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Cubs Minor League Wrap: July 13

Taiwan Easterling has given up football to be an outfielder for the Cubs.

The Cubs apparently signed third round pick Zeke DeVoss, since he played tonight for the rookie league team.

Iowa Cubs

The International League beat the Pacific Coast League, 3-0 in the Triple-A All Star Game.

Bryan LaHair and Welington Castillo were both 0 for 2. John Gaub walked the first two batters he faced but then induced a double play. He was removed from the game after that.

The only runs were scored on a three-run home run by former Cubs farmhand Russ Canzler.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were chopped by the Mississippi Braves, 10-2.

Matt Loosen started and got the loss. He pitched five innings and allowed three runs on three hits. He walked five and struck out two.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 and scored a run. Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 5. Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 4.

Star-divide

 

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were amazed by the Fort Myers Miracle (Twins), 4-3.

Angel Guzman started and took the loss tonight. Guzman pitched 1.2 innings and he gave up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Jeffry Antigua allowed two unearned runs over 4.2 innings of relief. Antigua gave up six hits. He walked one and struck out six.

First baseman Justin Bour was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored once and had an RBI. Shortstop Logan Watkins was 2 for 4.

Matt Szczur was 1 for 3 with a walk in his Daytona debut. He scored twice.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs capsized the Lake County Captains (Indians) 4-2.

Frank Del Valle started and pitched the first four innings without allowing a run. He gave up three hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out five.

Alvaro Sosa took the win with two innings of relief. He allowed two runs, both unearned, on one hit. He walked no one and struck out two.

Brett Ebinger got his second save with a perfect ninth inning. He did not have a strikeout.

First baseman Ryan Cuneo was 3 for 4 with two doubles. He scored twice and knocked one run in.

Center fielder Rubi Silva was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks were politely dispatched by the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays) 4-2.

Starter Ben Wells gave up two runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out four and only walked one.

Jose Rosario pitched the rest of the game for Boise and took the loss. He gave up two runs on five hits over three innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The Hawks only had three singles tonight. Paul Hoilman was 0 for 2 with two walks and two strikeouts. He scored once.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Rangers, 4-3 in ten innings.

Zeke DeVoss's first professional hit was a walk-off double with two out in the bottom of the tenth.

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Easterling

What a loser – how dare he fire off his first 25+ abs with a .565BA.

The Marlins were all over this guy in the beginning.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=easter001tai

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry

by Hammer on Jul 14, 2011 12:16 AM CDT reply actions  

Odd that

He dropped so much after he went to college. Though if I had to guess it’s because Florida tried to prevent him from going in 2007 and then was worried about possible injury (due to football) in 2010.

Hey, their loss our gain.

They have two liter bottles now? To think I spent all that time demanding a liter!

by Say Ramrod on Jul 14, 2011 6:37 AM CDT up reply actions  

Another solid game for Vitters

Good debut for Szczur, good start from Del Valle, solid start from Wells, pretty rough games for all the AZL interesting bats (Easterling, Geiger, DeVoss)

by Ryno G on Jul 14, 2011 12:31 AM CDT reply actions  

For Szczur -

Most important stat – scored twice.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry

by Hammer on Jul 14, 2011 1:04 AM CDT up reply actions  

I'd actually say that runs scored is a secondary stat for a prospect...

Runs scored depend on what the hitters behind you do as well as what you do. I think the more important stats were the .500 OBP. Getting on base at a .400+ clip is what I’m concerned with. If he can do that, the runs should come.

by SouthernCub on Jul 14, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions  

This ^

Runs scored and RBIs are dependent on what your teammates are doing. OBP is independent of that.

"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 Jul 14, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions  

I think it was the BB

I was afraid Szczur would get a little too aggressive upon the promotion. While I was hoping he would have stolen a base or two, I’ll take any game where he gets on base at a .500 clip.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions  

Love the line from Del Valle

Plenty of grounders as well. Same can be said for Ben Wells. He induced 9 GBs last night. If he continues to improve his secondary stuff and ultimately his K rate, Wells could be a monster.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

Jeffry Antigua

has been pretty good since moving up to Daytona. Gives up too many hits, but has a strong K:BB ratio. Is he full time relief? I see he hasn’t started a game this season, but he’s working more innings lately.

by Bradsbeard on Jul 14, 2011 1:03 AM CDT reply actions  

Zeke DeVoss?

Guess I have a new favorite prospect to root for. Is he available to start against the Marlins this weekend?

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Jul 14, 2011 7:23 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

I was thinking against Vancouver

Boise need to get their lineup a bit improved. Easterling, DeVoss, Golden, and Chen would be a nice 4 man rotation ib the OF, with Hoilman at first.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Jul 14, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

Most definately

The Hawks have been pretty bad offensively the past few games. Golden still managing to hit a single here and there, but the rest of the team isn’t doing much. Easterling definately needs the promotion, but I’d wouldn’t mind seeing DeVoss bumped up either.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, Golden has really cooled off in July...

after a .319/.407/.511 (.918 OPS) line in June, he’s at .237/.383/.263 (.646 OPS) with only 1 XBH in July. I love the walks and SB he’s gotten this month, but the AVG and the ISO are terrible this month.

by SouthernCub on Jul 14, 2011 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions  

Wow

Didn’t realize it was so bad. Well, slumps come and go, but as you said, that walk rate is still there.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, it's only been 2 weeks...

So it’s definitely not the end of the world (especially given the high BB rate and not ridiculous K rate). Of course, the great June was also only about 2 weeks, too.

But I’m not terribly concerned about him yet. The plate discipline is an excellent sign. I like that his hitting slump hasn’t seemed to affect his eye at the plate. Hopefully the bat will come around again soon.

by SouthernCub on Jul 14, 2011 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions  

If he wants to bring that line to the Cubs right now...

I’ll take it! (Helps that it comes with an incredible June before it too.)

--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Jul 14, 2011 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

When he wins the batting title in 20__ ...

…your user name is going to look even cooler!

Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Jul 14, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's supposed to be 20??.

Baseball is pitching, hitting, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Jul 14, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Works either way.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Jul 14, 2011 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Walks

I was just pondering the fundamental problem this organization faces in drafting/developing based so heavily on athleticism, but ignoring strike zone judgment. Between Castro, Barney, Colvin and Vitters, we have potentially one half of a lineup in 2013. The total walks from those four players in mid-July is, believe it or not, still under 50!

Pile that onto guys like Byrd and Soriano, and then look at the fact that the only guys on the team who draw walks, Pena, Fukudome and Soto, are not very good players, and I see a… Uh…

Oh, FIRE HENDRY ALREADY!

It’s gonna take four or five years to recover.

Hack Wilson IX

by KO Stradivarius on Jul 14, 2011 8:37 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

While I agree with the premise

our system has actually made some solid strides in this area. The first example is obviously our #1 prospect, Brett Jackson.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

it’s not so much that athleticism as it is plate aggressiveness. The cubs have a organizational philosophy that encourages being aggressive hitters, it’s true at the ML level with Jaramillo and his theory of “getting your pitch and hitting it” and it’s true with the guys they draft (guys with nice swings who look to develop as hitters first).

It’s really hard to develop a lineup full of guys who can hit and have plate discipline. And the Cubs have chosen to work more on developing guys that can hit. Works reasonably well for the Rangers

by Donbedouin on Jul 14, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

The Cubs have a band box...

Not an extreme one like Arlington, but certainly one conducive to hitters who like to spray the ball.

by SenorGato on Jul 14, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Just saying

that their ballpark is as much as, if not more, a reason for their success as their hitting philosophy. Having good players doesn’t hurt, either.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm a fan of the photo choice, Josh.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jul 14, 2011 9:54 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Agreed...

Looking forward to seeing what Manuel can do this year.

by SouthernCub on Jul 14, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions  

I'm kind of scared, actually

I don’t think he has the brains to be a QB.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions  

I don't know that brains are a requirement for QB success in college...

In college, I think you can still “out-athlete” the defense. It’s not until the NFL that the “dumb” QBs get exposed (when more of the DE and LB can make you pay for scrambling and more of the DB can make you pay for questionable passes).

That said, if you don’t have the brains, it puts a lot more pressure on the athleticism…

by SouthernCub on Jul 14, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well that's true

But he doesn’t have the athleticism of a Pryor/Young/etc. I guess we’ll see what he’s got this year.

by RynoRooter on Jul 14, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

IMO he just needs more game experience.

He has enough raw intelligence. He’s not “Ponder smart”, but his grades are fine and he’s been on the dean’s list twice. And he’s athletic enough to get the job done.

I’m just worried about the Oklahoma/Clemson back-to-back. That’s a huge early test after two “preseason” games.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jul 14, 2011 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Glad to be of service

Not that I’m a Seminole fan or anything, but I guess I’d take them over the Gators or Hurricanes. So I’d probably be welcome in Tallahassee.

by Josh Timmers on Jul 14, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Indeed.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jul 14, 2011 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

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