Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 9

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 9:48 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Daytona's Nelson Perez was named the Florida State League's Player of the Week today. He's been a big reason that Daytona has now won seven in a row and has the second-best record in all of baseball.

By the way, if you've got nothing to do the next few mornings, the Smokies play at 10:30am Central tomorrow and Wednesday. The Daytona Cubs will play at 9:30 in the morning Central on Wednesday. So crank up your computer and listen to the games on line with a cup of coffee.

Good night tonight for everyone but Iowa. But Iowa did their best to ruin the day.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were zapped by the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins) 8-1.

Do we really need to discuss this game? OK. Ramon Ortiz started and got blasted for seven runs on thirteen hits over six innings. Hey, only four of the runs were earned. Ortiz walked two and struck out four.

Second baseman Marquez Smith was 2 for 4.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies knocked the Huntsville Stars from the sky, 10-2.

Starter Alberto Cabrera improved his record to 4-1 with six solid innings. He allowed two runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Second baseman D.J. LeMahieu was the big bat tonight, going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored twice. Right fielder Matt Spencer also had a big night with two doubles in a 2 for 3 game. Spencer also was hit by a pitch and stole a base. He had two RBI and scored three times.

First baseman Rebel Ridling were 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Josh Vitters went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Brevard County Manatees 11-7 for their seventh straight win.

Starting pitcher Brett Wallach had a rough start after his last good one, going 4.1 innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. One of the six runs was unearned. He walked two and struck out one.

Brett Ebinger picked up the win in relief. Ebinger had 1.2 scoreless innings, although he did allow one runner inherited from Wallach to scored. He gave up only one hit. He walked no one and struck out one.

First baseman Justin Bour hit his eighth home run in the second inning with the bases empty. Bour was 3 for 5 with three runs scored.

Third baseman Jake Opitz was 3 for 4 with a walk and three RBI. He also scored once.

Right fielder Nelson Perez was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. He had two RBI and scored three times.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs swept the Kane County Cougars, 4-0.

Starter Cam Greathouse had some control issues, but managed to escape them without damage for his second straight win. Greathouse pitched six innings and allowed only two hits. The only issue was that he walked five. He also struck out five.

Alvaro Sosa made his season debut a good one. He pitched two hitless innings. He struck out one and walked one. Then Marcus Hatley struck out the side in the ninth to end the game.

Center fielder Matt Szczur was 2 for 4 with a run scored. He also stole his tenth base and ninth base in nine games. Szczur has not been caught stealing this season.

Shortstop Arismendy Alcantara was 3 for 4.

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Vitters

Josh, thanks for putting these together every night – really good stuff!

What have you heard about Vitter’s approach this year? Considering his past, 6 strikeouts in 100+ at bats is amazing. Has he changed his swing/stance?

by thejerkstore on May 9, 2011 10:18 PM CDT reply actions

I've heard

he’s taking more pitches, but I haven’t gone and counted them to see if that’s true.

I think he’s still learning to trust his bat and wait for his pitch. It goes against all his instincts, which is to see ball, hit ball. I think that’s made him a little tentative. But if he gets through this, he’ll come out the other side a better player.

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Was there for the Daytona Cubs game

Very fun game. That Justin Bour is a freakin’ house! 6 foot 4, 260 lbs, that dude is huge. Jae-Hoon Ha looks like he may have injured his hand after he tried to gun someone at the plate early on, but I think he may of overdramatized it because of how bad his throw was (it hit about halfway up on the net behind home). Junior Lake came in late came in late and made some really difficult plays look real smooth in the last few innings.

I’m going to try going more because I only live about 40 minutes away and it’s a good time, I used to go quite a bit in my childhood (only 19 now) so I’m going to try to go more over the next few months before I have to go back to college.

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on May 9, 2011 10:31 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the report

if you’ve got anything more to share on the game, please do so. Or future games.

I hope Ha is OK. He’s my favorite minor leaguer right now.

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions

It is pretty funny when Ha comes up to bat.

The announcer says “Now batting, Jae-Hoon Ha” and the entire crowd yells in unison “HOON HA!”

He appeared to be fine. He layed on the ground for 30-45 seconds holding his hand but then he got up and no trainers went out or anything and he stayed in for the rest of the game. Like I said before, I think he may have kinda stayed down a little longer than he normally would have just because it was an embarrassingly bad throw. Nevertheless though, the next play he got another opportunity to gun someone at the plate and he woulda nailed him by a mile had Brenly picked the throw. However, that is hard to do, Ha really short hopped him. It certainly looks like he has a strong arm anyway.

My friend I went with said he made a really sweet diving catch too, unfortunately I had my back turned at exactly the wrong time. The left fielder made a nice diving play too, I think that’s Crawford.

I really admire your enthusiasm for the minors, it’s inspiring. I may even start listening to a DCubs, AA, or AAA radio broadcast now and then.

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on May 9, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, Ha's got a gun.

He’s already gunned down seven runners this season. He might have been embarrassed by the throw. I also hear he’s a prankster, so maybe he was just hamming it up.

I can hear the “Hoon Ha!” chant on the radio feed of the games. I think that’s cool. I’m sure Ha appreciates the fan support.

That is Crawford in left field. He’s normally a center fielder, but he plays left so Ha can be in center.

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh ya, Michael Brenly's walk-up song was the "Whip my hair back and forth" song

by Willow Smith. Strange Brenly, real strange.

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on May 10, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I was at the Smokies Game

It was a lot of fun. Fourth row behind the Smokies dugout was $9. Most everyone hit tonight, and Cabrera pitched a good game. Ryan Flaherty made a great catch in left field. At least one of Vitters throws to first was far from the bag, but Rebel Riding was able to handle it.

Here is a photo I took of Ryan Flaherty driving in the first Smokies run.

This was the second minor league I ever attended. The other was in 1978 when I attended a game between the Wichita Aeros (then the Cubs AAA afiliate) and. the Oklahome City 89er (the Phillies AAA team). The biggest name I saw play at that game was Keith Moreland, but he was on the 89ers.

by AlSpangler on May 9, 2011 11:18 PM CDT reply actions

Nice shot!

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on May 9, 2011 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Great photo!

I’m glad you had fun. 33 years is way too long between minor league games!

Anyone in particular impress you with the Smokies?

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

LeMahieu up to:

.336/.365/.483 on the season. 11 2Bs and 2 HRs, but yeah the isoSLG is still only .147. 7/13 BB/K.

I still think he’s the type who could have a huge year at 26 or so and everyone will be stunned. The guy’s a major league hitter, it’s a matter of finding the power and maxing it. And dammit, he better be able to pull that off at 2B.

Matt Szczur:

.316/.393/.367 with a 12/10 BB/K.

Also doesn’t seem to have much present power, which is fine. I just clicked away but I think it was 5 2Bs and then 0s in the 3B and HR department. Sound the alarms.

by SenorGato on May 9, 2011 11:38 PM CDT reply actions

Goldstein did a drive by

report on Peoria recently but when Szcur had only 1 SB. He also mentioned his lack of power but said he was

"scouts see a slashy swing with little power and he’s yet to really use his speed with just one stolen base."

Since he’s 6’1" and 195lbs. i can see him adding some muscle as he gets time in the minors. Obviously his speed is exceptional and he has good base stealing instincts.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on May 10, 2011 3:44 AM CDT up reply actions

not sure

.. about adding much muscle or size for Sz.. He has already spent 3 years in a D1 college football weightroom and I saw him in Mesa in Tshirt and shorts and he’s already well built for his size, which I think the 6’1" is an ambitious stretch from actual. I would guess where some future power MAY come from is just concentrating on baseball and swing mechanics. He is an upper body swinger right now and I think if he integrated his lower body more, some additional power could come.

by skeezer on May 10, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's a good point

I’m not sure Szczur is going to be able to add a lot of muscle on top of his football body. If he adds power, it will be because he alters his swing.

by Josh Timmers on May 10, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Especially about the 6’1" part. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he was closer to 5’10".

by RynoRooter on May 10, 2011 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I am impressed with LeMahieu

He just hits. I would love to see him in Wrigley this year.

by Grockcubs on May 10, 2011 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

If Szczur could lead off with a .393 OBP

I would be fine if he never hits any home runs. As long as he’s getting on base and stealing at a high success rate, he will be a valuable offensive player. A .400 OBP with 40+ steals is a lot of times in scoring position, not to mention the speed to score from first on on a double.

by Bradsbeard on May 10, 2011 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Big Bad Justin Bour

I’m gonna keep beating this drum for as long as he keeps this up!

by Bradsbeard on May 9, 2011 11:45 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Hope we hear that

many, many times this year.

by Josh Timmers on May 9, 2011 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Bour

Scouting report? All i know is that he’s big, he hit a GS last year, and he’s hitting really well this year. I also notice that he’s a little old…23 in High A. Maybe a possible power bat/OF/1B type off the bench?

by SenorGato on May 10, 2011 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I've never actually seen a real scouting report on him

and I’ve obviously never seen him in person. I don’t think he’s garnered much attention, being a 25th rounder out of George Mason. But he definitely has power and walks at a very good rate. Other than that I don’t know.

He’s not striking out a ton, and has 16 BB to 17 Ks in 30 games. I could see the Ks increasing as he moves up the organization, but I don’t know anything about his approach/bat speed, etc. to say whether that might be so. One other positive is that his BABIP is only .278, so he’s not getting extremely lucky right now.

He’s huge, so I can’t imagine he’s very athletic but maybe he’s one of those guys who surprises. He did triple the other day. I’ve heard his 1B defense is solid, but I don’t really know. Hard to see him playing in the OF.

He doesn’t turn 23 until May 28, so it’s not like he’s playing the whole year as a 23 year old in High A. If he gets promoted to AA this season, a 23 year old college bat at AA isn’t that bad. Coming into the year I thought he had a chance to be a Daric Barton type with more power, but maybe he turns into a more of a poor man’s Adam Dunn?

Also, from all the pictures I’ve seen, he doesn’t appear to wear batting gloves, something we haven’t seen too much of since the days of Mark Grace. So there’s that.

by Bradsbeard on May 10, 2011 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Quite a bomb it was too

Drilled it dead center, way over the 400 ft marker. Didn’t clear the batter’s eye behind it, but it was a little more than halfway up it.

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on May 10, 2011 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Nate Samson

Nobody talks about him with our middle infield glut. He’s not better than Flaherty or DJLM. Gonzalez is the SS.

But there will be worse big league infielders over the next 6 or 7 years than Samson. Dude hits some. Plays anywhere in the IF.

by timh815 on May 10, 2011 1:19 AM CDT reply actions

Every time I see this guy's name, I think of Sir Smokes A Lot

From the movie Half-Baked. “I wanna talk to Samson!”

by RynoRooter on May 10, 2011 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Simpson

Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has his write-up on H Simpson out this morning. He seems concerned about the velocity which he said was 85-88, primarily . He acknowledged the mono issue but wondered if there might be a larger issue. After pointing out the controversial nature of the pick, he made it sound like this could be a real problem for Wilken and , possibly , Fleita if his stuff doesn’t round into form. Not trying to be alarmist but it is a little worrisome, particularly after hearing about Jay Jackson’s struggles.

by Mmurton on May 10, 2011 6:49 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

his velocity was good in his first couple starts, I remember

that’s interesting

by PrincetonCubs on May 10, 2011 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions

This is not good.

The system does need some arms and arms with velocity.

by Grockcubs on May 10, 2011 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Interesting

But as I’ve maintained since the start of the year, Simpson’s starts in late August/September will be the ones I will be monitoring closely. You don’t simply lose almost 20 lbs and come roaring back, especially when you weren’t that big to start with.

by RynoRooter on May 10, 2011 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions