baseball prospects

The Yankees might not have had a game today, but there was some activity in the lockerroom.

The Yankees made some of their Spring Training cuts today and sent some players packing. Highly awaited Yankees prospect, Jesus Montero, was one of the several players sent to the minor league camp. Austin Romine, Colin Curtis, and Reid Gorecki were some of the notable other players sent along with Montero. 

With expectations of superstardom, top MLB prospects Jason Heyward, Stephen Strasburg, and Aroldis Chapman look to make a huge impact for their respective ballclubs in 2010.

Jason Heyward

Heyward, the Atlanta Braves' promising outfield prospect, will be given every chance possible to succeed since it is legendary skipper Bobby Cox's final season.

The USA Today Minor League Player of the Year has already drawn comparisons to Ken Griffey Jr. and is a force to be reckoned with, both physically and mentally.

Jerry Manuel all but punched Fernando Martinez’s ticket to the minors when he met with reporters in Florida yesterday, a decision that will surely cause a stir among the Mets' frustrated and disenchanted fan base.

However, despite the many blunders this organization has experienced over the course of Minaya’s tenure at the helm, this is one move that makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons.

He’s Not Quite Ready

The case for Martinez being on the Opening Day roster is a very legitimate one.

With Spring Training beginning it's third week of play, a lot of interesting questions have sprung up around Giants' camp in Scottsdale.

1.) Is Madison Bumgarner going to start the year in San Francisco or Fresno?
2.) Is Fred Lewis going to be traded or released considering he has no minor league options left on his contract?
3.) When will Buster Posey supplant Bengie Molina in the starting lineup next season?

As usual, Theo Epstein has effectively overloaded the 2010 Red Sox rotation with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey owning the front end and Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz, Tim Wakefield, and maybe Boof Bonser competing for the final two spots.

The bullpen, led by the still largely dominant Jonathan Papelbon, is not quite so prohibitively predetermined but remains crowded. Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez, and Daniel Bard have probably already locked up their spots if only due to their experience.

Previously, I touched on ten National League rookies to keep an eye on. Let's shift our attention over to the American League.

Last year Andrew Bailey took the closer role in Oakland. Bailey finished the season with 27 saves and a 6-3 record, earning him AL Rookie of the Year honors.

The White Sox called on Gordan Beckham to take over at third base. Beckham answered by establishing himself as a consistent hitter with sneaky power and speed.

Matt Weiters stepped in as Baltimore's everyday catcher in June.

Last year I started a series called “September Call-Ups.” The series highlighted some of the top rookies and prospects in baseball for 2009.

Some of the rookies I highlighted were Andrew McCutchen, Chris Coghlan, Buster Posey, and Tommy Hanson.

With a new season under way, I thought I would continue the series in 2010. The rookie class of 2010 figures to be just as good, if not better than in years past.

Danny Gutierrez, named a “Rising Star” in the Arizona Fall League, has been suspended 50 games of the 2010 season after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, according to the Office of the Commissioner.

Gutierrez tested positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance.

Selected in the 33rd round by the Kansas City Royals in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Gutierrez has had a couple stellar seasons, to say the least.

The Drug bug has struck again.

ESPN.com reported that three minor leaguers have been suspended for PED’s and a drug of abuse.

Miguel Negron, an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights, has been suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

It had been a long time coming since the San Francisco Giants had a winning season.

One of the best pitching staffs around overcame major deficiencies on offense, and for the first time since 2004, the Giants found themselves above the .500 mark when the season came to an end.