The Cubs have been scouting Jarrod Parker, a right-hander from Norwell (Ind.) High School. He’s showing the best velocity from a deep group of prep pitchers, throwing 95-97 m.p.h. in recent games. The Cubs have the third pick overall and could have their pick of high school players as Tampa Bay seems set with Vanderbilt lefty David Price, and Kansas City reportedly also is looking for someone who can help quickly. That could leave the Cubs to choose from Parker and California high school third basemen Josh Vitters and Mike Moustakas. An organizational need for catchers forces them at least to consider Georgia Tech’s Matt Wieters. … Good decision by the White Sox not to throw Gio Gonzalez or another of their pitching prospects into the fire Sunday at Wrigley Field. Jose Contreras shouldn’t suffer any ill effects from making one start on three days’ rest. … Lino Urdaneta became the seventh Mets pitcher who has been busted for steroids or served a suspension after being acquired by the Mets. That’s a pattern that has raised some eyebrows. … J.P. Ricciardi downplayed the loss of Ted Lilly and the failure to sign Gil Meche after publicly courting him but has left the Blue Jays with youngsters Shawn Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch pitching behind Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett. He lost the gambles he took on easily acquired veterans Tomo Ohka, John Thomson and Josh Towers. … The Twins are going to miss Jesse Crain, who has quietly been a big part of their bullpen success. He’s headed for shoulder surgery. … Shea Hillenbrand has flopped so badly as a run producer that Angels manager Mike Scioscia hit Gary Matthews Jr. behind Vlad Guerrero at one point.
