Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 6

by Josh Timmers on Aug 6, 2011 11:48 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to outgrowl the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants), 3-2.

Casey Coleman has had some problems lately with gopher balls, but pretty much not with anything else. Tonight he gave up two solo home runs, which were the only two runs he allowed over seven innings. Coleman was touched for seven hits. He walked only one and struck out three.

Justin Berg got the win after two innings of relief without allowing a hit. He did walk one and struck out two.

The Iowa Cubs scored three runs on three singles, and Coleman had one of the hits. But pinch-hitter Steve Clevenger had an RBI single that scored Brad Snyder with the winning run in the ninth.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies split a double-header with the Huntsville Stars (Brewers), wining game one 5-2 and losing the second game 3-2.

In the first game, starter Ryan Searle improved his record to 4-2 with six innings. He allowed two runs on four hits. He did walk four and struck out only one.

Rafael Dolis got his 11th save with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Dolis did not have a strikeout.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 3 with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. It was his 12th home run this year. Vitters scored twice and had three RBI.

Right fielder Nelson Perez provided the rest of the scoring with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Perez went 2 for 3 and also doubled.

In the second game, Marco Carrillo started and took the loss. He allowed only two runs over five innings. Both runs scored on solo home runs. Carrillo gave up five total hits. He walked two and struck out two.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 2 for 4 with a double and a two-run single in the seventh inning.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were chum for the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 5-4.

Casey Harman took the mound to start the game and lasted five innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. He did not walk anyone and struck out four. His record fell to 3-2 with Daytona and 4-3 overall.

Second baseman Jake Opitz hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning. It was his fifth of the year. Opitz was 1 for 3.

Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs harvested the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels), 8-3.

Starting pitcher Starling Peralta pitched five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out three.

Ramon Garcia earned the win tonight with three perfect innings of relief. Garcia struck out three.

Left fielder Ben Klafczynski went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Arismendy Alcantara was 2 for 4. He scored twice and had an RBI.

Boise Hawks

The Boise Hawks toppled the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants), 10-5.

Austin Reed threw 5.2 innings and got the win by allowing three runs on nine hits. One of the three runs was unearned. Reed struck out three and did not walk anyone.

Colin Richardson got his first save of the year after pitching the other 3.1 innings. He gave up two runs on four hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out.

Right fielder Reggie Golden was 2 for 4 with a triple and four RBI. He also scored once.

Catcher Rafael Lopez went 3 for 5. He scored twice and had one RBI. Left fielder Blair Springfield was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Springfield had three RBI and scored once.

Second baseman Zeke DeVoss was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice. Shortstop Wes Darvill was 2 for 4.

AZL Cubs

Beat the Brewers, 9-5.

Hayden Simpson threw a scoreless inning. My guy Marco Hernandez went 2 for 5, raising his average to .353.

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Comments

Vitters had an excellent night. 2 great games.

He’s been pretty hot lately. Golden and DeVoss with good nights. Reed and Richardson solid outings. Martin/Davis/Hernandez/Rosario keep hitting well. That Mesa team’s got some interesting hitters.

by Ryno G on Aug 7, 2011 12:04 AM CDT reply actions

He's still only 21

If he were a first round pick out of college this year at 21 and he was doing what he was doing at Double-A, we’d all be excited.

It’s not the same thing, of course. But he’s having a decent year at Double-A at age 21. He’s been on fire lately. But I don’t think he’s going to be ready to take over third base next season. And that’s a problem because I doubt Aramis is coming back.

I said (and I wasn’t the only one) that this year was going to be make-or-break for Vitters. I was wrong. It has done neither.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree with the whole analysis especially the end...

There’s a couple of guys like this in the system too:

Vitters – I came into the year thinking “if he doesn’t break out then it’ll NEVER happen.” As the season’s gone on and his slash line doesn’t look ideal (.284/.321/.455/.776) , I don’t feel it’s enough to think he’s still not capable of breaking out. The fact that he’s struck out 40 times in 381 PA is very impressive given his age. The fact that one third of his hits have gone for extra bases, and he’s got a .170 or so isoSLG. He’s also third on the team in RBIs and fourth in RS. Without reading these wraps I’d never have known he was tearing it up when he got hit on the head by a pitch too, and it’s something to consider.

Burgess – Really the only thing keeping him from being a non-prospect is his power potential, his status as an amateur, and the fact that he’s not bad defensively. He’s got legit bench bat/backup OF potential, and in today’s game that’s not to be underrated I think.

Flaherty – He got exactly the year he needed.

LeMaheiu – The question of “where’s the power” still remains, but overall an excellent season where he still showcased alot of upside. Still can’t buy an ounce of real hype until he develops decent power.

Gaub – Yeah he’s 26, but he managed to stay healthy, lefthanded, hard throwing, and high K’ing.

by SenorGato on Aug 7, 2011 3:15 AM CDT up reply actions

How is Vitters progressing defensively? Is he going to make it as a 3B?

by Rick B on Aug 7, 2011 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Eh

I don’t think he’s very good. He’s got a great arm, but other than that the reports I’ve heard on his defense have been below average.

I think he can play there, at least to start his career, but he won’t be an asset.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Aramis

I think we need to keep him there doesn’t seem to be many options. Give him the 2mil buyout and sign him to 1yr 8mil deal. Despite the slow start he’s still a hell of a hitter and hopefully he shows some loyalty to the team.

by joeby231 on Aug 7, 2011 1:37 AM CDT reply actions

hmmmmmmm

Aramis would command a much better contract than that on the open market. If we don’t have any better choices for 3b, we should just pick up the option.

by pb5689 on Aug 7, 2011 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions

He would probably get both more years and more $/year in the open market

And the $2M is his already. Agree there is no way he signs for 1/$8M. 2/$20M would probably be the minimum, and that is probably low.

by ClarkFan on Aug 7, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think there's any way

Aramis accepts that. I think some team, perhaps the Angels, offers him a multi-year deal.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 3:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the Cubs will probably offer him a multi-year deal. It makes a lot of sense for them to do that

if they have any dreams of being a better team in 2012. Otherwise get yourself mentally prepared for a Baker/DeWitt platoon at 3B. Yuck!

by magicblue on Aug 7, 2011 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm with magicblue.

I could see them paying the buyout, then offering him a two-year deal with a third year as a mutual option, maybe in the range of $12-$13m a year.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 7, 2011 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Why not just pick up the option?

Then go another year and see where you are July 2012 with the big league club, Vitters, Flaherty, etc. Paying a buyout and then signing him to multiple years doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney

by SouthWabashSoul on Aug 7, 2011 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I assume

because the option is for $16 million. Al’s proposal gives the Cubs and extra year of control and saves the Cubs a million dollars.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions

The option is really $14M - the $2M is owed no matter what happens

A 2/$24M deal with a $2M option buyout is just the equivalent of signing him for $14M in 2013.

by ClarkFan on Aug 7, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

The $2 million is not owed

if Aramis declines the option.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point Josh Vitters at 21 would be just getting drafted as a junior. Hes at Double A and is gonna finish this season very strong. So cal kid, isnt a bust because he wasnt as fast to the majors as they made it sound. Moustakas isnt doing so hot on the other hand too.

by dlo03 on Aug 7, 2011 2:27 AM CDT reply actions

Another reason to bring in HS guys

By the time they;ve been around three years, it seems like 5.

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

by timh815 on Aug 7, 2011 7:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Cubs keep eyes on the Dominican Republic

From the Peoria Journal Star. Good to see this kind of commitment to player development.
Also some interesting notes about the Peoria team.
http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x2111993283/Cubs-keep-eyes-on-the-Dominican-Republic

by BVictor on Aug 7, 2011 8:39 AM CDT reply actions

MWL

The MWL seems to be a pitchers league, and Peoria leads with a mere .261 ba, and power is also hard pressed throughout, that’s why what R.Jones is doing is worth noting, and prior to Daytona, Greg Rohan was their best overall hitter, and he carried that to Daytona, with more power numbers instantly!!

Jones s/b in Daytona and Rohan to the Smokies. Prospect labeling aside, you have to respect their talents.

by AlexWray on Aug 7, 2011 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

The Midwest League

is indeed a pitcher’s league.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

nice little blurb

but can you believe the size of the picture of the writer (or the size of the writer for that matter)? usually it’s a little box with a blurry black and white picture of the writer. this is as big as the article, in full color (plenty of color to recognize the yellow in the teeth) and the writer isn’t even much to look at. bizarre.

by John T. Unger on Aug 7, 2011 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

Wow

He must be the son of the newspaper’s owner or something

by John916 on Aug 7, 2011 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

nice shirt

by PrincetonCubs on Aug 7, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I too am excited about Hernandez.

Seems like he has an advanced glove to go along with that bat. I’m guessing he and Amaya are Peoria bound in April 2012?

by Dcr18 on Aug 7, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know

I assume one of them will go to Peoria, probably Hernandez. But they may want them on different teams so that they both get enough ABs and chances at SS. The comparable situation was in 2008 after Starlin Castro and Junior Lake split time in rookie ball, they jumped Castro all the way to Daytona and put Lake in Peoria to get both of them PT. That was an aggressive move with Castro and we all said “Whoah!” when in happened, but of course it paid off in a big time way. Maybe Hernandez is like that too. Maybe Amaya is, although I’ve heard better things on Hernandez.

It is possible that they get more conservative (after all, there aren’t many players like Starlin Castro) and one goes to Peoria and the other stays in EXST until Boise starts. Or they could both go to Peoria and Amaya plays third base primarily.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

To be clear

Lake and Castro played together in Arizona in 2008 and they jumped Castro to Daytona (and then Tennessee) in 2009.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

where does javier baez fit in? Assuming we sign him he will also need a spot to play SS/3B in 2012

by dlo03 on Aug 7, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Was going to ask that as well.

Will Baez start at Peoria? I’m guessing they at least want him to start out at SS. Not to mention Geiger may be at Peoria as well. It’d be pretty difficult to try to squeeze Geiger, Baez, Amaya, and Hernandez into three positions, so maybe a Castro-like jump will be necessary for Amaya/Hernandez. If one could just hold their own at Daytona with a .250 or so BA I’d be happy, as I remember that’s what the organization was hoping for with Castro in 2009. Little did they know how fast he would rise.

by Dcr18 on Aug 7, 2011 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

more importantly when are they planning on signing baez and is there a chance we see him in the minors this year?

by dlo03 on Aug 7, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

He'll probably get a few AB.

by Ryno G on Aug 7, 2011 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd say Geiger will for sure still be in Peoria

at least to start the year. He hasn’t hit well enough to warrant a promotion and is still young as he was a HS pick last year. He’ll probably get to Daytona at some point next year. Geiger will be taking up 3rd, Baez SS, and I’d say probably Amaya at 2B. If someone got an aggressive promotion I’d guess it’d be Hernandez. Peoria could have some pretty nice bats to start the year. Davis/Rosario at C (I’m guessing Lopez starts in Daytona due to age and hitting well) Shoulders/Hoilman at 1B I’d hope Shoulders got the majority PT and I could see Hoilman getting bumped to Daytona. Amaya at 2B (I’d say DeVoss gets an aggressive promotion to Daytona as well, although it’s not that aggressive) Baez at SS (realistically he could start at Boise but I think they’ll be a bit aggressive with him being such a high pick), Geiger at 3B still think he’s a got some nice potential, and then an OF of Zapata, Chen, and Golden. Not to mention a pitching staff of probably Wells, Reed, and some other interesting arms. It’s too hard to tell where the arms will go this far in advance. You could see Peralta again, Cruz, Wang, Liria again. It’s too hard to tell. But that’s an extremely appealing team. And possibly Candelario and Penalver coming up late in the season, but I’d expect them to get the majority of ABs at Boise. Our lower level teams should be stacked with interesting guys next season.

by Ryno G on Aug 7, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the insight.

Looks like Peoria is going to be ALOT more interesting next year. Just about every position could have an interesting prospect.

by Dcr18 on Aug 7, 2011 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Baez

may be held out until Boise. We’ll have to see.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 7, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Baez to Boise in 2012

my guess

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

by timh815 on Aug 7, 2011 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Mine too

The Midwest League is a little aggressive for the first professional ball for a kid out of high school, even one as talented as we hope Baez is.

It’s possible he starts in Peoria if he impresses the Cubs with his ability and maturity. But Boise would probably be enough of a challenge.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 8, 2011 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions

kindly

consider that coordinators and baseball guys in the organization are profiling and guiding players to get better. I said this before, and will again. Don’t be swayed by current results.

Also, don’t assume that every high bonus guy will get to MLB. Get excited but don’t start the frustration-related bashing when the failures show their face.

It is real easy. The bonus guy and the 40th rounder at the plate will fail 6 of 10.

The other 4 at bats will be the ones that make a difference, and if the two match numbers, or the 40th rounder outplays the bonus guy, the Club chooses the investmen route, to save face, but sometimes the wrong guy gets to the bigs, and that forced money decision is what eventually frustrates FANS when they fail at the show??

by AlexWray on Aug 7, 2011 6:29 PM CDT reply actions