MLB Prospect Watch

Making Moves - September Call-Ups

Teams are really beginning to flood their rosters with young players as the season winds down, most of whom are auditioning prospects for spots on their 2012 rosters.

• The Washington Nationals are calling up pitcher Brad Peacock and 2B Steven Lombardozzi among others, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled Kyle Drabek and David Cooper, says Tom Dakers of BlueBirdBanter.com.
• The Chicago White Sox have promoted SS Eduardo Escobar and P Addison Reed, notes Dan Santaromita of FutureSox.com.
• The Colorado Rockies are going to bring Drew Pomeranz to the majors, according to Jack Etkin of InsidetheRockies.com.  Pomeranz was thought to be out for the season following an emergency appendectomy, but he has returned to action quicker than expected.
• The Minnesota Twins have called up OF Joe Benson, reports Joe Christiensen of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, who also adds that P Liam Hendriks will take the mound on Tuesday for at least one September start.
• The Seattle Mariners have promoted Alex Liddi, notes Larry Larue of The [Tacoma] News Tribune, making the 3B prospect the first Italian-born-and-raised player in the major leagues.

 

Blogs Track Teams - 4/11/11

• TalkingChop.com mentions Tyler Pastornicky and Zeke Spruill among other Braves prospects.
• RaysProspects.com points out Matt Bush's relief win and other Rays results.
• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com fills us in on Todd Frazier's bomb and other game results from Reds prospects.
• Jordan Tuwiner of Orioles-Nation.com has the results of two Orioles affiliate double-headers and Manny Machado's latest progress as well.
• Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com mentions Zack Dotson's strong outing as well as the first home runs of the season for Pirates prospects Starling Marte and Tony Sanchez.
• BluebirdBanter.com checks in with Brett Lawrie and David Cooper's hot hitting to lead the Blue Jay prospect pack.
• Jack Dempsey of PineTarPress.com updates us on Christian Colon's rough night at the plate, Wil Myers' strong one, and other Royals prospect action.
• FutureRedbirds.com notes Lance Lynn's strong outing and other performances from throughout the Cardinals organization.
• Josh Norris of MinorMatters.com points out the growing amount of baserunners successfully running on Austin Romine, and other happenings from the Yankees organization.

 

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.

 

 

Notable Prospect Assignments

Now that major league rosters have been established, teams can turn their attention to picking the most advantageous starting location for their prospects for the 2010 minor league season.  Baseball America has a rundown of some of the more noteworthy assignments and explanations to the thinking behind each decision.  Included (among others) on their list are: 

• Jordan Lyles (HOU) - Double-A Corpus Cristi (skipped High-A)
• Dee Gordon (LAD) - Double-A Chattanooga (skipped High-A)
• Andrew Lambo (LAD) - Double-A Chattanooga (repeat level)
• Jose Iglesias (BOS) - Double-A Portland (professional debut)
• Casey Kelly (BOS) - Double-A Portland
• Lars Anderson (BOS) - Double-A Portland (repeat level)
• Aaron Hicks (MIN) - Low-A Beloit (repeat level)
• Freddie Freeman (ATL) - Triple-A Gwinnett
• Zach Stewart (TOR) - Double-A New Hampshire (in AAA last year)
• David Cooper (TOR) - Double-A (repeat level)
• Dustin Ackley (SEA) - Double-A West Tennessee (professional debut)
• Michael Burgess (WAS) - High-A Potomac (repeat level)
• Nick Weglarz (CLE) - Double-A Akron (repeat level)

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