Stephen Strasburg presents temptations for the Washington Nationals but they are best resisted. History doesn’t bode well for bringing a pitcher directly to the big leagues.

When Hector Gomez steps in the batting cage, Colorado Rockies hitting coach Don Baylor says, “Let me hear it.” The reason being Gomez has such quick hands and generates far more bat speed than most players. And that’s evident from the wonderfully loud sound when he squares up a ball on the barrel.

The Colorado Rockies farm system placed three prospects — all pitchers — on Baseball America’s annual Top 100 prospects list including last year’s No. 1 pick Tyler Matzek, who has yet to throw a regular-season pitch in the organization.