MLB Prospect Watch

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.

Link: Rave Reviews for Ackley at Second Base

What started out as an experiment to try and find more ways to expedite top pick Dustin Ackley's path to the major leagues is turning into a real possibility, according to Seattle Mariners' officials quoted by Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.  The Mariners are particularly impressed with Ackley's athleticism and baseball instincts, and it is becoming a real possibility that Ackley may play primarily second base in the minors when the 2010 season begins.

Ackley was the second overall pick in the 2009 draft and has yet to play a regular season game professionally.  He was primarily a first baseman in college, but played the outfield in the Arizona Fall League.

Link: Ackley and Matusz Scouting Reports

We already know a lot about Dustin Ackley and Brian Matusz, but the guys over at Project Prospect have another scouting report on the Mariners' and Orioles' top prospects (respectively).  Among other things, they don't believe Ackley will stick at second base (despite reports that he's doing well), and a breakdown of Matusz pitch selection during his stint in the majors.

Link: Ackley Taking Nicely to 2B

The Seattle Mariners raised some eyebrows when they announced that they would be trying out top draft pick Dustin Ackley at 2B this off-season despite the assumption that whichever team drafted the college first baseman would convert him back to his natural centerfield position.  But, as Jim Street of MLB.com reports, Ackley is making the Mariners' decision-makers look smart.

The conversion to the keystone is not completely far-fetched, as Ackley played shortstop in high school and first base at the University of North Carolina.

Link: Ackley's Former Coach Thinks 2B Could Be Realistic

With the recent announcement of the Seattle Mariners' plan to try top prospect Dustin Ackley out at 2B, many are wondering how the college 1B will do making the switch.  The man who possibly knows him best, University of North Carolina Head Baseball Coach Mike Fox, thinks Ackley is athletically capable of making the switch, notes Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.