MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Performances - 3/9

More and more prospects are seeing game action as Spring Training gets into full swing...

• Brian Matusz bounced back from a rough first inning to strike out 6 in 2 2/3 IP, reports Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.  The 5th spot in the Orioles' rotation is Matusz's to lose.
• Casey Kelly threw two solid innings for the Red Sox in his last appearance, but as Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald notes, it's is poise as much as anything which is most impressive.
• J.P Arencibia is having a solid spring reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.  After a rough 2009 campaign that began with so much hype, the 24-year-old catcher is starting over and learning from the veterans in Blue Jays' camp, adds Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• When you think of left-handed pitchers competing for the 5th spot in the Cincinnati Reds' rotation, you don't immediately think of Matt Maloney, but he's pitching well too, says John Fay of the Cinncinnati Enquirer.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates expect to be led by young players, but they have to be pleased when they get performances like this from Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata, as noted by Bill Chastain of MLB.com.  Brad Lincoln also threw two innings in the game, and has an outside shot at making the Pirates rotation.
• The Detroit Tigers' leadoff spot is Austin Jackson's to lose, but as John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports, Jackson is doing nothing to lose it.

ETA of Alvarez, Tabata

While there is no correct answer to the ultimate prospect question, "When is the right time for a call-up?", Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette answers some readers' questions, explaining the Pirates thought process on answering this question.

The questions specifically deal with Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata, both of whom are expected to begin the season in Triple-A.  Tabata has had 148 plate appearances at the Triple-A level, and Alvarez has a half-season at Double-A as his highest experience, so the club would have to be completely blown away by either's spring performances to consider keeping one or the other in Pittsburgh.  This feeling is only further advanced by the fact that Alvarez is blocked at third base by Andy LaRoche (although that won't stop him once they feel he's ready), and Tabata has Andrew McCutchen, Lastings Milledge, and Garrett Jones in his way in the outfield.

Essentially, there is nothing either player can do to convince the club to keep them on the Opening Day roster, but a strong showing this spring could expedite their eventually call-up.  With a good spring and a strong first half in Triple-A, both could be in Pittsburgh by the All-star break.

Prospect Potent Potables - 2/23

I tried to make these all "S" Words, but it didn't work...

• Kyle Drabek may have been the biggest prize in the Toronto Blue Jays' Roy Halladay haul, but don't forget about those other guys, Brett Wallace and Travis D'Arnaud, notes Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.
• Either the Cubs don't respect Ryan Theriot very much, or is Starlin Castro is just this good, asks Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
• David Wright has some advice for Mets' prospect Ike Davis, who is likely slated for Triple-A, reports Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News.
• Jose Tabata had a rough year off the field, but a good year at the plate, leading some to believe we may see him in Pittsburgh some time in 2010, notes Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• The San Diego Padres are having a spring mini-camp for 2009 draftees or players who are skipping a level, reports Corey Brock on MLB.com.  Among those invited are Donavan Tate, Everett Williams, and Kellen Kulbacki.

Q & A with MLB.com

The various talented beat writers for MLB.com answered e-mail questions from readers, giving us a better idea about where certain players stand within their organizations and where they may start the 2010 season.  Players mentioned included:

• Starlin Castro (CHC) - SS
• Andrew Cashner (CHC) - SP
• Brett Wallace (TOR) - 1B/3B
• David Cooper (TOR) - 1B
• Kevin Aherns (TOR) - 3B
• Ian Desmond (WAS) - SS
• Justin Turner (BAL) - 2B
• Neil Walker (PIT) - 3B
• Pedro Alvarez (PIT) - 3B
• Jose Tabata (PIT) - OF
• Tony Sanchez (PIT) - C
• Desmond Jennings (TB) - OF
• Reid Brignac (TB) - SS
• Jeremy Hellickson (TB) - SP
• Daniel Schlereth (DET) - RP
• Casper Wells (DET) - OF
• Jesus Montero (NYY) - C

Link: Tabata Older Than Reported?

Well...no one's quite sure.  The Pittsburgh Pirates say they are confidant in the accuracy of OF prospect Jose Tabata's reported age, but they are also very much aware of the speculation that he may be as many as 3 years older than reported, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  Pirates GM was quoted as essentially saying that he is aware of the rumors, but that there is not enough evidence for them to worry.

The difference between 21 and 24 years old may not seem like a lot, but when it's in regard to a player whose value lies primarily in his potential development, those 3 years become extremely relevant.  A large part of what makes Tabata such an attractive prospect (and why he was the main piece in return for Xavier Nady in their 2008 trade with the New York Yankees) is the power that most scouts think he will eventually develop.  These kinds of developments can be assumed with players who are young for their age (Tabata was in Double-A as a 21 year old in 2009).  If Tabata is actually 24, it is less likely that he will continue to develop and his performances at each level look less impressive.