  And he's bringing his 105-mph fastball with him.

• The Reds have in fact announced that Chapman will be joining the team and could pitch out of the Cincinnati bullpen as early as tonight, reports John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  This gives the team one month to see if the young Cuban is reliable enough to make their post-season roster.
• Cory Luebke should be among the first Padres prospects called up tomorrow, says Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
• Braves fans may think they're ready for Freddie Freeman's arrival, but David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a primer on Freeman, just to be sure.
• Carlos Carrasco will be heading to Cleveland tomorrow and should make a start some time this week, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• The White Sox have a few options in the minors but a crowded 40-man roster, notes Future Sox.com as they speculate which Sox prospects might get the call.  Their guesses include Tyler Flowers, Stefan Gartrell and Dayan Viciedo, who already spent some time with the big league club, but not Brent Morel, who is not on the 40-man roster.