MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Nieuwenhuis, Perez, Vizcaino, d'Arnaud

• Mets OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis doesn't have much of a shot to make the Mets big-league roster this spring after missing a significant portion of last season with a torn labrum, notes Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, but once he re-establishes his health, he could work his way to the majors this season.  Nieuwenhuis could take over in center field if Andres Torres doesn't regain his 2010 offensive form, or he could take over in one of the corners, where he would be an above-average defender.
• Mike Newman of FanGraphs.com breaks down the struggles of Braves lefty Carlos Perez, attributing at least some part of it to a change in body type that Perez went thorugh bewteen 2010 and 2011.  While Perez is still far from the majors, Arodys Vizcaino is a large part of the Braves future, possibly as soon as next season.  Whether that is in the rotation or out of the bullpen is still up in the air, but Ben Duronio of CapitalAvenueClub.com offers his take on Vizcaino and a response to Keith Law's evaluation of him.
• MinorLeagueBall.com has an in-depth breakdown of Blue Jays catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and how he stacks up against other prospects and other catching prospects throughout the game of baseball.

Prospect Potent Potables - Gose, Indians, Mets, Cardinals

• The Blue Jays want Anthony Gose to use his speed more, and to use it more effectively, including bunting more often, reports Larry Millson for Baseball America.
• The Indians don't have a ton of talent in their farm system, but they have some players who are entering important years in their careers, notes Jim Piasick of IndiansProspectInsider.com.  He names Cord Phelps, Nick Weglarz, Jason Knapp, Beau Mills, and LeVon Washington, and breaks down what each needs to do to get headed back in the right direction.
• The Mets are planning a prospects vs. veterans game on March 3rd or 4th, according to Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com.
• The Cardinals are holding a early prospect camp, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  The link has the full list of prospects, which includes Carlos Martinez and Oscar Taveras.

Prospect Potent Potables - Montero, Hutchison, White Sox, Pastornicky

• Newly acquired Seattle Mariners C Jesus Montero is going to be given "every opportunity to catch," reports Larry Stone of The Seattle Times, quoting Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik.
• Drew Hutchison, who made great strides in the Blue Jays organization last season splitting time between Low and High-A, should start this season in Double-A, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
• The White Sox have announced their non-roster Spring Training invites, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com, a list that includes Jared Mitchell, Trayce Thompson, and Jordan Danks.
• Mark Bowman of MLB.com suggests that the Braves would have preferred to allow Tyler Pastornicky a few more months in the minors to develop, but says that the team's finances have likely forced them to go with the rookie as their starting short stop.

Prospect Potent Potables - Peguero, Galvis, Short stops

• Despite hitting a wall (figuratively) and struggling for much of December, Mariners OF prospect Carlos Peguero is still leading the Dominican League in home runs, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• Not having much success offensively is Phillies SS prospect Freddy Galvis, notes Beerleaguer.com.  Galvis is the only in-house candidate to take over if Jimmy Rollins is not re-signed.
• Speaking of short stops, John Sickles compares three short stop prospects - Adeiny Hechavarria, Jose Iglesias, and Tim Beckham.

White Sox Aquire Nestor Molina

The Chicago White Sox have traded closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Nestor Molina, the team reports.

Molina is a 22-year-old converted infielder turned right-handed pitcher, whose fastball sits from 90-94 mph.  He throws a splitter that grades as above-average and a slider that is below-average.  Keith Law of ESPN.com has a report on the deal, calling Molina the Blue Jays "sixth-best pitching prospect, but says that after the trade he becomes the best prospect in the White Sox system.  Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has a similar scouting report (subscription needed).  John Sickles breaks down Molina as well, and likes the deal for both sides.