March 12, 2014

Minor League Update

Spring Training Games of March 11

by Jeff Moore

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With most teams making their first round of roster cuts already, a round that typically includes those prospects that are far from the majors, there are fewer prospects seeing playing time in spring training than there were last week. But many are still on the main fields, and some are even realistically competing for roster spots.

• Wilmer Flores, INF, Mets: 2-3, 2 R, 2B. Flores has hit at every minor-league level, and his ability to do so is his one true plus tool. He’s blocked at third base as long as David Wright is healthy, but there’s little left for him to prove in the minors. He could see time at second or first base this season, and he played shortstop (his original minor-league position) on Tuesday.
• Edward Salcedo, 3B, Braves: 1-2, R, HR. Some scouts love Salcedo’s hit tool, but it hasn’t reared its head yet in game action in three years of full-season ball. He has above-average power, although his production is limited by his hit tool at the moment. Still just 22, a repeat of Double-A could be in order.
• Billy Hamilton, OF, Reds: 1-3, R, BB, 2B. Because of his speed, Hamilton doesn’t necessarily have to hit the ball through the outfielders to get a double. In fact, if he does, it’s probably a triple instead.
• Deven Marrero, SS, Red Sox: 0-3, 2 K. Marrero’s bat has never been what you’d expect out of a former first rounder, but it’s his glove that’s going to be his meal ticket anyway. He’s going to be blocked at shortstop by Xander Bogaerts and doesn’t have enough power to play anywhere on an everyday basis, but his glove should work all over the infield, so he’s him a utility player in the making.
• Allen Webster, LHP, Red Sox: 3 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K. It hasn’t been a strong spring for Webster, but he wasn’t in a realistic competition for a rotation spot this spring anyway. He is destined for Triple-A and should be ready when called upon.

Notable Innings of Work

• Rafael Montero, RHP, Mets: 2 IP, H, R, BB, K.
• John Stilson, RHP, Blue Jays: 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K.
• Keyvius Sampson, RHP, Padres: 2 IP, 2 H, BB.

*During spring training, there are a lot of pitchers getting work in short stints that don’t really tell us a whole lot. I’ll include them here each night without commentary, because there’s not much you can tell from one inning unless it’s exemplary or disastrous, but it’s still nice to keep tabs on who’s getting work.