Cubs Minor League Wrap--May 31
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 7:27 PM CDT
in Minor Leagues
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PrintJay Jackson tweeted that he's on the DL. Doesn't appear to be official yet.
Josh Vitters simply doesn't want May to end.
Robinson Chirinos doesn't want today to end. He had a day he'll tell his grandchildren about today.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs split two games today with the Memphis Redbirds, taking a previously suspended game 4-2 and blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning to fall 4-3 in the regularly scheduled game.
The first game was the resumption of a suspended game from May 3. Esmailin Caridad started this game back then and threw three shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out one.
Vince Perkins got the win by essentially getting the start today when the game resumed. Perkins allowed one run over 3.2 innings. He surrendered three hits and two walks. He struck out two.
Blake Parker allowed a run on two hits in the ninth inning, but got the save anyway. Parker walked one and fanned one.
Bobby Scales went 2 for 2 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI in this game. Nate Spears took over for him at third base and also went 2 for 2 with a double. Spears walked once and had an RBI.
In the second game, Kevin Hart allowed a solo home run to lead off the game and then settled down to throw a masterful start. Hart allowed only the one run on two hits over six innings. He hit a batter to lead off the second inning and then retired 15 in a row. Hart struck out seven and didn't walk anyone.
Hart didn't get the win though because Justin Berg was brought in for the save and gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning. One of the runs was unearned.
Left fielder John-Ford Griffin went 3 for 3 with a double and a triple. He scored once and had one RBI. Center fielder Sam Fuld had a run scored and an RBI in a 2 for 4 afternoon. Fuld also stole a base.
Catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.
Tennessee Smokies
Somebody please stop the carnage in Tennessee. Today the Smokies lost their eighth game in a row as they were swamped by the Carolina Mudcats, 10-2.
Starter Marcos Mateo allowed four runs in a four inning start. Mateo got tagged for five hits and he issued three walks. He only struck out two.
Both Jake Muyco and Todd Blackford gave up three runs in two innings of relief.
The Smokies only managed four hits this afternoon.
Daytona Cubs
Behind two grand slams by catcher Robinson Chirinos, the Daytona Cubs blacklisted the Sarasota Reds, 11-3.
Andrew Cashner got the start today and was impressive in four shutout innings. Casher allowed only two hits. He struck out one and walked one
Henry Williamson got the win in relief because Cashner didn't go five innings. Williamson did pitch well, tossing three shutout innings. He gave up three hits, didn't walk anyone and fanned two.
The story of today was obviously Chirinos. Chirinos came to the plate with the bases loaded in the fourth and seventh innings and hit grand slams both times. Chirinos was 3 for 5 on the day with the eight RBI. He now has five home runs on the season.
First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. Center fielder Tony Campana had a stolen base and a run scored in a 2 for 5 effort.
Third baseman Jovan Rosa went 2 for 4 with two doubles. He scored once and had an RBI. Left fielder Marwin Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with one double. He also scored once and knocked one in.
Peoria Chiefs
The Chiefs were beaten by the Great Lakes Loons, 4-2.
Starter Jeff Beliveau was the hard luck loser today. He only allowed one run and three hits over 4.1 innings. Now he did walk four batters, but he fanned seven.
Ryan Buchter allowed three runs in two innings of relief.
May is coming to an end, and so must Josh Vitters' incredible month. He homered again today, a two-run blast in the ninth inning that accounted for all of Peoria's runs. Overall, Vitters went 2 for 4 today.
The final numbers for the month of May for Vitters: .386 with a .417 OBP. Twelve home runs and 27 RBI. Six doubles and two stolen bases. He scored 24 times. He's now tied for the MWL lead in home runs.
First baseman Rebel Ridling went 2 for 4 with a double.
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Josh
Can Cashner help right now?? I really wanna know all about him. Could he close right now etc??
I sit at home after the Cubs lose and wanna pound sand but I know I live in a state without that kinda land. I know in my heart Sori isn't a guess hitting hack and that Dero will never be back. Pitching is King, some do say and hopefully Aaron Miles doesn't play in a Cub uniform another day. By October this I know, to the playoffs we are for sure to go. Go Cubbies!!
Maybe
but the Cubs seem to want to make a starter out of him. I also seriously doubt that Lou would name a guy who had never pitched above High-A as the closer.
The big question on Cashner has always been control, but it’s been fine so far this year, albeit in only 22.2 innings.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
cotts sighting...and other notes from memphis
cotts came in w/ 2 outs in the seventh…pitched thru the 8th…batted for himself in the ninth of the suspended game and then was replaced in the 9th…hmmmm…in a 4-1 game, a PH for cotts in the top of 9th would have been nice; however, i understand the bench is thin w/ injuries and big club call-ups
he was hitting low 90s consistently and pitched well…hopefully some regular work in AAA will get him some much needed confidence
not that it really may matter unless injuries REALLY get out of hand w/ position players, but dubois and deeds looked LOST at the plate…very week swings, soft grounders, etc…
dubois was replaced in game two, and in that game hart pitched very well despite the leadoff HR and was hitting 93+ with consistency, although i left in the 4th inning so missed his final pitches before being relieved and didn’t see the collapse w/ two outs in the abbreviated 7th inning final
sam fuld is such a little sparkplug and i am a longtime fan, although i realize he needs to be traded to ever get another cup of coffee in a MLB team…surely, SOMEONE is looking for a scrappy fast left handed contact bat that can leadoff and be acive on the bases and maybe bring some BP help back to the cubs in return
Iowa game
Bobby Scales went 2 for 2 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI in this game.
Er? How? He’s with the big club.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
Because
you didn’t read the recap closely enough. Or maybe I didn’t make it clear enough. Probably both.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
ah!
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on Jun 1, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Josh Vitters sits in low A while Matt Wieters is now in the bigs
Sigh.
Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...
Matt Wieters
is 23 years old. Josh Vitters is 19.
That the reason one is in the minors and one is in the majors. I’ll bet you Vitters makes the majors before he hits 23.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll stand by my criticism of Tim Wilkens
Since Tim Wilkens came on board the Cubs have been in a “win-now” mode. And for an organization with a horrendous record of developing positional talent the smart move would have been to grab Wieters. Wieters was the closest thing to a “sure-thing” in the upper reaches of the 2007 draft. We have no idea when / if Vitters arrives on the scene.
Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...
Tim Wilkens
was not given authorization from Jim Hendry to draft Matt Wieters because Sam Zell did not give Hendry authorization to give Matt Wieters the $6 million bonus that Boras got from Baltimore (and he was asking for $8 million at draft time).
The Cubs were never going to draft Wieters because of their ownership situation. If you want to blame someone, blame Sam Zell.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Besides
Ten years from now, Josh Vitters over Matt Wieters will be seen as the right decision.
by Outshined_One on May 31, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't know about that
But I will say it will probably be seen as a no-lose choice. I think in ten years, the only way you could have gone wrong choosing between Matt Wieters and Josh Vitters is if you said “Mike Moustakas.”
by Josh Timmers on Jun 1, 2009 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
However, isn’t it time for Vitters to be playing at Daytona?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
.417 OBP. What's wrong with this guy, can't he take a walk? Let's trade him now
while we can get something for him. He will never be a big league hitter with these kind of numbers. Maybe we can get a slap-hitting shortstop or a weak-armed reliever.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 1, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Enlarging the story
Josh, I read what you posted somewhere and also read that Hendry/Wilken had another plan if they thought Vitters was going to cost too much. They had done pre draft deals with Parker and Dolittle in case they thought they couldnt sign Vitters. In one of these Cubs blogs somewhere.
Parker
was always the backup plan if Vitters wasn’t available. In fact, up until the day of the day of the draft, the Cubs thought the Royals were going to take Josh Vitters and then they were going to take Jarrod Parker. I heard Parker was not happy about the Cubs passing on him and him dropping all the way to #9 and Arizona.
Of course, it’s not like Jarrod Parker isn’t a top prospect too. I’d much rather have Vitters though.
Seems like they were on the right players
Whether it was Parker or Dolittle it looks like the Cubs were on the right players if they couldnt have taken Vitters for what ever reason with the less-deck of cards they were given not being able to take Weiters.
Not sure what the Cubs are waiting for on Vitters...
According to this interview back in January with Oneri Fleita, it looked like Vitters would start the year in Dayton.
Vitters is by far our best pure hitter in the organization. I believe if we put him in the Florida State league rather than Peoria, he may flourish and move real fast. Peoria in the spring is like Chicago, it’s real cold and difficult on a hitter in the midwest league, early in the season, especially players from California, Florida, Texas, or somewhere in Latin America, It’s tough to swing the bat and young hitters can lose their confidence. He’s the best young hitter in this organization and I think will be a very good mlb player.
Fleita was concerned about Vitters’ confidence in Peoria during the rotten Spring weather… and of course, all the kid has done is tear through the entire league. You may have to think about moving him straight to Tennessee.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Maybe
they are waiting until he’s ready for Tennessee, but they’ve got Marquez Smith there and he’s been doing pretty well.
I expected Vitters to start the season in Daytona—or just make a two-week appearance in the MWL before moving up. If the Cubs have a reason for leaving him in Peoria, I’m not familiar with it.
Question
Would they move Smith up to Iowa to make room for Vitters? Not sure who was at 3B there other than Scales and Reynolds but obviously Scales isn’t there now and Reynolds isn’t too impressive.
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jun 2, 2009 2:28 AM CDT up reply actions
I forgot
Spears also plays 3B but he could move to 2B full time
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jun 2, 2009 2:34 AM CDT up reply actions
The problem is
that Smith is a bit of a prospect and they don’t want to hinder his development by overpromoting him. You can see the confidence the Cubs had in David Macias by the fact that they promoted him from Peoria to Iowa. That wasn’t a vote of confidence for Macias, I’m afraid. More of a vote of “We’re not too concerned about you.”
Daytona makes just so much more sense. They’ve got Jovan Rosa playing third there, and Rosa really projects as a first baseman. Ryan Keedy is playing first base—he’s nothing special and can DH anyway.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 2, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Why isn't Nate Spears up as opposed to Scales and Blanco???
I take a look at Spears and at least see a viable major league future perhaps as a utility infielder type. Something that can not be said about Scales or Blanco. Plus Spears has legitimate versatility right now that allows him to play around the infield.
Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...
I like Spears
probably more than anyone, but the reason he’s in the minors instead of Blanco or Scales is that he’s hitting .199 in the PCL.
If the Cubs had promoted someone hitting below the Mendoza line in AAA, I shudder to think what you’d write then.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry
He’s up to .203 after today. Call ’em up!
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Spears can play the field
I still feel real good about my prediction that Bobby Scales won’t get 5 more hits with the Cubs. And Blanco is nothing to write home about either.
Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...
He's already hit a home run
since you said that. Of course, that seems to be a “rolling” five hits, so some day he’s not going to get five more hits and you can declare yourself correct.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions
he's already gotten 11
with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs. His OPS is .808, for pete’s sake.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scalebo01.shtml
Cripes.
"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley
by drewishdrewid on Jun 1, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
But Blanco is better defensively than Spears...
ESPECIALLY at SS. Blanco is up here for his glove, not his bat. And in AAA, Blanco’s bat was even better than Spears’s bat.
And until Spears shows he can hit AAA pitching, he’s not sufficiently better than Scales defensively to warrant a call-up.
I agree
I was shocked Spears wasn’t placed on the 40 man to be protected by the rule 5 draft. Fortunately no other major league team felt that he was worth picking but hopefully he shows that they all made a mistake.
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on May 31, 2009 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Josh couple of quick questions for you
You do a mid-season prospect re-rating correct? I know you mid-season is still about a month a way but was just wondering because I’m anxious to see how it looks.
Second what’s the word on Hak-Ju Lee? I thought he was in extended spring training but not sure and I figure you’d know.
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on May 31, 2009 11:45 PM CDT reply actions
Lee
He’s still down in EXST, rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. According to AZ Phil, he’s looked pretty good so far, including an inside the park HR a few days ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts the season down in Boise.
by Outshined_One on May 31, 2009 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Rankings
Yeah, I’ll do a re-ranking around the time Boise and Arizona start in late June. I don’t think the top three have changed at all—although Vitters has moved up greatly among all prospects in baseball. Kevin Goldstein said he was top 20 now—Goldstein had him at #34 in the offseason. Still Vitters, Samardzija, Cashner.
Castillo has probably dropped. I think Steve Clevenger is now the top catching prospect in the system.
I’m less hesitant to move Jay Jackson up, he may be #4 right now. Whenever someone like him comes out of nowhere, I want to see him produce for more than half a season. He’s doing that now.
Lee is indeed in EXST, working on his English and survival in America skills as well as his baseball skills. He’s also rehabbing. I’d start him out in Boise, but if the Cubs are worried he still needs more time to culturally adapt, they’ll keep him close in Mesa for a while. But he does need to play in Boise this year.
The guy with the most helium right now is Chris Archer. Don’t know where I’ll rank him, but he’s certainly top 20. Maybe higher.
by Josh Timmers on May 31, 2009 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Chris Archer
I was actually just about to ask where you thought he might rank right now while I was reading that. I never even heard of him before he was traded to us but his K/9 is ridiculous. Obviously Archer needs to show he can do this at a higher level but hopefully the strikeout potential we’re seeing is for real. It’s hard to get a hit if you can’t make contact.
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jun 1, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions
His walk rates
last year were ridiculous too. 84 in 115 innings, which is why the Indians were willing to part with him. His walk rates are still too high, but now they are at least normal high and not, as I said earlier, Rick Vaughn from “Major League.”
But his K rate is incredible.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 1, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Archer
I like him, but his control issues and the fact that he’s repeating Low A both hurt. I wouldn’t put him in my Top 10 at this point, although a promotion to Daytona followed by more success and fewer control issues would change my mind in a hurry.
I’m also torn on how I’d do my Top 10 at this point. Vitters is an obvious #1. After that…I’m unsure how my list would look. I’m toying around with the following names.
Possible guys from 2-5 (in no order): Andrew Cashner, Jeff Samardzija, Jay Jackson, Starlin Castro
Possible guys from 6-10 (in no order): Chris Robinson, Tony Thomas, Dan McDaniel, Ryan Searle, Chris Carpenter, Junior Lake, Ryan Flaherty, Kyler Burke
I’m probably forgetting a few names, but that seems right for now.
Off my list for the time being would be guys like Colvin (been shaky since coming back from injury; OF collision didn’t help), Castillo (struggling mightily at the plate), and Dae-Eun Rhee (still recovering from injury, sleeper for 2010), and Hak-Ju Lee (see below).
AZ Phil’s reports have also been promising. Guys like RHP Larry Suarez, RHP Jon Nagel, RHP Su-Min Jing, LHP Jeff Antigua, OF Jae-Hoon Ha, and SS Hak-Ju Lee (who was #9 on my list this offseason) all have intriguing potential and have been producing very well down in EXST. We should see them in the AZ League and Boise soon enough.
by Outshined_One on Jun 1, 2009 2:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Good stuff
Archer’s control issues do concern me, but his repeating the MWL doesn’t because he’s still only 20 years old. If he were a little older I’d be worried, but for a 20 year old, repeating low A doesn’t. At the pace he’s been going lately, he’ll be in Daytona soon anyway.
I think your and my top 5 are identical. I’m a little hesitant on Castro—he’s making a ton of errors in the FSL. The OBP and SLG aren’t great either. But then I have to remind myself that he just turned 19 and after two months, he’s almost hitting .300 in the FSL. When I focus on the good stuff, the rest of it seems pretty petty.
Robinson over Clevenger or is that just forgetting someone? Robinson’s having a great year so far in Iowa, but I’m not willing to forget two years of injuries and mediocrity after two good months. Clevenger’s also two years younger. Still wouldn’t trade Robinson back for Neifi though.
I agree that Colvin’s injuries may be the final blow to his status as a top prospect. I still don’t think it was a terrible pick, just a bad one with Travis Snider still on the board.
I’m so sick of waiting for Larry “The Next Zambrano” Suarez. It seems like he’s been around forever and he’s never pitched above rookie ball. Still, as is the case with Castro, I should remind myself that he’s still only 19. But I better see him on my trip to Boise this summer!
RE
Quick points…
-Castro apparently has looked sharp at SS, despite his errors this season. Most of his problems have come on routine plays, while he’s made his share of spectacular plays. I think he just needs coaching and time in order to fulfill his potential.
-Robinson and Clevenger are fairly even in my mind. Robinson has had a very strong defensive reputation and he’s showing some power, despite his numbers being somewhat inflated. I’m probably over-shooting on Robinson, but he’s doing what I thought Castillo would do this season and he’s had the potential to be good, as a former third rounder. I have a feeling this will change during the season, but for now, I have Robinson above Clevenger.
-Suarez is finally recovered from Tommy John Surgery and apparently he’s showing off some fantastic stuff in EXST. It sounds like the light switch has finally been flipped.
by Outshined_One on Jun 1, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Re Clevenger vs Robinson
Robinson is one of the best defensive catchers in the system (along with Flores) but Clevenger’s defense good. He has always hit well while Robinson hasn’t done much until this season. It’s only been 2 good months for Robinson, plus he plays in the PCL, home of such hitter-friendly towns as Alburquerque, Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, Reno and Salt Lake City.
Suarez
Every time AZ Phil has written about him this spring, he’s had a solid outing (we’re talking 2K/1 IP outings, much improved control and he’s limited the runs ). He’s been consistently 94-96 mph with a fantastic breaking ball. I’ve heard elsewhere that he (and Bristow) just missed making Peoria’s rotation. If another injury crops up in Peoria, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Suarez up. AZ Phil called him the Boise ace.
Also, this is his third year in the system. BA said the Cubs admitted they rushed him in his first year to Mesa (age 17) to get him state-side and then he had TJS and rehabbed last season. I’m not at all concerned about him still being in extended.
Flaherty
I’ve been a bit disappointed with him thus far this season as a 22-year old in low-A (.238/.329/.408/.738) though he has shown great plate awareness. He’s probably still in my top 10 but his bat needs to wake up.
He's probably still top 10
His isolated power is still good as is his plate discipline. But I agree the batting average has been disappointing.
So was Donaldson
Donaldson was hitting 210 to 215 when he was traded in June/July in the same leauge and both guys were position switch players.
And Donaldson
is doing a good job for the Athletics organization since the trade. So no need to panic on Flaherty yet.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 1, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed on the Donaldson Comp Actually
And while he’s been in a slump the past few weeks, Tony Thomas has rebounded after a subpar first full pro season last year.
I’d definitely keep him in the top 10, but it’s always disappointing when a guy who did well as a 3rd year junior in a strong conference struggles in A-ball.
Cubs need sticks
that is the bottom line. Frustrating seeing the Rangers, Reds and others have hitters throughout there systems and the Cubs can’t produce not one. Goodness what has happened to Soto?
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
He's off the juice and/or an undisciplined fatso
I am extraordinarily disappointed in Soto. Last year he displayed a great commitment to craft and had a fabulous work ethic. That has all been thrown out the window. Or he is off the juice and the fat has come back to his body frame.
Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...
Or
You’re a gargantuan tool of Blagojevichian proportions. Looks like you were right about Rich Hill too. 7 IP, 2H, 3BB, 0R
Just shut up and die.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Jun 2, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Oy. Sandberg's lost 8 in a row?
I guess he really is Lou’s replacement after all.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Nine now
barring a miracle comeback in the ninth. The Smokies made five errors too.
Ryno is probably now bald from pulling his hair out..
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