MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Performances - 3/11

Your daily wrap up of how prospects are doing in camp.

• Kyle Drabek threw two scoreless innings for the Blue Jays in his first chance to face his former organization, the Philadelphia Phillies, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Mike Leake showed his Reds' team that you don't have to throw 100-mph to be effective, as he threw 2 scoreless innings of his own, reports Tom Singer of MLB.com.
• Jacob Turner, the Tigers' first round pick in 2009, got to face major league hitters for the first time, and struck out one of the best, reports John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press. 
• Marlins' prospect Mike Stanton hit a no-doubter off of Wandy Rodriguez, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
• Blake Wood threw a perfect inning for the Royals on Wednesday, and is becoming a more likely candidate for the team's bullpen, says Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  Wood has been a starter in the minors, but has transitioned smoothly to the bullpen this spring.
• Jared Mitchell won't make the White Sox' roster, but he's leaving a good impression on manager Ozzie Guillen, something that's not easy to do, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• A.J. Pollock got a chance to play for the Diamondbacks Wednesday, and doubled in the first at-bat off live pitching he has had all spring, notes Steve Gilbert in his MLB.com blog.

Leake Eying Cincinnati

Mike Leake was considered the most big-league ready pitching prospect in this year's draft not named Stephen Strasburg.  The Cincinnati Reds are getting a look at just how ready he is this spring, but according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Leake thinks he's ready to go now.

Leake is not being considered, at least not publically, for the Reds' 5th spot in the rotation, but he's making it his goal for the spring.  It would be quite a jump, considering Leake has yet to pitch a minor league inning.  It is more probable that Leake will begin in Double-A to get some minor league experience before making the jump to the majors.

LinkL Interview with Mike Leake

Adam Foster of Project Prospect has an entertaining interview with Cincinnati Reds first-rounder Mike Leake about his time in the Arizona Fall League, his adjustment to being a professional, his style of pitching and his general cocky attitude.  It's a very interesting piece that's worth a look.

Link: AFL Pitchers Recap

Jason Grey of ESPN.com breaks down the performance of every pitcher in the Arizona Fall League.  Key names include:

• Stephen Strasburg
• Jenrry Mejia
• Aaron Crow
• Mike Leake
• Mike Minor

Link: AFL Report

ESPN's Kieth Law gives us some early scouting returns from the Arizona Fall League (ESPN Insider subscription needed).  Some of the highlights:

• New York Mets pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia showed two plus pitches.
• Dustin Ackley, the Seattle Mariners new top OF prospect, has looked sharp.
• First-round picks Drew Storen, Mike Leake, and Mike Minor gave mixed reviews.
• OF Domonic Brown of the Philadelphia Phillies is super-talented, but raw.