MLB Prospect Watch

Link: LaPorta to Miss Start of 2010 Season?

Cleveland Indians OF Matt LaPorta, a promising young hitter who was the team's main source of compensation for trading pitcher C.C. Sabathia in 2008, underwent surgery today on two parts of his body (his big toe and his hip) reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  LaPorta is expected to be out 4-6 months, which could put him in Jeopardy for Spring Training.

Link: LaPorta Back in Cleveland

Matt LaPorta has been promoted to the Cleveland Indians for the second time this year, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  LaPorta's call up in May was brief, and he did not play regularly, but Indians' manager Eric Wedge says that LaPorta will see "regular" playing time this time around.

LaPorta was the centerpiece in return to the Indians in last year's C.C. Sabathia trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Best and Worst from 6/24

BEST

• Brandon Snyder (BAL) - 3-4, 2 2B, batting .238 in Triple-A
• Matt LaPorta (CLE) - 3-5, 2B, HR, batting .310
• Alcides Escobar (MIL) - 3-6, 2B, batting .298
• Angel Salome (MIL) - 4-8, 2B, HR, batting .283
• Ike Davis (NYM) - 2-4, 2B, batting .667 in Double-A
• Reese Havens (NYM) - 2-4, 2B, HR, batting .232
• Matt Solentic (OAK) - 4-5, 3B, 2 HR, batting .291
• Michael Saunders (SEA) - 2-4, HR, batting .288
• Jarrod Parker (ARI) - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K/2 BB, 3.04 ERA
• David Hernandez (BAL) - 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 K/0 BB, 3.30 ERA
• Michael Bowden (BOS) - 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 3.11 ERA
• Wade Davis (TB) - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 6 K/2 BB, 2.89 ERA

WORST

• Jake Odorizzi (MIL) - 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 K/3 BB, 11.25 ERA
• Phillip Humber (MIN) - 3 1/3 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 K/1 BB, 5.88 ERA
• Dellin Betances (NYY) - 2/3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 K/3 BB, 5.48 ERA

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Pedro Alvarez (PIT) - 1-5, HR, batting .111 in Double-A
• Brad Lincoln (PIT) - 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K/3 BB, 1.35 ERA in Triple-A

Links from BA

The Baseball America blog has some great stuff in it today. 

First, Matt Eddy breaks down all the movement among prospects for the last week.  Among the highlights include the additions of Daniel Schlereth and Matt Wieters to their team's respective 40-man rosters, Matt Laporta's demotion to Triple-A, and David Price's call up to the big-leagues.

Eddy also discusses the prominence of the San Diego farm system when it comes to the minor league leaders in walks. Apparently their only hope to ever score runs is just to have as many runners on base as possible when Adrian Gonzalez comes up to bat.

Ben Badler chimes in with a breakdown of how much better Florida Marlins super-prospect Michael Stanton has gotten since last season, a scary thought considering he hti 39 homeruns last year.

Best and Worst from 6/1

BEST

• Yonder Alonso (CIN) - 3-4, 2 2B in first Double-A game
• Carlos Santana (CLE) - 2-5, 2 2B, batting .288
• Matt LaPorta (CLE) - 3-5, HR, batting .316
• Eric Young (COL) - 4-6, 2B, 3B, SB, batting .303
• Jordan Danks (CWS) - 4-6, 2B, HR, batting .337
• Gordon Beckham (CWS) - 3-5, 2B, batting .500 in Triple-A
• Mike Carp (SEA) - 3-4, 2B, HR, batting .302
• Brett Wallace (STL) - 3-4, HR, batting .284
• John Tolisano (TOR) - 5-5, HR, batting .259
• Matt Maloney (CIN) - 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 10 K/0 BB, 2.00 ERA
• Evan Anundsen (MIL) - 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 11 K/1 BB, 1.87 ERA

WORST

• Wes Roemer (ARI) - 5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 K/3 BB, 4.28 ERA
• Mitch Atkins (CHC) - 4 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 3 K/0 BB, 8.38 ERA
• Mike Antonini (NYM) - 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 K/3 BB, 5.95 ERA
• Jon Niese (NYM) - 6 1/3 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 8.05 ERA
• Jeremy Bleich (NYY) - 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 5 K/3 BB, 4.28 ERA
• Will Inman (SD) - 3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 K/3 BB, 7.04 ERA