Under the Radar

[Wrigley Rat]

A few Latin guys to keep an eye out for if they are still in the system (haven't heard updates recently) are Cuban defectors: Roberto Sotolongo and Marco Carrillo. Sotolongo projects as a closer. Not sure about Carrillo.

 

I also can't wait to see Al Albuquerque pitch. He had TJ surgery last year and should get a chance at Mesa or Boise this year.

 

I agree with many of the posts so far, but I wanted to add these guys to the mix.

[Outshined_One]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

 

It was Carlos Zambrano, as memory serves me.

 

Marmol was converted from catcher, so he's still relatively new to pitching. He's pretty much been exclusively a starter up to this point. I don't know if the Cubs have had him throw some bullpen sessions or what, but this past season he started all of the games he played in between Daytona and West Tenn.

 

Marmol is a guy I'm up and down on. He gives up a touch too many HRs for my liking and needs to work on his control. However, he's still new enough to pitching that he could make further improvements to his game.

 

I'm not sure how he'll look as a reliever, but it should be interesting to see how the Cubs put him to use.

[Tim]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

[SouthSideRyan]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

 

So what you're saying is Marmol will suffer a career ending injury this year.

[NCCubFan]

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

Too much "before he got hurt" here. :(

[rawaction]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

 

Marmol is a good comparison with Beltran. Beltran was a horse though. Marmol doesn't have quite the size, but a similar repitoire. Beltran was a starter at the point in his career where Marmol is now too.

[Tim]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

 

Marmol is a good comparison with Beltran. Beltran was a horse though. Marmol doesn't have quite the size, but a similar repitoire. Beltran was a starter at the point in his career where Marmol is now too.

Marmol's been better as a starter than Beltran, though.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

 

Marmol is a good comparison with Beltran. Beltran was a horse though. Marmol doesn't have quite the size, but a similar repitoire. Beltran was a starter at the point in his career where Marmol is now too.

Marmol's been better as a starter than Beltran, though.

 

Less wear on the arm too.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Isn't it too early to give up on Marmol as a starter? He's done the job so far. If he has a good year in AA, I don't see how you can move him to the bullpen. Starters have SO much more value.

[rawaction]

If I'm not mistaken, Marmol was tried as a starter and did so-so. His makeup according to the Cubs brass make him a classic closer. I'd love to see a scouting report from any of you that may have more knowledge. Who was the last prospect we had that had the makings of a genuine powerhouse closer?

Francis Beltran - before he got hurt

Chadd Blasko - before he got hurt

 

Even Jason Wylie - before he got hurt.

 

Marmol is a good comparison with Beltran. Beltran was a horse though. Marmol doesn't have quite the size, but a similar repitoire. Beltran was a starter at the point in his career where Marmol is now too.

Marmol's been better as a starter than Beltran, though.

 

Less wear on the arm too.

 

Agreed. But fwiw, I thought Beltran looked better as a low A pitcher than Marmol. Although, I probably saw Carlos on his worst night of the season.

[Diffusion]

Marmol at West Tenn

 

Starts 1-3

13.1 IP, 17 H, 2 HR, 15 BB, 7 K, 6.08 ERA

 

Starts 4-14

68 IP, 53 H, 8 HR, 25 BB, 63 K, 3.18 ERA

 

Starts 15-16 (playoffs)

12.1 IP, 8 H, 1 HR, 5 BB, 8 K, 3.18 ERA

 

Even if you take into account that he's a flyball pitcher, he's allowing too many home runs for someone pitching in a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league, but his strikeout rate is solid and he seemed to tighten up his control towards the end of the year (even in the playoffs he'd allowed just 3 walks through the first 12 of those 12.1 IP, giving him an 80 inning streak where he allowed just 28 walks). Encouraging.

[CubsWin]

Marmol at West Tenn

 

Starts 1-3

13.1 IP, 17 H, 2 HR, 15 BB, 7 K, 6.08 ERA

 

Starts 4-14

68 IP, 53 H, 8 HR, 25 BB, 63 K, 3.18 ERA

 

Starts 15-16 (playoffs)

12.1 IP, 8 H, 1 HR, 5 BB, 8 K, 3.18 ERA

 

Even if you take into account that he's a flyball pitcher, he's allowing too many home runs for someone pitching in a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league, but his strikeout rate is solid and he seemed to tighten up his control towards the end of the year (even in the playoffs he'd allowed just 3 walks through the first 12 of those 12.1 IP, giving him an 80 inning streak where he allowed just 28 walks). Encouraging.

Diffusion! Breakin' down the numbers again. Nice!

[CubsWin]

My "gut feeling" guy is Mark Reed. He has struggled so far in his young career, but he has too much talent, apparently, to not put it together soon.

 

I'm going with Michael Phelps based on statistics. Drafted in the 11th round out of Central Missouri State, Phelps could be to the '05 draft what Sean Gallagher (12th round) has been to the '04 draft.

 

At the age of 21, Phelps advanced all the way to High-A Daytona. He began in Mesa, where he struckout the only two batters he faced before being promoted to Lansing. He only pitched 17 innings at Lansing all out of the pen striking out 17, walking only 3 and allowing only 12 hits (1.59 ERA, 1-for-1 in save opportunites) before being bumped up again to Daytona. His numbers at Daytona weren't bad either. He pitched 5 2/3 innings striking out 8, walking 4 and allowing only 2 hits. He converted the 1 save opportunity he was given at Daytona, as well.

 

On the season, Phelps pitched in 17 games, throwing 23.3 innings, allowing just 14 hits, 0 HRs, striking out 27 (1.58 Ks/Inning) while walking only 7 for a WHIP under one (0.90). He went 1-1 with a 2.34 ERA and was 2-for-2 in save opportunities. I would expect that he would stay a reliever this year. He'll be 22 in May. If he starts the year in High-A and advances to AA later, he'll remain ahead of schedule.

[Outshined_One]

Phelps is also still recovering from a horrifying injury he sustained in the season prior to the draft. Early in the season, his catcher accidentally hit him in the head with a throw, fracturing his skull and causing him to miss six weeks. I'd imagine that kind of injury tends to play with a pitcher's mind.

 

He's still a little rough around the edges, but there's a lot there to like. If he had returned to Central Missouri State and had a healthy and productive '06, he could have been drafted quite a ways higher.

[CubsWin]

Hey O_O, how did you come by the freaky costumed Cubs picture in your sig?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey O_O, how did you come by the freaky costumed Cubs picture in your sig?

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/PremiumForum/viewtopic.php?t=28493

[CubsWin]

Hey O_O, how did you come by the freaky costumed Cubs picture in your sig?

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/PremiumForum/viewtopic.php?t=28493

Cool, thanks, CR.

[sporrer17]

After ronny cedeno rapid assension , following his placement on the 40 man. (Despite poor offensive metrics) I have tried to look for potential latin popouts in the same catagory. Reyes the catcher comes to mind. Great defender - switch hitter , his offensive numbers have been poor, but again im curious because of players like ronny. It will be intersting to see how he handles a more pitcher friendly league this year. His D is outstanding at an obviously critical defensive position. God Bless Coach L

 

Jose Reyes is my pick as well. Second year in a row I'm tabbing him as a 'breakout' player. He's still very young, great defensively, and I just get a feeling about him, not sure why.

 

Dylan Johnston, Mark Reed. Keep an eye on these two LH hitters who play 'need' positions (SS and C, respectively)

[CUBZ99]

Does Bobby Brownlie classify as under the radar?

 

 

Last year toward the end of the year he was picking up his velocity and looked great out of the pen. I think if his health issues are behind he will be a pleasant suprise.

[Diffusion]

Last year toward the end of the year [brownlie] was picking up his velocity and looked great out of the pen.

 

Could someone once and for all set the story straight for me on just what on earth happened with Brownlie's velocity last year? I've heard this, that, the other, the opposite, the opposite again, and frankly I don't really have a clue what to believe.

 

Here are Brownlie's numbers though...

 

Up until 26th May, in the rotation

49 IP, 47 H, 7 HR, 24 BB, 30 K, 5.88 ERA

 

From 19th June to 30th July, in the bullpen

21.1 IP, 9 H, 1 HR, 8 BB, 13 K, 1.27 ERA

 

From 2nd August to end of season, back in the rotation

34 IP, 42 H, 3 HR, 10 BB, 30 K, 5.29 ERA

 

Odd.

[stitchface]

that looks like two sets to me - one with good luck and one with terrible luck. the increase in the k rate certainly supports an increase in velocity but he seems to have given up an inordinate amount of hits for that rate.

[Diffusion]

the increase in the k rate certainly supports an increase in velocity

 

Possibly, but his strikeout rate was pretty poor during his time in the bullpen, pretty much identical to what it was in his first rotation stint.

[stitchface]

the increase in the k rate certainly supports an increase in velocity

 

yea, I think he was lucky - I would lump that time with his initial starting time. Perhaps he was able to build some strength through bullpen work?

 

Possibly, but his strikeout rate was pretty poor during his time in the bullpen, pretty much identical to what it was in his first rotation stint.

[ChiefsVoice]

Hey, Chief's voice, you posted while I was rambling! I hadn't seen yours when I posted, so I like it that I thought Fuld and Phelps, and those are two of the guys you ID as well.

 

I haven't heard a scouting report on Phelps, other than the BA report at draft.

 

You mention him being "electric". Do you remember anything you could share? Electric fast? An electric slider? Average velocity but electric movement? I'm just curious in terms of how much stuff he has.

 

Also, I know he didn't have much summer, and hadn't been starting in college, etc., so it made sense that he pitched limited innings in relief.

 

Any idea whether his repertoire or personality make him an obvious reliever for always? Or whether perhaps with a fresh spring, that he might get relocated to rotation, where he'd get more work, perhaps more fame and more trade value (hard to ever expect huge trade value for a minor league relief pitcher...), or perhaps if he did great consideration as a big-league starter?

 

Sorry Im just now getting to this craig but I missed it over the weekend. Phelps just impressed me every time he went out there which was rare from our bullpen in 2005. He had a great slider, hard fastball, very confident kid and just had the makeup to go out there every night and compete and battle. He didnt giveaway at-bats like some younger pitchers tend to do at the MWL level. He threw a lot in college so I don't know what the plan is for him but I was so impressed with him out of the pen that I wouldn't be surprised if he stays there. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings in Daytona so id imagine that where he'd start this season.

 

Oh and for the poster who commented on Phelps' numbers at Lansing last year, the MWL team is now in Peoria as it was in 2005...

[CubsWin]

Oh and for the poster who commented on Phelps' numbers at Lansing last year, the MWL team is now in Peoria as it was in 2005...

Yeah, and you'd think I'd have known that given the amount of minor league games I have followed over the last two seasons. I also miscalculated the amount of Ks/Inn Phelps had last year. Not one of my more accurate posts. :oops:

 

It was kinda late when I wrote that one. :wink: As well as this one...