MLB Prospect Watch

Prospects in the Majors 4/8

• Brett Gardner (NYY) - 0-4, R, batting .143
• Ryan Perry (DET) - 1 IP, K
• Travis Snider (TOR) - 0-3, 2 K, batting .200
• Jordan Schafer (ATL) - 1-4, HR, R, BB, batting .300 with 2 HR
• J.A. Happ (PHI) - 2 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 K/1 BB, HR (Schafer)
• Dexter Fowler (COL) - 1-4, HR (off D. Davis), 2 R, BB, K, started in CF and led off
• Chris Dickerson (CIN) - 0-3, R, RBI, BB, K
• Elvis Andrus (TEX) - 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, E, batting .375
• Taylor Teagarden (TEX) - 0-1
• Chris Getz (CWS) - 0-4, batting .250
• Colby Rasums (STL) - 0-3, 2 BB, started in LF and led off
• Nick Adenhart (LAA) - 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 5 K/3 BB
• Travis Ishikawa (SF) - 1-4, R, batting .333

Prospects in the Majors 4/7

This is MLBPW's daily look at prospects in the majors for Tuesday 4/7:

• Chris Getz (CWS) 2-4, 2B, R
• Travis Ishikawa (SF) - 2-5, 3B, 3 RBI, R
• Joe Martinez (SF) - 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB/1 K, Win
• Jordan Schafer (ATL) - 0-3, BB, K
• Travis Snider (TOR) - 0-3, R
• Cameron Maybin (FLA) - 1-5, R, K 4 LOB
• Jose Morales (MIN) - 0-3, 3 K
• Colby Rasmus (STL) - 2-4, 2 R, BB
• Donald Veal (PIT) - 1 IP, 1 ER, H, 3 BB/3 K, HR (Y. Molina)
• David Freese (STL) - 0-0, BB
• Dexter Fowler (COL) - 0-0, BB
• Edwin Morano (SD) - 1 IP, 2 BB/1 K
• Trevor Cahill (OAK) - GS, 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 BB/1 K, ND

Odds and Ends from Around the League

• Travis Ishikawa continues his assault on the Giants' 1B opening hitting two home runs on Saturday, but as Henry Shulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, power won't be Ishikawa's game at AT&T Park.  Also mentioned in the article was the unimpressively noteworthy Giants debut of Angel Villalona.
• Despite his demotion, Pirates prospect Neil Walker is expected to be back up in Pittsburgh at some point in 2009, but as Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, his role on the Pirates may be as more of a super-utility man.  With third base currently occupied by Andy LaRoche and 2008 second overall draft pick Pedro Alvarez not too far from the majors, Walker is spending time in the outfield as well as third base.  Don't forget, he also has experience as a catcher.
• Not your typical post-game quotes from a 20-year old who's never pitched above A-ball, but as John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports, Rick Porcello doesn't appear to be your typical 20-year old pitcher.  Tigers fans should love the higher standard Porcello is holding himself to.

Link: Ishikawa Earning a Spot in the Giants Lineup?

During the off-season, multiple reports had the San Francisco Giants involved in trade talks pursuing Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder.  Ultimately the price tag for the hefty hitter was too much, but the Giants might still be able to get some production out of their first-sackers this season.

After a bounce-back year in 2008, Travis Ishikawa is having an outstanding spring, and according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, he is in line to be the Giants starting first baseman this spring.

The Giants entered the spring with a number of young players competing for various positions around the infield. Pablo Sandoval is a hitter the Giants desperately want to have in their lineup, but his defense at 3B is less than desirable, and he certainly is not the catcher Bengie Molina is behind the plate.  Unless Sandoval magically finds a solid glove at another position, look for a platoon at 1B between the left-handed Ishikawa and the right-handed Sandoval, with Sandoval playing other positions as well.

Weekend Wrap-Up

After our first week of Spring Training games, let's take a look back at the role many prospects are playing throughout both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues:

• The leaderboard for playing time this spring is littered with prospects getting every chance to prove they're ready for the big leagues, but the results have been mixed:
  •  Colby Rasmus (STL) - Leading all players with 19 AB's (.211/.318/.263) 
  • Freddie Freeman (ATL) - 13 AB's, (.154/.154/.385, 1 HR)  
  • John Mayberry, Jr (PHI) - 13 AB's (.385/.467/.692, 1 HR) 
  • Travis Ishikawa (SF) - 12 AB's (.500/.500/1.083, 2 HR's)
  • John Jay (STL) - 12 AB's (.417/.462/.667) 
  • Josh Outman (OAK) - 4 IP (4.50 ERA) 
  • Billy Buckner (ARI) - 4 IP (4.50 ERA)
•   Some prospects are going to make it very difficult if their managers want to cut them: 
  
  • Brett Gardner (NYY) - .500/.545/.1.300, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 SB in 10 AB's
  • Matt Tuiasosopo (SEA) - .500/.500/1.000, 2 2B, HR in 10 AB's
  • Mike Carp (SEA) - .444/.444/.889, 2B, HR in 9 AB's
  • Matt LaPorta (CLE) - .500/.500/1.000, 2B, HR in 8 AB's
• Some prospects aren't having the same luck, especially on the mound:
  • Michael Bowden (BOS) - 1 2/3 IP, 4 ER (21.60 ERA) 
  • Drew Carpenter (PHI) - 0 IP, 4 ER (INF ERA)