MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Rockies Invites, Brentz, Cosart, Galvis, Concepcion

• The Colorado Rockies have announced their non-roster invites to spring training, notes Thomas Harding of MLB.com.  Position players Nolan Arenado, Tim Wheeler and Kent Matthes will be in attendance, as well as pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz.
• Mike Newman of FanGraphs.com breaks down Red Sox OF prospect Bryce Brentz, who had a monster 2011 season but doesn't profile as a dynamic player at the next level.
• Jarred Cosart should begin the 2012 season in Double-A, but he's been working out this off-season in the big-league park of his new organization, the Houston Astros, having grown up practically in it's back yard, reports Brian McTaggart for HoustonAstros.com.
• Now that the Phillies have re-signed Jimmy Rollins to a long-term deal, Freddy Galvis' path to the big-leagues is blocked, points out Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.  But that still gives the Phillies the option of using him in the majors this year as a back-up infielder, a role best suited to his current abilities, or sending him back down to the minors to see if his bat develops.
• The Cubs have signed Gerardo Concepcion, an 18-year-old LHP who defected from Cuba last June, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.  The team has reportedly signed a multi-year major league deal with the club.

Potent Potables - Halman, Rockies, Stephenson

Sad news on all accounts today, with the report of the murder of Mariners OF prospect Greg Halman.  Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times has more perspective as additional information comes to light.

On the baseball front...

• Ty Wigginton's trade to the Phillies opens up a potential spot for Rockies 3B prospect Nolan Arenado, says Doug Miller of MLB.com, although as ESPN's Buster Olney points out, Wiggington's at-bats may go to Jordan Pacheco for the immediate future.
• The Reds were pleased with how first round pick Robert Stephenson looked in the instructional league, especially given that he didn't sign until the August 15 deadline, notes John Fay for Baseball America.

 

 

Prospect Action - 10/26/11

Arizona Fall League

• Mariners P Danny Hultzen gave up just one earned run (on a solo homer) in 3 2/3 innings, striking out five in his Javelinas 7-6 loss.  A's OF Grant Green hit a home run in the 10th inning that proved to be the game winner.
• Pirates P Gerrit Cole also tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing just an unearned run and striking out four, picking up his second win of the AFL season.  Twins OF Aaron Hicks hit his third homer of the AFL season, a three-run shot, in support of Cole.  After a horrendous start to the fall, Nats OF Bryce Harper has now hit in seven straight games, including a three-run shot yesterday, his second of the fall season.
• The Rafters hammered out 15 hits, including multi-hit games by Astros OF Jay Austin, Diamondbacks OF Adam Eaton, Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado, and Dodgers OF Kyle Russell, among others.

Dominican Winter League

• Wilin Rosario hit his fourth homer of the winter season, leading his Aguilas Cibaenas to a 5-2 victory.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Brewers OF Caleb Gindl hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, to spoil a shutout, but it wasn't enough, as his Leones del Caracas fell 5-2.

 

 

Prospect Action - 10/25/11

Arizona Fall League

• A 16-hit barrage led the Saguaros to an 8-6 victory.  The onslaught included a 4-hit night by Rangers SS Leury Garcia, which included his first AFL home run, and two more home runs by fellow Ranger prospect Mike Olt, who hit his league leading fifth and sixth.  The first one by Olt came off of Cubs P Trey McNutt, who allowed three earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched.
• Despite coming in the third inning, a solo home run by Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado proved to be the difference in his Rafters 4-3 victory.  

Dominican Winter League

• Rockies C Wilin Rosario went 0-for-4 with two strike outs, contributing to his Aguilas Cibaenas poor offensive performance and 5-1 loss.
• Rays P Alex Colome gave up a run late and took the loss for his Leones del Escogido, despite a home run by Pirates OF Starling Marte helping the team's cause.

Mexican Pacific League

• Angels SS Austin Romine reached base three times, but it wasn't nearly enough run support for his pitching staff, who gave up nine runs in their loss.
• Yankees P Pat Vinditte threw another scoreless inning in his Aguilas de Mexicali's loss.

Venezuelan League

• Mariners 3B Francisco Martinez added two more hits, bringing his winter batting average to .378.

 

 

 

Prospect Action - 10/18/11

Arizona Fall League

• Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer in the seventh inning, extending his AFL leading RBI total to 19, notes Steve Foster of InsidetheRockies.com.  Arenado's Rafters needed every one of those runs to hold off the Solar Sox, which they did 12-9.  Cubs SS Junior Lake hit his fourth home run of the AFL season, while Twins OF Aaron Hicks hit his first as part of a 3-hit campaign.  Pirates prospects Jarek Cunningham and Robbie Grossman reached base three and four times respectively, notes Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.
• The Saguaros took advantage of three Javelinas errors to earn a 4-3 victory, with the difference-making RBI coming via a two-out double by Rangers 2B Leury Garcia.
• Bryce Harper had his first strong offensive game this AFL season, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run in the Scorpions 11-10 victory over the Desert Dogs.  Harper's run support was much needed as his Nationals teammate Sammy Solis got rocked once again, giving up four earned runs in three innings of work, including a first inning home run to A's OF Michael Choice.