Minor League Wrap -- June 11

by Josh77 on Jun 12, 2009 12:10 AM CDT in Minor Leagues Comment 27 comments

There was a really nice story on Tennessee Smokies pitcher Jay Jackson in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Voting has started for the AAA All-Star Game. Let's see if we can get Jake Fox in as a starting outfielder.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs overthrew the Omaha Royals, 9-3.

Since moving into the starting rotation, Kevin Hart has been really good. Tonight he went a season-high seven innings, allowing only two runs on four hits. Hart walked three and struck out five.

DH Jason Dubois destroyed the Royals tonight, reaching base all five times; going 3 for 3 with a walk and a hit by pitch. He also hit a double and his seventh home run of the season. Dubois scored twice and had five RBI.

Center fielder Sam Fuld went 2 for 2 with a double and two walks. Fuld stole a base, scored twice and had two RBI.

Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 4 for 5 with a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies five game winning streak ended tonight as they were caught hibernating by the Mobile Bay Bears, 4-1.

Starter Marcos Mateo saw his record fall to 1-4 with what was technically a quality start. Mateo allowed three runs on six hits over six plus innings. He got in real trouble in the seventh when he allowed singles to the first three batters he faced. He walked one and fanned four.

Second baseman Tony Thomas was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Third baseman Marquez Smith was also 2 for 4 with a double.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs denied the veracity of the Fort Myers Miracle, 6-4.

Andrew Cashner had what was probably his second-worst start of the season, and it really wasn't bad at all. Cashner allowed two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings. Cashner walked one and struck out two.

Dustin Sasser got the win with 2.2 innings of shutout relief. Sasser gave up three hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out one.

Luke Sommer allowed a run on two hits in the ninth inning, but still got the save. Sommer struck out one and didn't walk a batter.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos stayed hot as he hit his tenth home run in a 3 for 5 evening. Chirinos scored twice.

First baseman Jovan Rosa hit his second home run of the year in a 2 for 4 effort. It was a solo home run and Rosa had two RBI total.

Dylan Johnston was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 2 for 4.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs committed four errors while being embarrassed by the Clinton Lumber Kings, 5-0.

I don't do this often, but let me just say Jeff Beliveau was impressive in 5.2 innings of relief, allowing only one run on a solo home run. He allowed four hits total. He struck out five and walked no one.

No one else on the Chiefs wants anyone to know how poorly the team did tonight.

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Anyone else think Cashner is being forced to throw

mostly offspeed pitches (ala the Shark the last 2 years)? This is a guy who is known to have mid to high 90s fastballs and his K rate is really mediocre (30IP and 24Ks). It is the only thing that makes sense unless his velocity has really dropped off. If he gets a promotion in 3 or 4 weeks and then turns it on then we can all assume that has been the case.

Any reports from people at the game?

by CA Cub Fan on Jun 12, 2009 12:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Cashner threw a lot of fastballs.

And I mean, A LOT. Mostly 90-92.

Fact: Your Opinion is Wrong.

by northsider on Jun 12, 2009 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Chirinos and Rosa went back-to-back with their homers.

Fact: Your Opinion is Wrong.

by northsider on Jun 12, 2009 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update.

That is actually disappointing to hear though.

by CA Cub Fan on Jun 12, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the K rate isn't terrible

What is that, a K/9 of 7.2? Sure it could be improved, but it’s not terrible. Besides, it’s a small sample size. I wouldn’t be too worried yet.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

Good ol' KO

by thecoolest on Jun 12, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget

He threw in the mid to high 90’s as a closer in college; it’s much harder to maintain that velocity as a starter.

"Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me." -Dusty Baker on OBP

by vtcub on Jun 12, 2009 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome article :)

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 12, 2009 12:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How close is Thomas?

Wishful thinking? Just curious, anyone?

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jun 12, 2009 6:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm guessing he's not a huge upgrade...

he’s hitting as follows in AA: .288/.371/.476 (.847 OPS), with 8 HR and 7 SB (and 7 CS) in 208 AB. Those aren’t wowing numbers, and they’re at AA.

He’s probably a year away from being “ready,” as the Cubs haven’t typically call guys up from AA (usually they go through AAA first).

by SouthernCub on Jun 12, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, he's streaky

He was up around .340 with an OBP well over .400 and then he went into a terrible slump with the rest of the team in that 12 game losing streak. He seems to be hot again, and so his average might climb quickly.

My feeling is that Thomas is close but not ready. His defense seems to have improved to the point where it won’t hurt you. He really just needs to work on consistency and maintaining focus. He’s probably going to be up in September.

It wouldn’t shock me if Thomas was the opening day starter next April, although I’d really expect to see him more mid-season next year. He just needs a lot of playing time right to develop some consistency. Some feel his slumps are a result of him paying too much attention to his glove. Maybe if he can get his defense to a level he’s happy with (and his Twitter handle is “GoldGlover2B”) his bat will start showing the consistency necessary to play in the majors.

by Josh77 on Jun 12, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be surprised if he starts for the big club next April...

I’m guessing the team will send him to AAA next year, as they don’t typically promote from AA to MLB.

by SouthernCub on Jun 12, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to amend

I wouldn’t be shocked if he started next season with the Cubs—I would be pretty surprised if he was in the starting lineup, barring an injury. That’s what I meant to say.

The Cubs did call Matt Murton up straight from AA as well as some pitchers. But they do usually tend to ask for some AAA experience first. However, it’s possible he still gets that this season.

But I agree, as I stated earlier, that mid-season next year is the most likely scenario, assuming he continues to advance.

by Josh77 on Jun 12, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice article

good to see some human side in this. I hope it works out for Jay, love to see him in Chicago.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jun 12, 2009 6:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Josh Vitters

Please forgive me if he’s been covered before, I don’t follow the cubs farm system all that closely. But I’m wondering what the overall feeling is around here about the guy. He’s in his 3rd full professional season (2nd full season) and is still only at low A Peoria. Most everyone from that draft is well ahead of him in terms of organizational level, and I know he had some injury issues last year (even though he was considered to be one of the most advanced bats of his draft class), but what’s holding the cubs back from seeing what he can do in Daytona? I think it’s pretty obvious he’s not having any trouble this time around with the Midwest League, right? So, what’s the holdup? Do you think he’ll get promoted once the draft picks start filling in the other lower rosters? But that wouldn’t really affect Peoria, right? Or is there someone that’s blocking him?

I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.

by Tackle Box on Jun 12, 2009 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well,

He is still very young (drafted at 17) The double A team has also been having some rain outs. actually lots of rains outs. The general belief around here is he gets called up to double A this month.

by Glacier on Jun 12, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll turn 20 in August.

And, the feeling around here, is that he’ll get promoted at the MiLB All-Star break.

"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)
.

by SackMan on Jun 12, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Likely not to double A but to Hi A Daytona

I think most would be very surprised to see him skip a level and go to Tenn.

by CA Cub Fan on Jun 12, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either is possible

but Daytona is more likely.

Yes, most of the first round draft picks from 2007 are ahead of Vitters, but Josh was, as has been pointed out, younger than any of them. The Cubs are also being conservative after the criticism that they rushed Corey Patterson. Most of the guys from that draft significantly ahead of him were college players.

Consider Mike Moustakas, who was drafted one pick before Vitters. Moustakas is a full year older than Vitters (well, 50 weeks older) and is only one level ahead of him in High-A. Vitters should be joining him soon. I don’t think the original poster’s claims are actually accurate for high schoolers.

by Josh77 on Jun 12, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Josh... I'm really confused by the Jake Fox situation.

The Cubs need 3B help… they call him up, and Alan Trammel works with him at the Major League level to help him learn how to play third.

Then, they send him back down to Iowa, and he plays 1B?

Also… if they need help so badly at third, why haven’t they called up Matt Camp? Looks like he can start there, and you can let Fox play third in Iowa, while Camp is up.

It’s very, very confusing. And instead… the Cubs currently have three players on the roster (Miles, Scales, and Blanco), who all offer the same role. The only exception is Scales, who is adequate enough to fill in at 3B if needed.

"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)
.

by SackMan on Jun 12, 2009 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure why Fox is playing 1st again

Maybe Trammell decided he wasn’t suitable.

In any case Camp is not the answer. He’ll be another light hitting infielder. His AA slugging average last season was .313.

by rlpete on Jun 12, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if only vitters was ready now

by tim815 on Jun 12, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, this was the first thing I checked when I clicked on the Iowa box score, too.

I think, for all of our collective mental well-being, we’re going to have to let this “Fox at 3B” thing go. Apparently, he’s so hopeless at the position, the Cubs organization just refuses to pursue it. I find it frustrating, to say the least.

Maybe they don’t want to bruise Jake’s ego by coming right out and saying, “Look, he sucks at the position. Forget it.” But I wish we could get some clarification from management on why a team with zero depth at third base wasn’t /isn’t at least trying to fit the square peg that is Jake into this round hole. (OK, that sounds vaguely dirty.)

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 Jun 12, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with the Cubs on this one

Fox at third base would be a disaster. He wants to do it because he’ll do anything to get his bat in the lineup. But I think the Cubs would rather have a more realistic goal of getting Fox to be adequate at first base or left field.

by Josh77 on Jun 12, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I guess we just have to let it go.

He’d be such a perfect fit there in terms of what the major league team needs. Such a shame…

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 Jun 12, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's sounds like that is the case...

and that the team is just getting him regular AB until the DH comes into play.

It seems strange that the team won’t even TRY him there. It may well be that he just doesn’t have it in him to play 3B. Maybe the team got a good enough sense in training sessions with Trammell. Who knows?

by SouthernCub on Jun 12, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs