MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Potent Potables - Orioles, Montero, Frazier

• The Orioles have been linked as possible trade candidates with just about every low-end veteran that's reportedly on the trading block, but as Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun points out, they don't have a lot to trade that they're willing to part with.  Connolly mentions Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes as the only realistic trade pieces among the Orioles top prospects.  If the team can't get significant return or significant improvement in an area of need (which, for those prospects they probably can't), then I don't see how a trade makes sense.  The Orioles aren't close to competing in the AL East, and giving up a prospect with any kind of upside for a marginal starter or middle reliever isn't the way to build long-term.
• Jesus Montero's power potential is even more valuable now than it would have been a decade ago, which is why the Mariners were willing to part with such a young, talented pitcher in order to get him, says Larry Stone of The Seattle Times.  Stone quotes scouts that even say that young position players are becoming more difficult to develop than young pitching, which, if true, and given the Mariners staple of young pitchers, makes the move a good fit for the Mariners even more.
• Todd Frazier's best chance to make the Reds roster this spring is his versatility, but the team has signed other versatile players Wilson Valdez and Willie Harris, potentially bocking Frazier's path, notes Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.  While Valdez and Harris have veteran experience, Frazier can duplicate all of their versatility in one player, and has more power potential than either one.  At 26, if Frazier isn't ready for the majors, he may never be.
• I wrote a piece for MLB Depth Charts discussing which of the top prospects in the game will make their team's Opening Day roster, including Montero, Matt Moore, Bryce Harper, Jacob Turner, Shelby Miller, Mike Trout, and Trevor Bauer.

AFL Recap and Links - 10/11/11

• In a rare AFL pitcher's duel, the Javelinas defeated the Desert Dogs 3-2, behind multi-hit days by Padres OF Jaff Decker and Mariners OF Chih-Hsien Chiang.
• In another low scoring affair, the Solar Sox took down the Scorpions 3-2.  A home run by White Sox OF Brandon Short was the difference for the Solar Sox, and Cubs 3B Josh Vitters contributed with an RBI double.
  • Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com mentions the only Pirate player in action, OF Robbie Grossman, who went 1-for-4 on the day.
  • Jordan Tuwiner of Orioles-Nation.com mentions the Orioles in action, including OF Xavier Avery, who went 1-for-3 with a triple.
• The Saguaros gave Braves P Sean Gilmartin plenty of run support, who got the win despite giving up two earned runs in four innings of work.  The Saguaros scored 11 runs behind a 3-for-6 day by Royals OF Wil Myers, and three RBI's by Braves C Christian Bethancourt.
  • Jared Massey of LADodgerTalk.com breaks down the Dodgers prospects in action in the game, including more struggles for Jake Lemmerman, who went 0-for-3 with 3 K's, and made an error.
  • RaysProspects.com points out Tim Beckham's 0-for-4 day, and other Rays prospects in action.

 

 

Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced

The rosters for the 2011 Arizona Fall League season were announced yesterday, and as usual, the rosters included a plethora of big name prospects.  Below are the prospects you need to know, broken down by team:

Mesa Solar Sox

Cubs - Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter

Orioles - Chorye Spoone, Joe Mahoney, Xavier Avery

Twins - Aaron Hicks

Pirates - Robbie Grossman

 

Peoria Javelinas

Padres - Jedd Gyorko, James Darnell

Brewers - Jed Bradley, Cody Scarpetta, Kentrail Davis, Logan Schafer

Cardinals - Oscar Taveras

Mariners - Danny Hultzen, Nick Franklin, Chih-Hsien Chiang

Mets - Reese Havens, Jefry Marte

 

Phoenix Desert Dogs

Indians - T.J. McFarland

Reds - Brad Boxberger, Yasmani Grandal

Blue Jays - Adeiny Hechavarria, Anthony Gose

A's - Michael Choice, Grant Green

Yankees - Corban Joseph, David Phelps

 

Salt River Rafters

Dodgers - Jake Lemmerman

Diamondbacks - Eric Smith, Ryan Wheeler

Tigers - Casey Crosby

Astros - Jay Austin

Rockies - Nolan Arenado, Tim Wheeler

 

Scottsdale Scorpions

Angels - Mike Trout, Hank Conger

Phillies - Tyson Gillies, B.J. Rosenberg

Red Sox - Brock Huntzinger, Will Middlebrooks

Nationals - Sammy Solis, Derek Norris, Bryce Harper

Giants - Brandon Crawford

 

Surprise Saguaros

Royals - Nathan Adcock, Wil Myers, Jeremy Jeffress, Christian Colon

Braves - Erik Cordier, Sean Gilmartin, J.J Hoover, Christian Bethancourt, Phil Gosslein, Todd Cunningham

Rangers - Neil Ramirez, Michael Olt

Rays - Tim Beckham

Marlins - Kyle Skipworth, Dan Jennings, Matt Dominguez

 

 

 

Blogs Track Teams - 7/12/11

• RaysProspects.com reports on the Rays farm system including a multiple-hit day for Derek Dietrich.
• TalkingChop.com briefs us on the Braves farm system including a home run by Ernesto Mejia.
• PineTarPress.com writes up the Royals results, including a homer by Brett Eibner and a three-hit day for Cheslor Cuthbert .
• Orioles-Nation.com checks in with a report on the Orioles system, including an up and down day at the plate for Xavier Avery.
• Jarred Massey of LADodgerTalk.com discusses the Dodgers farm system, and a rough start by Garrett Gould but a better one by Allen Webster.
• FutureBirds.net comments on the Cardinals, including two more hits for Kolten Wong.
• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com writes about the Reds, including two more steals for Billy Hamilton giving him 66 on the season.
• Steve Foster of InsidetheRockies.com makes mention of a multi-hit day for the red-hot Darin Holcolmb and other Rockies results.

 

Blogs Track Teams - 6/20/11

• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com reports on Yorman Rodriguez's fifth home run of the season and other Reds prospect action.
• Josh Norris of MinorMatters.com checks in with an update on the Yankees farm system, including a 4-hit day for C prospect Gary Sanchez and a multi-hit day for 2010 draftee Ben Gamel as short-season ball is now under way.
• FutureRedbirds.net discusses Nick Addition's rough start, another multi-hit day for Zack Cox, and other Cardinals prospect happenings.
• Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com points out a solid start for Brad Lincoln, a big day at the plate for Quincy Latimore, and other Pirates performances.
• Steve Foster of InsidetheRockies.com reports on positive offensive days by Wilin Rosario and Nolan Arenado, a rough start by P Peter Tago, and other Rockies results.
• PineTarPress.com writes about a brutal start for Mike Montgomery and other Royals prospect action.
• Jarred Massey of LADodgerTalk.com discusses another homer for Kyle Russell and other Dodgers doings.
• Orioles-Nation.com updates us on the Orioles farm system, including multi-hit days at the plate for L.J. Hoes, Xavier Avery, and Matt Angle.