MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Action - Torres, Parker, Montero, Wimmers

• Alex Torres struck out nine batters in his first Triple-A start for the Rays affiliate in Durham, says Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Joe Savery went 2-for-3 on Monday night, and his batting average dropped, notes Joe Berkery of the Philadelphia Daily News.
• In a game that could only happen in the California League, Jaff Decker led his fellow Padres prospects to a 23-10 victory behind a home run, a triple, and a stolen base, reports Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.  In that same game, Rockies OF prospect Tim Wheeler homered twice.
• Jerry Sands homered for the third straight game on Monday, making his case to the Dodgers that he's more ready for the majors than previously anticipated, notes Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Jarrod Parker's first start back in a real game didn't go as he had hoped.  The Diamondbacks top prospects, was hit all over the park, giving up seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched, notes Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• In other prospect action...
  • Braves C prospect Christian Bethancourt was a single short of the cycle and drove in three runs.
  • Cubs OF prospect Michael Burgess hit two home runs, an even more impressive feat once you realize he did it in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.
  • After a rough spring, Jesus Montero has broken out in Triple-A, as the Yankees top prospect went 3-for-5 on Monday to raise his batting average to .450.
  • Blue Jays 3B prospect Brett Lawrie homered and doubled, raising his average to .381.
  • Twins 2010 first round pick Alex Wimmers had a meltdown of a performance on Monday, walking all six batters he faced to start the game, and threw three wild pitches.

 

Prospect Action - Trout, Ranaudo, Vizcaino, Jennings

• Mike Trout ended his season-opening hitless streak with two hits, including an inside-the-park home run, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  The Angels top prospect is beginning the season in Double-A for the first time.
• After a disasterous 2010 season, Brad Holt is back in Double-A to try again, and the Mets prospect got off to a good start on Saturday, tossing five shutout innings in his season debut, reports Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Red Sox prospect Anthony Ranaudo got his professional debut started on the right foot, tossing five scoreless innings, striking out four batters and reaching 95-mph on the radar gun, according to David Heck of MiLB.com.
• Joe Savery had another perfect day at the plate, and the Phillies attempt to salvage their former first-round pick as a hitter is going quite well, notes Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• Arodys Vizcaino had a rough first inning, but settled down and didn't allow another hit in his final four innings of work on Saturday, says David Heck of MiLB.com.  The Braves prospect is beginning the year in High-A ball.
• Other notables from around the minors:
  • Charlie Furbush was a hard luck loser, striking out six in five innings of work, giving up two runs but getting little run support from his fellow Tigers prospects.
  • Desmond Jennings hit his first home run of the season, making his case for a call up to Tampa.
  • Dodgers prospect Jerry Sands got his first home run of the season out of the way, connecting off of one of the Royals talented stable of pitchers, Danny Duffy.

   

Prospect Potent Potables - Singleton, Montero, Lee, Wheeler

• While the Phillies are busy finding ways to lose the NLCS, their front office is busy behind the scenes making moves to prepare for the future.  As David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News points out, these moves including shifting first base prospect Jonathan Singleton to left field in hopes that he and Ryan Howard can play together in the same lineup, and making former pitching prospect Joe Savery a hitter full-time starting next season.
• To say Yankees fans are excited about the eventual arrival of Jesus Montero would be an understatement, and Matt Imbrogno of TYU tries to defend that excitement.
• Yonder Alonso had a solid season in the Reds farm system, and Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com breaks it down in detail to see just how good it was.
• And because we know the Dodgers-Giants rivalry isn't going away anytime soon, Keith Law of ESPN.com predicts that in the near future, it will center around stud pitching prospects Zach Lee and Zack Wheeler.

 

Making Moves - 9/4

Even after all the prospect promotions at the start of the month, there are stil moves to be made...

• Brent Morel could be added to the White Sox roster soon, and will be used as a defensive replacement, says Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• The Phillies may call up Vance Worley to make a spot start in the second game of their Monday doubleheader, reports Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The Phils also made some decisions regarding former top picks, as Joe Savery will head to Clearwater to participate in the Florida Instructional League in hopes of becoming a hitter, while Anthony Hewitt has been excused from the league so that he can take some time off from baseball after a difficult season, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Ben Revere may join the Twins soon to help fill a void in their depleted outfield, reports Kelly Thesier of MLB.com.  The team has also moved pitcher Carlos Gutierrez to the bullpen, a move they have made before, but this time likely for good, according to Phil Miller of Baseball America.
• Zach Lee may have been a tough sign, but Kevin Baxter of Baseball America explains how the Dodgers were able to get it done.
• Despite his relief role this season, the Rangers still plan on developing Michael Kirkman as a starter for the future, says T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

Making Moves - 7/5

• Nick Franklin, one of the Seattle Mariners' three first or supplemental round picks in 2009, could be in line for a promotion, says Chris Crawford of Prospect Insider.com.
• The Phillies have moved former first-round pick Joe Savery to the bullpen in an attempt to revitalize the struggling lefty's career, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The team also promoted Matt Way to the Florida State League, where he will take the place of Trevor May, who was sent down a level, reports PhuturePhillies.com.  Oh, and Domonic Brown is essentially untouchable.
• The Royals have promoted pitcher Chris Dwyer to Double-A, further adding to an already prospect-laden team, notes RoyalsProspects.com.
• The international free agent market is in full swing, and some significant bonuses are being handed out.  
• • The Rockies signed Dominican LHP Jose Tovar, reports Steve Foster of Inside the Rockies.  
  • The Braves have inked Dominican RHP Mauricio Cabrera. 
  • The Tigers have opened their wallets for Venezuelan OF Danry Vazquez.
  • The Rays splurged on Dominican CF Yoel Araujo.