Posts Tagged ‘MLB Prospects’
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
The Red Sox recalled top SS prospect Jed Lowrie from Triple-A on Thursday to fill the slot vacated by the injured Mike Lowell. However, Sox skipper Terry Francona elected to play Sean Casey at first and shift Kevin Youkilis to third as an immediate solution, so Lowrie’s been forced to watch the games from the bench.
That may change after his performance in his big league debut today. Lowrie went 1-4, but his first career hit was a 2-run single in the 7th inning. Lowrie finished the game batting in 3 of the Red Sox 5 runs in a comeback victory over the Cleveland Indians. Unfortunately, with Casey already in competition and Lowell set to return in the not so distant future, Lowrie is really limited to a utility role. Unless the Sox are rocked by injury, don’t expect Lowrie to have too much fantasy value this season. He’s their SS of the future though, so don’t forget this name.
Tags: Jed Lowrie, MLB Prospects, Red Sox
Posted in Jed Lowrie, MLBPN Top Prospects, Red Sox Prospects, SS | No Comments »
Monday, April 14th, 2008
In the second huge call-up this week for the Tampa Rays, top pitching prospect Jeff Niemann was recalled from Triple-A Durham
to replace the injured Matt Garza. He allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 1 BB in 6 innings pitched, while striking out 5 and earning his first career W. The 6′9″ right hander, ranked 99th overall by BaseballAmerica, will more than likely be sent back down upon Garza’s return. Regardless, with skills like this and the new and improved Rays offense, Niemann is definitely someone to watch as a fantasy sleeper this year.
Garza is scheduled for a bullpen session on Tuesday, and if all goes well he’ll go on to make a rehab tune-up in the Minors prior to rejoining the big league club.
Tags: Jeff Niemann, MLB Prospects, Rays
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Jeff Niemann, P, Rays Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Monday, April 14th, 2008
Astros stud rookie catcher J.R. Towles got a big scare on Sunday, when a pitch from Marlins closer Kevin Gregg plunked him on the top of his hand. Initial x-rays came back negative, a diagnosis that was confirmed today by team physician Tom Mehlhoff. While this is a big relief to both the Astros and fantasy owners, Towles is still too sore to play. Evidence of this was the ‘Stros decision today to recall C Humberto Quintero from Triple-A Round Rock as insurance while J.R. sits.
Tags: Houston Astros, J.R. Towles, MLB Prospects
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Astros Prospects, C, J.R. Towles | No Comments »
Monday, April 14th, 2008
In his daily column today, ESPN’s Tristan Cockcroft gives an update on the development of the Orioles top pick in last year’s draft, Matt Wieters. Apparently yesterday’s game marked the first time since the first game this season that Wieters did not get a hit. He was, however, on base three times via the base on balls. Wieters is now hitting .478 with 3 HR and 10 BB on the young season. Cockcroft notes that if Wieters continues to hit at this pace the Orioles will be forced to promote him to Double-A ball sooner than later. If that happens and Wieters continues to hit, look out for him as a big time sleeper on the big league club in 2009.
Tags: Matt Wieters, MLB Prospects, Orioles
Posted in C, MLBPN Top Prospects, Matt Wieters, Orioles Prospects | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
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.
Tags: 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, 2B, Jayson Nix, MLB Prospects, Rockies Prospects
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, 2B, Jayson Nix, Rockies Prospects | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
It looks like Twins new starting CF Carlos Gomez isn’t have any more problems with his hamstring. It was reported that manager Ron Gardenhire was miffed with Gomez for his reluctance to take it easy after experiencing tightness in his hamstring. Gomez told fellow outfielder Michael Cuddyer that his leg was getting stiff. Cuddyer promptly told Gomez to take himself out of the game. Gomez refused and in the next inning was unable to run down a ball hit to deep center. Gardenhire quickly pulled Gomez as a precaution against further injury. Apparently Gomez attributes his leg stiffness to having too little body fat, and really doesn’t see it as a big deal.
After his performance in Minnesota’s home opener, Gomez proved he was right. Gomez impressed everyone by going 2-3 with a walk, 2 stolen-bases and 2 runs scored. In what was supposed to be a night about Torii Hunter returning to Minnesota, most fans walked away talking about the new Twins CF.
Tags: Carlos Gomez, MLB Prospects, Twins
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, CF, Carlos Gomez, OF, Twins Prospects | No Comments »
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
Add another chapter to the strange story of Edward Salcedo’s journey to the MLB. First came news that Salcedo turned down a $2.5 million offer from the San Francisco Giants. It has long been rumored that Salcedo had signed with the Cleveland Indians for $2.9 million. A page on a Dominican social networking site claiming to be owned by Salcedo made news when a large Cleveland Indians logo appeared in the images section. Despite all this, the Indians organization remains stout in it’s claims that it has not signed Salcedo.
Now comes word from BaseballAmerica’s Ben Badler that the MLB might be investigating whether or not Salcedo is older than 16. Furthering speculation is news that three MLB investigators in the Dominican have been fired, including one who was working on Salcedo’s case. The MLB officials have declined to comment, stating that they must complete their investigation before any findings are revealed. Salcedo’s agent, Scott Boras, has stated emphatically that all of Salcedo’s documents are in order and prove that he is 16-years-old. We’ll continue to follow this very interesting story as more news comes out.
Tags: Edward Salcedo, Indians, International Prospects, MLB Prospects
Posted in Edward Salcedo, Indians Prospects, International Prospects, SS | No Comments »
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
Kind of a funny piece today from Reds beat writer John Fay. He shows his projected lineup and rotation from two months ago, on February 5th. He had 1B Joey Votto batting lead off, and starting CF Jay Bruce batting in the 7 spot. Of course we know now that Bruce has been optioned to Triple-A and Cincinnati’s new CF is Corey Patterson, who wasn’t even on the Reds on February 5th. Fay is still projecting Votto in the starting lineup, but batting 8th in the lineup instead of lead off.
Fay didn’t fair quite as well with his projected starting rotation. After the obvious first two in Harang and Arroyo, he had Matt Belisle, Jeremy Affeldt, and Homer Bailey. Fay missed on all three. Today the 3-5 spots in the rotation are expected to be occupied by Johnny Cueto, Josh Fogg, and Edinson Volquez. All of the Reds top prospects are definite fantasy sleepers this year.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in 1B, 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, CF, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLBPN Top Prospects, OF, P, Reds Prospects, SP, Top 5 Prospects | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
News comes out today that the Reds have decided to round out their rotation with Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Josh Fogg. This leaves Homer Bailey as the odd man out. The Reds today optioned Bailey to Triple-A Louisville. The company line appears to be that Bailey needs to work on his control and mechanics at Louisville, but there have been reports that they are hoping he’ll adjust his attitude as well. Bailey had a 5.21 ERA in 19 IP, and most scouting reports had him unable to hit the strike zone. Hopefully Bailey can turn things around in the Minors and finally realize the immense potential most scouts think he has.
Tags: Homer Bailey, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in Homer Bailey, P, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
Yesterday we brought you news that top overall pick in last year’s Rule 4 Draft, David Price, had left a game with stiffness in his elbow. Well today comes news that Price will miss 6 weeks because of the injury. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said that the injury was definitely not serious, but that the Rays’ medical staff determined that Price would need this amount of time to work his way back into playing shape. It sounds like the stiffness Price experienced was simply a result of Price not having pitched a game since last May with Vanderbilt before starting a few spring games. Cross your fingers Rays fans.
Tags: David Price, MLB Prospects, Rays
Posted in David Price, MLBPN Top Prospects, P, Rays Prospects, SP | No Comments »
