MLB Prospect Watch

Roster Cuts - Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, Marlins

• The Phillies optioned Vance Worley to Triple-A and re-assigned Mike Stutes to minor league camp, but both should return to Philly at some point this season, says Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Zach Stewart was one of thee players re-assigned to minor league camp by the Blue Jays, reports Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
• Dillon Gee, who was throught to be in contention for a spot in the Mets rotation, was optioned to Triple-A, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
• The Marlins re-assigned Kyle Skipworth and Tom Koehler to minor league camp, says Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

 

Spring Training Battles - Lueke, Gee, Brown

• Josh Lueke is trying to put his past behind him and has a change to grab a spot in the Mariners bullpen this spring, says Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• The makeup of the Mets rotation hinges on Dillon Gee, according to Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest, who lists the rookie right-hander as the wild card on the Mets' staff.
• The concensous is that the Phillies right field job is Domonic Brown's to lose, but manager Charlie Manuel said that regardless of who the job belongs to, brown is likely to see around 350-400 at-bats this season, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Padres, Mets, Valle, Kipins

• The Padres rebuilt a depleted farm system by raiding the Red Sox system in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, and John Maffei of Baseball America takes another look at Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes.
• Wilmer Flores is the most exciting position prospect in the Mets farm system, and Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com discusses his future and the potential return he could bring the Mets back in a trade.  In another post, Cerrone discusses the upcoming decision of picking a 5th starter for next season, and Dillon Gee's chances at the spot.
• Most of the Phillies talent is far from reaching the majors, but that allows Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally to take a closer look at players like catching prospect Sebastian Valle and provide us with a full scouting report.
• The Indians are confident that Jason Kipnis is ready to hit at the major league level, but its the improvement with his glove that has put the second base prospect and former outfielder squarely on the team's 2011 radar, says Jordam Bastain of MLB.com.
• The Cubs may also be looking to a few prospects to fill out their roster this spring, one of whom may be RHP Chris Carpenter, says Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Viciedo, Mets, Cortes

• The White Sox have a log jam at 3B entering next season, with 2 years left on veteran Mark Teahen's deal, highly-regarded Cuban prospect Dayan Viciedo, and Brent Morel, but according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, manager Ozzie Guillen is impressed by Morel and think Viciedo needs more time in the minors.  Morel is the best defensive option of the three and has hit better than expected since being promoted to Chicago, so if the team decides to go a different direction than Teahen, Morel may be the skipper's first choice.
• The Rays are going to continue to use Desmond Jennings as a situational pinch-runner, despite getting picked off in a crucial situation on Friday, says Bill Chastain of MLB.com.  If they feel like they can afford the roster spot, Jennings could be a valuable weapon during the playoffs, along the same lines as how the Angels used Chone Figgins during the 2002 playoffs.
• Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com has updates on Dillon Gee and Lucas Dada in regards to their potential roles with the Mets next season.
• The Orioles are high on Joe Mahoney thanks to a monster season, notes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun, but Jim Callis of Baseball America is less impressed.
• The Phillies Sally League affiliate in Lakewood took home the championship behind the bat of Sebastian Valle and the pitching of Jonathan Pettibone, reports Josh Jackson of MLB.com.
• The Mariners brought Justin Smoak back to the majors after the Pacific Coast League playoffs were over, and they promoted Dan Cortes with him, says Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times.
• Giants top draft pick Gary Brown was in San Francisco with the big league club over the weekend, not playing, but learning from his future teammates, says Cash Kruth of MLB.com.
• The A's are going to continue to let Chris Carter get his at-bats for now, no matter what his hit-less streak climbs to, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com.

Prospect Potent Potables - Ramirez, Doubront, Gee

• The Cliff Lee trade (the one from this off-season - you have to specify these days) keeps getting worse for the Phillies.  In addition to all three prospects struggling this season, Phillippe Aumont was demoted to A-ball and Tyson Gillies was arrested on cocaine charges.  Now the news comes that J.C. Ramirez underwent surgery to replace a torn labrum in his hip, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Ramirez should be ready for spring training.
• The Red Sox thought they were going to need a second opinion for Felix Doubront, but the team says it's confidant in their team doctor's diagnosis that Doubront has nothing more then a pectoral strain, reports Ian Browne of MLB.com.
• The Mets plan to keep Dillon Gee in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season, says Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
• The Indians have moved 2B prospect Jason Kipnis to Triple-A for the remainder of the International League playoffs, says John Barone of MLB.com.