Prospect Notes, March 22, 2012

by John Sickels on Mar 22, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin (Photo by Rob Tringali, Getty Images)

Prospect Notes, March 22, 2026

**Arizona Diamondbacks prospects Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs get more attention, but teammate Patrick Corbin is worthy of notice as well. The southpaw is having a fine spring, posting a 12/5 K/BB in 10.2 innings, allowing seven hits and one run for a 0.84 ERA. A second-round pick of the Angels in 2009 from Chipola Junior College, Corbin came to Arizona as part of the 2010 Dan Haren trade. He posted a 4.21 ERA in 160 innings for Double-A Mobile last year with a 142/40 K/BB. He's made consistent progress refining his slider and changeup to go with his low-90s fastball, and has a future as a mid-rotation starter.

**Cincinnati Reds rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco is off to a slow start this spring, just 3-for-22 (.136) with a double, one walk, and two strikeouts so far. Word from Cincinnati is that the Reds aren't worried and want him concentrating on his defense at this point, expecting that the bat will come around. It doesn't sound like he's in any danger of losing his job, although he should be expected to share playing time with Ryan Hanigan.

**Seattle Mariners third base prospect Alex Liddi is having an excellent spring, 15-for-35 (.429) with seven doubles, a homer, three walks, and eight strikeouts thus far. His competitor at the hot corner, Kyle Seager, is also having a strong opening with a 14-for-40 (.350) mark with three homers, but a 0/9 BB/K ratio is a negative. Liddi has more raw power than Seager, but (spring stats aside) Seager is a better contact hitter and has a better defensive rep. I personally think Liddi's glove is better than his reputation, but I don't think my opinion matters to the Mariners. Vinnie Catricala is also having a strong spring with the bat (10-for-32, .313 with two homers.) Finding a way to get all these guys into the lineup is a nice problem to have.

**Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Marquis Fleming is a bullpen sleeper. He's given up four hits and one run in five innings of spring work, fanning six. A 28^th round pick in 2008 from Cal State Stanislaus, Fleming isn't a hot prospect but his performance record is impressive, with a career 3.14 ERA and a 307/118 K/BB in 255 innings, with 193 hits allowed. He fanned 104 and gave up just 57 hits in 80 Double-A innings last year. His K/IP and H/IP marks are always excellent, but he does this without plus velocity, relying on a solid changeup. He has a chance to be a useful middle reliever if deployed wisely in short stretches.

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Read More: Dan Haren (P - ANA), Ryan Hanigan (C - CIN), Alex Liddi (1B - SEA), Devin Mesoraco (C - CIN), Kyle Seager (3B - SEA), Patrick Corbin (P - ARI), Tyler Skaggs (P - ARI), Marquis Fleming (P - TAM), Trevor Bauer (P - ARI), Vinnie Catricala (DH - SEA), Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds

Comments

Haren trade

Always fun to look back on trades with the benefit of hindsight. I remember, when that trade happened, the D-backs were bashed incessantly. Someone on fangraphs wrote an article trying to rationalize the trade, IIRC, and concluded that they couldn’t.

With the status of Skaggs and Corbin now, it sure makes DiPoto look better in retrospect on that deal. Doesn’t mean that either guy will pan out, so the end result of the deal still is unknown in some respects (although trades can’t be judged solely on hindsight either), but always fun to look back at the reactionary comments when a trade is made.

by toonsterwu on Mar 22, 2026 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

as a Dbacks fan

i still think they were right to be criticized at the time

it’s not about how well the return package ended up developing. it’s about what you could have gotten at the time vs. what you ended up getting at the time.

at the very least, given how lowly regarded the return package was (Saunders is nothing special, Skaggs was a back-end of the Top 100 prospects list guy, Corbin was a guy who scouts’ said had an upside of Saunders) that means the the front office should have tried to get more back for Haren. in fact, they finalized the trade a week before the trade deadline. they had plenty of time to try to leverage for more (see - trading Edwin Jackson for Daniel Hudson/David Holmberg at the deadline).

they were criticized for leaving value on the table, and that criticism is still justified

by blue bulldog on Mar 22, 2026 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

that's fair

as i said, trades can’t be judged solely on hindsight. i was just noting some of the reactionary commentary made at the time. iirc, i actually didn’t think it was a bad trade. I didn’t think it was a great trade either. Thought it was understandable since they got two solid prospect arms, considering the extent to which young prospect arms were being protected.

That said, one other point that should be made is that you are referencing “perceived” value. While it is absolutely necessary to judge a trade based on the dynamics then as well as judging a trade on hindsight, credit should be given to DiPoto’s team then for their scouting of the guys. I googled up the “reactions to the trade” from mlbtr, and DiPoto and Co. were strongly selling Skaggs and Corbin.

by toonsterwu on Mar 22, 2026 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I was one of the few in Arizona's corner

Not to toot my own horn too much, but I basically predicted what we now think of Skaggs and Corbin—I thought they were both pretty safe bets to become mid-rotation starters, and Skaggs could have #2 potential in him. A #2 and a #3 starter, cost-controlled, is a decent return for Haren.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Mar 23, 2026 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Rotation Congestion

This looks to me like the congestion the Braves have - several high potential starters and not enough spots. With Bauer and Skaggs looming and now Corbin, how do guys feel this will play out? I predict Collmenter will get pulled in May.

Play ball!

by tmannino on Mar 22, 2026 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Braves? Obviously you mean the D’Backs. I don’t see any of the minor league trio that you name getting called up to the majors before the middle of June, barring a rash of injuries among their major league pitchers. Bauer is the most ready, but even he looks like he would benefit from several months in the minors. Pitching 5+ innings every 6th day is something that he needs to get acclimated to even with the seemingly rubber arm.

My son, Adalberto Mejia. He's got the goods - he just needs a cool nickname.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Mar 22, 2026 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

He ws comparing the Dbacks situation to the Braves...

by MjwW on Mar 22, 2026 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

NEEDED: Your Visionary Advice on these High-Impact Prospects

Calling All Studious Eyes:

I am completely rebuilding a last-place team in a Dynasty league and would love advice from FANPOST readers. No need to know my roster—just pretend that every position needs improvement. I am focusing on future success rather than the here & now.

1. I have Trevor Bauer. Should I trade him straight-up for Paul Goldschmidt? I like them both of course but is Goldschmidt slightly more valuable to be build around on the grounds that, long-term, batters are slightly less risky than pitchers?

2. Which of these two should I opt for: Byron Buxton or Mike Zunnio?

3. Who would you want: Xander Bogaerts, who is a bit more speculative, or Jacob Marisnick, who is a bit more proven?

4. Mason Williams or Brandon Jacobs?

5. Does anyone have an updated opinion about Stryker Trahan?

I am very faithful and impressed by the commentators on FANPOSTS so that’s why I come to you all with all my dreams, wishes, fears, and questions.

THANK YOU FOR ANY & ALL RESPONSES!!!!

by Fanthead on Mar 22, 2026 3:31 PM EDT reply actions