MLB Prospect Watch

Roster Cuts - Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, Marlins

• The Phillies optioned Vance Worley to Triple-A and re-assigned Mike Stutes to minor league camp, but both should return to Philly at some point this season, says Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Zach Stewart was one of thee players re-assigned to minor league camp by the Blue Jays, reports Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
• Dillon Gee, who was throught to be in contention for a spot in the Mets rotation, was optioned to Triple-A, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
• The Marlins re-assigned Kyle Skipworth and Tom Koehler to minor league camp, says Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Holt, Phillies, Castillo

• After a disappointing 2010 season, Brad Holt is looking to bounce back and re-establish himself on the Mets' radar, says Dan Martin of the New York Post.
• The Phillies have a number of intriguing young arms, and John Sickles compares two very similar righties, Brody Colvin and Jarred Cosart.
• Those arms aren't among the group competing for a spot on the Phillies pitching staff, but Vance Worley has a chance to stick as a long reliever after a brief stint in the majors last season, says David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News, and Justin De Fratus, Michael Schwimer, and Mike Stutes will all be in camp with an outside shot at grabbing a roster spot.
• The signing of Darwin Castillo was completed by the Royals over the weekend, and Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has a little more on the right-hander out of the Dominican.

 

 

Prospect Potent Potables - 9/7

• The Reds had a lot of reasons to give Devin Mesoraco every chance to succeed (both monetary and draft-pick commitment), but as John Fay of Baseball America puts it, their patience was rewarded this season.
• The Indians have been pleased with the progress of Nick Hagadone, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Hagadone finished the season in Double-A and should be slated for Triple-A at some point in 2011, if not from the start.
• After a respectable first career start (coupled with the general ineffectiveness of Kyle Kendrick), Phillies pitcher Vance Worley may have earned himself another start this September, says Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  If nothing else, he's auditioning for next year.
• The Mariners are clearly building for the future, and that future looks a lot brighter thanks to the progression of prospects Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda, as discussed by Chris Crawford of ProspectInsider.com.
• Brandon Beachy was as unlikely of a candidate to lead the minor leagues in ERA as you would find, but it appears that's exactly what he's done, says Matt Eddy of Baseball America.  If you haven't already, you can now add Beachy to the long list Braves pitching prospects.
• And because nothing in Baltimore is OK unless he says so, it's a good thing that Cal Ripken, Jr. says he likes Manny Machado, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

Making Moves - 9/4

Even after all the prospect promotions at the start of the month, there are stil moves to be made...

• Brent Morel could be added to the White Sox roster soon, and will be used as a defensive replacement, says Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• The Phillies may call up Vance Worley to make a spot start in the second game of their Monday doubleheader, reports Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The Phils also made some decisions regarding former top picks, as Joe Savery will head to Clearwater to participate in the Florida Instructional League in hopes of becoming a hitter, while Anthony Hewitt has been excused from the league so that he can take some time off from baseball after a difficult season, reports Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Ben Revere may join the Twins soon to help fill a void in their depleted outfield, reports Kelly Thesier of MLB.com.  The team has also moved pitcher Carlos Gutierrez to the bullpen, a move they have made before, but this time likely for good, according to Phil Miller of Baseball America.
• Zach Lee may have been a tough sign, but Kevin Baxter of Baseball America explains how the Dodgers were able to get it done.
• Despite his relief role this season, the Rangers still plan on developing Michael Kirkman as a starter for the future, says T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

Prospect Potent Potables - 8/11

• Jordan Lyles is slated to make his Triple-A debut tonight, but as Bryan Smith of FanGraphs.com argues, this should be his last promotion for the season.  Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez has been a nice surprise for the Astros after they selected the OF in the 20th round in 2009, and he continues to succeed in his first test against advanced pitching, batting .326/.404/.489 in 92 AB's in Double-A, reports Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.
• The Braves have demoted OF prospect Cody Johnson back to High-A after 233 AB's and a .613 OPS in Double-A, reports TalkingChop.com.
• The Mariners are having a disappointing season at the major league level, but they have seen some positive performances at the lower levels of the minors from Latin American players like George Mieses, Richard Vargas, and Ramon Morla, says Conor Glassey of Baseball America (subscription required).
• Tim Alderson still has a long road ahead of him in trying to work out his mechanical flaws before the Pirates can even consider him as a part of their future, says Dejan Kovacevic for Baseball America.  Meanwhile, Tim WIlliams of PiratesProspects.com asks whether or not Chase D'Arnaud is the team's shortstop of the future.
• Vance Worley may have been sent down by the Phillies, but he was only sent to Triple-A rather than back to Double-A where he was promoted from, so the final result felt like a promotion, says Jim Salisbury for Baseball America.
• Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer breaks down the long journey of Angels' prospect Mike Trout, from South Jersey high school star to top prospect in all of baseball.