MLB Prospect Watch

Making Moves - Lincoln, Machado, Cosart, Mier, Mets

• The Pirates will likely call up RHP Brad Lincoln to start the second game of a double-header on July 2nd, reports Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
• The Baltimore Orioles have announced that top prospect, SS Manny Machado, has been promoted to High-A Frederick, says Steve Melewski of MASN.com.
• John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer makes the case for Zack Cosart to be promoted to the majors to replace the Reds struggling tandem of Paul Janish and Edgar Renteria at short stop, but GM Walt Jocketty doesn't appear to be ready to make the move.
• The Houston Astros have promoted Jiovanni Mier from Low-A to High-A, tweets Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.
• The Mets re-shuffled a number of players in their organization, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.  Pitcher Matt Harvey and CF Matt den Dekker were moved up to Double-A.  The opening left by den Dekker will be filled by Cory Vaughn, who was promoted from Low-A to High-A.

 

Weekend Wrap-Up - Owens, Mier, Harvey, Borchering, Parker

Saturday

• Rudy Owens took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as the Pirates pitching prospect advanced to 2-0 on the season, reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
• Jiovanni Mier hit his first home run of the season as part of a breakout day for the Astros short stop prospect, says Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.

Sunday

• Mets 2010 first round pick Matt Harvey finally gave up a run as a professional, but it was unearned, leaving him with a still spotless ERA, notes Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Bobby Borchering's season is off to an incredibly slow start, but he burst out in a big way on Sunday with a 4-for-5 day at the plate, including a home run, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.  That's good news for the Diamondbacks, who need some right now after watching top pitching prospect Jarrod Parker struggle yet again in his second start back from Tommy John surgery.  Parker allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings of work, and while his velocity is back to its previous levels, his command and slider are still trailing behind, says J.J. Cooper of Baseball America.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Colvin, Chatwood, Gordon, Astros

• Phillies pitching prospect Brody Colvin is heading to the disabled list with what is being reported as a back injury, according to PhuturePhillies.com.  Colvin had to leave the game in his last start before completing the third inning.
• Tyler Chatwood will get another start for the Angels, reports Sam Miller of the Orange County Register.
• The Dodgers have a hole to fill at short stop after Rafael Furcal broke his thumb on Monday, and Jared Massey of LAdodgertalk.com speculates whether the team will promote Dee Gordon to take his place.
• The Astros farm system isn't the barren wasteland it once was, and Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle notes some of the more intriguing story lines within the system, including Jordan Lyles inevitable call-up and the organizational battle at short stop between Jonathan Villar and Jiovanni Mier.

 

Trout, Chisenhall, Turner Among Victims on Roster Cutdown Day

• The Pirates sent ten players away from major league camp on Monday, including prospects Daniel Moskos and Gorkys Hernandez who were optioned to Triple-A, prospect Jeff Locke who was optioned to Double-A, and Andrew Lambo and Chase D'Arnaud who were not on the 40-man roster and were re-assigned to minor league camp, but both of whom will also begin the season in Triple-A, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• The Angels made a round of cuts on Monday that included top prospect Mike Trout and pitchers Trevor Reckling and Loek Van Mil, reports Owen Perkins of MLB.com.
• Greg Halman was optioned to Triple-A by the Mariners on Monday, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• The Royals optioned both second base prospect Jeff Bianchi and outfield prospect Derrick Robinson to Double-A, says Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• The Indians re-assigned Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White, and Jason Kipnis to minor league camp, as well as optioned Nick Weglarz and Zach McAllister to Triple-A, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• The Astros re-assigned Koby Clemens, Jiovanni Mier, Doug Arguello, Jon Gaston and J.D. Martinez, to minor league camp on Monday, says Farmstros.com.
• The Tigers have re-assigned catchers Patrick Leyland and Bryan Holaday to minor league camp, and have optioned Cale Iorg, Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner to Double-A, says DetroitTigerTales.com.
• The Orioles optioned first base prospect Joe Mahoney to Triple-A, says Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.

 

Prospect Performances - Pineda, Harper, Teheran, Britton

• It was a good day to hit for White Sox and Indians prospects, as Stefan Gartrell homered and had an RBI single and Jared Mitchell had an RBI single of his own in the game, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.  For the Indians, second base prospect Cord Phelps drove in a run, and Nick Weglarz hit a two-run bomb.
• Michael Pineda gave up just a hit and a walk in two scoreless of innings of work, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Josh Lueke also threw two shutout innings for the Mariners and third base prospect Alex Liddi went 1-for-2 in the contest.
• Bryce Harper went 2-for-2 with two RBI's in his best game yet this spring for the Nationals, despite some heckling from one loud fan, says Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  Jiovanni Mier went 2-for-2 for the Astros in the game, says Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Jerry Sands homered on Monday and continues to make his case for a promotion to Los Angeles sooner rather than later, notes Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Julio Teheran threw a scoreless inning in his first appearance for the Braves this spring, notes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.  Also appearing for the Braves was fellow prospect Randall Delgado, who threw a perfect ninth, notes Josh Jackson of MiLB.com, while the Marlins saw prospect Tom Koehler blow a save in the ninth but earn the win in extras.  
• Mark Trumbo continued his quest for an Angles roster spot on Monday with a 4-for-4 performance that included his third home run of the spring, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Zach Britton threw three scoreless innings for the Orioles on Monday, says Emrich.

Prospects scheduled to make pitching appearances today are Rubby de la Rosa (LAD), Garrett Richards (LAA), and Alex White (CLE).