Fantasy Baseball Prospect News for 2/22: Brett Lawrie, Mark Trumbo and More

Let’s take a look at a few tidbits regarding some of the top prospects in the game:

• Brett Lawrie, who is attending his first Major League Spring Training camp, is being asked to transition to 3B according to Gregor Chisholm of mlb.com (click here for the article).  The article goes on to say that he is expected to open the year at Triple-A, with Jose Bautista starting the year at 3B.  However, it is not hard to imagine the Blue Jays shifting Bautista to the outfield to make room for Lawrie at some point in 2011.  For the Brewers Double-A team in 2010 Lawrie hit .285 with 8 HR, 63 RBI, 90 R and 30 SB in 554 AB.  He should be on the radar of all fantasy owners.
• According to mlb.com (click here for the article), “Young slugger Mark Trumbo could thrust himself into the picture for the Angels with a strong spring, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said on Sunday in his daily session with the media.”  The idea is to give him time both at 1B and in the OF.  At Triple-A in ’10 he hit .307 with 36 HR and 122 RBI in 532 AB.  Yes, it was in the Pacifica Coast League, but those are numbers we just can’t ignore.  It’s hard to imagine him gaining regular at bats given the team’s outfielders and Kendry Morales returning to 1B, but you should definitely keep an eye on him.
• Jordan Bastian of mlb.com (via Twitter) quoted manager Manny Acta saying “Alex White is not competing for our rotation.”  White split time between Single & Double-A in 2010, going 10-10 with a 2.45 ERA and 117 K over 150.2 innings.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see him reach the Majors at some point in 2011, just not right out of the gate apparently.
• On mlb.com (click here for the article), Bastian notes that “Cabrera was brought in to provide veteran leadership, yes, but also to serve as a kind of stopgap at a position filled with uncertainty prior to his arrival. Later this season, if the Indians feel it is best for the team, you might see a prospect like Cord Phelps or Jason Kipnis handed the big league job. In that scenario, Cabrera could easily move into a utility role off the bench. Another scenario could have Cabrera shifted to third base if the other options are not working out (don’t expect third-base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall to be rushed to the Majors). Or, if heaven forbid something happens to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, Orlando could move to short.”  Don’t downgrade Kipnis too far due to the Cabrera signing.
• The Royals will consider moving 2010 first round pick, Christian Colon, to second base in the future, though it is all dependent on the production of newly acquired Alcides Escobar.  Assistant General Manager J.J. Picollo was quoted by Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (click here for the article) as saying, “If the time comes when we have to move him to second base because Escobar is doing a great job, and we believe in Colon’s bat, we think the transition for him to second base will be easy.”  There’s a chance that Colon gets his first taste at 2B in ’11, but he will open the year at SS.  He’s a player worth being on radars, but he isn’t likely to reach the Majors in ’11.

What are your thoughts on this news?

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Make sure to check out our other Prospect Reports as we wrap up 2010 and head towards 2011:

• Ackley, Dustin
• Archer, Chris
• Britton, Zach
• Chisenhall, Lonnie
• Cousins, Scott
• d’Arnaud, Chase
• Iglesias, Jose
• Kipnis, Jason
• Lawrie, Brett
• Mesoraco, Devin
• Pineda, Michael
• Ramos, Wilson
• Revere, Ben
• Taylor, Michael

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