Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune’s baseball blog “Hardball” reports that three White Sox pitching prospects have “gotten mixed results” in their last appearances. Aaron Poreda, the hard-throwing left-hander, struck out 5 and allowed only 1 run in 5 innings of work for Class-A Winston-Salem. Kyle McCulloch pitched 6 shutout innings for Double-A Birmingham. Lance Broadway went 8 innings, giving up only 1 earned run for Triple-A Charlotte.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com gave a nice status report on the 30 players drafted in the first round of the 2007 first-year player draft. He notes that because of a recent change in draft rules, players must sign with the teams that drafted them by August 15th or they have to re-enter the draft pool for the following year. Each first rounder did so, although some not early enough to play last summer.

Some highlights from Mayo’s article (draft position in parentheses):

• David Price (No. 1, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays): His elbow injury did not require surgery; he will make his pro debut in Class A, probably this May.
• Ross Detwiler (No. 6, LHP, Washington Nationals): Brought up late last September, Detwiler will start the year in the minors but looks to be moving up quickly.
• Tim Alderson (No. 22, RHP, San Francisco Giants): His unorthodox delivery made some clubs shy away from drafting him, but an impressive performance out of high school has the Giants starting him in Class A Advanced ball.
• Aaron Poreda (No. 25, LHP,Chicago White Sox): He can get his fastball into the high-90s, but the White Sox are having him spend time in the minors this year to develop his secondary pitches.

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.

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.

• 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.

Earlier this week we listed the top prospects getting cut from the Rays, Indians, Pirates, Nationals, Rockies, Rangers, Red Sox, Twins, Angels, and Orioles.  We’ve listed below a handful of prospects who have been cut since then.

• Beau Mills, 3B/1B, Indians
• Trevor Crowe, OF, Indians
• Matt LaPorta, OF, Brewers
• Phillipe Aumont, RHP, Mariners
• Robinzon Diaz, C, Blue Jays
• Charlie Morton, RHP, Braves
• Tyler Flowers, C/1B, Braves
• Brett Sinkbeil, RHP, Marlins
• Lance Broadway, RHP, White Sox
• Rick Porcello, RHP, Tigers
• Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies
• Chris Nelson, SS, Rockies
• Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Cubs
• John Bowker, OF, Giants

• Southside prospect Kyle McCulloch was once a very promising young pitcher but is now struggling as a non-roster invitee to White Sox spring training this year, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Admittedly not a “pure stuff guy,” The former Texas Longhorn and Big 12 player of the year has a reputation as a hard worker and is not letting himself get bothered by what looks to be another year for him in the Chicago minor league system. Since being drafted in 2006, McCulloch is 11-15 in 40 minor league starts.
• Merkin quickly notes that Aaron Poreda, drafted in 2007 by the White Sox, is turning heads in spring training with his near 100 mph fastball.
• Lance Broadway, who made 4 appearances with Chicago’s big league club last year, is working with what he’s got to get back to the show. However, his 10.50 ERA and 13 hits in 6 innings this spring is not helping his cause.

After bashing a bases loaded triple on Monday against Kansas City, Alexei Ramirez was at it again today going 2-4 with a tie-breaking, 2-out RBI to power the White Sox over Colorado.  Ramirez is now batting a “respectable” 8-for-17 (.471 AVG) with 4 runs, 2 doubles, a triple, 5 RBI, and 12 total bases.  Ramirez has been playing short stop and second base for the ChiSox.  By the way,  the native Cuban also went 4-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored in his first game ever in America on February 28th.  Draft him if you can.

• Cubs’ OF Kosuke Fukudome reached base three times today against the Giants; a walk, a HBP, and an RBI single.
• The Phillies top pick in 2007, Joe Savery, had a very rough first outing.  But his pitching coach was pleased with his performance because of how he responded to a tough situation.
• Former Orioles’ top pick Scott Moore is learning 2B in anticipation of a potential Brian Roberts trade.  The Baltimore outfield is already pretty well occupied by Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, so this is probably a good move by Moore.
• Mets’ top prospect Fernando Martinez got one of the team’s only four hits today.  It seems former prospect Anthony Reyes is continuing his great spring.
• In his first game of American baseball, White Sox IF Alexei Ramirez went 4-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.  Sleeper alert here if he wins the 2B job.
• Top IF prospect for the Red Sox, Jed Lowrie, would love to man the middle infield with 2007 ROY Dustin Pedroia.  In the same article is word that RHP Michael Bowden would get his first look of the spring against Northeastern.