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Who's been your favorite Minor League Cub call-up after the first half?

 

It goes without saying that the injury-plagued first half has been quite frustrating and far below all our expectations of 2009. We should send a shout out to the call-ups who have helped to keep the team in contention for the division championship. I think it's great to see these guys come out and play ball, it seems they show more hustle and heart than some guys who know they'll play every day.  I'm not pointing fingers here, just trying to give a little perspective. To me it seems as if we've had more call-ups this year than some previous years, but I don't know where to find that stat. I'm not asking who has tecnically had the best performance, just who you like to see playing. I'll get started. It's hard to pick a favorite but so far, Bobby Scales has been mine. He has a great background story, spending all those years in the minors and finally getting a shot at the Bigs. I would like to see him again since he's given his whole life to the game, without the rewards that the All Stars get. Bobby Scales' reward is playing baseball every day, and he just seems happy to be out there trying his best. Enjoy discussing and GO CUBS!

Poll
Who was your favorite Minor League player to be called up to play with the Cubs in the first half of the 2009 season?
Bobby Scales
3 votes
Jake Fox
13 votes
Randy Wells
27 votes
Sam Fuld
10 votes
Andres Blanco
3 votes
Other (Please share)
1 votes

57 votes | Poll has closed

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.

Comment 38 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Jake Fox.

He proved he can hit at the ML level, and his defense has been far better than the “notch above horrific” we were led to believe it was.

Second place to Sam Fuld, whose energy shows every time he’s on the field. I’d like to see him get more playing time.

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 13, 2009 8:15 AM CDT reply actions  

To steal a line from Reed Johnson

" Take a wild guess "
(He was asked what physical characteristic he would change if he could)

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 13, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions  

You're talking about Fuld?

Um… do I really want to know?

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 13, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

Of course Fuld

And why don’t you want to know ( or was that a reference to Johnson ?)

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 13, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 13, 2009 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

What was the wild guess?

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 14, 2009 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions  

Mine or Johnson's ?

Mine I think you know was Fuld.
Johnson as you recall was in full Amish mode at the Convention with lots of hair on his
FACE but none on top so you can guess what he wanted to change about himself.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2009 7:14 AM CDT up reply actions  

Oh.

I get it now.

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 14, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions  

+1

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jul 13, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions  

I agree with you on those two...

but they fall in line behind Randy Wells to me. I think he’s been a complete surprise and extremely consistent. He could easily have 8-9 wins right now if he had any run support. I’m sold.

by smash! on Jul 13, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

wells

should get the ROY-but no, colby rasmus, who didn’t walk for 40 DAYS! will probably get it

Nutdrinkingamp12
Live Long and Prosper

by nutdrinkingamp12 on Jul 13, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's a tie

I’d have to say Jake Fox and Randy Wells are tied. Both have make excellent contributions to this team. It’s hard to pick a clear cut favorite. Bobby Scales gets an honorable mention for his story.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Jul 13, 2009 9:19 AM CDT reply actions  

randy Wells

he has been a big part of the rotation

"You sweep win a dobleheader if you don't win the first game" Bob Brenly

by cubswgnrocks on Jul 13, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions  

Well

Randy Wells has been the most valuable by far so I would say him

by CalCalender on Jul 13, 2009 9:45 AM CDT reply actions  

Story wise would be Scales

But playing wise, would have to be Wells.

by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 13, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions  

My favorite's been Blanco.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 13, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions  

Blanco

because it’s nice to have a real shortstop on the team, even if he mostly rides the bench and plays second.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 13, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions  

+1

If only because his presence on the roster got Miles out of the lineup.

by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 13, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Has there been a disappointing one?

I think that’s the cool part. Not sure how much many of you read about our minor league system but we really don’t have many players who are considered future all stars by any means. The only one who has a realistic shot is obviously Vitters. I find it amazing though that there isn’t a player who has been called up who has deserved to be sent down. It’s a shame that we can’t keep them all up here because they all have contributed something to games this year.

That being said, if I were to pick the best, I’d say Wells as the pitcher and Fuld as a hitter. Fuld has stepped in and hit leadoff for this team, and has done the job. Seeing pitchers for the first time and producing quality at bats against them, most of the time resulting in hits, has been incredible to watch (something I can’t recall a Cubs leadoff hitter doing). Wells…I don’t think I need to elaborate. His numbers (minus the record) speak for themselves

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Jul 13, 2009 12:28 PM CDT reply actions  

Well I don't think Fuld should be considered

when taking into account that he only has 16 at bats. Wells without a doubt has been the best call up. 9 quality starts in 12 games started. He has been the most consistent starter and has shown fantastic composure out on the mound.

Offensively, I like Fox a ton obviously, but don’t forget Hoffpauir. I know Hoffpauir’s stats aren’t as consistent as Fox’s, but Hoffpauir has had some huge homeruns for us.

by cufban2522 on Jul 13, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions  

Hoff isn't a call up....

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 13, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

technically, no he isn't

but I guess more in terms of bench player, I’ve liked him about the same as Fox.

by cufban2522 on Jul 13, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Check the title of the fan post...

Hoff’s been up all year. That’s all I’m saying.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 13, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

I understand the topic being discussed

but I just wanted to throw in Hoff, who often does not get the credit he deserves.

by cufban2522 on Jul 13, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Cool.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 13, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

I was hoping there'd be a poll in this Fanpost...hint, hint.

For me it’s kind of a tie between Jake Fox (the Bat) and Andres Blanco (the Glove). Scales was a nice story, and he did a decent job during his callup, but (sad as this might be to say) I think his time with the team has passed. We’ve kinda got the infield covered now.

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 daver on Jul 13, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions  

so if we could combine them, we'd have...

THE MIGHTY BAT-GLOVE! FEAR HIS POWAH!

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 13, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Jake White? Andy Fox?

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 daver on Jul 13, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

by day

they’re just mid-range minor-league journeymen, but at night… they roam the streets, looking for…

EEEEEEEEVIIIIIIIL!

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 13, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

There ya go!

Great idea by the way, wish I’d thought of it earlier.

by Fonzie2178 on Jul 13, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Um... hopefully it works,

I’m not getting buttons next to the names….

by Fonzie2178 on Jul 13, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Looks good - thanks for adding it!

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 daver on Jul 13, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

You're welcome,

Thanks for, um, “hinting” it! :-)

by Fonzie2178 on Jul 13, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Randy Wells

Initially, I had doubts as to whether he would be effective coming in for Zambrano when he got injured. But he showed his great stuff and has been consistent ever since. If it weren’t for our hitting, he might already have, say, 7 to 9 wins that would put us right up there along with the Cards for the top of the division. There would be more talk about Wells being a candidate for NL Rookie of the Year too.

But in reality, all of the Cubs call-ups have been pretty good. Which kinda saved us. :D

Aqui viene el Toro Venezolano, Carlos Zambrano, a batear...el lanzamiento...A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!

by Azul Cachorro on Jul 13, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions  

Hm, come to think of it...

…in terms of maximum value to the team, Randy Wells pretty much wins it going away.

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 daver on Jul 13, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions  

I voted for Wells

But I like all of the guys on the list. They’ve all made contributions to the team this year. Nice to be able to say that, considering the Kelton’s, Dubois’s, Mateo’s, etc. of recent memory.

by kanderber on Jul 13, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Fuld

The main reason being, I think he could play a huge role down the stretch … if given the opportunity.

by toonsterwu on Jul 14, 2009 12:35 AM CDT reply actions  

I think he would be more useful on this team, as currently constructed, then Hoffpauir.

Hoff’s hitting has fallen way off since he started out hot and obviously Fuld outclasses him with terrific outfield defense. A bench of Johnson, Fuld, Baker, Fox, Blanco, Hill (which would obviously necessitate getting rid of Miles and going with 11 pitchers, both of which I think are good moves) strikes me as quite a bit more useful and versatile than our current setup.

by cubsforever on Jul 25, 2009 4:23 AM CDT up reply actions  

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