MLB Prospect Watch: Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler

Ryan Lavarnway is trying to win a roster spot in Red Sox camp this spring despite the presence of Kelly Shoppach and Jared Saltalamacchia on the roster, and despite losing 20 pounds this off-season after contracting a virus while playing winter ball, notes Ian Browne of MLB.com.
Former third base prospect Bobby Borchering is now an outfield prospect, as the Diamondbacks moved the former first round pick to left field during the instructional season this fall in order to fit third basemen Matt Davidson and Ryan Wheeler and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt all into their future plans, says Jack Magruder for Baseball America.
The New York Mets have invited P Matt Harvey and OF Matt den Dekker to Spring Training, according to MetsBlog.com, but have not invited Zack Wheeler, who was acquired this past season in exchange for Carlos Beltran.
The San Francisco Giants announced a number of prospect invites to Spring Training, including their last two first-round picks, OF Gary Brown and SS Joe Panik, and many more, reports Chris Haft of MLB.com.

Everyone in St. Louis wants to know when top prospect Shelby Miller will make it to the majors, and the writers from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch do their best to answer that question.
The Mets have been in numerous talks during the winter meetings, which puts their top prospects on alert, but Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com wonders what the value really is of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia, and Jenrry Mejia.
Excellent news for Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland, who has finally been cleared for game action after a full year away, and is slated to face live pitching soon, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com.
The Oakland A's have signed 17-year-old OF Sanber Pimentel, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Padres SS prospect Drew Cumberland, whose career was thought to be over after sitting out all of 2011, is going to try to play again this season, says Corey Brock of MLB.com.

IndiansProspectInsider.com has a piece up profiling the season of Indians prospect LeVon Washington.
Yankees 3B prospect Dante Bichette, Jr. has been named the MVP of the Gulf Coast League, reports MiLB.com. In the majors, the team debuted its top two catching prospects, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, behind the plate on the same day, notes Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News.
John Sickles provides brief scouting reports on some notable short-season players, including Miguel Sano of the Twins and Joe Panik of the Giants.
MetsBlog.com has a great video of newly acquired Mets prospect Zack Wheeler in action.
Nick Schmidt threw eight scoreless innings to help lead the Padres High-A affiliate to the California League championship game, says David Heck of MiLB.com.
The Cardinals have their rotation set for their Low-A affiliate in Quad Cities' championship series, led by Trevor Rosenthal, who will be throwing game three, according to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Diamondbacks 3B prospect Ryan Wheeler swung a hot bat to help lead the organization's Double-A affiliate in Mobile to the Southern League finals, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.