MLB Prospect Watch

Cuts and Position Battles - Minor, Morel, Ramos, Francisco

• The battle for the final spot in the Braves starting rotation is going to Brandon Beachy, as the Braves optioned Mike Minor to Triple-A on Thursday, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
• Brent Morel was offically named the White Sox Opening Day starter, says Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• The Nationals have sent Jesus Flores to Triple-A, leaving the door open for Wilson Ramos to be the Opening Day starter behind the plate, says Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
• Juan Francisco appears set to make the Reds 25-man roster, playing a left-handed utility role while seeing time at third base, first base, and in the outfield, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

 

Prospect Action - Trumbo, Parker, Nats, Cox, Scheppers

• The Angels had their prospects on display on Thursday, as Mark Trumbo homered for the second time this spring, but Garrett Richards gave up three runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief work, and Trevor Reckling gave up three more in his two innings.
• Jarrod Parker tossed two scoreless innings in his second appearance for the Diamondbacks, and showed much better command than he had in his first outing, notes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
• The Nationals have some depth at catcher in their farm system, and their top two backstop prospects, Wilson Ramos and Derek Norris, both had solid days at the plate, with Ramos collecting two hits, and Norris hitting a home run off of Cardinals pitching prospect Maikel Cleto, reports Danny Wild of MiLB.com.  Zack Cox collected two hits in the game for the Cardinals, including a double, notes Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Brad Lincoln retired all nine batters he faced for the Pirates on Thursday, reports John Parker of MiLB.com.
• Aroldis Chapman struck out two batters in his one inning of work for the Reds, needing only seven pitches to complete the feat, including getting Dodgers prospect Trayvon Robinson to ground out on one pitch.  On the Dodgers side, Jerry Sands knocked two more hits, and Rubby De La Rosa threw two shutout innings, striking out three, and continuing to impress new skipper Don Mattingly.
• Tanner Scheppers couldn't get through his scheduled inning of work for the Rangers, walking two batters and complaining of back stiffness afterward, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

 

 

Winter League Recap - 11/9

Arizona Fall League

• Dan Merklinger earned his first AFL win of the fall, tossing three scoreless innings and getting run support from Michael Taylor and Kyle Skipworth, who both doubled in the Desert Dogs three-run fifth inning.
• Andrew Lambo hit a walk-off grand slam to cap a 6-run bottom of the ninth comeback for the Solar Sox.  Jeremy Jeffress was pulled two batters before the slam, but he was charged with four of the six runs in the inning, failing to record an out in the four batters he faced.
• The Saguaros scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to go up 6-4 and take the lead for good, behind three straight hits from the top of their order - Ben Revere, Eduardo Escobar, and Leslie Anderson.  Dustin Ackley reached base three more times in the loss.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Rays pitching prospect Alexander Torres threw five shutout innings to earn his first VWL win of the winter, striking out 11 batters in the process.
• Wilson Ramos wend 2-for-4 with a home run to help propel his Tigres team to a 6-0 victory.

Dominican Winter League

• Fernando Abad gave up one earned run over four innings of work on Tuesday , striking out three.
• Josh Reddick drove in three of the Gigantes eight runs to help lead them to an 8-5 victory.  Fellow Red Sox prospect Yamaico Navarro hit a two-run home run in the loss.

 

 

Winter League Weekend Recap

Arizona Fall League

• The Solar Sox won 13-5 behind a homer and five RBIs by Mets prospect Josh Satin.
• Dustin Ackley led the Javelinas offensive attack, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored.  He also stole a base, which Danny Wild of MLB.com says is something the Mariners want him to focus on this fall.
• Josh Collmenter earned his third win of the AFL season as the Diamondbacks prospect tossed five shutout innings, striking out eight.  Bryce Harper went 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts in the game.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Wilson Ramos put together three straight 1-for-4 games and has now hit safely in all six of his VWL appearances.
• Henry Rodriguez recorded his first save of the VWL season and has now thrown 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his last five appearances after giving up two runs in his first appearance.

Puerto Rican Winter League

• After a torrid start, Dee Gordon has gone hitless in his last three games, but is still hitting .450 this winter.

Dominican Winter League

• Josh Reddick's struggles this winter continue, as the Red Sox outfield prospect put up another pair of 0-for-4's this weekend.  Fellow Sox prospect Yamaico Navarro had the same result in his weekend of action.

 

 

Winter League Recap - 11/4

Arizona Fall League

• Ivan DeJesus, Jr. had five hits, but it wasn't enough offense for the Desert Dogs who fell to the Saguaros 11-4 on Thursday.  Chris Parmelee cranked out four hits in the win, three of which went for extra bases.  Alex Cobb recorded his fourth win of the AFL season, striking out six batters in four innings of work.
• Justin De Fratus pitched a scoreless inning of relief to pick up his first AFL save of the season and keep his fall ERA at 0.00.
• It was a rough outing for Danny Duffy as the Royals lefty surrendered six earned runs in just one inning of work and didn't get much better for Braves prospect Randall Delgado, who relieved Duffy and gave up two earned runs in as many innings.  The Scorpion offense was led by Charlie Culberson who had three more hits and is now batting .424 on the AFL season, reports Danny Wild of MLB.com.

Venezuelan Winter League

• Henderson Alvarez had his second rough start in a row after three solid outings to begin the VWL season.
• Alexander Torres made the most of his first VWL start, as the Rays prospect tossed five innings of shutout ball, striking out five and picking up the win.
• Wilson Ramos had a perfect day at the plate, recording two hits and drawing two walks in the Tigres 6-0 win.
• Dan Cortes recorded his fifth save, which ties him for the VWL lead, nailing down the Cardinales 3-1 victory.

Puerto Rican Winter League

• Kasey Kiker was inconsistent in his start, giving up just one run in 3 2/3 innings, but walking three and giving up three hits as well.