MLB Prospect Watch

Nationals Acquire Dykstra

The Washington Nationals have acquired third base prospect Cutter Dykstra from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for major league outfielder Nyjer Morgan, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  Dykstra is the son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra.

Cutter Dykstra, drafted in the second round in 2008 by the Brewers, began his career as a center fielder.  In 2009 he played primarily second base before shifting over to third base in 2010.  Known for his superior athleticism, Dykstra hit well in 2010, posting an .827 OPS in Low-A ball, but has been plagued by injures throughout his career, never playing in more than 100 games in a season.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - 5/29

• Major League Baseball cleared Yorman Rodriguez's name and any controversy surrounding his correct identity, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.  Rodriguez is in extended spring training with the Reds.
• Pat Venditte is still in the Florida State League, but Jack Moore of FanGraphs.com makes a case for the Yankees' promoting the switch-pitcher to Double-A.
• Brewers' prospect Cutter Dykstra is attempting to learn how to play second base while also dealing with the off-the-field distractions surrounding his father, notes Tom Haudricourt for Baseball America.
• Ian Krol is trying to make a name for himself in the A's organization with his ability to change speeds and despite an underwhelming arsenal of pitches, reports Matthew Linder of MLB.com.
• Phillippe Valiquette can throw 100-mph with his left arm, reports Dave Cameron of FanGraphs.com, but can't do much else at this point.
• Hector Noesi is one of the few legitimate pitching prospects in the Yankees' organization, and Josh Norris of The Trentonian has a frame-by-frame look at Noesi's mechanics on his blog, which is pretty cool if you scroll down at the right speed.  Noesi is a rare power pitcher with superb control, reports George King for Baseball America.
• Kyle Skipworth still has yet to produce like the Marlins had hoped, but he's improving after a dismal 2009 campaign, and learning how to be a professional hitter and catcher is a difficult task, Bill Ballew reminds us on MLB.com.
• Josh Donaldson is not satisfied with his brief stint in the majors earlier this season and is out to prove he has the defensive chops to be an every day catcher, says Casey Tefertiller for Baseball America.

Best and Worst from 6/29

BEST

• Derrik Gibson (BOS) - 3-3, 2B, 2 SB, batting .471
• Delvi Cid (CLE) - 3-5, 2B, 2 SB, batting .312
• Caleb Gindl (MIL) - 4-4, 2 2B, HR, batting .284
• Cutter Dykstra (MIL) - 2-4, HR, batting .200
• Austin Romaine (NYY) - 2-5, 2B, HR, batting .288
• Michael Taylor (PHI) - 4-5, 2 2B, batting .351
• Reid Brignac (TB) - 3-4, 3 2B, batting .302
• Michael Burgess (WAS) - 2-4, 2B, HR, batting .241
• Chris Marrerro (WAS) - 3-5, 2B, HR, batting .288
• Jarrod Parker (ARI) - 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K/2 BB, 2.87 ERA
• Dylan Owen (NYM) - 7 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 7 K/1 BB, 6.00 ERA

WORST

• Michael Bowden (BOS) - 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 K/2 BB, 3.39 ERA
• Chris Withrow (LAD) - 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 5.22 ERA
• Phillip Humber (MIN) - 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 K/0 BB, 6.03 ERA

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Austin Jackson (NYY) - 1-3, HR, batting .320
• Anthony Hewitt (PHI) - 1-3, 3B, batting .171
• Joe Savery (PHI) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K/4 BB, 3.08 ERA
• Tim Alderson (SF) - 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 K/2 BB, 2.36 ERA
• Wade Davis (TB) - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K/2 BB, 2.90 ERA

Prospect Promotions/Demotions

Matt Eddy from Baseball America has broken down the prospect movement from around the minor leagues from the past week (outside of the big names we've seen called up to the majors recently), and provides analysis on why the move took place.  This week's big movers include:

• Bryce Stowell (CLE) up to Low A Lake County
• Tim Melville and Mike Montgomery (KC) up to Low A Burlington
• Cutter Dykstra (MIL) down to Rookie-level Helena and Jeremy Jeffress (MIL) down to High A Brevard County
• Adrian Cardenas (OAK) down to Double A Midland
• Antonio Bastardo (PHI) - up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
• Will Inman (SD) up to Triple A Portland and Mat Latos (SD) up to Double A San Antonio
• Steven Hensley (SEA) down to High A High Desert

Also moving up a level (but not mentioned in BA) is Colorado Rockies 2008 first round draft pick Christian Friedrich, who has been dominating Low A ball and has been promoted to High A Modesto, according to Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies.

Best and Worst from 4/23

BEST

• Tony Thomas (CHC) - 3-5, HR, SB, batting .375
• Chris Valaika (CIN) - 2-5, HR, batting .184
• Collin DeLome (HOU) - 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, SB
• Cutter Dykstra (MIL) - 3-3 ,3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 SB, batting .250
• Brett Lawrie (MIL) - 3-4, HR, 3B, batting .256
• Dominic Brown (PHI) - 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB, batting .277
• Anthony Gose (PHI) - 3-4, 2 R SB, batting .281
• Tim Beckham (TB) - 2-4, 2B, batting .320
• Justin Smoak (TEX) - 2-5, HR, batting .265
• Aaron Poreda (CWS) - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K/1 BB, 1.69 ERA
• Gio Gonzalez (OAK) - 4 2/3 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 8 K/1 BB, 1.54 ERA

WORST

• Jeff Samardzija (CHC) - 1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, K, 18.00 ERA
• Brett Cecil (TOR) - 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 K/3 BB, 10.32 ERA
• Cesar Carrillo (SD) - 4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 K/3 BB, 5.28 ERA