A Profile of Donald Veal

While Donald Veal didn't pan out as a Cubs prospect, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers a profile of some of the challenges the Pirates' rookie faced before and during his time in the Cubs system.

6 months ago Trey2317 12 comments 1 recs |

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You have to root for a kid like that.

So much personal tragedy. I hope he succeeds (except when he’s facing the Cubs).

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on May 12, 2009 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that is rough stuff.

The article also points out that, apparently, the pink backpack is not a tradition exclusive to the Chicago Cubs.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 12, 2009 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

rec'd post from me

I hope he becomes a superstar.

I didn't get the players I wanted in the offseason!! Hopefully I get what I want in the Regular Season---The World Series Trophy!! Go Cubbies!!

by cubsluver22 on May 12, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone else wonder how Neal Cotts, Vizcaiano (or however you spell it), and some other dropping we had got

on the 40 man roster over him? i realize we had to make a decision on him after Fall ball, and before we acquired some of our roster, but what a waste….would be nice having him in AAA right now. i mean we had room for Patton? i know he had a good spring, but….

by Zakh on May 12, 2009 11:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As I recall, Veal was having a lot of control problems when he was in the Cubs system.

And those seem to have carried over thus far to the Pirates – he’s walked 9 batters in 4.1 IP. I hope he does well, too, but I quite say I regret losing him. Maybe he’ll figure it out, but maybe Patton will, too.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 12, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patton will be gone by the trading deadline....unless we work a deal out for him.

by Zakh on May 12, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't surprise me.

He was a bit of a long shot to begin with.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on May 12, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It seemed clear to me that the Cubs wanted him taken in the Rule V.

It could be as simple as the coaching staff saying, “We’re not getting anywhere with him; let someone else take a crack at it,” or maybe Donnie himself needed to see that he wasn’t ready for the MLs with the way he was pitching. Remember, he could still be returned. His drafting and return could pay off for the Cubs in a way that holding on to him would not.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 12, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This also shows the downside of Rule-5

The last thing he needs is to sit most of this year and pitch occasionally. If the Pirates hold on to him all season by hiding him in the pen, it will be a lost season and at his age he really doesn’t need that.

Neither he nor Patton are major-league ready. The Cubs have given Patton more work but both of these guys would be better served by pitching in the minors.

by rlpete on May 12, 2009 11:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But you're assuming Veal's career would have gone somewhere

had he repeated AA again. This may be the thing that shakes him up enough to change how he’s pitching. Or maybe he just doesn’t have the physical tools to control his pitching, in which case he doesn’t have a career any way.

Derrek Lee is good.

by DGU on May 12, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly

Not that his career would probably go anywhere anyway but I can’t see a lot of benefit in Veal sitting in the bullpen in Pittsburgh and maybe pitching 40-45 innings for the season in mop-up.

by rlpete on May 12, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs