Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 23
by Josh Timmers on Aug 24, 2011 1:06 AM CDT
in Minor Leagues
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PrintSo AT&T and I are finally getting divorced. And I finally have internet service through Kabletown. I should be back to regular posting and tweeting shortly. Lucky you.
You guys were so fascinated by yesterday's Boise game that no one bothered to mention that they lost 9-8 in ten innings.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs tied a team record by hitting ten doubles as they beat the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros) by a touchdown, 14-7.
Alberto Cabrera started and got his third win for Iowa, although he did allow five runs over 6.1 innings.One of the five runs was unearned. He allowed seven hits, one of which left the yard. Cabrera walked one and struck out six.
The big doubles machine was first baseman Bryan LaHair, who hit four of them in a 4 for 5 game. LaHair knocked home five baserunners and scored twice. He was so good at the plate that I hate to mention the two errors he made at first base.
Center fielder Lou Montanez was 2 for 4 with two doubles. Montanez also walked once and scored three times. Montanez had one RBI.
Right fielder Brad Snyder went 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored three times and had two RBI. Finally, catcher Chris Robinson went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and had two RBI.
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers), 6-4.
Andrew Cashner started tonight and threw 23 pitches in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out the first two batters he faced, but then allowed three straight hits and two runs to get the loss. Most importantly, however, Cashner was hitting 99 mph on the radar gun and threw without pain.
Left fielder Rebel Ridling went 2 for 4 with a walk and three RBI.
First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 5. Catcher Steve Clevenger was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored once.
Daytona Cubs
As I predicted, their game with the Tampa Yankees was rained out. They'll try to play a double-header tomorrow. Florida in August.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs were downed by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels), 4-3.
Luis Liria started and allowed only one run over 6.1 innings, and even that scored after he left the game. He surrendered two hits and four walks. Liria struck out four.
Yohan Gonzalez pitched the final 1.2 innings and took the loss when he gave up a three run home run in the seventh inning. Gonzalez was charged with three runs, two earned, on three hits and a walk. He struck out one.
First baseman Richard Jones hit his 22nd home run in the fourth inning with a man on base. Jones was 1 for 2 with two walks.
Second baseman Rubi Silva was 3 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks lost for the second straight game in the tenth inning to the Yakima Bears (Diamondbacks), 7-6.
Starting pitcher Ben Wells did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when he ran out of gas. In the end, he pitched five innings and allowed three runs on four hits, all in the fifth inning. Wells walked two and struck out two.
Charles Thomas took the loss after he gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the one inning he pitched. Thomas struck out one.
Second baseman Zeke DeVoss proved he can do more than just walk by going 4 for 4 tonight. He did walk once and score one run.
DH Paul Hoilman clubbed his 14th home run in the sixth inning with the bases empty. Hoilman went with a double and walk. He struck out the other two times he came to the plate. Hoilman had one RBI and scored twice.
Left fielder Willson Contreras went 2 for 5 with an RBI. Rafael Lopez went 2 for 2 with a double. He scored once and had two RBI.
AZL Cubs
Lost to the Diamondbacks, 9-8.
Tony Zych allowed an unearned run in an inning in his professional debut.
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Zeke devoss
Has been insane good. I have high hopes for this guy:). Yet another big game from lahair his ops has to be bordering around 1.200?
where does zeke devoss have more value
Where do you guys think he has more value if he were to make the MLB someday? Centerfield or 2b? with his current skill set.
If he can play
2B well, get on base, and frustrate pitchers, that would be great. I fear his defense, though.
Much more value if at 2B.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Definitely at 2B
I really hope he can stick there..we’ve got enough CF prospects. Hopefully he gets alot of work on it in the offseason.
How do you think the three 2b guys stack up?
Barney, LeMahiou and DeVoss? they seem to have similar skill sets though LeMahiou may have more power (low bar I know) and Barney is clearly the better defender. But I would assume we don’t need three of them at the major league level.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
DeVoss has by far the best plate discipline
And therefore the highest OBP potential. However, he may not be as good of a contact hitter as Barney and LeMahieu, and he’s gonna have to really work on his defensive skills to get on their level. He also has next to no power potential, but Barney doesn’t either and LeMahieu may never reach his.
Pat Riley is the devil.
2B power is like
catcher speed. Nice, but not usually a major factor. If a 2B is solid on D and can hit some, they can find a home. Don’t rule out Flaherty, who (it appears) can hit RHP.
Glove is no worse than Uggla in the ASG.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I agree with this
My comp for DeVoss at 2B is Luis Castillo, the Marlins version. I’d take that pretty easily.
Cashner
I have such high hopes for cash. he just has all the tools necessary. with his big frame and experience college arm i never thought he would run into arm troubles this early, but its not the end of the world. Cubs fans are especially weary about injuries since prior and wood. I think Garza Cashner will lead this rotation next year. With dempster being dempster. Possible Jeff smar. can make it back in the rotation he has been nasty.
by dlo03 on Aug 24, 2011 1:22 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Did wood teach him a cutter
that he learned from Rivera? Sharks pitches seem to have much more movement on them
Shark
Should be in the rotation for the remainder of the season, but he won’t because of Quade’s deep gratitude to Coleman. I think he’s taken a big step forward the last two months and might develop into a hellavu pitcher. If he can spot the fastball with the improving slider/cutter and curve then I have reason to hope.
It probably depends on what the next GM thinks
RE: Samardzija to rotation or bullpen. I probably lean bullpen, but I’ve always liked the guy, so I wouldn’t be opposed to one last rotation try.
Smarj could be tough to resign.
It would be great if we could resign him for bullpen money and then make him a starter. But I have a feeling he will want to be a starter and want starter money.
Cubs have a contract option on Shark.
Unless there’s something we don’t know about that deal, he’s a Cub next year if they want him.
Per Cot’s (my bold):
Jeff Samardzija rhp
5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I believe it's at $3 million, however
Which is a bit rich for Samardzija.
They could decline the option and still control Shark's rights.
Does he have enough service time for arbitration? I’m guessing yes. If so, would he get even more in arbitration since it’s based on the previous year’s salary?
Every day is a beautiful day for baseball!!
by cowsarecool220 on Aug 24, 2011 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
They can only cut his salary 20% max
So the cheapest he will be next year is 2.8 million. Then post 2012 he’s a climbing salary arbitration guy.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Friedman would like to
keep him until he would do well enough to net us a pick.
That, or trade him, since his NTC goes away, no?
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Without the salary issue
Samjay would probably be a nice trade chip. Unfortunately the trade market for 27 year old middle relievers with 3 million dollar contracts isn’t great.
Best thing about a new front office is the hope that they will understand how to use a 40 man roster.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Probably more.
He was $3.3M this year according to the future obligations page. Seems doubtful the club option for the following year would be for less… though I find it odd no number has been disclosed.
I agree on face that it is “too much”, but I’ve come around to keeping Shark. He’s finally showing signs of being useful… so I’m okay with the Cubs extending the investment for another year.
Right or wrong, I think he and/or Marshall will get another rotation shot in the spring, given how thin the organization is on SPs. While I don’t think it would work for either one of them, I don’t see much harm in giving it a try in ST.
To be clear, I’m in no way advocating for this (and it isn’t how I would proceed / project)… but the club could look at a set-up like this and think they’d be in a much better overall position:
SP: Garza, Dempster, Marshall, Cashner/Shark, Wells
back four of BP: Marmol, Wood, Russell, Cashner/Shark
They could see that as strengthening the SP while not crippling the BP. Again, not necessarily the way I would do it… but it could be an option, particularly if another high-end SP isn’t acquired through FA or trade.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
We can all have hope for Cashner.
But he will not help “lead” the rotation next year.
Cashner has never thrown over 100 innings in a season. Ever.
Step one for him next year would be to make it through the season… probably with an innings cap in the 130-140 range at the most.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Actually
In 09 Cashner actually did throw 100 innings
by Ohio Cub Fan on Aug 24, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Checked the stats, you're right.
So I edit my previous comment to this:
Cashner has never thrown over 100.1 innings in a season. Ever.
I don’t think it fundamentally changes my argument. You can’t go from 100.1 IP two years ago to 170+ IP in the majors next season. That would just be a bad idea.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Agreed
Yet another prospect that we really mishandled. If the plan is to make him a starter. It’s going to take 2 more season’s to get his workload where it needs to be. And that is if EVERYTHING breaks right for him health wise.
By the time that happens. Cashner will already be an Arbitration 2 service time guy.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
Agreed
I want to see him back in Chicago.
Vogel bach tonight
1-5 incl 2 RBI double. Committed first error and stole 3B.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
Vogelbach stole a base
on the same day the opposite side of the country had an earthquake.
#Coincidence? #toosoon?
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
It if wasnt so bloody hot here in Phoenix id actually go out and watch these games.
100 degrees by 9am is no fun.
Ryno G , Ryno Rooter and timh815 and all others
What is your take on last yrs draft. HS/JC arms have all been slight disappointments Simpson,Ackerman, Wells, Greathouse, Reed, Richardson and Hartman. Granted it’s short season A ball but no one has distinguished themselves. What do you see down the road?
I was weepy when I saw there was a recent AZL game where our
first 3 pitchers were Simpson, Greathouse, and Hicks.
Golden still needs lots of work. Szczur could save the class. Gibbs might provide some marginal value.
Wells and Reed seem down more than up, but they’d only be incoming sophomores.
Possibly not much will come out of it, but Szczur remains worth the interest.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Simpson went to a four year
albeit Div II. He’s clearly a disappointment so far, but he’s a gamble in what was a weak draft.
You forgot Aaron Kurcz, who has actually been quite impressive and came out of the CC of Southern NV.
I think Wells has done well for an 18 year old in Boise. Rhoderick has been good, although he’s from a 4 year.
It sounds like you are just asking about the pitchers. Szczur, of course, has been the jewel of the draft. Too early to tell on Golden. Micah Gibbs should be a major league backup catcher.
by Josh Timmers on Aug 24, 2011 3:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Jewel of the draft?
Is that the Cubs draft of the entire draft?
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
I can believe that
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
The Cubs draft
I don’t mean of the entire draft. That would be Bryce Harper.
by Josh Timmers on Aug 24, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Some people are prone to hyperbole when it comes to Szczur
That is why I asked. He seems like a decent C+/B- ish prospect. I think I have higher hopes for Reggie Golden long term.
Just my opinion though.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
You'll see Szczur on everyone's (minus maybe Laws) top 100 list.
There’s definitely reasons to be excited for the kid.
Golden’s ceiling is limitless, but his bust potential is also huge.
Szczur is most definitely not a C+ prospect
I’d say he’s a B. Maybe B- for guys that don’t like him. He’s going to be in almost everyone’s Top 100 and probably a few top 50.
Simpson's definitely been a disappointment
but with the whole mono thing you can’t really judge. If he can’t get to Daytona by the end of next season, or at least dominate Peoria, we should worry, but I still think he can be a good arm. Wells is a GB machine and I still think he has TOR potential and I think has done solid in Boise. Reed has been disappointing since he was one of my favorites, but he’s still young. Szczur is the man. Gibbs will make the majors. The pitchers will determine how the draft was in the end, but no doubt this year’s was much, much better and it’s not even close.
I agree with most
in that the class has been a bit disappointing so far this year.
Simpson – As rough as the season has been, he still gets a pass for me because of the mono. If he can get his strength/stuff back over the winter, and assuming he is fine mentally after all this, I’ll judge him based on 2012.
Greathouse/Ackerman – Hated both picks when they were made. Didn’t have any expectations for these guys.
Reed – I DID have some expectations for him, but it sounds like he may be even more raw than we thought. Still needs a lot of work cleaning up his delivery.
Wells – I actually think Wells is doing great. He routinely puts up goose eggs through 3 or 4 innings, and then gets smacked around the 4th or 5th. He’s still only 18, so it’s not that huge of a concern yet. The stuff is there. The results are there (for a few innings at least). He’s pushing almost a 3 GB to FB ratio, which is insane. His upside, combined with what I perceive as a solid, yet unspectacular year, might place him at the back end of my top 10 prospect list at the end of the year.
Golden – Mixed bag. The tools are there, but he is still somewhat hefty and is not making consistent contact. Power hasn’t shown up yet, either. However, the walk rate is a very nice surprise.
Gibbs – You want to see more from a college guy that is supposed to be fairly polished.
Szczur – Only thing we could ask for more of, would be health.
Rhoderick – Looks good
Kurcz – Looks good
Jokisch – Actually a pleasant surprise. Could possibly be a back of the rotation type
Richardson/Fitzgerald – Both need some work with command/control, but have decent stuff. Still have some hope.
Hartman – I’m probably higher on him than most. He has strong K rates and strong GB rates, which I love to see. He needs to limit the walks, and I think he can be a nice arm in the system.
Harman/Ebinger/Beeler/Loosen – All have surpassed expectations this year
Brian Smith – Looking pretty solid in the AZL. Just needs to limit the walks.
by RynoRooter on Aug 24, 2011 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good notes
all the way around… but particularly pertinent for Wells. He does seem to have the same game every time out (3 or 4 good innings, then fall apart).
Also the first mention of Jokisch, who certainly has exceeded expectations.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Strongly agreed on Wells, I think his stuff is great for 18 and he just needs more stamina
This is why stats don’t matter much for low minors guys. It would be interesting to look at his runs allowed per inning. I’d assume it’s very low for the first 3 innings and balloons a bit in 4 and 5. I don’t anticipate this is because guys figure him out the 2nd time through the order, but more because his stamina is not where it needs to be yet to throw 60+ pitches in a game and keep his stuff consistent.
Jokisch is someone who has definitely surprised me. He went from piggybacking to really making a nice impression.
The rest I more or less agree with, and I’m actually excited to see Simpson next year, I think it’ll be a big 2012 for him (I’m hopeful)….
Maybe what the cubs need to do
is put young wells in the first three innings of a major league game, and then replace him with Randy Wells to pitch the rest!
Wells is a GB machine
DeVoss keeps making a name for himself as well. He could be big time if he keeps it up. Cash sounds great. Forget the stats! 99 and no injury? Love that guy..mainly because he reminds me of Wood. Vitters walked tonight..no hits though. And Friedman or Epstein, FTW. I’m meh on Cashman, no to Beane and Coletti. If we can’t get Friedman or Epstein (I’m beginning to think we won’t.) I hope we go the Hahn/Cherington route.
My personal preference
1. Epstein taking over Crane’s job. Doubt it.
2. Friedman
3. Cherington
.
.
.
4. Hahn.
I don’t understand why Hahn has been crowned the “hot shot” up and coming GM. I know he isn’t Kenny Williams, but I don’t want a GM like Kenny Williams at all.
Come on Lisa, I'm trying to impress people here. You don't win friends with salad. ~ Homer J. Simpson
by TheBeerBaron on Aug 24, 2011 6:40 AM CDT up reply actions
He 'fits the profile'
and may be very good. But for TR’s biggest hire, I’d prefer to parody the Braves, Rays, Sawks, or Rangers, than loosely follow the ChiSox system.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
And the Ricketts can save on relocation costs.
I kid, I kid.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I'm trying to pull out a date in MLW history.
In 2007, we signed a ‘blip on the radar’ type of pitcher. Probably August, though I could be off. I was thinking he was from the Mexican League, but Google says I was wrong. The Cubs site doesn’t seem to list him. It was early in the morning, and I was trying to find Intel on this guy, and Josh’s report on him was the only news online.
He pitched in the Indians organization, and his name gave no whiff of being Spanish, or from Mexico. I’m working on a project, and need to remember the player/date.
Thanks in advance.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I'm 100 percent for Gillich
I know we have zero chance but if he could be anywhere in our organization even janitor I believe his extreme knowledge of baseball would help us big time! I really don’t want Hahn. We are not the W sox. I could see Friedman for sure.
by bleedinblue76 on Aug 24, 2011 7:49 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Great to see Cashner back on the hill
I’ll look forward to seeing his next start to see if they stretch him out some (maybe 50-60 pitches?) or if they’re just planning on using him out of the pen.
Zeke DeVoss has a near-.500 OBP. That’s craziness.
FWIW
2 of DeVoss’s hits last night were bunts. But hey, a hit is a hit.
A guy who can walk AND bunt?!?!?!
Did the Cubs think they were drafting someone else?
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I havent logged on in a while
But I check the Minor League wrap everyday. Thanks for doing this, and i feel realldy good about our prospects.
What about Baez? Would like to see him get in a few games this year.
The low minors have really become interesting. Will be even more so next season when some of the international signings get to the US. I am really looking forward to seeing what Candelario, Penelvier, Baez (the other one), and a few of the recent signings do like Malave.
I doubt the 2011 IFA signees come stateside next year
It’s pretty rare for that to happen. More likely you will get a look at them at Mesa in 2013.
Nice
I saw that he was tweeting that he wasn’t going to debut until Instructs. I’m glad they changed their minds.
Dunston Jr. Tweets:
That he took some bp in the cage on the day off today with baez and vogelbach. Good news, but does anyone have any idea where this could have happened? Are dunston and baez going to join vogelbach on the AZL cubs?
thanks ryno
i was confused there for a second, considering vogelbach made his debut and I havnt heard anything about dunston jr. and baez
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