MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Performances - 3/7

We continue to get looks at prospects while they are still in big league camp.

• Aaron Crow worked two scoreless innings fo the Royals on Saturday in his first appearance in a big league uniform, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  The Royals also got a chance to see Rule V draft pick Edgar Osuna and prospect Blake Wood, each of whom threw a scoreless inning, notes Dick Kaegel of MLB.com.
• Add Fernando Martinez to the list of impressive rookies in Mets' camp.  F-Mart hit two homeruns in a 4-for-4 day against the Nationals, reports Marty Noble of MLB.com.
• Jeremy Hellickson made his Rays debut against the Yankees on Friday, and Kevin Gengler of RaysProspects.com has a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of the young righty's performance.
• Angels fans got to see two prospects in a row, reports Lyle Spencer in his MLB.com blog.  Tyler Chatwood and Trevor Reckling made back-to-back appearances, each throwing two innings.
• Recently acquired Mitch Talbot threw two scoreless innings for the Indians, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Talbot, acquired in an off-season trade with the Rays, is battling to be the Indians' 5th starter.

Baseball America Organizational Reports

Baseball America does a great job profiling prospects in each organization in something they call their Organizational Reports.  Each article is short, and is typically about a lesser-known prospect, or one with a good story to tell, but they're full of good information for prospect lovers.  They released a number of them today, which I have linked here.  Viewing online requires a subscription, which I highly recommend, and for anybody who's a fan of this site, it's a must have, as we link to BA's exceptional work frequently.

• Jon Link was sent to the Dodgers in the Juan Pierre exodus, and is competing for a bullpen spot this spring.
• The Los Angeles Angels have a number of hard throwers in their organization, including Clayton Richards and Trevor Reckling.
• Introducing Brett Butts, who is flying under the radar in the Atlanta Braves organization.
• The Red Sox still have hopes for Ryan Dent.
• RHP Chia-Jen Lo has a chance to make the Houston Astros bullpen this spring.
• Michael Taylor talks about his three-team journey to Oakland this off-season.

Link: Halos Switch Trumbo to LF

Thanks to the breakout of Kendry Morales at 1B, the Angels have decided to explore the option of getting 1B prospect Mark Trumbo comfortable in left field, reports Bill Shaikin for Baseball America.  Trumbo played a little bit of RF last season and has been working on converting to the outfield during instructional leagues as the Angels try to find a way to get his powerful bat into their major league lineup.

Trumbo is likely headed to Triple-A next season where he will see time at both 1B and in the outfield.

Link: A Look at Catchers in the AFL

Ben Badler of Baseball America discusses some of the scouting reports of the catchers who played in the Arizona Fall League.  Those players include:

• Buster Posey (SF)
• WIlin Rosario (COL)
• Jonathan Lucroy (MIL)
• Luis Exposito (BOS)
• Hank Conger (LAA)

Arizona Fall League Highlights from 10/13

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) kicked off yesterday and should once again provide us with a glimpse into the not to distant future of Major League Baseball.  Here are some of the highlights from Day 1:

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim C Hank Conger went 3-5 with 3 RBI's leading the Mesa Solar Sox to a 10-6 victory over the Phoenix Desert Dogs.  Florida Marlins OF Mike Stanton chipped in as well, going 1-3 with 2 BB's and a SB in the win.   The Phoenix hitting attack was led by Baltimore Orioles 1B Brandon Snyder who was 2-5 with 2 RBI's and while Washington Nationals 1B Chris Marrerro also chipped in with a HR.
• The star in the Surprise Rafters 17-4 drubbing of Peoria Javelinas was New York Mets 1B Ike Davis, who led the Rafters with 6 RBI's and a HR as part of a 4-hit day.  St. Louis Cardinals C Bryan Anderson also had 3 hits and scored 3 runs for the Rafters, while New York Yankees P Ian Kennedy threw 4 innings, striking out 4 and giving up only 1 run.
• Atlanta Braves OF Jason Heyward picked up right where he left off, going 2-5 with a 2B in his AFL debut for the Peoria Saguaros, but it wasn't enough, as the Saguaros were defeated by the Scottsdale Scorpions by a score of 8-4.  The Scorpions hitting attack included a HR by Philadelphia Phillies OF Domonic Brown and 2 RBI's by San Francisco Giants SS Brandon Crawford.  The Saguaros did, however, receive two innings of work from Atlanta Braves P Mike Minor, the 7th overall pick in this year's draft.  Minor gave up one hit and 1 unearned run, while walking two.