So what's the problem with 4A minor leaguers?

by Gunga La Gunga on May 16, 2009 4:10 PM CDT Comment 12 comments

We've heard for two or three years about the dearth of major league hitters in the cubs farm system, and that they're really just trumped up triple A lifers (and god forbid we have a true major league talent in the minors, because they only become Pie or Patterson).

Now from what's occurred in the past few years we've seen to either

a) rely on them in short burts -- witness Bobby Scales or Micah Hoffpauir this year

b) trade them for something (sometimes we get value, sometimes not) a la Murton, Cedeno, (or longer ago B. Hill and Choi)

c) turn into bona fide major leaguers -- Soto or Theriot

Certainly these guys don't seem to ever be the nine-figure salary guys, but they do seem to be the guts of a 25 man roster.

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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Hate to be that guy but...

Am i missing something.. Isnt this like saying some children go to college some go to tech school and some join the military..

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on May 16, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

It's OK.

I’ve read this three times now and I can’t quite figure out the point.

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 18, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just enjoy the production while it's happening

Both guys, at 29 and 31, are most likely peaking, so enjoy it while you can.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 16, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

Pitchers often have extremely straight fastballs, like Phil Hughes. EVERY MLB player can hit that no matter how fast it is. Or it’s mechanical

With hitters, eh, it’s all mechanical and mental.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on May 16, 2009 5:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

EVERY MLB player can hit that no matter how fast it is

cannot agree, Lee has seemed slow getting around on a fastball this season

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 16, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They have movement on them.

Even Dave Bush’s fastball has some movement on it. A STRAIGHT fastball anyone in the MLB can hit.

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on May 17, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I totally agree with this.

Good teams have 2, maybe 3 big run producers and a couple nice pitchers. Great teams have the guys on the periphery that come through when the team needs it most. To win, you have to have those guys.

by cedarpip on May 16, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

ugh

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on May 17, 2009 6:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why "ugh"?

This is very often true. (Simplistic, but true.)

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

by Al on May 17, 2009 7:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

cheap controlled replacements in case of injury is always needed. Cannot have a bunch of All Star players on the bench, would not work, nor be affordable.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on May 17, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of the time

the best teams are the guys with the best talent. Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and well, the Cubs, may not have those Cinderella stories when a reserve player comes through with a clutch hit, however they are generally the best teams every year. Conversely, while some teams (like the Cards in 06, when Scott Spiezio hit an uber-clutch triple in the regular season and then had a great postseason) will sometimes have successful years, the majority of the teams who don’t have a lot of talent but a lot of “heart” will not be very successful.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on May 18, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs