Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 19

by Josh Timmers on Apr 19, 2010 11:04 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Ted Lilly was amazing for Peoria tonight. Andrew Cashner dominated in Tennessee. But the Pitcher of the Evening award goes to Jay Jackson.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs silenced the bats of the Nashville Sounds, 4-0.

Jay Jackson completely dominated Nashville tonight. He retired the first 13 batters before allowing a single in the fifth inning. He then retired the next six before giving up another single. That baserunner was promptly erased by a double play. He then gave up a walk in the eighth inning. Jackson went eight innings and allowed only those two hits and one walk. He struck out four. He threw 86 pitches, of which 64 were strikes. (I think at one point in the fourth inning, he had thrown 31 of 38 pitches for strikes or something close to that..)

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir and left fielder Jason Dubois both hit solo home runs. They both went 1 for 4. It was Hoffpauir's third home run and Dubois' fifth of the season. That's now 73 career I-Cub home runs for Dubois.

Tennessee Smokies

Andrew Cashner was almost as good as Jackson as the Tennessee Smokies hooked the Carolina Mudcats, 2-1.

Cashner went seven innings tonight and only allowed one unearned run. He also only allowed two measly singles. Cashner walked two and struck out five. Fifty-one of Cashner's eighty-six pitches were for strikes.

Center fielder Tony Campana was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Shorstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4. He's now hitting .370 on the young season. (Of course, his OBP is "only" .388.)

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header with the Dunedin Blue Jays, winning the first 4-2 and losing the nightcap by an identical 4-2 score.

In the first game Rafael Dolis collected his first win of the season. He went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two. Mike Perconte collected the save by pitching 1.2 perfect innings. He struck out three.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 3 for 4 with a three-run triple in game one. Third baseman Drew Macias went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI.

In the second game, starting pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee took the loss. He allowed all four runs on seven hits in the four innings he pitched. Rhee walked two and struck out three.

DH Matt Spencer hit his first home run of the year in his first at-bat of the season. Spencer was 1 for 3 with two RBI.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. He also scored a run.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs burned the Burlington Bees, 2-1.

Ted Lilly didn't disappoint the Chiefs faithful tonight. He allowed a first-inning run and then shut the Bees down the rest of the way. Lilly went seven innings and allowed only the one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out nine. Unless Lilly wakes up tomorrow and feels something is wrong, he's ready to go for the Cubs this weekend.

Robert Whitenack got five ground outs and a strikeout for a perfect two innings and the save.

Third baseman Matt Cerda was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee only got one hit tonight, but he stole four bases. He was the first Peoria player to steal four bases since 2001. Lee was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

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Comments

All that pitcher stuff is nice...

…but the biigest deal: Vitters WALKED AGAIN! YES!!

I’m only half-kidding about that being the biggest deal. Good write-up Josh. Cashner looks like a revelation.

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

by Curtain Jerker on Apr 19, 2010 11:28 PM CDT reply actions

He's walked three times

which is one more than either Castro or Lee has walked.

He walked 12 times all last season. He should beat that easily. He’s never going to draw a ton of walks, but we don’t need that. We just need him to recognize that he doesn’t need to swing at every pitch he can connect with.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 19, 2010 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point

I read somewhere that it isn’t necessarily the BBs that matter, but the pitches-per-at-bat. If he gets that up to like 3.5 from 3.3, it’ll matter a great deal. I wish I remember where I saw that (it could have been here).

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

by Curtain Jerker on Apr 20, 2010 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Well

That’s what the minors are for. Teaching these players how to be productive at the major league level.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Apr 20, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

nice to see Lee continue to hit

after the slow start

by pb5689 on Apr 19, 2010 11:37 PM CDT reply actions

I love Lee at short

Very calm. Great range in both directions. Good at transferring the ball.

The steady climb begins on another keeper.

by timh815 on Apr 20, 2010 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Jackson, Cashner, Castro, Vitters, Jackson, Lee all have solid if not spectacular nights.

How can you not be excited about the potential of this group?

Also, every start by Cashner reaffirms my belief that the last thing he needs in his career it to be rushed to Chicago to play set-up man. Let this kid keep starting, and let him keep impressing.

Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin

by Schwa on Apr 19, 2010 11:38 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

There’s no reason to rush any prospects at this point, because they won’t help the major league team right now.

''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou

by propheteer on Apr 19, 2010 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

unless doing so would keep Hendry from doing something stupid like trading Vitters for Heath Bell.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 19, 2010 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Bell blew a save tonight so he is out

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Apr 19, 2010 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

[Padres supposed ace, if they had one] to the bullpen?

by madcow256 on Apr 20, 2010 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I thought you said he was a "top" closer - one blown save and he sucks?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 20, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Was comic relief for Marmol's first blown save in 16 chances

And the scurrying around here to find a new “closer”

by bdlugz on Apr 20, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

agree to a certain extent

however Pedro Martinez started his career in the pen before taking the hill every 5th day.

by socalbob on Apr 20, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

And so did Samardzija!!

Oh wait… damnit!

by bdlugz on Apr 20, 2010 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Hendry got it wrong

he kept hearing that Samardzija was “a lock to be a #4 or #5” and he thought that meant a starting pitcher. Problem was he was listening to a football pre-draft show saying Samardzija would make a #4 or #5 WR.

by socalbob on Apr 20, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Right now, the cubs farm system is more exciting

than the major league team. And given that I didn’t see this team making the playoffs before the year started anyway, I find myself paying much closer attention to Tennessee and Daytona than I can ever remember myself doing (Castro, Cashner and Brett Jackson in particular).

I’m loving these writeups Josh. Great work.

by Dr. Jay on Apr 20, 2010 12:23 AM CDT reply actions

Took the words out of my mouth

I scan the minor leagues more than ever. Jackson ( both of them) Castro, Flaherty, Casher, Vitters, and Lee. At least this is fun.

by Grockcubs on Apr 20, 2010 6:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I was there last year

I’m on the game threads to let them know how the kids are doing.

by timh815 on Apr 20, 2010 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Ted Lilly ~~was~~ is amazing ~~for Peoria tonight~~ at all times and in all ways. Period.

FTFY.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 20, 2010 12:52 AM CDT reply actions

More on Lilly

I should have pointed out (I knew it earlier in the night but forgot by the time the writeup came) that Lilly actually batted tonight and went 1 for 1 with a walk. The Midwest League is a DH league, so the Chiefs had to get permission from the league (and the Cubs) to forgo the DH.

On top of that, he was thrown out trying to steal. Everyone says it was a bad call. Lilly said "I kind of regret it now. I definitely felt I had a great jump, but I’m not as fast as I was 10 years ago."

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 20, 2010 2:01 AM CDT reply actions

I wonder -- will all those who were furious with Zambrano

for running out an infield hit in (a game that actually counted) be equally upset with Lilly for attempting a stolen base in a single A rehab start?

by JohnM on Apr 20, 2010 5:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I noticed that stat too - can you imagine the legend status he would have had with the minor leaguers..

if the ump had called him safe? Glad to see him back with the big club this week.

For the record, I would have started Blanco at SS and Theriot at 2B for 2010, and released either Baker or Fontenot.

by DisCUBbobulated on Apr 20, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

The only thing Ted will realize is wrong...

…is that he’s still in Peoria.

ZING!

It’s ok, I live there. So seriously, how about this Cashner kid? You know what I’m worried about? They’ll try and bring him up in the bullpen… I think that would be a HUGE mistake…

What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?

by lswaidz on Apr 20, 2010 4:15 AM CDT reply actions

The Red Sox did the same thing with Jonathan Papelbon.

They kept saying they’d move him back to starting even after he had dominated the league for two years.

Cashner could be an outstanding closer.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 20, 2010 6:46 AM CDT up reply actions

And he could be an outstanding starter.

Which would you rather have?

And please don’t let the short-term problems of this team cloud your judgment.

Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin

by Schwa on Apr 20, 2010 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs' problems right now do not include starting pitching.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 20, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Starting pitching could be unloaded for bullpen help

If either Jackson or Cashner were ready to make their ML debuts this season.

by madcow256 on Apr 20, 2010 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Al,

what makes you believe that he would be a better closer rather than a better starter?

You don’t turn an excellent defender from CF and turn him into a third baseman because you need one. If the Cubs have bullpen problems if Cashner is the savior of it — then you have organization problems, the Cubs have a couple of problems in the bullpen – not just one.

The Cubs shouldn’t have to have Cashner as a closer, just because — if he’s not working as a starter — that’s one thing. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 20, 2010 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Edit:

If the Cubs have bullpen problems and Cashner is the savior of it — then you have organization problems. The Cubs have a couple of problems in the bullpen – not just one.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 20, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Cashner was a closer in college.

Thus, he’s already been exposed to what the role requires.

I agree, the Cubs need more than one bullpen pitcher right now. They may have other solutions in the system. Or, one of the choices I put forth yesterday.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 20, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions

He had been a starter in college too

And he struggled as a starter. That’s why they moved him to the pen.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a starter in the majors, but it does explain why many scouts, especially ones who saw him at TCU, think he’d be a better closer.

Man, it’s disturbing when I hit google news for Andrew Cashner news and I’m the first or second article that comes up. What am I going to do, go to myself for more information?

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 20, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Josh=

“You’re #1 Source for Andrew Cashner Info”.

Actually, that is kinda how I found the site. The Cubs signed some lefty from the Mexican league in 2007. BCB was the first place I could find info…. at 4 in the morning.

by timh815 on Apr 20, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

What about a 12 man staff, 11 starters and a closer.

We can then just hope for 8ish innings out of the starters and then bring in marmol. The only performers this year are Z(kinda), Wells, Demp, Gorzo, Silva, Marshall (who is ironically always in consideration of being a starter), and Marmol (the closer)
DFA Grabow, Spellcheck, and the lot. Russel is young so keep him. Berg is decent. Caridad last year was great, too bad it didn’t carry over this year.

by Rhymenoceros on Apr 20, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I was wondering when the DFA calls would start...

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Apr 20, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Cubs have a handfull of very good prospects, and a bad MLB bullpen - should they pull the trigger?

This would probably be a deadline trade, unless with a team that already knows it’s not going to compete (i.e. Houston, KC). But assuming they want to fix the bullpen problems in time for this year, do our prospects fit into this, or is there a better strategy? Thoughts?

For the record, I would have started Blanco at SS and Theriot at 2B for 2010, and released either Baker or Fontenot.

by DisCUBbobulated on Apr 20, 2010 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

I don't think the Cubs should spend top prospects on a reliever. Period.

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Apr 20, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Agree.

2010 is OUR year.

by Unique on Apr 20, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

especially because all out "performers" (DLee, RAmi, Sori, etc..) are all getting old

I think this team missed its chance at a WS win

by Rhymenoceros on Apr 20, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely right.

Rec’d

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Apr 20, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Never trade

valuable prospects for middle relievers. Give Blake Parker or John Gaub a chance. Put Casey Coleman in the pen. Good pens can be put together on the cheap.

Now if the Cubs wanted to give up someone like Darwin Barney for a reliever, that would make sense. (Barney’s off to a great start this year too.) Barney has some value, but he’s not really in the Cubs future plans and he’s a 15-25 ranked prospect rather than a 1-15 prospect. But you don’t give up someone like Vitters or Jay Jackson for any relief pitcher, no matter how good.

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 20, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Good Middle Relievers

There are truly a rare breed. Most middle relievers aren’t good enough to close or good enough to start. The few middle relievers who are legitimately good end up becoming closers. Carlos Marmol is a good example of that with the Cubs. Going way back, Duane Ward took over as Blue Jays closer after Tom Henke left Toronto. John Wetteland was the Yankees closer when Mariano Rivera was young. Well, I think we know how Rivera has turned out as a closer since the departure of Wetteland.

Paul Assenmacher and Rick Honeycutt come to mind as pitchers who were good middle relievers, who either were ineffective closers in Assenmacher’s case or never became closers in Honeycutt’s case.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 20, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Rich Hill Tentatively Scheduled to Pitch Tonight

The Memphis Redbirds tentatively have Rich Hill scheduled to pitch Tuesday night against the I-Cubs.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 20, 2010 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

Didn't he just pitch to the I-Cubs recently?

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Apr 20, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Tax Day - April 15

Hill got bombed by Iowa giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 20, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

That's what I thought!

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Apr 20, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Bwahahahaha

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Apr 20, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Lilly attempting to steal a base has already been mentioned, but can anyone confirm...

…what I heard on the radio this morning – that Lilly slid HEAD FIRST into second?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 20, 2010 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Lilly Didn't Get Hurt

Thank God!

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 20, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes, but how is the base?

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 20, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

To be fair

Casey Kopitzke did not have the red light up for Lilly to not steal. He was on his own.

(Kopitzke said “I didn’t see that one coming.” in the Peoria Journal-Star.)

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

by Josh Timmers on Apr 20, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

While stupid, it is good to see that he feels healthy enough to even attempt it

May The Ted be with us always

by Rhymenoceros on Apr 20, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Fun with stats

Tennessee is 10-2, leading their division by 2.5 games. Since they have their game in today, they have played 12, instead of the standard 11. Here is how they rank offensively.

Runs 1st (76) 2nd place West Tennessee with 58
Hits 1st (122) 2nd place Huntsville 108
Doubles 2nd (25) 1st place Carolina 28
Triple 1st (6) (Castro with 3) Huntsville has 5
Homers 3rd (8) (Slackers) West Tennessee (13)
Walks 2nd (51) Jacksonville (55)
Strikeouts 10th (of ten) (79) Huntsville (80)
Steals 1st (17) Mobile (14)
Avg 1st (.295) Huntsville .277
and finally

OPS 1st (.815) Huntsville (.742)

by timh815 on Apr 20, 2010 3:32 PM CDT reply actions