MLB Prospect Watch: Donavan Tate

Donavan Tate

Donavan Tate has been out of the lineup again, this time due to a stomach virus, reports Keven Gemmell of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Tate should be back in a few days, but time away from the field is something that's becoming a bit of a habit for the former first round pick. Fellow prospect Drew Cumberland is being looked at by team doctors and the Padres will establish a timetable for his return, which may not include the 2010 season.
Rockies' LHP Christian Friedrich had to leave his last start early with an elbow injury caused by a batted ball, reports Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies. The injury is not believed to be serious, but the team will be careful with Friedrich who has a history of elbow injuries.
The Tigers have shut down Casey Crosby for the remainder of the year due to recurring swelling in his left (throwing) elbow, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com. At the moment, Crosby does not need surgery, but he will not throw for almost two months.

Michael Kvasnicka, a supplemental first-round pick by the Houston Astros this June, homered on the first pitch he saw as a professional, reports Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.
Mike Moustakas, Kyle Heckathorn, Brett Lawrie, and Chris Withrow all ended the weekend strong, says J.J. Cooper of Baseball America.
Two highly-anticipated prospects made their debuts on Monday, as Michael Ynoa of the A's and Donavan Tate of the Padres each saw their first professional action, reports Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Ynoa struck out 4 batters in 3 scoreless innings, while Tate was 0-for-5 with two strike outs.
Yorman Rodriguez made his 2010 debut on Tuesday with a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Rodriguez is back at Billings where he struggled in 46 games last season. He signed a $2.5M bonus in 2008 to sign with the Reds, the largest bonus ever given to a Venezuelan amateur. Fellow Latin American amateur Juan Duran is also a part of the Billings lineup and went 0-for-3 as he continues to adjust to his recently expanded 6-foot-7 frame.
Aaron Crow technically got a win yesterday, but his line of 6 earned runs allowed in 5 innings of work didn't reflect such accolades. Crow's ERA has now ballooned to 6.27 on the season and he's given up 5 earned runs or more in 4 of his last 5 starts.
Trevor May took a no-hitter into the 6th inning on Tuesday, adding to what has been a great May for the Phillies' pitcher.

Derek Norris of the Washington Nationals will be about a week with a concussion, tweets Bill Ladson.
We already told you about Nick Weglarz promotion to Triple-A. Taking his place on the Akron roster in Double-A will be Alex White, the Indians
' first-round draft pick from 2009, reports Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
Donavan Tate is playing every day in Padres' extended spring training and will begin his professional career officially when the Northwest League starts in June, says Corey Brock of MLB.com.
Zach Braddock was promoted to Milwaukee one day after his minor league teammate Jonathan Lucroy got the call, report Adam McCalvy and Jordan Schelling of MLB.com.
Arodis Chapman's next start has been pushed back, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, but the Reds have not announced when that start will be. His next start was originally scheduled for today.
Marlins' fans want to know when Mike Stanton will be called-up, and Joe Frisaro of MLB.com suggests that it will be at least until June, but could be longer as Stanton is just 20-years old and still has less than a full year of Double-A under his belt.
Daniel Moskos is having success in his new role as a closer, reports Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The money quote - "I think the bullpen is a good fit for him" courtesy of Altoona pitching coach Tim Filer. It's not Filer's fault, but news flash for the Pirates...Clemson thought so too.

Not all news items are worthy of their own post. Thus, the Potent Potables...

Washington Nationals' catching prospect Derek Norris made his 2010 debut on Sunday for Double-A Potomac, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Norris has missed the first two weeks of the season with a sore wrist due to off-season surgery.
Lee Hamilton of the San Diego News Network breaks down the good and bad so far in the Padres' farm system, including James Darnell, Logan Forsythe, Aaron Poreda, and Cedric Hunter among the good, and listing Allan Dykstra as the bad. Hamilton also mentions injuries to Matt Antonelli and Jaff Decker, while Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses the difficult start for Everett Williams and the lack of action for Donavan Tate.
J.J. Cooper of Baseball America explains the success of four impressive pitching prospects: Kyle Gibson of the Twins, Tim Melville of the Royals, and Nick Hagadone and Kelvin De La Cruz of the Indians.
Adeiny Hechavarria faces some uphill battles trying to go from Cuba to the Blue Jays, and Morgan Campbell of The Toronto Star explains them.

Ben Badler of Baseball America has a rundown on some of the more significant prospects who are injured to start the season. Players include: