MLB Prospect Watch

Britton Cut by Orioles

In an expected move, the Orioles have cut Zach Britton from their major league camp, reports Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  Britton is expected to begin the season in Triple-A.

Though not the primary reason for the move, keeping Britton in the minors for 20 days will delay Britton's free agency a full season.

 

Prospect Performances - Drabek, Britton, Angels, Taillon

• Kyle Drabek gave up just one run in five innings of work in his final spring start before assuming his role as the Blue Jays number two starter, says Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
• Zach Britton gave up two runs over six innings of work in his last bit of proof that he's ready for the majors, despite the fact that the Orioles will start him in Triple-A, says Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun.
• The Angels young prospects showed they weren't fazed by the big stage, as Mike Trout and Hank Conger led the offensive attack in a comeback win against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, notes Quinn Roberts of MLB.com.
• Jameson Taillon threw three innings on the Pirates back fields against A-ball competition, and was dominant, needing just 31 pitches to get threw his outing, according to Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.  Williams also has a video posted of Taillon's outing.

 

Prospect Performances - Moustakas, Britton, Parker

FRIDAY

• In a possible glimpse of their future, the Angels were led by the bats of catching prospect Hank Conger and first base prospect Mark Trumbo on Friday, says Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Mike Moustakas made two errors in the 10th inning on Friday, essentially costing the Royals the game, notes Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

SATURDAY

• Zach Britton threw four scoreless innings for the Orioles, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
• Blake Beavan made his first spring start for the Mariners, and gave up just one earned run over three innings of work, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com.
• Both Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver were impressive against one another in a simulated game, reports Jacon Beck of MLB.com.  The Tigers are stretching both out for their roles as starters in the minors this season, but no longer have the innings to go around to do so in major league spring training games.
• Jarrod Parker threw two hitless innings for the Diamondbacks, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.

SUNDAY

• Charlie Furbush gave up one run over three innings of relief work for the Tigers, says Josh Jackson of MiLB.com.
• Elih Villanueva tossed four scoreless innings in relief for the Marlins, allowing just two hits.

 

Prospect Performances - Pineda, Harper, Teheran, Britton

• It was a good day to hit for White Sox and Indians prospects, as Stefan Gartrell homered and had an RBI single and Jared Mitchell had an RBI single of his own in the game, reports Jordan Bastain of MLB.com.  For the Indians, second base prospect Cord Phelps drove in a run, and Nick Weglarz hit a two-run bomb.
• Michael Pineda gave up just a hit and a walk in two scoreless of innings of work, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Josh Lueke also threw two shutout innings for the Mariners and third base prospect Alex Liddi went 1-for-2 in the contest.
• Bryce Harper went 2-for-2 with two RBI's in his best game yet this spring for the Nationals, despite some heckling from one loud fan, says Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  Jiovanni Mier went 2-for-2 for the Astros in the game, says Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Jerry Sands homered on Monday and continues to make his case for a promotion to Los Angeles sooner rather than later, notes Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Julio Teheran threw a scoreless inning in his first appearance for the Braves this spring, notes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.  Also appearing for the Braves was fellow prospect Randall Delgado, who threw a perfect ninth, notes Josh Jackson of MiLB.com, while the Marlins saw prospect Tom Koehler blow a save in the ninth but earn the win in extras.  
• Mark Trumbo continued his quest for an Angles roster spot on Monday with a 4-for-4 performance that included his third home run of the spring, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.
• Zach Britton threw three scoreless innings for the Orioles on Monday, says Emrich.

Prospects scheduled to make pitching appearances today are Rubby de la Rosa (LAD), Garrett Richards (LAA), and Alex White (CLE).

 

Prospect Pitching Action - Lyles, Pineda, Britton, Pomeranz

• Jordan Lyles held the Yankees scoreless in his first Astros start this spring, despite walking two batters, says Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
• Michael Pineda recorded two hitless innings and one strikeout in his quest for a spot in the Mariners rotation, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
• Arodys Vizcaino retired six of the seven batters he faced and hit 97-MPH with his fastball in his first spring appearance for the Braves, notes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  Craig Kimbrel bounced back to have a positive performance after his poor first outing, says Evan Drellich of MLB.com.
• Zach Britton pitched well despite over-throwing and dealing with nerves in his first Orioles appearance, says Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
• The Cardinals have some unexpectedly open rotation spots, and Lance Lynn took a good step towards claiming one of them on Wednesday, reports Matthew Leach of MLB.com.
• Drew Pomeranz made his first start in an Indians uniform this spring, striking out two in one inning of work.