MLB Prospect Watch

Eric Hosmer Promoted To Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals have promoted first base prospect Eric Hosmer, reports Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.  Most applaud the move, including Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star and Michael Engel of KingsofKauffman.com, but I'm not sold.  The Royals lack of patience could cost the team up to $15 million down the road for a few extra weeks of at-bats in a season in which they won't contend anyway.

For my full take, read my article at The Hardball Times.

 

Prospect Action - Kipnis, Hosmer, Davidson

• Nationals pitching prospect Brad Peacock struck out eight batters in seven innings of work in his latest start, notes Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Jason Kipnis drove in three runs to help the Indians Triple-A affiliate in Columbus to an extra-inning victory, reports David Heck of MiLB.com.
• Royals 1B prospect Eric Hosmer went 2-for-3 with a home run on Tuesday, says John Parker of MiLB.com.
• In other prospect action...
  • Fellow Diamondbacks prospect  Matt Davidson hit two home runs, giving him three in his last two games.
  • Marlins pitching prospect Elih Villanueva gave up four unearned runs, but still managed to out duel Cardinals prospect Lance Lynn on Tuesday.

 

Prospect Action - Royals, Belt, Chisenhall, Harvey

• Thursday night played out the way that many expected this season would for the Royals top farm team, as Mike Moustakas homered twice, Eric Hosmer had four hits, and Danny Duffy threw six scoreless innings, reports John Parker of MiLB.com.
• Brandon Belt is back to his old hot-hitting ways in Triple-A, as he homered and doubled on Thursday, says Parker.  Belt is, however, seeing time in left field rather than at first base, possibly preparing him for his return to the Giants later this season.
• Indians 3B prospect Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer off of Braves prospect Mike Minor, notes Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• Cardinals pitching prospect Jordan Swagerty threw six scoreless innings en route to a victory, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.
• In other prospect action:
  • Diamondbacks OF prospect Collin Cowgill blasted two home runs.
  • A number of Red Sox prospects left the yard for Portland on Thrusday, as Ryan Lavarnway and Tim Federowicz both hit one and Will Middlebrooks hit two.
  • Mets pitching prospect Matt Harvey had the first rough start of his career, giving up 6 runs (4 earned) and failing to get out of the 5th inning.

 

Prospect Action - Machado, Lyles, Holmberg, Rizzo

• Manny Machado hit his first home run of the season, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  It was a 3-run blast for the Orioles top prospect.
• Jordan Lyles finally put together a good outing, according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle, after what has been a rough start to the season for the Astros top prospect.
• Robbie Erlin struck out 10 batters in seven innings in his start on Monday night, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.  Both the innings pitched and K's were career high's for the Rangers lefty.
• Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 and Mike Moustakas saw his 12-game hit streak come to an end, reports The Kansas City Star.
• Diamondbacks prospect David Holmberg gave up just two unearned runs over seven innings while fanning a career-high 12 batters, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• Dustin Ackley doubled twice on Monday, the second of which came in the 12 inning and drove in the eventual winning runs for the Mariners Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma, reports Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.
• In other prospect action...
  • Pirates OF prospect Starling Marte went 4-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base.
  • Anthony Rizzo hit his seventh home run of the season and could be getting the call to San Diego soon.
  • Shelby Miller had a rare rough outing, and even more unusual for the Cardinals future ace, it was his control that got away from him.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet - 4/22

Baseball America released their weekly Prospect Hot Sheet yesterday, with a number of new names not featured in week one.  Making an appearance on this week's list are:

• Mark Cohoon
• Jaff Decker
• Danny Duffy
• Jedd Gyorko
• Yasmani Grandal
• Billy Hamilton
• Brad Holt
• Jae-Hoon Ha
• Eric Hosmer
• Brett Jackson
• Tom Koehler
• Jefry Marte
• Marcell Ozuna
• Jacob Petricka
• Anthony Rizzo
• Jonathan Schoop
• Eric Thames
• Alex Torres
• Kolbrin Vitek
• Alex White

Appearing on the bad part of the list this week are Zack Cosart, Yorman Rodriguez, Joe Cruz, and Trevor May.  Decker and Jackson are the only players to appear on both lists thus far this season.