MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Reckling, Pastornicky, Flores

• With his prospect status being a fraction of what it once was, it's easy to overlook the strong half-season Trevor Reckling had in Double-A in 2011 before going on the shelf with a sore elbow.  But as Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com points out, Reckling did show improvement, and is spending this off-season working with former Angels lefty Mark Langston, in hopes of fully re-gaining his status as a top prospect.
• Tyler Pastornicky is the front-runner to win the Braves starting shortstop job this spring, and as Bill Ballew points out for Baseball America, the Braves tend to have no fear of letting a rookie start on Opening Day.
• Wilmer Flores' bat has become something of a disappointment, and his prospect stock will only drop further when he makes his eventual move off of shortstop, but Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com discusses the posibility of Flores moving to second base, as well as the immense pressure that has been put on him since the Mets signed him and the borderline ridiculous comparisons to Miguel Cabrera that Flores has had to endure.

Prospect Potent Potables - Flores, Taillon, Cardinals and Pirates Invites

• Wilmer Flores' positional future has been up in the air for quite some time, but Mets beat reporter Anthony DiComo says that it's his bat that will determine his future.  Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com agrees, pointing out that Flores is a bit of a "tweener," in that his defense isn't good enough for shortstop but he doesn't have the power yet for third base.
• Despite an ERA of almost 4.00 in his first full season, Mike Newman of FanGraphs.com calls Jameson Taillon's 2011 season a success.  And he's right.  The Pirates top pick from 2010 had a FIP of 3.37 and his stuff was more impressive than his numbers, and the Pirates limited his use of his plus curveball in order to develop his other off-speed pitches.
• The Cardinals and Pirates have announced their non-roster invitees to Spring Training.  The reigning world champs' list includes 2011 first-rounder Kolten Wong, top prospect Shelby Miller, and more, while the Buccos list includes first overall pick in 2011 Gerrit Cole among others.  You can check out all of the spring training invites and keep track of them throughout the spring on our Spring Training Invites Page.

Prospect Potent Potables - Flores, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Petricka

• Mets SS Wilmer Flores is having a nice winter in the Venezuelan Winter League, notes Toby Hyde of MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com, after having an uninspiring regular season.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks are prepared to enter spring training with an open competition for their final rotation spot, consisting of in-house candidates, according to Jack Magruder of Baseball America.  The candidates for the final spot include Wade Miley, Tyler Skaggs, Pat Corbin, Trevor Bauer, and Charles Brewer.
• The Phillies got nice contributions from rookie pitchers last season, and Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer takes a look at which pitchers could follow the same path this year, including Phillippe Aumont, Justin De Fratus, Jake Diekman, Austin Hyatt, and Tyler Cloyd.
• The key to White Sox pitcher Jacob Petricka's development will be the progress of his off-speed pitches, says Mark Gonzales of Baseball America.

Prospect Potent Potables - Nieuwenhuis, Diamondbacks, Gennett

• There have been many conflicting opinions as to where Kirk Nieuwenhuis fits into the Mets future outfield plans, and Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com takes a look at answering that very question, who also notes that Wilmer Flores is coming on strong towards the end of the winter season.
• The Diamondbacks system is so deep right now that their Double-A rotation last season had prospects one through five, notes Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, and that group should make the jump to Triple-A next season.
• In a very weak Brewers farm system, Scooter Gennett has established himself as a legitimate prospect, notes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

Prospect Potent Potables - Harper, Molina, Flores, Reds

• Bryce Harper, the top prospect in all of baseball and the Washington Nationals right fielder of the future, could see his future in the major leagues happen as early as next season, reports Ashley Marshall of MLB.com, sourcing quotes from Nats GM Mike Rizzo, who says Harper will be in the majors as soon as they deem him ready.
• Dan Santaromita of FutreSox.com evaluates Nestor Molina, the White Sox newest prospect acquisition.
• Wilmer Flores is getting playing time again in Venezuela, starting at second base over the weekend, reports MetsBlog.com.  The Mets top position player prospect has been in and out of the lineup all winter.
• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com profiles the state of the Reds pitching within their farm system, including a look at Daniel Corcino, Robert Stephenson, Kyle Lotzkar, Tony Cingrani, and others.