MLB Prospect Watch

Mariners' Send Saunders to Triple-A

Despite being one of the top prospects in the Seattle Mariners' farm system and receiving a call-up last season, Michael Saunders has been optioned to Triple-A, reports Doug Miller of MLB.com.  There was likely little Saunders could have done to earn a roster spot this spring, as the Mariners brought in Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes in the off-season and retained the services of Ken Griffey, Jr.

Saunders has a .922 OPS in a half-season in Triple-A in 2009, but struggled during his major league call-up, batting only .221 and striking out 40 times in 122 at-bats.

Position Battles in Camp

• Blake Wood is making a strong case for a spot near the back of the Kansas City Royals' bullpen, says Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
• Gaby Sanchez is in the lead over Logan Morrison for the Marlins' first base job, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, and the decision is based solely on performance.
• Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com expects the Pirates to hold Pedro Alvarez in the minors to start the season because of service time.
• Matt Tuiasosopo is making his case for a spot on the Mariners' bench, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, and he's doing it by showing off his versatility with the glove.

Prospect Potent Potables - 2/27

Some links for your weekend enjoyment...

• Casey Kelly continues to impress Boston Red Sox officials, even in the most routine exercises, writes John Tomase of the Boston Herald.  But as Ian Browne of MLB.com reports, Kelly is just soaking it all in.
• The Phillies bullpen is almost set, but David Herndon is a Rule V pick, so he's getting an extended look, notes David Murphy of Philly.com.  He also reports on Domonic Brown's education in camp.
• The Detroit Tigers are set to have not one, but two rookies in their starting lineup, and as John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports, Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore are learning the ropes together.
• Aroldis Chapman may have to overcome a language barrier now that he's in Reds' camp, but he's getting a lot of help from former major leaguer Tony Fassas, says John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
• C'mon guys, let's not get carried away.  Isn't pithcing in New York going to be enough pressure on Jenrry Mejia?
• Freedie Freeman is in Braves camp showing everyone why the team was comfortable with Troy Glaus as a one-year stop-gap at first base, notes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Dustin Ackley and Josh Fields have taken very different paths to get where they are now, but both are major parts of the Seattle Mariners' future, reports Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.

A Closer Look at Dan Cortes

All most of us know about Dan Cortes is that he has a checkered past and that the Royals probably gave up on him way too soon, but as Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times reports, there's more to Cortes than just his history.  Cortes was one of the main pieces the Seattle Mariners received in return their mid-season casting-off of Yuniesky Betancourt, and they were thrilled to get a player with such a high ceiling in exchange for a player who no longer fit their model of building around strong defense.

Cortes pitched in Double-A last season, so he may not be far from the majors, but he still needs to work on refining his overpowering repertoire of pitches.  Cortes should see time in Triple-A, and could profile as a power reliever if the Mariners find themselves in need of bullpen help this fall.

Aumont Awaits Decision

Despite earlier reports that the Philadelphia Phillies would use newly acquired pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont as a starting pitcher, the 21-year-old righty says the club still has not informed him of his role, reports David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.  The club may not have made an official decision yet, but the general consensus among club officials, fans, and even Aumont himself seems to be that there is nothing to be lost by letting him return to the rotation. 

Pitching every fifth day will give Aumont more minor league innings, a  more structured workout regimen in between starts, and a chance to maximize his potential.  Furthermore, a conversion from the rotation to the bullpen is significantly easier than trying to go the other way.

Aumont had been a starter early in his professional career, but the Seattle Mariners, then under the questionable direction of Bill Bavasi, moved Aumont to the bullpen in an effort to get him to the major leagues more quickly.  In the process, Aumont was given less of a chance to develop his much needed off-speed pitches.