MLB Prospect Watch

Odds and Ends - Pirates, Klein, Bradley, Meo, Profar

• The Pittsburgh Pirates September call-ups include Jeff Locke and Daniel Moskos, reports Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• Orioles 2010 third-round pick Dan Klein had surgery on his throwing shoulder in August and won't be ready to start the 2012 season, according to Roch Kubatko for Baseball America.
• The Diamondbacks have let a number of their 2011 draft picks, particularly their young pitchers, make their debuts this season when other teams might have let them debut next season, but the performances of Archie Bradley and Anthony Meo in brief opportunities have been impressive, notes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
• Jurickson Profar's development this season has been a pleasant surprise, even within the Rangers organization, says Jim Shonerd of Baseball America.

 

Trout, Chisenhall, Turner Among Victims on Roster Cutdown Day

• The Pirates sent ten players away from major league camp on Monday, including prospects Daniel Moskos and Gorkys Hernandez who were optioned to Triple-A, prospect Jeff Locke who was optioned to Double-A, and Andrew Lambo and Chase D'Arnaud who were not on the 40-man roster and were re-assigned to minor league camp, but both of whom will also begin the season in Triple-A, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• The Angels made a round of cuts on Monday that included top prospect Mike Trout and pitchers Trevor Reckling and Loek Van Mil, reports Owen Perkins of MLB.com.
• Greg Halman was optioned to Triple-A by the Mariners on Monday, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• The Royals optioned both second base prospect Jeff Bianchi and outfield prospect Derrick Robinson to Double-A, says Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• The Indians re-assigned Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White, and Jason Kipnis to minor league camp, as well as optioned Nick Weglarz and Zach McAllister to Triple-A, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• The Astros re-assigned Koby Clemens, Jiovanni Mier, Doug Arguello, Jon Gaston and J.D. Martinez, to minor league camp on Monday, says Farmstros.com.
• The Tigers have re-assigned catchers Patrick Leyland and Bryan Holaday to minor league camp, and have optioned Cale Iorg, Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner to Double-A, says DetroitTigerTales.com.
• The Orioles optioned first base prospect Joe Mahoney to Triple-A, says Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.

 

Position Battles - Moskos, Cubs, Kimbrel, Banuelos

• Despite his strong spring so far, Daniel Moskos remains a long-shot to make the Pirates bullpen, mostly due to the other left-handed veterans that seem destined to take one of the available slots, says Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• Brett Jackson remains is a long-shot to crack the Cubs Opening Day roster, but between the impression he made last spring and his repeat performance this year, he's making the team's decision as difficult as possible, notes Phil Rogers of Baseball America, who also mentions pitching prospects Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson, and Trey McNutt as all likely to head back to Triple-A but could see time in the majors this year.
• The Braves haven't said anything about Craig Kimbrel's struggles and how that will affect their use of the hard-throwing prospect as a potential closer, but they may have to make a decision soon if his bouts with wildness continue, says Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Manny Banuelos has been the most impressive young pitcher in Yankees camp, and while he is still likely headed to Double-A Trenton to start the season, his performance this March could result in a promotion sooner than had been planned, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

 

 

Position Battles - Trumbo, Elbert, Britton, Moskos, Morel

• The Angels first base situation rests on the rehabilitation of Kendry Morales' ankle, but in the mean time, prospect Mark Trumbo is making it known that he's ready to fill-in if need be, says Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times.  Angels manager Mike Scioscia says Trumbo is getting a good look for a roster spot regardless of whether Morales has returned.
• After being a part of the Dodgers playoff run in 2009, most figured Scott Elbert would head to the majors in 2010 and never look back.  After another season in Triple-A and some self-inflicted time away from the game, the left-handed pitching prospect is looking for a return to the majors, and this time his goal is the bullpen, says Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
• If Justin Duchscherer's hip continues to act up, Zach Britton could be the one to take his place in the Orioles rotation, says Chris Girandola of MLB.com.
• WIth Joe Beimel in camp, the Pirates won't be forced to keep Daniel Moskos on their major league roster before he's ready, but that's not stopping him from proving he belongs there anyway, says Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
• Mark Teahen is working with Brent Morel to help him learn the ropes of the major leagues, which may ultimately lead to Morel unseating Teahen as the White Sox starter at the hot corner, notes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.

 

 

Prospects in Action - 9/16

• Matt Dominguez is showing off his first-round talent in the Southern League championship series, as the Marlins prospect homered and fueled the Jacksonville offense to victory on Wednesday night, reports Robert Emrich of MLB.com.
• Jeff Locke's strong performance carried the Altoona Curve to victory on Wednesday night, evening the Eastern League championship series at a game a piece, reports Danny Wild of MLB.com.  Locke came over to the Pirates organization in June of 2009 in the Nate McLouth trade and split this season between High-A and Double-A.  Saving the game for Locke was Daniel Moskos, who has settled in nicely this year as a closer.
• Jenrry Mejia is likely done for the season after straining a muscle in the back of his throwing shoulder, says Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.  I can't believe he got hurt after how careful the Mets have been with him all season.*
• Zach McAllister, who the Indians acquired late this season in exchange for Austin Kearns, led his Triple-A Clippers team to victory on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the International League finals.
• Kyle Drabek had a successful major league debut, whether he got the win or not, says Pete Kerzel of MLB.com.
• See what can happen when you let the rookies play?  The Angels finally did, and Hank Conger showed off his skills both at the plate and behind it, says Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
• Chris Carter is back in Oakland, and he's hoping this time around goes better than the first, according to Robert Falkoff of MLB.com.  No offense to Chris, but at 0-for-19 last time around, this time almost has to go better.
• Darwin Barney may not have been the biggest name in the Cubs farm system, but he's proving his worth on a team that will have a lot of open spots come next season, says Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
• Cito Gaston is trying to get J.P. Arencibia into the Blue Jays lineup, but he's waiting until current catcher John Buck hits his 20th homer first.
• Getting into the lineup hasn't been a problem for Wilson Ramos, as the Nationals are alternating every other game with him and Ivan Rodriguez, says Guy Curtright of MLB.com, who also notes that Bryce Harper will begin his pro career this weekend at the Nats instructional league facility in Florida.
• Danny Duffy got the win on Wednesday, despite giving up 8 hits over 5 innings of work.  The Royals have to be pleased to get Duffy extra game action in the playoffs after his absence from the first part of the season.

*Sarcasm is so hard to get across successfully in writing.