MLB Prospect Watch

Notable Prospect Performances - 4/19

• The Houston Astros received a much needed good sign from pitching prospect Jordan Lyles who bounced back from a rough first outing with a strong start on Saturday night, reports Robert Emrich of MLB.com.  Lyles gave up only 2 hits in six scoreless innings en route to his first Double-A win.  The 19-year-old starter is the Astros only real impact arm in the upper levels of the minors, and to see him make an adjustment to Double-A from one start to the next serves as a positive sign for an organization in desperate need of good news.
• Aroldis Chapman was still effective in his second start, this one coming on Saturday afternoon, but it was the kind of effectiveness that may not work against better competition, notes Jeff Wallner of MLB.com.  Chapman walked 4 batters this time around, and displayed the control issues that are the only real chink in his armor.  He still allowed only a hit and a run in 5 innings of work, but his 4 walks and 1 strikeout are good indicators of the lack of command the Reds will need to see improvement on before bringing him to Cincinnati.
• You can begin to add Nick Hernandez's name to the list of young Phillies pitching prospects in the low minors.  Hernandez has followed up his strong short-season showing after being drafted last year with a strong start in full-season ball, most recently with his last start in which he took a no-hitter in to the 5th inning, reports Paige Schector of MiLB.com.  Hernandez is in Low-A Lakewood for now, but the 21-year-old out of the University of Tennessee could reach High-A by mid-season if he continues his strong performance.
• And in the majors, a few teams are not only playing rookies, but relying on them - specifically the Atlanta Braves with Jason Heyward (says Talking Chop.com) and the Baltimore Orioles with Brian Matusz (notes Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com).

Explaining Heyward's Strikeouts

Why do we ask questions like "Why is a 20-year-old outfielder striking out once every 2.6 at-bats in the major leagues when he struck out once every 6.34 at-bats in the minors?" and not be satisfied with the simple answer of "Duh, because he's 20 and in the big leagues"?  Because we're baseball fans, and over-analyzing things is what we do.

Or at least that what Dave Allen of Fan Graphs.com has done in regards to Jason Heyward and his short, yet impressive, stint in the majors thus far.*  Allen noticed those strikeout numbers and wanted to see what exactly was causing them, and the obvious problem in this limited sample is breaking balls in the dirt.

*Please don't misinterpret this to mean anything other than what Heyward has done so far incredible.  To hit .269/.387/.654 in your first week in the majors, four months shy of your 21st birthday, is astonishing.  So astonishing, in fact, that the only players who have gone on to have a .250/.350/.500 line or better in their first season in the majors under the age of 21 were Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, and Tony Coniglario.  Wow.

Now, there is no need for Braves' fans to panic as Heyward is known for his superior eye at the plate and an adjustment period is to be expected.  In fact, for all we know he's already made it.  It's just nice to pinpoint a problem and understand it better, no matter how small it may be.

The Jason Heyward Legend Begins

The Man, The Myth, The Legend?  No, that's taken.

Half-man, half-amazing?  Nope, being used.

The Kid?  Perhaps, if Ken Griffey, Jr. is willing to pass it on.

Regardless of what it is, we will have to come up with a great nickname for Jason Heyward soon, because tales of his prowess are already beginning to form, thanks to his Opening Day performance that hovers somewhere between myth and legend.

In his first major league at-bat, the 20-year-old Heyward took a 2-0 fastball from Carlos Zambrano and deposited it in the back of the Braves' bullpen, sending the sell-out crowd into what will be described as frenzied jubilation, simply because strong enough words don't exist to properly describe the excitement level the moment the ball hit Heyward's bat.  Even the rookie's teammates seemed to revert to a child-like level of excitement once Heyward returned from his jog around the bases, causing the Braves' dugout to resemble those in Williamsport rather than that in a major league stadium.

The Braves went on to win the game 16-5 and Heyward added a single as well in his 5 at-bats, starting the game in right field and batting 7th in the lineup. 

Potent Potables - 3/31

Today's info-packed links are brought to you by the end of the not so action-packed month of March.

• Craig Kimbrel didn't end up making the Braves' bullpen after all, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com, but he will get to be the closer in Triple-A, and we should see him in Atlanta this summer.  Bowman also adds that Jason Heyward could return to the Braves' lineup today as he re-cooperates from a bout with shin splints.
• The Colorado Rockies sent Eric Young, Jr. back to Triple-A, reports Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies.  Little EY has been in prospect purgatory for a few years now, appearing to be ready, but without a spot to prove himself.  He too will be back in the majors at some point this season, but may be relegated to a bench role much the way he was last September.
• David Freese has won the St. Louis Cardinals' third base job for Opening Day, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, but the announcement has a very "lack of better options" feel to it.
• Fernando Martinez will start the season in Triple-A, says Michael Baron on MetsBlog.com.  F-Mart had been competing with Gary Matthews, Jr. for the New York Mets' temporary starting field job (until Carlos Beltran comes back from injury), but the team may have finally elected to let Martinez finally play at the level he's best suited for and leave him there until he proves himself.  For such a highly rated prospect, Martinez has never produced the numbers consistent with his talent, but the excuse has always been that he was young for his level (true).  Having turned 21 during the off-season, Martinez will finally be playing against the proper level of competition.
• The Minnesota Twins are considering keeping top prospect Wilson Ramos as their backup catcher, despite already having the best player in the American League behind the plate, reports Kelly Theiser of MLB.com.  The thinking is that having a backup catcher who can hit will allow manager Ron Gardenhire to let Joe Mauer DH more often and give their big money man a few more days off.  They could also begin to work Mauer into another position in the field if they don't want to lose Jim Thome's bat in the lineup, although the idea is pure speculation at this point and has yet to be mentioned by anyone in the Twins' organization.
• Pat Venditte appeared for the New York Yankees yesterday, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, and threw with both arms.  The switch-pitcher is trying to prove that he's more valuable weapon than novelty act, and got off to a good start in his first appearance against major league hitters.  And for a good chuckle, don't miss the breakdown of the "Venditte Rule" broken down in the article about when he faces a switch-hitter.

Heyward Makes Braves

It's official.  Jason Heyward is an Atlanta Brave.

After a month of talks that the top prospect in baseball could make the team out of Spring Training, the Braves announced what we expected all along - that the 20-year-old Heyward will be their starting right fielder, reports Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  Their decision was aided by Heyward's .366 batting average this spring.

The Braves have a solid pitching staff and an upgraded bullpen, but entered camp one big bat short of having a potent offense.  The Braves hope that Heyward can help support Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Nate McLouth in the middle of the batting order. 

Barring a horrible slump to begin the season, it would be shocking if Heyward returns to the minors again.