MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Action in the Majors

As the first week of major league action winds down, we're starting to see many of the prospects who made big league rosters take their turns on the field.

• Michael Pineda made his first major league start on Tuesday, and the Mariners were pleased with the results, says Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times.  Pineda was one of a number of surprise prospects to stay in the majors after the spring, notes Keith Law of ESPN.com, who questioned the M's decision to keep the young right-hander.
• The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have elevated hard-throwing rookie Jordan Walden into the closer's role at the back of the bullpen after incumbent Fernando Rodney's early season struggles, reports Kevin Baxter of The Los Angeles Times, who also notes the successful relationship rookie catcher Hank Conger has molded with team ace Jared Weaver.  Conger caught Weaver in two late-season starts in 2010 and Weaver praised the prospect's work behind the plate.  Conger made his first start on Tuesday, receiving another Weaver gem, and perhaps adding to the confidence manager Mike Scioscia has in him behind the plate.
• Brandon Belt has struggled at the plate to start the season, and Aubrey Huff has been an adventure in right field, where he's playing to accommodate Belt's arrival in the lineup, but despite these struggles, Giants manager Bruce Bochy says he has no intention of sitting Belt down anytime soon, says Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.
• Mike Minor will make his first start of the season for the Braves on Wednesday, taking the rotation spot of the injured Jair Jurrjens, says Doug Miller of MLB.com.  Minor will try to get the ball to Craig Kimbrel, the Braves closer who has continued his string of dominance from last season, notes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Jeremy Hellickson will make his 2011 debut for the Rays, getting the start opposite Dan Haren against the Angels on Wednesday, says Spencer Fordin of MLB.com.
• The Washington Nationals plan to move rookie second baseman Danny Espinosa up to the leadoff spot in their batting order, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

 

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 - Farquhar, Lynn, Espinosa

• Danny Farquhar is new to the A's organization, so AthleticsNation.com has a scouting report for their fans so they know what they're getting.
• The Royals farm system is among the best in baseball, but as KingsofKauffman.com points out, it's their depth that's even more impressive than top prospects Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer.
• The Cardinals system isn't nearly as deep as the Royals, but FutureRedbirds.com takes a look at Lance Lynn, one of the pitching prospects in the system who could be in St. Louis soon.
• Wynn Pelzer looked impressive out of the bullpen this fall, says David Driver of ExplopreHoward.com, and Pelzer could reprise that role this season, eventually in Baltimore.
• Danny Espinosa is set to have hand surgery today to repair what appears to be an old injury, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com, but it shouldn't keep him from holding on to the Nationals starting second base job that is his to lose entering Spring Training.
• After a uninspiring regular season, Dustin Ackley exploded in the Arizona Fall League, winning MVP honors, reports Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, and now has his sights set on the Mariners second base job this spring, says Greg Johns of MLB.com. 

 

 

Prospect Placement Rumblings

Around this time of year, speculation begins to come to fruition regarding the placement of many prospects for the upcoming season.  And who would we be if we didn't bring you as much of that speculation as possible?

• Justin De Fratus has shown off his power arm in the Arizona Fall League and there may be a spot for him in the Phillies bullpen this spring, according to Jim Salisbury of Baseball America.
• Danny Espinosa should be the Nationals starting second baseman on Opening Day, and is also likely to be leading off, says Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• The Reds plan to start Devin Mesoraco in Triple-A to start the 2011 season, reports John Fay for Baseball America.
• Chris Sale's role on the White Sox pitching staff will be determined in large part by the health of Jake Peavy, says Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, who also notes that Brent Morel is the front-runner to win the team's starting third base job.

 

 

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.