MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - 7/7

• It really is hard to believe that Kila Ka'aihue is still in the minors, regardless of the positional logjam the Royals have to contend with, says Jack Moore of Fan Graphs.com.
• Carlos Peguero's power has shown up this year after a difficult April, but his massive strikeout totals could eventually be a problem if he ever wants to don a Mariners' uniform, notes Guy Curtright of MiLB.com.
• The Angels promoted pitching prospect Tyler Chatwood to Double-A recently, and Mike Lemaire of Baseball America discusses the decision.
• The Blue Jays have made another splash in the international market, inking RHP Adonis Cardona, reports Tom Dakers of BlueBird Banter.com.  Cardona is a 6'4" 16-year-old out of Venezuela who already throws in the mid-90's.

Prospect Potent Potables - 6/23

• No one can question Cody Johnson's raw power, but many wonder if the Braves' prospect will ever make enough contact to be a major league hitter, says Guy Curtright of MiLB.com.
• Trey McNutt's increased success can be attributed to the increased velocity on his fastball, and from learning how to pitch before he had it, says J.J. Cooper of Baseball America.
• Given the Royals' abysmal offense, it's hard to believe they haven't given Kila Ka'aihue more of a chance in the majors, given the big first baseman's penchant for not making outs, notes Chris Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Despite being in the midst of a breakout season, Jonathan Singleton is saying all the right things about taking his time progressing through the minors, according to Tyler Dunne of the Philadelphia Daily News.  Dunne also discusses the winding road that brought Jarred Cosart into the Phillies' organization, and the maturity the young righty has shown since becoming a pro.
• Pirates' catching prospect Tony Sanchez, a 2009 first-round draft pick, was struck in the face with a pitch, says Tim Williams of BuccoFans.com.  It is the second time this month Sanchez has been hit in the head with a pitch, but according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the injury is not serious.
• Ryan Lavarnway has made great strides defensively as a catcher this season, and his game behind the plate is catching up to his already solid ability in the batter's box, reports Katrina Waugh of the Roanoke Times.
• Tim Beckham's progression through the Rays' system has been far from smooth, but he's showing more and more flashes of the potential that made him the first overall pick two years ago, says Adam Berry of MLB.com.  If nothing else, Beckham is walking more than ever.
• John Sickles discusses the big league potential of Padres' OF Cedric Hunter, once a top prospect, but now profiling as more of a 4th outfielder at best.

Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet

Baseball America has once again released their weekly hot sheet, with this week's edition featuring some new names to take the place of the list's regulars who have graduated to the majors.

• J.P. Arencibia
• Brandon Belt
• Dellin Betances
• Tyler Chatwood
• Mark Cohoon
• Tim Collins
• Collin Cowgill
• Jeremy Hellickson
• Aaron Hicks
• Brett Jackson
• Desmond Jennings
• Kila Ka'aihue
• Jordan Lyles
• Trey McNutt
• Matt Moore
• Angel Morales
• Xavier Paul
• Derrick Robinson
• J.B. Shuck
• Julio Teheran

This week's bottom four include Lars Anderson, Che-Hsuan Lin, Travis D'Arnaud, Chris Dominguez.

Prospect Potent Potables - 2/28

Some prospect links to check out after the gold medal hockey game...

• Kila Ka'aihue' stock may be lower than it was at this point last year, but his chances of making it to Kansas City may be higher, notes Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• Joe Savery has a new found confidence in his control, thanks to a late-season adjustment, reports Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The Phillies hope the former first round pick is finally ready to turn the corner after a disappointing pro career thus far.
• After years of barren farm systems when it comes to producing position players, the San Francisco Giants finally have some outfielders on the horizon, says Chris Haft of MLB.com.  In particular, he discusses Francisco Peguero, Thomas Neal, Darren Ford, and Roger Kieschnick.
• While this probably isn't the Indians' main intention, Tony Lastoria from Indians Prospect Insider discusses the effect on service time clocks of sending Michael Brantley back down to Triple-A to start the season.
• Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally has organizational breakdowns for the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox, taking a look at the players in each organization that saw time in the South Atlantic League in 2009.
• The Pirates, always desperate for starting pitching, are attempting to move Donnie Veal back to the rotation, reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.  Veal spent 2009 as a reliever (when he wasn't injured) after being selected in the Rule V draft.
• Still no news on the Marlins first base battle between fellow prospects Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez, says Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald.
• Josh Reddick knows that the Red Sox have a lot of outfielders blocking his path, notes Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald.

Best and Worst from 5/25

BEST

• Lars Anderson (BOS) - 2-4, HR, batting .234
• Juan Francisco (CIN) - 2-4, 2 HR, batting .245
• Carlos Santana (CLE) - 1-2, HR, batting .306
• Gordon Beckham (CWS) - 3-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, .307
• Kila Ka'aihue (KC) - 2-3, HR, batting .277
• Casey Kelly (BOS) - 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K/0 BB, 1.12 ERA
• Bud Norris (HOU) - 6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K/3 BB, 2.55 ERA
• Guillermo Moscoso (TEX) - 8 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 11K/1 BB, 4.46 ERA

WORST

• Jeff Samardzija (CHC) - 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 5 K/2 BB, 4.40 ERA
• Tim Melville (KC) - 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 K/1 BB, 4.50 ERA
• Marc Rzepczynski (TOR) - 5 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 3.74 ERA