MLB Prospect Watch: Josh Vitters

Josh Vitters

Yonder Alonso wasn't going to be your typical power-hitting first baseman in any park, and certainly won't be in PetCo Park, but as Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune points out, the spaciousness of the outfield in the Padres home park should play right into Alonso's line-drive hitting strength.
Of the top-10 picks in the 2007 draft, only two - 3B Josh Vitters and P Casey Weathers - have yet to reach the majors, points out Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, who also notes that both are now with the Cubs and that this could be the year for Vitters to make the jump.
Roman Mendez has been with two organizations and has had up and down years, but as Mike Newman points out for FanGraphs.com, Mendez has re-established himself as a legitimate pitching prospects in the Rangers organization with a strong 2011 campaign, bouncing back from a poor 2010 season.

The Baltimore Orioles have essentially sold Brandon Snyder to the Rangers, trading the first base prospect to the reigning American League Champions for cash considerations, reports Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. Snyder is no longer a true prospect, having never really taken off with the bat despite finding a home defensively at first base. With the Orioles logjam at first base, there was little room for Snyder to get at-bats, but depending on the cash return, it still seems like they could have gotten a player in return. For the Rangers, Snyder could see time as a platoon partner with left-handed hitting Mitch Moreland.
The Detroit Tigers have let it be known that top prospect Jacob Turner is not untouchable for the right trade offer, notes Jason Beck of MLB.com. Turner is slated to compete for the team's fifth starter position this spring, and it appears the team would only deal him for a starting pitcher in return.
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com discusses the possibility of Josh Vitters over-taking Ian Stewart for the Cubs third base job this spring. Stewart joined the team via trade this off-season and it will be his starting job to lose at the hot corner, but if he struggles and Vitters hits this spring, the depth chart could certainly change.

Arizona Fall League

Cubs prospects Junior Lake and Josh Vitters led the way offensively for the Solar Sox, as each homered.
Marlins 3B Matt Dominguez hit his third homer of the fall to lead the Saguaros to an 11-0 victory.
Dodgers OF Kyle Russell hit a go-ahead homer in the top of the 9th inning to lead his Rafters to a 4-3 victory, and spoil a good start by Nationals P Sammy Solis.

In a rare AFL pitcher's duel, the Javelinas defeated the Desert Dogs 3-2, behind multi-hit days by Padres OF Jaff Decker and Mariners OF Chih-Hsien Chiang.
In another low scoring affair, the Solar Sox took down the Scorpions 3-2. A home run by White Sox OF Brandon Short was the difference for the Solar Sox, and Cubs 3B Josh Vitters contributed with an RBI double.
- Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com mentions the only Pirate player in action, OF Robbie Grossman, who went 1-for-4 on the day.
- Jordan Tuwiner of Orioles-Nation.com mentions the Orioles in action, including OF Xavier Avery, who went 1-for-3 with a triple.
The Saguaros gave Braves P Sean Gilmartin plenty of run support, who got the win despite giving up two earned runs in four innings of work. The Saguaros scored 11 runs behind a 3-for-6 day by Royals OF Wil Myers, and three RBI's by Braves C Christian Bethancourt.
- Jared Massey of LADodgerTalk.com breaks down the Dodgers prospects in action in the game, including more struggles for Jake Lemmerman, who went 0-for-3 with 3 K's, and made an error.
- RaysProspects.com points out Tim Beckham's 0-for-4 day, and other Rays prospects in action.

Tigers 3B Nick Castellanos hit a game-tying home run in the 8th inning to help his Salt River Rafters teammates to a 3-2 victory on Thursday. Nationals pitcher Sammy Solis struggled in the start for Scottsdale, allowing two hits and three walks in three innings of work.
Braves first round draft pick from 2011, Sean Gilmartin, made his professional debut for the Surprise Saguaros, allowing three earned runs in as many innings in his team's 8-7 victory. Marlins C Kyle Skipworth went 2-for-3 for Surprise, while Cubs 3B Josh Vitters added two more hits in the loss.
Indians slugging first baseman Jesus Aguilar continued his torrid start to the AFL season, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and his second home run, raising his fall batting average to .714, and leading his Phoenix Desert Dogs to a 10-4 victory.