Baseball in Fort Wayne

Former Wizards Cedric Hunter and Mat Latos will join the big league club during Spring Training which begins next month. That’s right – next month (it’s coming!). Even though neither prospect has played above single-A, but both are highly touted and rank highly on the organization’s top prospects list.

Paul DePodesta talks about non-roster signings, including Pete Ciofrone:

Pete has played the last four and a half seasons in the Padres organization, but was due to become a minor league free agent after the 2008 season. After a .314/.389/.519 season in Portland, we wanted to keep the versatile left-handed hitter. Pete has always done a good job of putting the ball in play, and his power has emerged over the past two seasons. His ability to play all four corner positions also provides options for any manager.

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready, dishes on San Diego prospects via MadFriars (Subscription required). The list includes many former Wizards, like Luke Carlin, Matt Antonelli, Chase Headley, Nick Hundley and Brett Dowdy.

Last year’s hitting coach at San Antonio, Terry Kennedy, takes on the San Diego prospects who played at Double-A. Former Wizards include Josh Alley, Mike Baxter, Kyle Blanks, Craig Cooper and Chad Huffman. Pitching Coach, Bill Masse talks about the Double-A pitchers, such as Manny Ayala, Greg Burke, Mike Ekstrom, Jon Ellis, and Stephen Faris.

Former Wizards pitching coach, Wally Whitehurst (who is now in the Pittsburgh Pirates system) talks about the pitchers from Lake Elsinore last season. Among the former Wizards are Nathan Culp, Ernesto Freiri, Corey Kluber, Cory Luebke, Brandon Gomes and John Madden.

The Rays Party Chairman of the Rays Party of America blog wants the Rays to consider former Wizards infielder, Bobby Scales, as a potential minor league free agent signing:

Scales primary position is second base but has played in the outfield in as many games as second. Scales is a switch hitter and hits about the same on both sides, slightly better as a right handed hitter. He has started to hit for more power recently but has increased his strikeout rate in addition. Not too good but adequate filler at Durham.

Local native, Jarrod Parker, tops the list of Diamondbacks prospects over at FutureBacks.com.