MLB Prospect Watch

Links: Prospect Success in Major Leagues

Not all prospects are struggling in the majors...

• So maybe Fernando Martinez isn't obliterating the Mendoza Line, but it's always a good sign when your manager fights to keep you on the roster.  Martinez, who was originally called up by the Mets to take the place of the injured Ryan Church, is apparently going to be sticking around in New York despite Church's return from the DL, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News.  And apparently, Martinez has Jerry Manuel to thank.
• Less certain of a roster spot despite better performance, Phillies pitching prospect Antonio Bastardo churned out another solid start on Sunday night, this time against much better competition, reports David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.
• Not to be outdone, Vin Mazzaro (who is currently 1/5 of an Oakland A's starting rotation that is 80% rookies), also got a win in his second career start, albiet with significantly less run support notes the Daily News.

Links: Prospects Sticking in Majors?

• Fernando Martinez was initially called up to the New York Mets as an injury fill-in, but as Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reports, that might also be what keeps him there for a while.
• Sometimes one good start is all it takes to earn another one.  That seems to be the case for the Atlanta Braves and prospect Kris Medlen, who was given one more chance this past weekend after two poor starts to open his major league career.  Medlen responded with his first career win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Medlen earned himself at least one more start, this one coming Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
• The Oakland A's have shown no fear running rookie starting pitchers out to the mound this year, and, as John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, Tuesday was no different.  Vin Mazzaro got a win in his first career start, and if the trend continues in Oakland, there is no reason to think he won't be back on the bump in 5 days.

Player Promotions

Matt Eddy of Baseball America breaks down a number of the players who have been on the move in the past week.  Highlights include:

• Casey Kelly and Bryan Price (BOS) promoted to High-A Salem
• Gordon Beckham (CWS) promoted to Triple-A Charlotte
• Yonder Alonso (CIN) promoted to Double-A Carolina
• Christian Friedrich (COL) promoted to High-A Modesto
• Jemile Weeks (OAK) promoted to High-A Stockton
• Various assignments from last year's international signees

In addition to the information from BA, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Oakland A's pitching prospect Vin Mazzaro will join an already young A's rotation, and Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Phillies former first-round pick Kyle Drabek has been promoted to Double-A Reading.

Best and Worst from 5/27

BEST

• Justin Turner (BAL) - 4-5, 2B, batting .305
• Alex Avila (DET) - 2-3, HR, batting .301
• Andrew McCutchen (PIT) - 3-4, 2B, HR, batting .293
• Will Venable (SD) - 3-4, 2 HR, batting .258
• Beamer Weeks (SD) - 2-3, 2B, HR, batting .266
• Julio Borbon (TEX) - 3-5, 2B, 3B, SB, batting .289
• Wes Roemer (ARI) - 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 2.45 ERA
• Chris Withrow (LAD) - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 10 K/0 BB, 5.65 ERA
• Jon Michael Redding (LAD) - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K/0 BB, 5.13 ERA
• Vin Mazzaro (OAK) - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 2.38 ERA
• Brad Lincoln (PIT) - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 2.05 ERA
• Omar Poveda (TEX) - 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 K/2 BB, 3.10 ERA

WORST

• Efrain Nieves (MIL) - 4 1/3 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 6.30 ERA
• Jon Niese (NYM) - 6 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 K/3 BB, 7.96 ERA
• Jeremy Bleich (NYY) - 4 IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 3 K/0 BB, 3.86 ERA

Best and Worst from 5/6

BEST

• Josh Vitters (CHC) - 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, batting .333
• Mike Moustakas (KC) - 3-4, 2B, batting .287
• Devaris Gordon (LAD) - 3-5, 2B, 2 SB, batting .343
• Fernando Martinez (NYM) - 2-4, 2B, 3B, batting .287
• Dominic Brown (PHI) - 2-4, 2B, 3B, batting .319
• Allan Dykstra (SD) - 2-2, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, batting .185
• Tyson Gilles (SEA) - 3-6, 2B, HR, batting .305
• Angel Villalona (SF) - 4-4, 2 2B, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, batting .333
• Reid Brignac (TB) - 3-4, 2B, SB, batting .302
• Michael Burgess (WAS) - 3-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, batting .212
• Kris Medlen (ATL) - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 10 K/1 BB, 1.17 ERA
• Brad Holt (NYM) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K/2 BB, 4.38 ERA
• Dellin Betances (NYY) - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K/2 BB 3.90 ERA
• Kyle Drabek (PHI) - 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 9 K/1 BB, 2.27 ERA
• Christian Friedrich (COL) - 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 10 K/2 BB, 0.93 ERA

WORST

• Jake Arrieta (BAL) - 3 1/3 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 K/3 BB, 3.82 ERA
• Vin Mazzaro (OAK) - 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 6 K/1 BB, 4.34 ERA
• Michael Main (TEX) - 5 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 K/1 BB 8.39 ERA