MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - 4/5

Happy Opening Day!

• The two-time defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies will feature three rookies in their bullpen, Matt Gelb points out in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Antonio Bastardo, Andrew Carpenter, and Rule V draft pick David Herndon all made the team, due in large part to injuries to Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.
• The Colorado Rockies are having four of their prospects skip a level, reports Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies, with the biggest name of the bunch being Tim Wheeler.  The Rockies' second of two first round picks in 2009, Wheeler will jump to High-A Modesto after having played in rookie level Tri-City last year after signing.
• Prospects will be on the forefront for the Detroit Tigers this year, as the team will feature two in their ever-day lineup to start the season.  Austin Jackson will be in the lead-off spot, and as Jason Beck reports, the former Yankee farmhand is excited about the challenge.  Joining Jackson in the lineup will be 2B Scott Sizemore, and the team recently announced that the former VCU Ram will be batting in the 8th spot.
• Tommy Manzella says he feels a little behind at the plate after having missed a week of spring games with a quadriceps injury, reports the Houston Chronicle, but given that the rookie was given the starting job primarily for his defensive abilities, the Astros should be satisfied as long as he can effectively field his position.  Also of note in the article were the assignments of the team's top two prospects - C Jason Castro (Triple-A Round Rock) and SS Jiovanni Mier (Low-A Lexington).

Prospect Potent Potables - 2/27

Some links for your weekend enjoyment...

• Casey Kelly continues to impress Boston Red Sox officials, even in the most routine exercises, writes John Tomase of the Boston Herald.  But as Ian Browne of MLB.com reports, Kelly is just soaking it all in.
• The Phillies bullpen is almost set, but David Herndon is a Rule V pick, so he's getting an extended look, notes David Murphy of Philly.com.  He also reports on Domonic Brown's education in camp.
• The Detroit Tigers are set to have not one, but two rookies in their starting lineup, and as John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports, Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore are learning the ropes together.
• Aroldis Chapman may have to overcome a language barrier now that he's in Reds' camp, but he's getting a lot of help from former major leaguer Tony Fassas, says John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
• C'mon guys, let's not get carried away.  Isn't pithcing in New York going to be enough pressure on Jenrry Mejia?
• Freedie Freeman is in Braves camp showing everyone why the team was comfortable with Troy Glaus as a one-year stop-gap at first base, notes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Dustin Ackley and Josh Fields have taken very different paths to get where they are now, but both are major parts of the Seattle Mariners' future, reports Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.