The PTBNL in the Van Buren deal is named

[Schwarber Fan]

Matt Ciaramella

 

Scouting Report: Hits for both average and power. Good Speed. Very Intelligent with great baseball instincts. Athletic and strong.

[erik316wttn]

Matt Ciaramella

 

Scouting Report: Hits for both average and power. Good Speed. Very Intelligent with great baseball instincts. Athletic and strong.

 

Not a bad pick. He may turn out to be halfway decent.

[Balsa]

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/ciaramella-matt.htm

 

I think I mentioned it last year but I spent an entire game sitting alongside Matt Ciaramella's dad in Lowell in August 2004 during a game.

Strong close family..his dad was an Italian-Catholic from NY and had pitched for St John's and then finished in the minors with Utica about 30yrs ago. They moved out west to Denver and eventually on to Salt Lake City where Matt grew up under his Dad's tough coaching and learned to switch-hit and play sound defense.

 

Mr Ciaramella was clearly most proud that Matt was technically a solid player with good mechanics both at the plate (mirror swings from both sides) and in the field. Apparently that was something the Red Sox scout raved about when they drafted him at age 21 in the 13th round in June 2004 out of Utah after his Junior year. Matt (who was a HS All-American) had put up some solid stats making ALL-MWC twice in the Utah playing CF in college. Matt also came east to play summers for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League where the Red Sox scouts kept an eye on his "non-mountain air progress" as his Dad called it. http://utahutes.collegesports.com/sports/m.../060704aaa.html

 

Immediately after his signing with the Red Sox and heading to Lowell, Matt discovered through the Red Sox trainers that he had a shoulder injury that he played most of his college season with and it ruined most of his early appearances even putting him on the DL that summer. His dad mentioned how amazing the Pro trainers were in drawing up a rehab plan to strengthen Matt's shoulder. Part of that shoulder stregthening program is explained in the Ciaramell interview on SoxProspects.com.

 

Matt had just returned to the roster recently when I sat with his Dad on August 1st and Lowell had started Chris Turner in RF. After Turner's pathetic 3rd badly misplayed baseball in 2 innings, he was unceremoniously escorted off the field during a Pitching change and replaced by Matt in a game that had quickly become a Blow-out loss by Lowell. As a matter of fact, Matt ended up one of the small bright spots with a couple of clean stroked hits and few sound defensive plays which only drew applause as a reminder to the disgraceful play of Turner's glove. However, it was a bit surreal listening to his "Coach" father give verbal play-by-play when Matt was scooping up a deep line drive and throwing exactly to left shoulder of the right-handed 2nd Baseman so he could turn and continue his relay. Obviously a drill his dad had worked with him many times in his youth.

 

Even his father was realistic to wonder aloud if Matt had the talent to make it among the amazing professionals he was now surrounded, But he was sure of one thing and that was as long as his son stayed mechanically sound and was healthy, he could get the most out of his ability.

And yes, Matt's dad was close to his kid's career but I never got the feeling this was some nutty Coach/father because I deal with those people all the time with the Jr High team I manage. If anything, his dad wanted Matt to enjoy the ride no matter where it took him. I know much of our conversation was related to Coaching youths as Mr. Ciaramella had a tremendous grasp of making sure kids learn the basics of the game.

Matt's 2004 partial season at Lowell was limited to only 45 games where he only hit .189 by the end. But he started healthy at Wilmington as a 22yr old and had a much better season at low-A ball this year posting a .302/.360/422 line in approx 246 pa. He did get hurt again during the season and sent to rehab so I am not sure if it was related to his shoulder or not.

 

OK, I hope that wasn't too boring or sappy but I thought it worth printing in honor of Matt's Dad who obviously went to great length's over the years to make sure his son had the best opportunity to succeed as both a ballplayer and a respectful young man.

I hope to see Matt healthy and moving up the Cubs system in the future whereever that takes him.

 

Found at : Link

[CuseCubFan69]

Here I am thinking Hendry just liked to sign rehabed pitchers. :D

 

This is an interesting player. I still think the JVB would have been a nice 5-7th inning guy but hey, lifes a gamble.

[RynoRules]

Here I am thinking Hendry just liked to sign rehabed pitchers. :D

 

This is an interesting player. I still think the JVB would have been a nice 5-7th inning guy but hey, lifes a gamble.

 

We have enough of those types; I am glad JH is trying to build some position-player depth.

[CuseCubFan69]

Here I am thinking Hendry just liked to sign rehabed pitchers. :D

 

This is an interesting player. I still think the JVB would have been a nice 5-7th inning guy but hey, lifes a gamble.

 

We have enough of those types; I am glad JH is trying to build some position-player depth.

 

The Cubs do seem to have a lot of guys like that but I wanted someone that wouldn't give up a bunch of runs. :wink:

 

Hendry doesn't have to put this guy on the 40 man does he?

[Balsa]

Nope. That's the reason we got him.

[TXCubsFan]

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/ciaramella-matt.htm

 

I think I mentioned it last year but I spent an entire game sitting alongside Matt Ciaramella's dad in Lowell in August 2004 during a game.

Strong close family..his dad was an Italian-Catholic from NY and had pitched for St John's and then finished in the minors with Utica about 30yrs ago. They moved out west to Denver and eventually on to Salt Lake City where Matt grew up under his Dad's tough coaching and learned to switch-hit and play sound defense.

 

Mr Ciaramella was clearly most proud that Matt was technically a solid player with good mechanics both at the plate (mirror swings from both sides) and in the field. Apparently that was something the Red Sox scout raved about when they drafted him at age 21 in the 13th round in June 2004 out of Utah after his Junior year. Matt (who was a HS All-American) had put up some solid stats making ALL-MWC twice in the Utah playing CF in college. Matt also came east to play summers for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League where the Red Sox scouts kept an eye on his "non-mountain air progress" as his Dad called it. http://utahutes.collegesports.com/sports/m.../060704aaa.html

 

Immediately after his signing with the Red Sox and heading to Lowell, Matt discovered through the Red Sox trainers that he had a shoulder injury that he played most of his college season with and it ruined most of his early appearances even putting him on the DL that summer. His dad mentioned how amazing the Pro trainers were in drawing up a rehab plan to strengthen Matt's shoulder. Part of that shoulder stregthening program is explained in the Ciaramell interview on SoxProspects.com.

 

Matt had just returned to the roster recently when I sat with his Dad on August 1st and Lowell had started Chris Turner in RF. After Turner's pathetic 3rd badly misplayed baseball in 2 innings, he was unceremoniously escorted off the field during a Pitching change and replaced by Matt in a game that had quickly become a Blow-out loss by Lowell. As a matter of fact, Matt ended up one of the small bright spots with a couple of clean stroked hits and few sound defensive plays which only drew applause as a reminder to the disgraceful play of Turner's glove. However, it was a bit surreal listening to his "Coach" father give verbal play-by-play when Matt was scooping up a deep line drive and throwing exactly to left shoulder of the right-handed 2nd Baseman so he could turn and continue his relay. Obviously a drill his dad had worked with him many times in his youth.

 

Even his father was realistic to wonder aloud if Matt had the talent to make it among the amazing professionals he was now surrounded, But he was sure of one thing and that was as long as his son stayed mechanically sound and was healthy, he could get the most out of his ability.

And yes, Matt's dad was close to his kid's career but I never got the feeling this was some nutty Coach/father because I deal with those people all the time with the Jr High team I manage. If anything, his dad wanted Matt to enjoy the ride no matter where it took him. I know much of our conversation was related to Coaching youths as Mr. Ciaramella had a tremendous grasp of making sure kids learn the basics of the game.

Matt's 2004 partial season at Lowell was limited to only 45 games where he only hit .189 by the end. But he started healthy at Wilmington as a 22yr old and had a much better season at low-A ball this year posting a .302/.360/422 line in approx 246 pa. He did get hurt again during the season and sent to rehab so I am not sure if it was related to his shoulder or not.

 

OK, I hope that wasn't too boring or sappy but I thought it worth printing in honor of Matt's Dad who obviously went to great length's over the years to make sure his son had the best opportunity to succeed as both a ballplayer and a respectful young man.

I hope to see Matt healthy and moving up the Cubs system in the future whereever that takes him.

 

Found at : Link

 

A player in the Cubs system who is grounded in the fundamentals. :shock:

[don_kessinger_was_good]

JVB is a significantly better player than this kid. What a rip. Discard someone of value because you're an incompetent at managing a 40-man roster, how nice.

 

Macias gets released anyway, so why didn't Hendry protect JVB? And if he didn't like him, he could then trade him for a REAL player or prospect, or more likely, as part of a package for same.

 

Instead, Hendry gets buttkiss for him. Again.

 

Our GM sucks, plain and simple. Fire the bum.

[SouthSideRyan]

JVB is a significantly better player than this kid. What a rip. Discard someone of value because you're an incompetent at managing a 40-man roster, how nice.

 

Macias gets released anyway, so why didn't Hendry protect JVB? And if he didn't like him, he could then trade him for a REAL player or prospect, or more likely, as part of a package for same.

 

Instead, Hendry gets buttkiss for him. Again.

 

Our GM sucks, plain and simple. Fire the bum.

 

BECAUSE HE HAD TO CLEAR OUT JVB'S SPOT ANYWAYS. The 40 man roster is full right now, whether he released Macias first and then traded JVB or did it in the order he did it MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

[katway]

I would have expected better numbers from him at 23 years of age at A ball. He hit only 4 homers in over 200 at bats at A ball and doesn't seem to have speed. Doesn't seem like we received equal value for JVB.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Doesn't seem like we received equal value for JVB.

It is still TBD.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Doesn't seem like we received equal value for JVB.

It is still TBD.

 

Wow, you're one myopic dude. Let's see if we can help you out here. A pop-gun Judy hitter, with a sub-200 BA at low A ball. Versus the minor league saves leader at AA and AAA, last year's top reliever in the minors overall.

 

The only TBD part is whether Hendry is a raging lunatic, or just mentally unfit for the job. My money is on the latter.

[Balsa]

To be fair to Ciaramella, he was injured during that time at A ball.

[Sarcastic]

I would have expected better numbers from him at 23 years of age at A ball. He hit only 4 homers in over 200 at bats at A ball and doesn't seem to have speed. Doesn't seem like we received equal value for JVB.

 

According to the link at the top, those stats are from his games at age 22. He must have turned 23 after the minor league season was over.

[Outshined_One]

Hendry sure likes those fundamentally sound OFs out of Boston, doesn't he?

 

JVB struck me as a smoke and mirrors guy anyways. I've been under the impression that once the book gets out on him, teams will tee off on him. I figure that'll take about a season and a half.

[mhuber92211]

Geez, listening to this one would think that JVB is the 2nd coming. Guys he was a minor league cast off that the Cubs picked up off the scrap heap. If he even appears in a boston game this year it will be out of nesacity and not choice. JVB's mechanics are some of the worst that I have ever seen in person. When i watched him in Arizona last ST he got rocked both times and is the perfect example of organizational filler.

 

To use the loss of JVB as a reason to fire a GM is a laugher. Yes lets fire a GM because his PTBNL wasn't good enough! :D

[Balsa]

I agree that JVB is probably an injury waiting to happen, and I saw him flail at the bigs and it wasn't impressive, but I still think that the PTBNL could have at least been from the top 25 red sox prospects...I mean his minor league numbers were good enough to warrant that.

[anemic offense]

Doesn't seem like we received equal value for JVB.

It is still TBD.

 

Wow, you're one myopic dude. Let's see if we can help you out here. A pop-gun Judy hitter, with a sub-200 BA at low A ball. Versus the minor league saves leader at AA and AAA, last year's top reliever in the minors overall.

 

The only TBD part is whether Hendry is a raging lunatic, or just mentally unfit for the job. My money is on the latter.

 

I'm not QUITE as passionate as you are on the deal, but I don't like it either. I can't for the life of me understand why the Cubs let JVB toil in AAA when we had an ENTIRE BP who couldn't consistently throw strikes. And its not like we're talking about well estatblished vets here, rather Welly, Wuertz, etc. This move was puzzling, at best.

 

Then again we're talking about a GM who found it fit to keep JOHN KORONKA, who is completey worthless, on the 40 man while he left Sisco unprotected in the rule V draft. Unbelievable. For every good/great move Hendry makes (Aram, Lee), he makes one to two more which ultimately set the team back. Although this year will be his ultimate test, Hendry's made more than enough mistakes to where he could have been fired this year without question. Hopefully for his sake (and ours), at least 75% of deals better work out masterfully in 06. The other 25% have to at least be satisfactory.

[WrigleyField 22]

Wow, I can't believe some of the posts here. The love for Van Buren I can understand. Its easy to get excited about minor league numbers.

 

I don't get the hate for Ciarmella. Right after being drafted he went to low A, (pretty impressive they thought him ready for that right away) and apparantly struggled because of injuries. He came back last year and after what looks like a short rehad stint in rookie ball, goes right to high A and puts up a very respectable .302 .360 .422 average. He'll be 23 years old and likey at AA. Thats where Matt Murton was last year. Based on reports he has at least 3 strong tools- average power speed- and is athletic, fundamentally sound, trong, and intelligent.

 

He wil require a spot on the 40man next year, but if he can put up another stronf season at AA he will warrant it.

 

Settle down, and enjoy the new year.

[Brian]

Let's see if we can help you out here. A pop-gun Judy hitter, with a sub-200 BA at low A ball.\

 

Well that was in 164 AB's of an injury season... Last year he hit .302 (225 AB) at a higher level.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Let's see if we can help you out here. A pop-gun Judy hitter, with a sub-200 BA at low A ball.\

 

Well that was in 164 AB's of an injury season... Last year he hit .302 (225 AB) at a higher level.

 

A Judy, A-ball hitter is not equal value for the minor league reliever of the year in AAA. Period. Someone like huber can spin that all they want. It's a bad baseball decision yet again from Hendry, who has done this repeatedly during his tenure.

[Outshined_One]

Quick point of reference for people:

 

GCL (Gulf Coast League) = Rookie Ball

NYPL (New York-Penn League) = Short Season A

SAL (South Atlantic League) = Low A

 

Lowell is NYPL, Greenville is SAL.

 

Ciaramella would be slated to start next season in Daytona, imo.

[WrigleyField 22]

Quick point of reference for people:

 

GCL (Gulf Coast League) = Rookie Ball

NYPL (New York-Penn League) = Short Season A

SAL (South Atlantic League) = Low A

 

Lowell is NYPL, Greenville is SAL.

 

Ciaramella would be slated to start next season in Daytona, imo.

 

Thanks for the corretion. I had postd in my earlier thread that each was one higher than that.

 

Maybe we could still try and get him on the fast track and knock out two levels next year, Daytona and WestTenn.

[Outshined_One]

Quick point of reference for people:

 

GCL (Gulf Coast League) = Rookie Ball

NYPL (New York-Penn League) = Short Season A

SAL (South Atlantic League) = Low A

 

Lowell is NYPL, Greenville is SAL.

 

Ciaramella would be slated to start next season in Daytona, imo.

 

Thanks for the corretion. I had postd in my earlier thread that each was one higher than that.

 

Maybe we could still try and get him on the fast track and knock out two levels next year, Daytona and WestTenn.

 

Always a possibility. Murton started out in Daytona when he came to the Cubs and didn't post much in terms of numbers worth mentioning. Then he went to West Tenn the next season and the rest is pretty much history.

 

The similarities between the two are enough for me to keep an eye on Ciaramella, though. I'll see what the Red Sox people have to say about him...