MLB Prospect Watch

Making Moves - September Call-Ups

Teams are really beginning to flood their rosters with young players as the season winds down, most of whom are auditioning prospects for spots on their 2012 rosters.

• The Washington Nationals are calling up pitcher Brad Peacock and 2B Steven Lombardozzi among others, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled Kyle Drabek and David Cooper, says Tom Dakers of BlueBirdBanter.com.
• The Chicago White Sox have promoted SS Eduardo Escobar and P Addison Reed, notes Dan Santaromita of FutureSox.com.
• The Colorado Rockies are going to bring Drew Pomeranz to the majors, according to Jack Etkin of InsidetheRockies.com.  Pomeranz was thought to be out for the season following an emergency appendectomy, but he has returned to action quicker than expected.
• The Minnesota Twins have called up OF Joe Benson, reports Joe Christiensen of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, who also adds that P Liam Hendriks will take the mound on Tuesday for at least one September start.
• The Seattle Mariners have promoted Alex Liddi, notes Larry Larue of The [Tacoma] News Tribune, making the 3B prospect the first Italian-born-and-raised player in the major leagues.

 

Prospect Action - Choice, Lobstein, Cowart, Lombardozzi

• A's pitching prospect Carlos Hernandez surrendered six runs in 5 1/3 innings, also allowing 11 hits in his worst start in months, notes the Sacramento Bee.  In California League action, OF prospect Michael Choice blasted his 28th home run of the season.
• Andrelton Simmons had a career night, as the Braves prospect drove in seven runs, knocked three hits, and stole a base, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Marlins prospect Dan Jennings allowed four runs out of the bullpen on Monday night, notes Tim Grubbs of NOLA.com.
• Rays lefty prospect Kyle Lobstein tossed six shutout innings, striking out six, according to ClawDigest.com.  Lobstein was supported on offense by Hak-Ju Lee, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and a steal.
• In other prospect news...
  • Red Sox SS prospect Xander Bogaerts went 4-for-5 with a home run.
  • Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer, but was outdone by teammate Taylor Lindsey, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles.
  • Steve Lombardozzi continues to show why the Nationals were unwilling to part with him at the trade deadline, as the 2B prospect knocked his 4th home run of the season.  Teammate Chris Marrero blasted a homer and a double as well.
  • Astros pitching prospect Ross Seaton tossed six shutout innings, fanning six.
  • Blue Jays prospect Drew Hutchison allowed just one hit over six innings of work.

 

AFL Recap - 10/13

• Casey Kelly threw 4 innings and struck out three, as the Red Sox prospect picked up his first AFL win on Wednesday.  He gave up 2 unearned runs and made two of the Javelinas 6 errors himself.
• Josh Collmenter picked up right where he left off in his AFL debut, notes Danny Wild of MLB.com, as the Diamondbacks pitching prospect tossed three shutout innings in his debut for the Scottsdale Scorpions.  Stephen Lombardozzi, Charlie Culberson, and A.J. Pollock provided much of the run support with two hits apiece, but Orioles prospect Ryan Adams led the way with three hits, including a home run.
• Michael Taylor hit his second home run in as many AFL games, reports Robert Emrich of MLB.com, as part of a 3-for-4 day for the A's outfield prospect, which also included a stolen base.  Taylor's Desert Dogs were aided by fellow A's prospect Carlos Hernandez, who threw three scoreless innings in relief to help preserve the win after Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos got touched up for two runs in the first two innings.

 

Making Moves - 8/12

• The Nationals have promoted INF Stephen Lombardozzi from High-A to Double-A Harrisburg, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• Michael Pineda will not be rushed to the majors to fill a need in the Mariners rotation, says John Hickey for Baseball America.
• The Orioles have promoted CF Xavier Avery to Double-A Bowie, according to Dean Jones, Jr. of the Baltimore Sun.
• The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly signed 50th overall draft pick Tyrell Jenkins to a $1.3 million contract, tweets Keith Law.  Jenkins also has a commitment to play quarterback at Baylor this fall.  No word yet on how his baseball career will effect his football commitment, but one would have to assume that $1.3 million would give the Cardinals some sort of exclusive commitment to baseball.

Organizational Update - Washington Nationals

Time to get caught up...

The Nationals once barren system is now beginning to bear fruit.  For simplicity's sake here, I'll assume you already know all about Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen.

Michael Burgess - Stats

The problem with Burgess has always been consistent contact.  His second go-round in the Carolina League seems to have solved that problem for now, but Burgess is going to have to prove he can lower his strike out numbers without repeating a level.  This year's K-rate has dipped below the 20% sign, and his OPS has risen to .814 as a result, which could result in a promotion to Double-A and the next test for Burgess.

Paul Demny - Stats

Demny is repeating the Sally League largely because of his 5.14 ERA last season, but in spite of his 3.78 FIP.  The Nationals are probably thrilled with his "improvements" this season and his 2.77 ERA, despite his FIP of 3.81.  In other words, Demny is about the same pitcher he was last year, but a lot luckier.

Danny Espinosa - Stats

After a season flashing both power and patience, and the corresponding promotion to Double-A this season, Espinosa has struggled slightly against tougher competition, but no more so than a 25-point drop in his BABIP would suggest.  He's still displaying decent plate discipline and some power, so he's far from a lost cause, and may just take some time to adjust to Double-A pitching. 

Destin Hood - Stats

Hood is creeping up on his career high in games played in a season already in 2010, which signals part of the problem.  The other is his plate discipline, as his K/BB ratio through 144 career minor is 146/37.  This season's respectable .290 batting average is a product of his unsustainable .404 BABIP and 22% line drive rate, and even with a bit of good luck, his OPS still stands at just .693.

Jeff Kobernus - Stats

More was expected out of last year's second round pick than his current .235/.260/.261 line.  He's simply not displaying any power or plate discipline (26 K's against 4 BB's).  It's a surprising performance from a college draft pick, but if improvement isn't seen by the time short season ball opens up, a demotion could be in line.

Stephen Lombardozzi - Stats

The son of a former big leaguer, Lombardozzi has been the model of consistency throughout his professional career.  This season, the 2B has maintained his plate discipline while displaying slightly more extra base power, but still no home run ability.  Still, his .384 OBP alone will be enough to keep him around.

Chris Marrero - Stats

Finally in Double-A but still just 21-years-old, Marrero hasn't developed into the complete hitter the Nationals thought they were drafting in 2006, but he does have good power that plays in games.  His free-swinging tendencies may be his demise at the higher levels of the minors, but his .274/.322/.434 line this year at Harrisburg is enough to think that he may still be able to be an everyday player in the majors at some point.

Jack McGeary - Stats

McGeary has managed to get his control back to respectability after an extremely wild 2009 season, but still isn't missing quite enough bats to be truly effective.  He is also averaging less than 5 innings per start, which is due to the Nationals restrictions on him, but is also a bad sign for a pitcher in his 4th professional season, regardless of the educational commitments that made him a part-time player his first few seasons.

Derek Norris - Stats

The best prospect the Nationals have left in the minors after Strasburg and Storen's promotions, Norris has continued to display his impeccable plate discipline this season, but has seen his power zapped due to various injuries.  Even without power, his .277/.440/.369 line is impressive, even if it is only in 20 games.