MLB Prospect Watch

Making Moves - Franklin, Tate, Petrika, Martinez

• The Seattle Mariners have placed top prospect Nick Franklin on the 15-day DL after he was struck in the jaw with a bat,  reports Daren Smith of MiLB.com.
• Donavan Tate, the third overall pick in the 2009 draft by the San Diego Padres, has been suspended for 50 games for violating the Minor League Drug Policy, reports Danny Wild of MiLB.com. Tate, who tested positive for a "drug of abuse", gets credit for 25 of the games served as part of a rehabilitation program, and will begin serving the other 25 games immediately.
• The Chicago White Sox have promoted starting pitcher Jacob Petricka to High-A Winston-Salem, says Dan Santaromita of FutureSox.com.
• The Cardinals have moved pitching prospect Carlos Martinez to High-A Palm Beach, reports FutureRedBirds.net.

 

Prospect Action - Machado, Banuelos, Tate, Franklin

• Manny Machado homered on Thursday night in his first game since the Orioles had promoted the young shortstop to High-A ball, reports Steve Gould of The Baltimore Sun.
• Rays pitching prospect Alex Torres tossed seven scoreless innings on Thursday night, notes BisonsBlog.com.
• Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos threw five strong innings, says Mike Ashmore of ThunderBaseball.com.
• Cubs prospect Trey McNutt struggled on Thursday night, facing just five batters and walking four of them before being removed from the game, reports Daniel Paulling of The Birmingham News.
• Colton Cain allowed just three baserunners in six innings of work, as the Pirates prospect was part of a three-pitcher shutout for the West Virginia Power, notes Mark Parker of the Hickory Daily Record.
• The San Diego Padres third-round pick from this month's draft, RHP Matt Andriese, allowed just one run in six innings of work, reports John Parker of MiLB.com, and was helped out offensively by fellow 2011 draftee, first-rounder Cory Spangenberg, who went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, and a stolen base, and 2009 first-rounder Donavan Tate, who had a triple, single and two runs scored, 
• Blake Beavan threw seven strong innings to earn a win, notes Larry Larue of The News Tribune.  Fellow Mariners prospect, SS Nick Franklin, made his Double-A debut on Thursday, collecting two hits and taking part in turning a triple play, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Tate, Noesi, Wimmers

• The Padres had to deal with a double-blow on Tuesday as two of their top outfield prospects, Donavan Tate and Everett Williams, crashed into one another going after a fly ball, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com.  It appears Tate will head to the 7-day DL while Williams will miss 3-to-5 games.
• Hector Noesi has been called up to the majors by the New York Yankees, reports Josh Norris of The Trentonian.
• Royals OF prospect Brett Eibner will miss 8-12 weeks after breaking his thumb, says Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star.
• Due to his horrid first start, the Twins have elected to remove Alex Wimmers from the starting rotation in Class A Fort Myers, says La Velle E. Neal III of the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Wimmers walked all six batters he faced and threw three wild pitches, which reportedly went straight to the backstop.
• Ben Badler of Baseball America says that Jarrod Parker's rough opening start can absolutely be attributed to the effects of coming back from Tommy John surgery.

 

Injury Updates - Tate, Cumberland, Friedrich, Crosby

• 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.

Notable Prospect Performances - 6/22

• 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.