Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-28-2006

[Flames24Rulz]

Boise lost 5-3. Jimenez Angulo's final line: 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER's, 3 BB's, 5 K's. Maestri was charged with the loss as he went 3, allowing 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and struck out 4. Ruhlman pitched 2/3's of an inning, giving up 1 hit. Colvin was 3/4 with a run scored...hes now at .331 on the season. Canzler was 2/4 with 1 RBI. Camp was 1/2 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Lansford and Clevenger each went 1/4.

 

Mesa tied at 3 in the 8th.

 

Iowa down 9-6 now in the 8th...bullpen imploded in this one as Chavez and Emanuel have let this one get out of hand. Nashville did lose, so Iowa won't lose any ground in the standings.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What is the thinking on promoting him in the midst of this hot streak? He is on a winning ball club, Boise is currently in 1st place, he is experiencing success and he is age appropriate for the NWL. I would only disrupt his flow and move him to Peoria if I felt it was likely that he would start next season in Daytona.

 

While Peoria isn't a first place team, they also are a winning club who are headed to the playoffs. Boise already has 3 other capable OFs (Camp, Joseph, Lewis). It doesn't hurt to get Colvin to get some experience at a full-season league and get accustomed to Peoria/the MWL even if he starts there next season (which I expect he will), a la Gallagher and EPatt's promotions late last season. While he might be age appropriate at the NWL, the MWL is closer to the competition level of the ACC.

 

I can see why the Cubs might keep him in Boise, but I'd like to see him up at Peoria this season, even if it's just for a few weeks.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

His defense has also been pretty good too from what I hear. He's had something like 3 or 4 OF assists I believe, and he's also made a number of spectacular catches lately. And the fact that he seems to be doing well in CF is also very good.

 

In terms of OF defense, it sounds (I've mostly listened to his games, not watched many) like he takes good routes along with those fancy catches. Thus far, he seems to have made the transition to CF after limited time there at Clemson. He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

[texascub]

His defense has also been pretty good too from what I hear. He's had something like 3 or 4 OF assists I believe, and he's also made a number of spectacular catches lately. And the fact that he seems to be doing well in CF is also very good.

 

In terms of OF defense, it sounds (I've mostly listened to his games, not watched many) like he takes good routes along with those fancy catches. Thus far, he seems to have made the transition to CF after limited time there at Clemson. He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

 

How's his arm? Before the draft I believe it was described as a fringe LF arm at best but he seems to be throwing out quite a few runners. Is it just young players getting greedy or has his arm been better than advertised?

[CubsWin]

He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

Really? After just under 30 games in the NWL, not all of which have been in CF, he can be proclaimed as able to "hang in CF in the big leagues"? Isn't that a bit hasty?

 

BTW, nice to have the run of 100 degree days break finally, isn't it?

[CubsWin]

His defense has also been pretty good too from what I hear. He's had something like 3 or 4 OF assists I believe, and he's also made a number of spectacular catches lately. And the fact that he seems to be doing well in CF is also very good.

 

In terms of OF defense, it sounds (I've mostly listened to his games, not watched many) like he takes good routes along with those fancy catches. Thus far, he seems to have made the transition to CF after limited time there at Clemson. He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

 

How's his arm? Before the draft I believe it was described as a fringe LF arm at best but he seems to be throwing out quite a few runners. Is it just young players getting greedy or has his arm been better than advertised?

All I could find on his arm was from BA's draft coverage. According to them...

BaseballAmerica.com[/url]"]He's an above-average runner and an efficient basestealer who plays a solid left field. Colvin's arm is average.

That's sounds better than a fringe left-field arm. He is a solid LFer with an average arm. Pierre's arm isn't all that great.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

Really? After just under 30 games in the NWL, not all of which have been in CF, he can be proclaimed as able to "hang in CF in the big leagues"? Isn't that a bit hasty?

 

Hence the "should." I'm judging more from the routes he's running to the flyballs. If he can do what he's doing now with so few games in CF over the past few years, I think he has the ability to improve enough (that if his bat allows him), he'll stay at CF in the bigs.

 

BTW, nice to have the run of 100 degree days break finally, isn't it?

 

Heck yeah, and the humidity too. I take it you live inland too?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Kinda thinking out loud here, but when thinking about Colvin in the future in the outfield, does anyone else see a Mark Kotsay type?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

His defense has also been pretty good too from what I hear. He's had something like 3 or 4 OF assists I believe, and he's also made a number of spectacular catches lately. And the fact that he seems to be doing well in CF is also very good.

 

In terms of OF defense, it sounds (I've mostly listened to his games, not watched many) like he takes good routes along with those fancy catches. Thus far, he seems to have made the transition to CF after limited time there at Clemson. He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

 

How's his arm? Before the draft I believe it was described as a fringe LF arm at best but he seems to be throwing out quite a few runners. Is it just young players getting greedy or has his arm been better than advertised?

 

The two times I've listened and he's got an assist, it has sounded like the baserunner just shouldn't have gone (be it the 3B coach's fault or the baserunners').

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kinda thinking out loud here, but when thinking about Colvin in the future in the outfield, does anyone else see a Mark Kotsay type?

 

I was just thinking that yesterday. Probably won't have as good an eye as Kotsay though, should have similar power numbers, etc.

[CubsWin]

He should be able to hang in CF in the big leagues.

Really? After just under 30 games in the NWL, not all of which have been in CF, he can be proclaimed as able to "hang in CF in the big leagues"? Isn't that a bit hasty?

 

Hence the "should." I'm judging more from the routes he's running to the flyballs. If he can do what he's doing now with so few games in CF over the past few years, I think he has the ability to improve enough (that if his bat allows him), he'll stay at CF in the bigs.

 

BTW, nice to have the run of 100 degree days break finally, isn't it?

 

Heck yeah, and the humidity too. I take it you live inland too?

Its not the IE, but Santa Clarita is inland, no doubt.

 

I see what you mean about the route running and the lack of experience in center. That is certainly where his bat would have the most value, but so long as an athlete like Pie is in the organization, I doubt Colvin will be roaming anything but left field. And that's fine by me so long as the Cubs have enough power in the infield.

[Flames24Rulz]

Iowa ended up losing, 11-6.

 

Mesa won 4-3. Renshaw started and pitched 4, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, and struck out 5. Dolis pitched 3 innings of relief allowing just 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and struck out 4. Castillo picked up his 2nd win of the season as he pitched the final 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and struck out 1. Luther Murphy was 4/4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Marwin Gonzalez was 2/4 as he added a double and an RBI as well. Vanderhook and Williams each had 2 singles. Gilbert was 1/4.

[texascub]

Rundle and Andersen still struggling; Rundle went 0-4 with 2K's and a BB, Andersen was 0-4 with 4Ks. Hopefully they'll come around soon, so far it's been ugly for both of them.

[sporrer17]

Kinda thinking out loud here, but when thinking about Colvin in the future in the outfield, does anyone else see a Mark Kotsay type?

 

I made that comparison back when he was drafted in one of the Draft forum threads. An average power, average speed, okay average type of CF who can hold his own...I'd take it.

 

.290/.340/.450 with 15-20 HR and 15-20 SB...not a bad player. If this stretch is any indication, he could definitely be one of those "late bloomers" who ends up doing much better than initially projected.

[texascub]

Kinda thinking out loud here, but when thinking about Colvin in the future in the outfield, does anyone else see a Mark Kotsay type?

 

I made that comparison back when he was drafted in one of the Draft forum threads. An average power, average speed, okay average type of CF who can hold his own...I'd take it.

 

.290/.340/.450 with 15-20 HR and 15-20 SB...not a bad player. If this stretch is any indication, he could definitely be one of those "late bloomers" who ends up doing much better than initially projected.

 

I think that would be pretty good, but don't forget he's still playing at 190lbs. Kotsay is at 205, if Colvin adds the extra 15lbs to get up to that I think he'll add some power and quickness.

[sporrer17]

I think that would be pretty good, but don't forget he's still playing at 190lbs. Kotsay is at 205, if Colvin adds the extra 15lbs to get up to that I think he'll add some power and quickness.

 

That's part of that "late bloomer" thing. A lot of college kids are pretty much up to their full frame after 2-3 years at a major college program such as Clemson. He's 6'3, 190. He could easily play at anywhere from 210-220 with his frame, from what I've seen.

 

With size comes strength, with strength comes power, with power comes SLG and HR. If he keeps his decent speed and adds pop to maybe become a 25-30 HR type, he could play a very good LF, but sticking in CF that's all-star potential. However, we're a looooooooong way from the bigs here, I'd like to see him repeat this in Peoria first :lol:

[Outshined_One]

Strange as it sounds, Harvey's pretty much putting up really similar to the numbers he did last season in Peoria, save for doubles, stolen bases, and caught stealing.

 

There's part of me that worries about how much the Cubs have adjusted his game since last season. The numbers he put up were pretty good in the power department, but really frightening in the BB and K departments. I haven't seen much change in those areas of his game this season, based on the numbers and what I've been hearing.

 

It's weird watching a lot of these guys in the Cubs' system. When they get hot, they hit the ball much better and take fewer walks. Colvin, Pie, and Harvey all come immediately to mind in that regard. Yet, while slumping, their walk numbers increase while their average and power numbers take a hit.

 

I wonder if it's an organizational thing or just true of most guys in baseball...

[Outshined_One]

Fun day in the Cubs' system despite the 3-3 outcome!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Its not the IE, but Santa Clarita is inland, no doubt.

 

I saw the Santa Clarita Valley hit 116 °F last weekend. Better than Woodland Hills (119 °F!), but that's IE hot. Blech.

--------------------------

 

Colvin: .331/.385/.551/.936, 10 BBs, 18 Ks.

Edited July 29, 2006 by CaliforniaRaisin

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jeff Samardzija's final stats:

 

Peoria: 11 IP, 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .154 BAA, 6 Hs, 4 BBs, 0 HBP, 3 Ks, 0 HR

Boise: 19 IP, 2.37 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .240 BAA, 18 Hs, 6 BBs, 5 HBPs, 13 Ks, 1 HR

Overall: 30 IP, 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .211 BAA, 24 Hs, 10 BBs, 5 HBPs, 16 Ks, 1 HR

 

PJ Star[/url]"]Samardzija threw 46 of 76 pitches for strikes, with a top velocity of 96 mph.

 

...

 

Although his slider is yet to become consistently sharp, and despite having just recently been taught a changeup, Samardzija went 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in five starts at short-season Boise. In his first start for the Chiefs, a 4-1 loss Sunday at Lansing, Samardzija allowed three earned runs in five innings.

 

In that game, Chiefs pitching coach Rich Bombard began to understand Samardzija's reputation as a quick learner.

 

"The reason I can see it is the changeup," said Bombard, who likes the sink on Samardzija's two-seam fastball. "He threw about 10 or 12 (changeups) in his first start here, and got a couple outs on them. It's one thing when you're learning a new pitch, but to actually use it in the game, it takes a little guts to do that. He knows he has to have it as a starter. That's a positive sign right there."

 

...

 

"It would certainly be a first," Oneri Fleita, the Chicago Cubs' director of player development, said of Samardzija's two-sport dream. "We're still early in the process, and I'd hate to take away this kid's dreams at this point. There's no rush to make decisions."

 

I hope he's back in the system next season and sticks with baseball only.

[Laura]

Jeff Samardzija article in the Daily Herald.

 

Added Cubs general manager Jim Hendry: “This guy wanted no part of being put on a pedestal, Mr. Big-Time Football Player. He just wanted to blend in with the guys. If the guy ever chooses just to play baseball, we know he’s a major-league starting pitcher.”

 

If.

 

It’s a word that will be attached to Samardzija’s name through the fall, the winter and into the NFL draft in April. Samardzija’s position is clear — he wants to say yes to both sports — but he acknowledges the odds.

 

“It was something I needed to do,” he said of playing in the minors. “I enjoyed every second. It’s definitely going to factor into what I do.

 

“I’m going to go out and do as much as I can in both sports, and whatever happens, happens.”

 

Life in the minors was an adjustment for Samardzija, said Chiefs manager and former Cubs catcher Jody Davis. Samardzija was immediately assigned to laundry duty, carrying uniforms to and from buses and hotels.

 

“We only get him for 10 days,” Davis reasoned. “We’ve got to get some work out of him.”

 

Between the lines, Samardzija’s teammates marveled at his athleticism. He showed off his breakaway speed when the Chiefs’ strength coach had players run pass patterns for conditioning.

 

“We try to ‘D’ him up, and he just goes right by,” Mueller said.

[Laura]

Ryan Harvey article on the front page of MiLB.com (Direct Link).

 

"I've been making my load easier," said Harvey. "I've been trying to keep it easy, getting my foot down early and recognizing the pitch. Right now, I'm trusting my hands and I'm just going out there and swinging the bat."

[KaiserCesar]

Well, like I said I was at Peoria last night. I had the pleasure of sitting 2 rows behind some guy with a radar gun that was visible to me. Samardzija started off the game with good mid 90's heat, 94 several times and I remember 2-3 times of 95 when I looked. He also seemed to get good movement on a 90-91 2 seam fastball. His velocity waned down towards just the low 90's for the rest of the night, but it was a pretty well controlled pitch, missing high when he did. I beleive only one was hit hard to the opposite field for a double. His slider started out off and on. A couple were hung and hit hard. He did do a nice paint job on a RH hitter on the outside corner with a low 80's pitch, maybe it was his changeup. He got a few swings and misses with a low slider, but overall his control of it wasn't great. The changeup I didn't really notice and it may have been something I mistook for a hanging breaking ball, but I'm guessing the HR was a slider that never broke.since it was on a 0-2 count Overall, I was pleased with his fastball control. I believe consistency with his slider will make him very effective and being able to throw a changeup would grealtly help his repetoire.

 

As for the hitters, Norwood had the bomb of a first pitch homer. Malone, despite his stat line had a good night. His two walks were coupled with 2 good at bats where he hit line drives to center field that were caught for outs. I was looking forward to seeing Mark Reed, and he really didn't have a good at bat until his last one from what I remember. Also, it seemed to me that Yusuf Carter simply can't recognize/hit a curveball. He looked real bad in a couple of his at bats.

[EricG]

I went to the Iowa game on Friday. Gooz started and looked good until the 5th. Maybe he has reliever written all over him.