Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 17

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 12:40 AM CDT in Minor Leagues

You'd rather have a picture of David Patton? Big win for the Daytona Cubs tonight.

It's late on Saturday night and I'm home trying to do this before the overtime of the Kings/Canucks game starts.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were silenced by the Nashville Sounds, 7-1.

Starting pitcher Mike Parisi got shelled for seven runs in four innings, although two of the runs he allowed were unearned. Parisi gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out only two.

Center fielder Brad Snyder went 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies captured the Chattanooga Lookouts, 8-6.

Hung-Wen Chen improved his record to 2-0 with seven strong innings. Chen allowed only one run on a solo home run. He gave up six hits overall. He walked one and struck out four.

The Smokies had an 8-2 lead going into the top of the ninth, but Jake Muyco got into trouble and allowed four runs on four hits, including a three-run home run. He got the last out in the eighth, so Muyco threw two-thirds of an inning tonight. Marcos Mateo got the save by pitching getting the final two outs, but not before he allowed two hits which brought the go-ahead run to the plate. He struck out the final Lookout batter to end the game.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos hit his third home run of the year off of former Cub John Koronka. Chirinos was 1 for 2 with a walk and three RBI. He also scored two runs. First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Russ Canzler hit a double in a 2 for 3 night. Canzler also walked once and had one RBI.

And Anze Kopitar just beat the Canucks! Go Kings!

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs knocked the pinstripes clear off the Tampa Yankees, 9-0.

Brooks Raley shut down the Yankees for 4.2 innings. He gave up only two hits and two walks while striking out seven. However, since he didn't go five innings (I assume he hit his pitch count limit) the win went to reliever David Patton. (Remember him?) Patton tossed 1.1 innings and allowed only one hit. He struck out one.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit two doubles in his 3 for 4 night. Vitters scored once and had two RBI. VItters also walked once and now has two walks on the season, which is one more than Starlin Castro has. Just saying.

Catcher Mark Reed went 2 for 5 with a double. Reed had two RBI and scored once. Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez went 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs swatted the Burlington Bees, 7-6.

Starter Su-MIng Jung got the win despite allowing five runs in five innings. To be fair, however, all five of the runs scored in a five-run third inning in which the Chiefs made three errors. All five of the runs were unearned. But it should be noted that the first error was committed by Jung himself. Jung surrendered three hits. He walked four and struck out five.

James Leverton made his first appearance of the season and got the save. He threw the final two innings and didn't allow a hit or a run. He walked one and struck out one.

Second baseman Logan Watkins was 3 for 5. He scored twice. Catcher Mario Mercedes had a 2 for 3 afternoon. He walked once and scored once. He also had one RBI.

Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He scored once and had one RBI. Lee has now had two hits in four straight games.

Center fielder Jose Valdez was 1 for 4 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Valdez now has eight steals in nine games.

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Comments

Nice write-up Josh

Sweet goal by Kopitar, although the 3 on 1 break that lead to the Simmonds goal was nice as well. I love playoff hockey.

If Vitters can walk once a week that’ll just about double his walks from last year, elevating his OPB from the 325 range to about 340 or so. I’ll take that. Hope he can keep it up.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Apr 18, 2010 7:33 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Okay, Brooks Raley.

What am I expecting from him? Mike Flanagan? Mickey Lolich? Juan Nieves? Glendon Rusch? That would be a lefty ladder, I should think.

by timh815 on Apr 18, 2010 7:38 AM CDT reply actions

Too early to say

Some people, like John Sickels, like him a lot. John Manuel at Baseball America isn’t so enthusiastic.

The problem with evaluating Raley is that he was a two-way player at TAM and played outfield more than he pitched. Some people look at his stuff and say he throws a lot of pitches but none of them are more than above average. Others say yeah, but he’s never committed to being a pitcher before now. There was a decent chance a team would draft him and make an outfielder out of him. If he commits to pitching, some of those above average pitches will become great pitches.

So far, so good on Raley. But we’re going to need at least a half a season before we can get a good read on what to expect out of him.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Will we be able to find spots for both Castro and Hak-Ju Lee

on the major league roster… in the future?

Can one of them play 2B?

"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 Apr 18, 2010 8:37 AM CDT reply actions

There has been plenty

of discussion about it actually. The thought is that the Cubs would slide Castro over the second and keep Lee at short.

But don’t get it twisted – Castro is an good defender. Has the potential to be elite. Many consider Lee’s defense to be excellent already though.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Do you think the Cubs will keep

Vitters are 3B or move him to 1B? I vaguely remember reading articles about Vitters moving to LF. Any truth?

I'm part of the Byrd Watchers!

by lexmarklover on Apr 18, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm sure there have been discussions

but nothing is imminent, however.

The problem with moving Vitters, is the lack of depth at 3rd in our system. Sure, we could move him to left or 1st but for what reason at this time? If Derrek Lee doesn’t return I’m sure they would like to see if Vitters can stick at 1st but I don’t think it’s something the Cubs are dying to try. Vitters did have 21 errors at 3rd last year – and while he has decent footwork, and a decent arm, he is considered a below average to average defender. Of course, if Ramirez opts out I could see Vitters trying to stick at 3rd until proven otherwise.

I don’t think I would read too much into moving him to left. 1st would be the logical option for Vitters, IMO.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Good write-up

I guess the tenative “plan” (maybe best-case senario is better thinking) is resign Lee through 2012, then move Aramis to 1st for 2013 and beyond, while Vitters plays third.

By that time, there’s a very real possibility that the Cubs infield goes Vitters at 3rd, Hak-Ju Lee at Short (although he may not be ready by Opening Day 2013), Castro at 2nd and Aramis at first.

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Apr 18, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Vitters

could probably handle right field too if he washes out at third. But he’s likely eventually destined for first base. The trick is to make that move to first as late in his career as possible.

His defense at third isn’t good right now, but he’s got the tools to get better, like Aramis did. He’s got a great arm.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Apr 18, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I've seen HJ Lee play.

He seemed unflappable. First play, he went over the middle. Solid catch, throw to first. My first thought was, “Hit it to him more.” They did.

No dives to get the ball. No double-clutches. I think he had seven grounders to him. Into the hole, throw to first, no problem.

He made an error (short-hopped the firstbaseman) but I had no less confidence after the erroro.

Castro has (fron SC’s TV appearances) a stronger arm. Castro may have better speed (Home-to-third), but Castro has a tendency to fight his chances. But his arm out-throws his bobbles.

I’d enjoy watching them play short and second for a decade starting in late-2012 (I think Lee needs a few more years of tuning, at least), but Castro could push a Theriot trade by late-June.

by timh815 on Apr 18, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm nervous about Castro's defense.

He has all the tools but makes mistakes alittle more than I would like. It’d be nice if he could play with D-Lee at first. I think that might help a bit.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 18, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions