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Minor League Wrap - July 7

I'm sorry this is up so late. I had to work some overtime to pay for some extra baby stuff. I'm so tired. I will ask all questions as soon as possible.

Quick recap tonight.

Iowa Cubs

Game postponed due to rain.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies narrowly beat the Carolina Mudcats 8 to 7. (10 innings)

Donnie Veal turned a dominating start -- over 5.2 innings he allowed 1 run on 4 hits, 3 walks and Veal struck out 9.

Casey Lambert got the win in relief by pitching a scoreless 9th. Jose Ceda picked up his fifth save.

Tyler Colvin was 1 for 4 with a 2-run double. Jake Fox was also 1 for 4 with a 2-run homer

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 7 to 4.

Marco Carrillo started and picked up the loss. Carrillo lasted 5 innings and allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Second baseman Tony Thomas had a nice day, going 3 for 5 with a run scored. His season average stands at .269.

Peoria Chiefs

Peoria lost to the Quad Cities Bandits, 8 to 2.

Robert Hernandez started and picked up the loss. Hernandez pitched 4.2 innings and over that span, allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Catcher Luis Bautista had the only notable day, providing all 2 of Peoria's runs on his 9th home run of the year. Overall Bautista was 2 for 4 for the day.

Boise Hawks

Boise beat the Vancouver Canadians, 8 to 1.

Casey Coleman started and pitched pretty well. Coleman allowed 1 run over four innings on 2 hits and no walks. Coleman struck out 4.

Tommy Mejia picked up the win in relief.

Outfielder Kyler Burke was a one man wrecking crew, hitting his second home run of the season and driving in 6 of the 8 Hawks runs today.

AZL Cubs

The AZL Cubs beat up the AZL Giants, 17 to 4.

Eric Allen picked up the win in relief despite allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. Allen didn't walk nor strike out a batter.

Matthew Cerda had a good day, going 2 for 4 and 3 runs scored. Cerda drove in 1.

Jericho Jones had a monster game, going 4 for 5 with a double, triple and 3 runs scored. Jones walked once and drove in 3.

 

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Veal is Quietly

Putting together a great year. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it just feels like it’s been quiet.

So is Burke just massively hot and cold?

by AceCubbie on Jul 8, 2008 6:25 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Veal

Great to see him missing a lot of bats.

Burke could really stand to go on a tear—he’s been very cold lately.

And I guess this is what it takes for Hoffpauir not to hit a double: a rainout.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 8, 2008 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Veal

I’d call it a good year but far from great. He has had some outstanding performances but overall the numbers are ok. Definitely an improvement from last year’s disaster though. 100 IP, 94 hits, 76 K’s 52 BB’s. Still way too many walks.

by rlpete on Jul 8, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Respectfully Disagree

Sorry, but I don’t see how you can say Veal is having a great year. He has barely pitched an average of five innings per start, and in 100 innings, has only struck out 76 and walked 52. Plus, he’s given up 12 unearned runs. Maybe the defense is bad, but chances are he put a lot of those guys on base, so his ERA may not be a great indicator of his effectiveness. I would argue he’s pitching must like he did last season, just with a few more groundballs, fewer strikeouts, and a little better luck.

I think he still has a chance to be very good, and wish him the best. But there needs to be a lot of improvement before he’s ready to pitch in the majors (which is the goal for any prospect).

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Jul 8, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+ 1

Get Rich Harden, Tim Hudson or AJ Burnett RIGHT NOW !!! No more living in denial and rationalizing away the holes on this pitching staff. No more Luvable Loser syndrome getting in the way of gunning for a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Jul 8, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Apparently I was unclear

A more accurate statement for what I meant would have been: Veal is quietly turning his season around (which is great).

That’s all I meant.

by AceCubbie on Jul 8, 2008 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Veal IS pitching a bit better.

But he really needs to cut down on the walks. I have yet to see a performance where Veal has a dominate strikeout to walk ratio.

Veal has always had the stuff to dominate, but his mental makeup is the problem. He isn’t a blue-chip prospect, but he has the ceiling of one.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 8, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Getting a bit depressing

Josh and Unique -

I love these updates but I have to say they are getting depressing. Not much good news coming from the farm lately other than Vitters finally getting some action. It seems that very few players have taken a significant step forward toward the major leagues. Outside of Vitters, the only one I can see is Jose Ceda.

by rlpete on Jul 8, 2008 8:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Depends on who you're looking at

Sure there have been some disappointments, but I think there are a number of guys who have taken strides thus far this year. Micah Hoffpauir might not be the typical prospect, but his bat has been loud enough to get him to Wrigley this year. Eric Patterson still has prospect status and has been putting up solid numbers at AAA. Jose Ascanio has been solid. Jeff Samardzija hasn’t been good stats-wise, but let’s not ignore that he’s now at AAA and has held his own up there so far. Lower down, Welington Castillo has made himself a legit prospect and perhaps our backup catcher next year or the year after. Also at AA, Casey Lambert has quietly put up solid numbers, making himself a candidate for a lefty reliever sometime soon. Marquez Smith, Jovan Rosa, and lately Luis Bautista have been hitting very well down in A ball. Rebel Ridling has been raking at short season ball. There have also been other pitchers who have improved their status but have been mediocre as of late (e.g., James Russell, Dae-Eun Rhee, Alessandro Maestri).

Few of these guys entered the season as noteworthy prospects, but that doesn’t mean they can’t become solid major leaguers someday.

by kranskie on Jul 8, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Rebel Ridling".

GREAT baseball name.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

We have/had a bunch of those in the system…Jehrico Jones, Alberto Albuquerque, Rocky Rocquet, Rocky Cherry…

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 8, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I believe Rocky Cherry was traded...

...to Baltimore last year. It saddened me greatly because he did indeed have one of the greatest baseball names I have ever encountered.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 8, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're correct

Another player with a good name, Buck Coats, was traded last year as well.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 9, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I guess I'm not as optimistic as you

I will never get excited about Hoffpaiur. He’s been in AAA for 4 seasons now. He should be hitting there. He doesn’t excite me anymore than Jason Dubois hitting in AAA. My concern on Patterson is where will he play. As we saw, he’s got a ways to go as an outfielder. Samardzija, I’m still waiting.

You are right on Castillo. He has taken a step forward. Lambert, ehhh. A middle reliever? I can’t get excited about that. Some of the A ball guys have been doing well so maybe a sold them a bit short.

So other than maybe Castillo and Ceda, I don’t see any serious steps forward in AA or AAA. A-Ball has some possibilities.

by rlpete on Jul 8, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

The lower levels of our farm system are more exciting than the higher levels right now. Daytona seems like the bleakest of all our minor league affiliates, so that discrepancy might persist for another year or two as well.

by kranskie on Jul 8, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it fair to call Ascanio "solid"?

He’s got a 4.28 ERA at the minor league level and, quite frankly, looked awful in his latest (brief) stint in the majors. His K:BB in the minors looks pretty good, though (33:17), and he has an excellent BAA of .195 with Iowa as well.

I’m not just not sure what to make of Jose. Many of us were hoping he could maybe take some pressure off Marmol this season but, as mentioned, he did anything but when the Cubs brought him up.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 8, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He seems like the pitching version of Ronny Cedeno.

Talented, but occasionally loses focus and does dumb things.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

noted

His overall numbers have taken a hit as of late. But if you look at his performance in April and May (which constitutes 18 out of his 25 minor league appearances), he pitched 23.2 IP, had a WHIP of 1.10, an ERA of 1.94, and had 26 Ks. I know that it’s no longer April and May, but consider that this was before he was called up to the big leagues for the first time. Whatever happened after that, he’s a different Ascanio since (maybe he caught Rich Hill or Carmen Pignatiello disease?). I think Ascanio gets whatever he’s struggling with figured out, and he does become the reliever we were hoping for.

by kranskie on Jul 8, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He has good stuff and potential

He definitely has good stuff. Most recently with the Cubs he had problems locating his fastball, missing outside and/or high, and he’d be quickly punished when he left one up and out over the plate. He’s still young, and I have hope he can put it together.

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 8, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maestri

has apparently been trying to pitch through a sore arm. He finally admitted he’s hurting and on the DL now.

It doesn’t sound too serious, but I really don’t know. He was pretty vague on his blog and it’s in Italian, anyway.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh77 on Jul 9, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The system has had a down year.

However, besides Vitters and Ceda—you have a couple of prospects that have had their stock rise within the last year.

Welington Castillo (AA) has turned into a legit prospect. He is only 21 years old and he is a true defensive stud at the very least. But this year his offense has caught up with his defense. Best case scenario he will be Geovany Soto’s backup in 2009. James Russell who’s also in AA .. started out great but lately Russell has hit a wall.

Also, like stated above, Marquez Smith and Jovan Rosa have had solid years. Guys that we recently drafted like Ryan Flaherty and Rebel Ridling have been good as advertised.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 8, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The rainout didn't stop the Big Hoff from going 2-4 with a double and 3 RBI...

on his Playstation in the clubhouse.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 8, 2008 9:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

When are the Cubs going to promote

Vitters and Jones?

Are the Cubs going to promote Vitters and Jones?

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jul 8, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope yes to both.

Jericho Jones makes a lot of sense to promote now. Boise has Kyler Burke and a few center fielders on their roster. Having Jones there to man LF make a lot of sense, given how he’s performing in Arizona.

Vitters could be promoted given either of two scenarios. One is that Marquez Smith is promoted to play 3B at Daytona, where Jonathan Mota has been playing since Josh Lansford’s promotion to Tennessee awhile back. Mota is not the offensive player to be more than a backup middle infielder, so it’s not like he’s blocking Smith there. It also makes a lot of sense to get Smith closer to his age level—he’s too old for the Midwest League, and it would be nice to see how he fares against older competition to know if he’s legit or not. I would vote for this scenario.

The other scenario for promoting Vitters to Peoria is that the Cubs decide to keep Jovan Rosa at 1B for the season (or forever) and try Marquez Smith at 2B for the rest of the year, a position at which he’s played more than a bit at Peoria so far this year. This would allow Vitters to man 3B and not take ABs away from anybody else (although he certainly takes precedence over either Rosa or Smith).

I also wonder if RF Nelson Perez gets promoted from Arizona to Boise this year. And if Vitters is promoted to Peoria, does Ryan Flaherty make the move to 3B that many expect, or does John Contreras get promoted from Arizona to take over?

by kranskie on Jul 8, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jericho Jones.

ANOTHER great baseball name!!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bubba O'Donnell

gotta give props for “Bubba”

by kranskie on Jul 8, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks.

This is what I was hoping for, as far as answer.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jul 8, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chicago, Iowa, and Tennessee in 1st Place

The major league, AAA, and AA teams are all in first place. That’s very encouraging. Winning is contagious. I’ve always maintained that winning is an important part of player development. The Smokies have done well in the second half after playing poorly for most of the first half. A championship trifecta in the National League, Pacific Coast League, and Southern League would be great for the Cubs organization.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 8, 2008 11:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

System is devoid of blue chip prospects

The HOPE is that some of the recent additions to the system can develop into high quality prospects. But at the mid and upper levels of the organization it is a sobering picture.

Get Rich Harden, Tim Hudson or AJ Burnett RIGHT NOW !!! No more living in denial and rationalizing away the holes on this pitching staff. No more Luvable Loser syndrome getting in the way of gunning for a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Jul 8, 2008 1:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 8, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jul 8, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you know why we lack blue-chip prospects?

Because they’ve all matriculated. Our team’s top prospect going into the season is now a non-prospect, because he’s now an All-Star catcher. Same with Marmol – he’s no longer a top prospect because he’s a top setup man. Sean Gallagher is with the major league team. Our top prospects have been used to upgrade the big-league club by filling spots on our 25-man roster. It’s going to take time for prospects to bubble up from the lower levels to fill those gaps.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Exactly.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 8, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Yop prospect to begin the season was Geo

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Good point.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 9, 2008 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

-1

Apparently Billy Beane felt differently than you did. What a difference 3 hours makes, huh?

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jul 8, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you for doing this 'nique

my car blew up in the Nevada desert. Everyone’s safe. but I had to rent a car to get home and spend two night there.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 8, 2008 7:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow.

I’m glad to hear you and your family are ok. I’ll do tonights if needed.

My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!

by Unique on Jul 8, 2008 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know

if you want to do it, I could certainly use a rest. It’s been a stressful couple of days.

The good news was that it died at a convenience store. It was 45 minutes away from a town, but at least we were in an air conditioned place while we waited for the tow truck. AAA had a hell of a time finding us though because there was no cross street.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 8, 2008 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Glad you and your family are OK.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 9, 2008 4:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yikes

Glad you and your family are OK. BTW, did you hear the Cubs made a trade today? :)

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jul 8, 2008 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa, that's nuts.

The last time I left Chicago there was a huge car fire on the shoulder of I-57. Glad your family is safe, Josh, seems like you’ve had some really rotten luck in the last month or two! Here’s hoping it balances out, real quick.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 9, 2008 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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