MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Rockies Invites, Brentz, Cosart, Galvis, Concepcion

• The Colorado Rockies have announced their non-roster invites to spring training, notes Thomas Harding of MLB.com.  Position players Nolan Arenado, Tim Wheeler and Kent Matthes will be in attendance, as well as pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz.
• Mike Newman of FanGraphs.com breaks down Red Sox OF prospect Bryce Brentz, who had a monster 2011 season but doesn't profile as a dynamic player at the next level.
• Jarred Cosart should begin the 2012 season in Double-A, but he's been working out this off-season in the big-league park of his new organization, the Houston Astros, having grown up practically in it's back yard, reports Brian McTaggart for HoustonAstros.com.
• Now that the Phillies have re-signed Jimmy Rollins to a long-term deal, Freddy Galvis' path to the big-leagues is blocked, points out Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.  But that still gives the Phillies the option of using him in the majors this year as a back-up infielder, a role best suited to his current abilities, or sending him back down to the minors to see if his bat develops.
• The Cubs have signed Gerardo Concepcion, an 18-year-old LHP who defected from Cuba last June, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.  The team has reportedly signed a multi-year major league deal with the club.

Making Moves - New Astros Prospects, Turner

• The Astros have restocked their farm system over the past year, large in part to the developmental success of the Phillies organization, and both teams' willingness to make deals.  Fangraphs.com has a couple of articles breaking down their latest deal, with Eric Seidman breaking down the main prospects Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart, while Eno Sarris discusses the pros and cons of making the deal.
• The Detroit Tigers have called up their top prospect, Jacob Turner, to start today's game against the Angels, reports John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.

 

Prospect Action - Ackley, Familia, Harper, Richards

• Dustin Ackley recorded four hits on Sunday, reports The Seattle Times, perhaps giving the Mariners a signal that he's turning the corner at the plate.  In other M's news, 2010 first rounder Taijuan Walker took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and fanned 11 batters, says John Parker of MiLB.com.
• The pitching matchup of the weekend was in Trenton, where Mets pitching prospect Jeurys Familia faced off against Yankees prospect Dellin Betances, with Familia getting the upper hand, notes Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• Phillies pitching prospect Jarred Cosart took a perfect game into the seventh inning on Sunday, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.
• Bryce Harper's 18-game hit streak came to an end on Sunday, as the Nationals prospect went 0-for-4, but Red Sox prospect Bryce Brentz was able to extend his streak to 26 games.
• Garrett Richards struck out nine batters in eight innings of work, as the Angels prospect gave up just two hits, notes Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Holt, Phillies, Castillo

• After a disappointing 2010 season, Brad Holt is looking to bounce back and re-establish himself on the Mets' radar, says Dan Martin of the New York Post.
• The Phillies have a number of intriguing young arms, and John Sickles compares two very similar righties, Brody Colvin and Jarred Cosart.
• Those arms aren't among the group competing for a spot on the Phillies pitching staff, but Vance Worley has a chance to stick as a long reliever after a brief stint in the majors last season, says David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News, and Justin De Fratus, Michael Schwimer, and Mike Stutes will all be in camp with an outside shot at grabbing a roster spot.
• The signing of Darwin Castillo was completed by the Royals over the weekend, and Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has a little more on the right-hander out of the Dominican.

 

 

Making Moves - 8/5

• Phillies' prospect Jarred Cosart received good news from Dr. James Andrews this week that his elbow does not require surgery, but he will be shut down for the season nonetheless, reports PhuturePhillies.com.
• Delino Deshields, Jr., the Astros' first-round pick in this year's draft, is close to signing, and will report to the team's spring training facility before reporting to rookie-league Greenville, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
• With Kris Medlen's recent arm injury, TalkingChop.com asks whether Mike Minor might be the best option to fill the Braves' open rotation spot.
• Chris Sale has become the first player taken in the 2010 draft to reach the majors, as the White Sox have promoted him and placed the lefty in their bullpen, and R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs.com discusses what effect this may have on his development.
• Twins' prospect Ben Revere is out for the season after being beaned in the eye by a pitch, reports La Velle E. Neal III of the Minnesota Star Tribune.