Cubs Minor League Wrap--April 22
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 12:32 AM CDT
in Minor Leagues
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I'm going to repeat something I tweeted earlier this evening: The Smokies are awesome this season. They've got the best record in all of baseball at 12-2. They're not being up on bad teams either--their opponents so far are 18-10 when not playing the Smokies. Starlin Castro's star just keeps rising. I hope that makes you feel a little better tonight.
Also, Josh Vitters busted out tonight.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 6-5, in 10 innings.
Mike Parisi started allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Both runs scored on a two-run home run. Parisi walked two and struck out three.
John Gaub took the loss after he allowed three straight singles to start the 11th inning. Gaub entered the game in the eighth and was credited with allowing one run on four hits over 1.1 innings. He walked one and struck out one.
The I-Cubs scored five runs in the first inning and then were shut down for the next nine. Catcher Welington Castillo hit a two-run home run, his third on the year. He was 1 for 5 tonight. Right fielder Brad Snyder doubled in a 3 for 4 game. He scored once and knocked two in. He also stole a base. Matt Camp was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies swept a double-header from the Carolina Mudcats, 7-3 and 8-1.
In the first game, Austin Bibens-Dirkx threw five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks. He struck out four. Alex Maestri blew the lead, but ended up getting the win. Maestri tossed two innings and allowed three runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out one.
Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Right fielder Brandon Guyer hit a double in a 2 for 4 night. Guyer had two RBI.
In the second game, Hung-Wen Chen shut down the Mudcats for six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. The one run scored on a solo home run. Chen struck out two and didn't walk anyone en route to his third win in three starts.
Castro went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk in the second game. He scored two runs, although if you're really looking for negatives, he was thrown out stealing for the third time in seven attempts this season. Castro is now batting .404 with a .426 OBP and a .649 SLG.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs triumphed over the Tampa Yankees, 9-6.
Starting pitcher Ryan Searle only went three innings this evening, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out four.
Searle did leave the game with the lead, however, so the win went to Oswaldo Martinez, who relieved him in the fourth inning. Martinez allowed one run on two hits over 2.1 innings. Martinez walked three and struck out two.
Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his first two home runs of the season tonight: a third inning solo shot and a two-run bomb in the seventh. Vitters was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and four RBI on the evening.
First baseman Matt Spencer went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Mark Reed was 2 for 4 with a double. Center fielder Brett Jackson was 1 for 3 with two walks and a run scored.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs escaped the clutches of the Kane County Cougars, 6-4.
Starting pitcher Su-Ming Jung picked up his third win in three games with five shutout innings. He gave up only three singles. Jung walked two and struck out four.
The Chiefs had a 6-1 lead in the ninth, but Corey Martin got into trouble and allowed three runs and had the tying run come to the plate with two outs when he was lifted for James Leverton. Leverton struck out the final Cougar to end the game and collect his second save.
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Top Prospects
seem to be off to pretty great starts on the whole! It’s great to see this. Let’s just hope we hold on to these guys rather than making panic deadline moves.
by Steves Stoners on Apr 23, 2010 12:45 AM CDT reply actions
Castro looking great
Would be nice to see the walk rate up a bit. Vitters hopefully will finally develop the patience he needs to.
Thank you for doing this everyday Josh! Read everyday and try to keep up with the farm as much as possible.
How has Castro, Jackson, Vitters and Lee looked on defense so far this season (or what have you heard on that front)?
by Steves Stoners on Apr 23, 2010 1:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Hak-Ju Lee is tremendous on defense
You can’t teach cool. While Theriot has range up to two steps in either direction, I’ve seen Lee range up the middle and into the hole. He cleanly pulls the ball out of his glove, and (usually) gets the ball chest-high(-ish) to first.
Give him until 2012 or so, he’ll be very fun.
That was one game. And he didn't hit when I was there.
He’s done that recently.
I've seen Lee play too
his range is tremendous. His arm is good. He needs more experience because he makes too many errors, but most of those are him just trying to do too much and throwing the ball away and stuff like that.
I’ve seen Jackson and Vitters play too. Jackson has a smooth glide out in CF and looks good from what I’ve seen. Vitters has a great arm at third but limited range.
Now I haven’t seen any of them play this season.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I saw Lee play in spring training...
… both in a game at Fitch and in a couple of major league games. Your analysis is accurate; Lee is still quite young (won’t be 20 until November), so he has time to mature.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
While the walk rate hasn't been there
He does not strike out much either, which will certainly help the big league adjustment when the time comes
www.twentytoeighty.com
Big props to Vitters and Castro!
Combined with the Bulls and the Hawks, it helps alleviate the sting of the Cubs losing.
"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...
The minor league report
I fear will become the only positive read every morning this year.
If Castro keeps his average above .360 into this season, it will be hard for the Cubs to keep him down on the farm. I don’t care if he is not taking walks, when your hitting .380 or better it is tough to take walks.
Not hard to do
Even this guy is doing better than ARam. You heard of him?
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
another good night for Cubs fans
Vitters and Castro continue to show improvement in their development, Brett Jackson took a couple more walks, Chen pitched well.
Feeling pretty good about the way the season is shaping up so far!
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Apr 23, 2010 8:13 AM CDT reply actions
also
Justin Smoak gets called up
so that’s another player in Castro’s class that will get more days on the roster before him. This is a good thing as the more guys that get called up ahead of Castro the less likely he’ll qualify for Super-two (at least that’s my understanding)
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Apr 23, 2010 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
It is
It is encouraging to see a number of the prospect continue to grow. My one concern is, where do you make room for some of the outfielders? You figure you have a set outfielder for two years still. Guys like Colvin, Aducci & Jackson. What happens if any of them are ready sooner than later? Do they continue to stay down and hone their skills?
As for Castro. Everything I am reading is Lee is a far better fielding SS than Castro. Assuming they both make it, a move to 2b for Castro?
Go Cubs!
Aducci
is not a starting outfielder. You don’t make room for him. Jackson is still several years away so Fukudome will be gone by then. The jury is still out on whether Colvin is a starting or a 4th outfielder. Unfortunately, the jury can’t decide with him sitting on the bench.
Agree
I agree with your assessment of Aducci. I can see him as a nice forth OF with speed off the bench. You are most likely correct with Jackson being a couple years out. I guess I am more frustrated knowing we have the current OF for at least the next two years.
As for Jackson, this is just an assumption, but what if he tears it up ala Castro over the next year and shine in ST next year like Castro did this year? A year from now we could be talking about pulling up Jackson much like the talk of Castro. Again this is just a very wishful assumption.
Go Cubs!
Having seen Adduci play quite a bit in spring training...
… he’s basically a taller Sam Fuld — same skillset.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I would think
that is a good thing. Although much discussed, I personally never replied to the issue of keeping Colvin or Fuld. But I really believe a team needs a player like Fuld on the bench. If Aducci is Fuld like, better yet.
Go Cubs!
Low rent Fuld
He is not hitting well in Iowa, he is good fielder with good speed but nowhere near as good as a healthy Fuld.
Alas Fuld is not an option at the moment. No word on his injury or when he will be back.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 23, 2010 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
As the minor league season continues to trump the other one,
I’m getting more and more interested in us drafting Josh Sale. He’s a body-builder big high school RF. Flat out hitter, but his bat ought to play. Not only in RF, not only in LF, but maybe even 1B. We need more middle-of-the-order type hitters. I love the depth in the MI, but we need to start to nurture third and fifth hitters. Sale seems in that vein.
And he isn’t nailed down to first base (another spot we should upgrade throughout the chain).
Also, Sale has a commitment to Gonzaga, which ought to be easier to buy ouy than a Texas or Florida commitment.
And he hits left handed.
He means
when I guy gets drafted out of high school, they have a choice between going to college or signing as a pro, naturally. Usually the decision is made by how much of a signing bonus the player is offered. He’s saying that a player committed to Gonzaga would be likely to take less money to sign as a pro than someone committed to Texas or Florida, although my Bulldog wife would probably like to have a word with him.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
ok
I thought he meant that a payment had to be made to the college by the pro club. Though I could see the NCAA going that way in the future.
Nah
They wouldn’t have any legal right to do so. The NCAA couldn’t tell a student “Hey, we offered you a scholarship so you can’t take a job at that legal firm unless they pay us compensation.” The NCAA can’t claim that athletes have to be treated like all other students and then turn around and claim some sort of ownership on student-athlete services.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
On the OFs...
Kosuke’s contract is up after 2011. And if he was willing to move, you could probably move him this off season if the Cubs send some $ along with him.
So far, I love Byrd, so I don’t want him going anywhere… but his contract certainly does not prohibit a trade.
Soriano isn’t going anywhere unless you literally eat 85% of the contract… but there has been a little scuttlebutt that he could be moved to 1B to further help protect his legs.
In other words… OF spots could be opened up if the prospects warranted.
As others noted, Adducci’s ceiling is as a reserve. Most of the consensus… seems to be that Jackson could/would be ready in late 2011 or for 2012. Colvin would likely be no less than the 4th OF next year (Nady moves on?).
As for Lee, he is seen as a superior defender, but he’s also at least two full years away (if not three). So there’s still plenty of time for that to work itself out.
Jackson could be ready next year
although not likely in April, as you point out. Holding him back until 2012 when Kosuke is gone wouldn’t be bad. Even having Kosuke ride the bench for half a season is OK.
Beyond, Jackson, I don’t think we have an OF who we have to make room for. Colvin and Adduci are nice, but I don’t think they’re going to be starting OF on pennant winning clubs.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Trade a ML middle infielder?
I am not saying we do this tomorrow, but it might be possible this season to trade one of our three middle infielders and call up Castro. Who should it be? Baker? Fontenot? Theriot?
Let’s assume that the Cubs are in contention, so the trade is made because we see Castro as an improvement AND because we can flip one of these three infielders for a useful piece (say a second tier reliever).
What are folks thoughts?
Eamus Ursuli!
I'd move Theriot to 2B
and move whichever of Baker or Fontenot gets us something in return. I wouldn’t expect much for either.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I disagree,
I’d trade Theriot in a heart-beat. Keep Font and Baker, Baker can play more positions than Theriot. Plus, Font & Baker combined are cheaper than Theriot.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Agree with Josh
The one reason I would be inclined to keep Theriot is that we would still need a strong backup SS. If Theriot were to go and Castro struggled and needed to be sent down, a middle IF of Baker and Fontenot would be ugly.
That said, for me the real deciding factor may be what we got in return.
Eamus Ursuli!
I keep hearing his name, but other than being ok in half a season in AA last year
he really hasn’t done much. I’ve never seen him play, but I’m not sure what folks are seeing in him.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Above average glove,
hits decently, runs well. Would make a solid backup IF in the big leagues.
"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella
Good glove,
Has some offense potential (enough to be a backup IF), and would be cheap. Much better value at 400k than theriot at 2-3mil. Also, it’s a decent possibility he could even hit similarly or better than Theriot has (.720 OPS isn’t too much), making him better in pretty much every sense.
Who Really Cares, But...
I did catch a ball one-handed that was thrown into the stands by Micah Hoffpauir last night. I was sitting nine rows behind the I-Cubs dugout. As a never-was athlete who couldn’t throw a ball faster than 60 MPH or run the 40 in under 5.1 or hit a ball more than 250 feet on the fly, it was a highlight in my life.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Nice!
If you see him again at a future game, you should ask him to sign it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think that's cool
for what that’s worth.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
by Josh Timmers on Apr 23, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Mark Grace flipped me one in the front row of the bleachers once.
Thank goodness for the basket, as I catch like Aaron Miles hits for extra bases.
Really throw
a ball 60 mph, or run a 40 in 5.1. I was a decent HS athlete, but I don’t think I came close to either of those. Good catch!
Go Cubs!
by wild bill on Apr 23, 2010 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
5.1 in the 40
That was my best athletic achievement. I consistently was in the 5.2-5.3 but was so excited to get down to 5.1. That was difficult. There’s a big difference between 5.1 and 4.7, and a big difference between 4.7 and 4.3. I don’t know how anybody runs the 40 in under 5 seconds. That accomplishment amazes me because I know how hard is was for me to get even close.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
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