Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News writes that Rockies 2B Jayson Nix already has the awareness of a veteran after making his major league debut this week. Nix drew a two-out, bases loaded walk in the eighth inning to force in the go-ahead run in Colorado’s 2-1 victory over St. Louis. A one-time organizational top-prospect and the Rockies’ first pick in the 2001 draft, Nix finally got his chance to play this year after seven years in the minors. Once considered a bit suspect, Nix is well on his way to solidifying his starting role at 2B. Although there is an uncharacteristically large amount of depth at 2B in fantasy leagues this season, owners in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues should keep Nix on their radars as he may be part of that great depth by the end of the season.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that manager Ozzie Guillen picked long-time shortstop Juan Uribe to start at second base over Alexei Ramirez. Uribe has the chance to make this position his to keep, but if he gets into a slump Ramirez can seize the opportunity. Look for Ramirez, a versatile player, to possibly play in the outfield and as a backup for Uribe this year.

Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports that manager Clint Hurdle has named prospect Jayson Nix as starting second baseman. Nix is batting .300 this spring and beat out veteran Marcus Giles for the job.  While he has hit pretty well this spring, it is his glove that earned him this promotion.  Unless your fantasy league rewards for defense or you’re in a deep NL-only league, don’t expect much from Nix.

White Sox Manager Ozzie says he will choose a starting second baseman today, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times, and it looks like it’s a choice between Juan Uribe and Alexei Ramirez. General manager Kenny Williams tested the trade waters when he put Uribe on the waiver wire, but now that Danny Richar is on the DL and Pablo Ozuna has been designated as a part-timer (starting against left-handed pitchers), Uribe and Ramirez are the only choices left. Given his solid spring performance and Guillen’s comments in the article, it seems likely that Ramirez will get the nod and they will try to play Uribe elsewhere. Don’t sleep on this one.

A few notes of interest from ESPN legend Peter Gammons latest chat:

• From the sound of things, Gammons thinks Clayton Kershaw is certain to be a factor for the Dodgers this year.  Their main concern is limiting his inning early so he finishes in the 150-160 IP range.
• Tigers manager Jim Leyland thinks Detroit’s first pick in the 2007 Draft, Rick Porcello, will be with the big league club some time this season.
• Gammons also notes that players like Porcello, the Yankees Austin Jackson, Andrew Brackman, and Ian Kennedy, the Red Sox Lars Anderson, Ryan Kalish, Anthony Rizzo, David Mailman, and Will Middlebrooks, will have a serious impact on this year’s draft.  Of course these players are all now top prospects who were drafted way above slot in later rounds.
• Picking player comparables is always tricky business, but Gammons thinks the best comparable he’s heard for Yankees SP Ian Kennedy is the Blue Jays SP Shaun Marcum.

UPDATE (8:03 PM EST): Giants MI Kevin Frandsen ruptured his Achilles tendon today, likely ending his season. While Eugenio Velez was already going to make the roster, this certainly opens the door for more playing time with the Giants this year. Move Velez up a few notches on your 2008 fantasy sleeper list.

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The Giants’ Eugenio Velez has had an exciting spring, raking at the plate and leading the league in steals (13), although he’s had a balky glove at second and third at times. While manager Bruce Bochy has made it clear there are no guarantees that Velez will make the 25-man roster, general manager Brian Sabean has indicated that he would, as Andrew Baggarly reports. Still, the Giants are short on infield options. If Velez can get his defense on track, he might see significant playing time, and could rack up some steals for fantasy owners in deep leagues. Keep an eye out.

• Playing center field again, Alexei Ramirez hit his first home run for Chicago on Wednesday, and finished the day 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored. Although the details are still unclear, it has been reported that Juan Uribe has been waived by the Sox, thus paving the way for Ramirez (a natural second baseman). This situation has the pungent aroma of a fantasy sleeper.
• MLB.com’s Scott Merkin writes that John Shelby, a natural outfielder in the process of converting to second base, is making his presence known in the White Sox minor league system. Although he is a ways away, the former University of Kentucky Wildcat’s .301 BA with 16 home runs, 35 doubles, 9 triples, and 79 RBIs in Triple-A last year shows promise. A second baseman that hits like that would be a valuable commodity in the bigs.

UPDATE: Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Juan Uribe has been placed on irrevocable waivers by the White Sox. Gonzalez speculates that a trade for another 2B could be coming, but based on the below referenced article it seems like Alexei Ramirez would be a great candidate for the starting job. [Thanks to reader Goose for the heads up.]

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reports that International prospect Alexei Ramirez is the talk of the White Sox camp. Ramirez has played so well this spring, and impressed the coaching staff so much, that the Sox are trying to find ways to keep him in the big league lineup. Ramirez’s natural position would be at 2B, but he has the ability to play at SS and OF as well. It seems like Juan Uribe has the 2B spot locked up, so skipper Ozzie Guillen is trying Ramirez in the outfield. Ramirez, who is hitting .341/.350/.526 this spring, is definitely a prospect to watch as a major fantasy sleeper this year.

Giants infield prospect Eugenio Velez is making a strong impression on manager Bruce Bochy this Spring, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. It appears that Velez not only has a good chance to make the 25-man roster, but also to slide into the starting lineup occasionally in a utility role. His speed on the basepaths has been phenomenal, but recently it has been his glove and bat that are drawing attention. After replacing Ray Durham in the bottom of the first inning on friday, Velez had two hits, including a home run off Diamondbacks’ ace Brandon Webb, and made a diving stop on a ground ball that he turned into a double play. The 25-year-old has a league-leading 9 stolen bases and a .357 batting average this Spring.

• After hitting two long balls yesterday, Cameron Maybin came through with another home run today.  Looks like the youngster is making a push for that CF job.  Maybin had come into the game as a pinch runner earlier in the game.
• Kosuke Fukudome wowed fans with his defense today, making a spinning acrobatic catch to save an extra base hit.  Piniella also batted Fukudome in the 5 hole today, wanting to put a solid bat behind Aramis Ramirez.
• As we reported a few days ago, David Price has been cut from the big league squad.  It was announced today that Price will be starting the season at Class A.  This is pretty standard for first year players, but Price proved this spring that he isn’t a standard prospect.  It had been speculated that Price might start a little higher than Single-A ball.  Regardless of where he starts, Price should end up at the big show in no time.
• Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com released his list of the top five farm systems.  Mayo had the Rays at #1 (no surprise there), the A’s at #2 (okay, that’s surprising), the Rangers at #3, the Reds at #4, and the Red Sox rounding it up at #5.
• The Giants are trying speedster Eugenio Velez at 3B.  Two weeks into March and the Giants still don’t really have a leading candidate for the 3B spot, so Velez definitely has a shot.  The Giants have been reported to be surveying the trade market for a third basemen, but if Velez wins this job, look out.  With a little bit of playing time Velez is definitely a fantasy sleeper to watch for his SB totals.
• Twins RHP Nick Blackburn finally gave up a run.  The youngster hadn’t given up a run this spring, until surrendering 3 ER in 3 IP today.