MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Roster Moves

• The Orioles made some expected roster cuts on Friday, sending their corner infield of the future to the minor leagues, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.  The team optioned both Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder to Triple-A.
• Daniel Schlereth will begin the season in the minors, reports John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.  Schlereth, acquired by the Tigers during the off-season in the three-way deal that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, was a bullpen candidate entering the spring.
• Thanks to a numbers crunch and a potentially short bench to begin the season, Matt Tuiasosopo could make the Mariners' roster, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.

Tigers' News

The Detroit Tigers received mixed results on their newest off-season acquisitions, Austin Jackson and Daniel Schlereth, in their spring debuts, reports John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.

Jackson impressed manager Jim Leyland, going 1-for-2 in the game, drawing a walk, and playing a solid centerfield.  Schlereth, however, fared poorly, giving up 4 earned runs in his inning of work, and blowing a 5-2 lead.

It was also reported that the Tigers' top picks from last year, Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver, will make their debuts in a "B" game on Friday.

Q & A with MLB.com

The various talented beat writers for MLB.com answered e-mail questions from readers, giving us a better idea about where certain players stand within their organizations and where they may start the 2010 season.  Players mentioned included:

• Starlin Castro (CHC) - SS
• Andrew Cashner (CHC) - SP
• Brett Wallace (TOR) - 1B/3B
• David Cooper (TOR) - 1B
• Kevin Aherns (TOR) - 3B
• Ian Desmond (WAS) - SS
• Justin Turner (BAL) - 2B
• Neil Walker (PIT) - 3B
• Pedro Alvarez (PIT) - 3B
• Jose Tabata (PIT) - OF
• Tony Sanchez (PIT) - C
• Desmond Jennings (TB) - OF
• Reid Brignac (TB) - SS
• Jeremy Hellickson (TB) - SP
• Daniel Schlereth (DET) - RP
• Casper Wells (DET) - OF
• Jesus Montero (NYY) - C

Links: Schlereth, Poreda

• The return of Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen means that rookie relief pitcher Daniel Schlereth is the odd-man out, reports Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.  Schlereth will return to Double-A Mobile.
• On Chicago's South Side, the White Sox have called up their top pitching prospect, Aaron Poreda, to replace the injured Bartolo Colon, reports Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times.  The White Sox have now promoted both their top hitting and pitching prospects to the major leagues in the bast 2 weeks.

Links: Prospect Struggles in Major Leagues

• Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Daniel Schlereth, a 2008 draft pick and recent call-up, continued his up-and-down act with a rough outing against the same Padres team he was so impressive against earlier in the series, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.  The Diamondbacks should expect as much from the young reliever, as he was fast-tracked to the majors and is still inconsistent with his fastball command.
• In his much anticipated debut, Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Tommy Hanson had his own up-and-down act, notes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  The young righty dominated the Milwaukee Brewers the first time through the lineup (he was perfect through 3) only to get roughed up his second time around.
• Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle reports that Astros rookie pitcher Felipe Paulino left his last start in the 2nd inning with a strained groin.