Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 31
by Josh Timmers on Aug 31, 2011 10:28 PM CDT
in Minor Leagues
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PrintWe're getting down to the endgame in the minor league season. In case you've forgotten, the Tennessee Smokies and the Daytona Cubs have already qualified for the post-season by virtue of winning the first half of the season. The Iowa Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs have been eliminated from post-season contention. The Smokies are currently tied with Tennessee going into the final series of the year for the second-half title. If they win, it will be their fifth straight half-season title. The Boise Hawks are in a convoluted pennant race to get the second playoff spot in the Northwest League East Division. They have a slim chance to win the second-half title, but they have a good chance to win the other playoff spot if Tri-City manages to win both halves. So go Dirt Devils.
In other news, Tennessee closer Rafael Dolis was named a Southern League Post-Season all-star. He was the only Smokies player named to the team. (Too many of the other candidates got promoted to Iowa.) First baseman Justin Bour, left fielder Evan Crawford and closer Frank Batista were all named to the Florida State League Post-Season All-Star Team. Daytona manager Buddy Bailey was also honored as one of the coaches.
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs bats were silenced by the Nashville Sounds, 1-0.
Jay Jackson might have had his best start of the season, but he took the loss anyway. Jackson pitched six innings and allowed a run on seven hits. But even better, Jackson struck out eleven and walked only two.
Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
Tennessee Smokies
Day off. They're traveling to Birmingham to take on the White Sox farm team as they try to win their fifth straight title. Chattanooga is home against Montgomery.
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs split a double-header with the Tampa Yankees, winning game one 6-3 and losing the second game 4-1.
Dae-Eun Rhee threw a seven-inning complete game in the first game. He gave up the three runs on six hits. Rhee walked two and struck out seven.
Center fielder Matt Szczur hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was his fifth for the D-Cubs and tenth overall. Szczur was 2 for 3 with three RBI.
Left fielder Evan Crawford was 2 for 4 and he scored once.
In game two, Frank Del Valle started and took the loss, although he didn't pitch poorly. Del Valle went four innings and allowed two runs on three hits, including a solo home run. Del Valle did have some control problems as he walked four and struck out two.
Szczur was 2 for 3 again in the second game, giving him a 4 for 6 day. He hit the lone RBI in game two. Right fielder Abner Abreu was 2 for 3 and scored on Szczur's single in the second inning.
Catcher Chad Noble flied out into a triple play in that second inning. I wasn't listening to game two, but it sounds like some confusion on a catch.
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs got bitten by the Beloit Snappers, 8-3.
Austin Kirk threw the first 3.2 innings and gave up six runs, although only three of them were earned as the Chiefs made four errors tonight. Kirk was touched for seven hits, including two home runs in the first inning. Kirk walked two and struck out two.
Left fielder Ben Klafczynski was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks crushed the Vancouver Canadians, 10-1.
Starter Jose Rosario got the win with six shutout innings. He allowed only three hits. Rosario walked one and struck out six.
First baseman Paul Hoilman set a new Boise record with his 17th home run of the season. It was a two-run home run in the second inning. Hoilman was 1 for 3 with a walk and he scored twice.
Right fielder Reggie Golden hit his third home run in as many games when he clubbed a three-run homer in the first inning. Golden has six home runs this season. Golden went 2 for 4.
Finally, third baseman Willson Contreras hit his second homer of the season in the third inning. Contreras went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored twice and had just the one RBI.
Center fielder Kyung-Min Na was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
Shortstop Javier Baez had a rough first day in the Northwest League. He was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and an error.
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Umm, LaHair is...(got to be their Mr. Sept)
Iowa Cubs’ franchise record 38 HR’s.
Tied 5th in HR history list (63)
Leads all PCL & Minors in HR’s (38) RBI’s (109) extra base hits (76) total bases (303) and intentional walks (9)
2nd in slugging (.669)
4th in 2B (38)
5th in runs scored (91)
7th in batting average (.333)
Iowa Cubs MVP
PCL MVP
AAA All – Star 2011
ALL PCL Team
Joe Bauman recipient (assuming)
Triple Crown recipient (assuming)
He also ranks among the best on the Iowa single season lists for total bases (second), RBI (fourth), and doubles (tied for third).
Do not fault the successful participant in a flawed system; try instead to discern and rebuke that aspect of its organization which allows or encourages the behavior that has provoked your displeasure - source urban dictionary
by Don't hate the player.. Hate the game! on Sep 1, 2011 3:45 AM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I believeH oliman
also set a record for Boise Ks with 100 tonight.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
LOL
Maybe he is the next Adam Dunn. Lets just hope if he ever becomes a MLB player, we have the Adam Dunn version that hit 40+ bombs and 100+ RBIs and sadly leads the league in Ks.
by Don't Fear the Reaper on Sep 1, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Sadly, Dunn didn't strike out nearly as badly as he does now in the minors.
Hoilman’s K rates are seriously concerning.
Yet his OBP is .385
and his OPS is .911.
If it wasn't for the injuries, we'd be printing WS tickets right now.
In Boise... at age 22...
He SHOULD be dominating that league. He’s way more experienced than those guys.
101 K in 236 AB is really concerning. If he keeps striking out at that pace (or anywhere close to it), the OBP and OPS are likely to go down A LOT as he starts to face better pitching.
Hoilman
is a fun player, but I don’t see him making the majors without cutting down his K rate dramatically. He’s got tremendous power, but he just can connect often enough. The walks are nice, but they’ll go down as he starts facing better pitchers who know how to throw strikes.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 1, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Should say
“Can’t connect often enough.”
by Josh Timmers on Sep 1, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
To clarify the Hawks post-season chances
To win the Second Half, the Hawks need to run the table. Tri-City would have to lose all three of their games, and Yakima would have to lose (at least) two of three. As Josh said, very doubtful.
To win the second spot by second best overall record, two things must happen. First, Tri-City wins and Yakima losses have to hit two. If Yakima gains two games over the last three, Yakima wins the second half outright. Tri-City wins the tie-breaker.
Also, the Hawks wins and Spokane losses would have to hit two. Boise wins the tie-breaker, but Spokane would take the overall if they win 2 more than Boise over the last three games.
Congrats to Paul Hoilman. Hoilman and Rafael Lopez were signed with little or no bonus. Very solid draft picks early. Not all picks have to make the bigs to be good selections/signings.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Headache trying to figure that out.
Just tell me when it happens, please.
Baez almost had 2 errors last night
He made a really good play going to his left to get a grounder headed for CF, spun and threw an absolute rocket past Cuneo at 1B. He was lucky it didn’t go into the dugout. The arm strength is definately there, but he is pretty wild with it.
All in all, not the Boise debut you want to see, but you can’t expect the world when the kid has 3 months off and only gets 3 AZL games in.
He's 18 in the Northwest League
It’s a challenging assignment for him. Although as a 1st round pick, he should be able to handle it. But he’s going to have bad games.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 1, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
That's why I mentioned
“but you can’t expect the world when the kid has 3 months off and only gets 3 games in.”
My post was merely to inform those that don’t listen/watch the Boise games of something that doesn’t show up in the box score. It wasn’t intended to be a damning statement about Baez.
Didn't think you were
Just expanding on what you said.
by Josh Timmers on Sep 1, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Is LaHait
Tuffy Rhodes or is he Ryan Ludwick? Let’s play him at 1b in September and find out.
Unless catching the Pirates is a priority for Ricketts and Quade.
Putting fans in the seats is a priority...
LaHair, as shocking as it may be, doesn’t exactly draw people in.
While true, neither does Carlos Pena.
I bet you could count on one hand the number of people who have said “you know, I would watch the game on tv… but I’ve just GOT to go see Carlos Pena play…. in-person!!!!!”
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
No, Pena himself doesn't draw, but if LaHair is getting starts in his place, people WILL say
“who the hell is this, why would I want to go see players i’ve never even heard of at $70 per seat?”
Pena himself may not draw fans in, but him starting doesn’t stop fans from coming – LaHair just might.
Isn't September going to be empty seats anyways because of school?
How about hand out handouts of LaHair’s stats on games he plays so the casual fan will understand why they want to look at him and see if he fits in some capacity for next year. Even if he’s just a bench guy that plays backup 1B and some OF, I’d much rather have someone throwing to LaHair at first than a Baker/simply due to it being his primary job through out his whole career. He’s bound to be more skilled defensively at 1B than the “utility” type players spot starting.
You've never seen LaHair play defense I take it?
He’s exceptionally bad.
How is he bad defensively?
Where can I get his stats that everyone trots around for MLB players because baseball-reference only gives fielding. :(
I don't know.
But I can confirm what bdlugz said. I have seen LaHair play 1B in two spring trainings. He’s … bad.
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How is the man who thinks the Cubs system is LOADED with stars
So against playing the Minor Leaguer who actually…you know…Produced some actual results?
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
You may want to stop putting words in my mouth. I've never once said the Cubs system is LOADED
I’ve said we’ve got incredible depth, which is true. That depth does not consist of 28 year old journeymen 1st basemen that can’t play even decent defense.
With that said, I’ve ALSO said that I’m fine with LaHair coming up and getting 5-6 stats to cap off a good year in AAA by him. He does not need to play every day and he does not need to be anywhere near consideration for a starting job in 2012.
You may want to actually stop and pay attention to what I’ve said and what I’m saying if you’re going to try and mock me – the way you go about it simply makes you look stupid.
I see your point, but I think it is a stretch.
I just doubt this is going through almost anyone’s mind: “Someone named LaHair is starting at 1B?!?!?! Well that is where I draw the line!”
Particularly since most tickets are “spoken for”. The ones that are already sold (season tickets and people who bought single games or multi packs ahead of time) aren’t going to have attendance plans impacted by a daily line-up.
As for the tickets that were never sold… what would happen? People walk up to the window, ask who is playing 1B that day, and then make a decision? Doubtful.
Further… I don’t see “At first base… Bryan LaHair” as any different than “in left field… Blake DeWitt” or “behind the plate… Koyie Hill” as it relates to any impact on attendance.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Yeah, I see LaHair vs Pena as a non-impact in terms of attendence...
The people that were going to buy tickets in September still will, and the ones who won’t still won’t.
Of course, it sounds like they’ve been putting LaHair in the OF, so it may not be a debate about LaHair vs Pena in September anyway.
Regardless, it’s much ado about very little. There’s no harm in letting LaHair play 1B or LF for part of this month and then letting him go in the offseason. I don’t see a reason to get too worked up about him in either direction.
Agree to disagree, to a point.
I don’t think it’s anything major that would be effected, but at this point every dollar counts. I think if LaHair plays for a week and the Cubs go 2 and 5 or similar, you’ll see people who say the Cubs gave up so they give up on the Cubs. People who had tickets will realize it’s a sunk cost and find something to do other than be miserable for 5+ hours (assuming travel time, getting there early, etc.) which costs the Cubs concessions $.
It’s a slippery slope, and how much it will be effected is nearly impossible to say, but I don’t think it’s really something the Rickett’s want to find out for a 29 (kidding D98, I know he’s 28) year old good organizational guy.
Fair enough.
I see what you’re saying about the perception that they could be seen as “giving up”… though I’d think that might be offset by fans being turned away by seeing the same line-up that has led the Cubs to 20+ games under .500 continuously rolled out in September.
For the record, I also haven’t advocated for LaHair to play for a week (or more) straight, either. In Al’s fanshot, I advocated for giving “the kid” two starts a week (8 for the month). I guess that’s why I was thinking it would have even less of an impact on attendance.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Sure, and your points in the first paragraph are why I added "to a point"
It’s obviously so hard to determine what people will react worse to at this point, as all of it just sucks.
As far as your advocating LaHair, my comments are not nearly focused on your approach as much as some of the other people pushing him on here. I have absolutely no problem with him coming up and getting a nice ending to a great AAA season. Give him about 5-6 starts to end the year and some pinch hit at bats and call it a day. Just please, for the love of god, don’t pencil him in to the 2011 starting 1B role.
Actually, "LeHait" is a good catchword...
…for all the skepticism the poor guy is now receiving — not that there isn’t plenty of validity to it.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
Don't hate LaHair, hate the game!
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
Also worth noting in yesterdays chat with Callis:
Navin (Pasadena, CA): Would all four of Baez, Vogelbach, Dunston Jr and Maples slot into the Cubs top 10 prospects? Thank you!
Jim Callis: I do our Cubs Top 10, and haven’t really thought about it. Baez will be near the top, along with Jackson, Szczur and McNutt (who gets a mulligan for 2011). Maples will make it, Vogelbach has a good chance and Dunston won’t. We weren’t nearly as high on Dunston as the Cubs were.
Interesting that we could see such a massive overhaul in our top 10 from the 2011 draftees. I’m a little surprised Vogelbach is being considered in the top 10, but I’m glad to hear it.
I find it both
encouraging (excellent draft) and discouraging (lack of high end players in the minors, particularly high minors) that a four-pack of HS players could be so easily considered for our top 10.
That tells us, which we knew already, that there’s not a lot of high-impact help on the way shortly.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I don't think Dunston would really be considered by anyone as Top10
That said, I agree that it’s fair to say that our upper-level minor leagues are largely lacking in potential impact talent at the moment. So it kind of makes sense that Our top three (in terms of cost) picks (who are all high upside guys) would crack the list.
Also, another comment
itto (PR): Starlin Castro or Javier Baez (if he reaches his potential)?
Jim Callis: Castro, because he’s a shortstop and Baez will be a third baseman. Baez would have more power, but Castro will be a better all-around player. I’m not saying Castro will be THIS good, but he could become the next Derek Jeter.
Pretty high praise for Castro.
Lets hope
If Castro stays at the top of the order, stay healthy and hits he would be a good candidate for 3,000 hits (I know this is silly and way out there). But he has started young, something that most of the 3,000 hit club have in common. Guys like Boggs, who start when they are 26, are the exception. Fun to think about during an otherwise boring day.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
And a slightly strange praise...
since Jeter always had much better plate discipline. And Jeter never had a focus problem.
In terms of age, high AVG, and decent speed/power, I see the comp. But I think Jeter was a much smarter player, even at a young age.
That said, I think Castro has a great opportunity to get 3,000 hits. He is currently 312 ahead of Jeter’s pace at the same age (Jeter was a September call-up at 21). Barring injury or substantial decline, Castro has a great shot at putting up eye-popping hit totals.
Assuming he’s around 340 hits at the end of this season, he’d need “only” 2,660 to join the 3,000 hit club. Assuming 175 hits per season (approximately a .270 AVG), he’d get there at age 36.
I think its a better comparison than the
Renteria comps he was getting.
I’m hoping Castro spends the offseason becoming better mentally. I hope he improves his discipline but I’m not overly worried about that. I’m more worried that he will prevent himself from being great — because the talent is there.
'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'
by Unique on Sep 1, 2011 4:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
What sort of pitcher is Jay Jackson?
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
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