MLB Prospect Watch

Links: Padres Call Up Top Prospect Blanks

The San Diego Padres have called up their top prospect first baseman/left fielder Kyle Blanks, to serve as their designated hitter during the remainder of interleague play, reports Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union Tribune.

Best and Worst from 6/15

BEST

• Ryne White (ARI) - 3-5, 2 HR, batting .278
• Dayan Viciedo (CWS) - 3-4, 2B, HR, batting .285
• Adrian Cardenas (OAK) - 4-6, 2 2B, batting .385
• Mat Latos (SD) - 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 12 K/0 BB, 1.29 ERA
• Anthony Rizzo (BOS) - 3-5, 2B, batting .293
• Bud Norris (HOU) - 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K/2 BB, 2.34 ERA

WORST

• Carlos Carrasco (PHI) - 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 5.57 ERA
• Blake Beavan (TEX) - 5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 6 K/0 BB, 8.44 ERA

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Austin Jackson (NYY) - 3-4, 2B, batting .345
• Jemile Weeks (OAK) - 3-4, 2B, SB, batting .385 in High A
• Kyle Blanks (SD) - 2-4, 2B, batting .280
• Buster Posey (SF) - 2-2, 2B, batting .324

Links: Rockies and Padres

A couple of local writers, Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune and Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies, take a closer look at the respective organizations that they cover.  A couple of key points:

• Etkin discusses the success of Christian Friedrich in his High A debut and Jhoulys Chacin's May finale, among others.
• Center covers the entire Padres organization, including top prospects Mat Latos and Kyle Blanks.  

Links: Padres, Blanks, Position Change?

Some news and notes on the San Diego Padres:

• As part of a plan that has been in discussion in the Padres organization for a while, top prospect Kyle Blanks, naturally a first baseman, will begin to play left field for the Triple-A Portland Beavers, reports Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune.  Blanks has been working in the outfield during batting practice for a few weeks in an attempt for the Padres to find a way to get his potent bat in their big league lineup.  Blanks is currently blocked by Adrian Gonzalez at 1B and Chase Headley in LF.
• Krasovic also discusses the upcoming MLB Draft and the possibilities for the Padres with the 3rd overall pick. 

Links: Prospect Update - Lawrie, Blanks, Jennings, Hellickson

• Baseball America blogger Jim Shonerd comments on the hot start of Brett Lawrie despite playing in the notoriously tough-on-hitters Midwest League and learning a new position.  Shonerd also touches on the hot start of Kyle Blanks and Desmond Jennings.
• Jeremy Hellickson, one of the Tampa Bay Rays top pitching prospects, left his last start early with a shoulder injury which he suffered during a pickoff attempt.  Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports Wednesday that Hellickson left with a supraspinatus sprain and is being re-evaluated.