[Rob]

While his numbers were not bad he did have quite a drop off from Hi A to AA.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=444844

 

I haven't claimed the kid is a bum. He is a prospect but he's not in the elite class. Baseball America, in a Sept. 6, 2006 article, has him listed in the top 25. He is not listed in the top 10 as they number them. They list the next 15 without numbers. He is listed last in order of the 25 but he could fall anywhere between 11 and 25.

 

Ok then, here's a valid question.

 

If Fox isn't a top catching prospect, who do you feel is better?

 

No offense, but I don't trust Baseball America to make all my decisions for me.

[goonys evil twin]

Didn't all this start with somebody calling the Cubs system garbage, and then another person saying Pie is the only guy with a good chance to be a good everyday player?

 

Being 90 on a list by a guy like Perry isn't all that great of an endorsement in my opinion. Being a top ten at a position isn't all that special either, especially at catcher, where so few quality players are produced.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jake Fox's Cumulative Splits.

 

Fox was promoted to West Tenn in Mid-June and struggled for a bit. However, he managed a good turnaround at the end of the season.

 

He had enough passed balls to make me concerned for his future, though.

 

On the flip side, he throws a good-ish amount of would-be base stealers out.

 

I'd rate Fox around the 9-10 slots in the system (an average to below-average system), obviously no one is going to come close to the quartet of Pie-Veal-Pawelek-Gallagher. Fox is a good prospect if he can stick at catcher.

[UK1679666180]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

[CuseCubFan69]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

 

Was he better than Len or Bob or both? :D

[CaliforniaRaisin]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

 

Daytona broadcasters said that the D-Cubs pitchers liked the way he called games too.

[CuseCubFan69]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

 

Daytona broadcasters said that the D-Cubs pitchers liked the way he called games too.

 

So logically the Cubs will move him to LF. Granted I haven't seen the kid play but from what I've read I just do not understnad this organization.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

 

Daytona broadcasters said that the D-Cubs pitchers liked the way he called games too.

 

So logically the Cubs will move him to LF. Granted I haven't seen the kid play but from what I've read I just do not understnad this organization.

 

While some aspects of his catching game are good, other aspects of his defense are pretty bad. Also, another thing to keep in mind is that in the FSL, Fox could DH on his days off as a catcher. He can't do that at AA and higher (pitchers bat, no DH), so playing in the OF is one way to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

Pat Listach definitely talked up Fox getting some playing time in the OF, but we're still at the point where we can't tell if the Cubs have lost faith in his defense or if they just want Fox to get a few games under his belt in other positions. Fox supposedly will catch and play other positions at the AFL.

[CuseCubFan69]

At ST, some of the veteran starters from this '06 squad liked the way Fox called the game.

 

Daytona broadcasters said that the D-Cubs pitchers liked the way he called games too.

 

So logically the Cubs will move him to LF. Granted I haven't seen the kid play but from what I've read I just do not understnad this organization.

 

While some aspects of his catching game are good, other aspects of his defense are pretty bad. Also, another thing to keep in mind is that in the FSL, Fox could DH on his days off as a catcher. He can't do that at AA and higher (pitchers bat, no DH), so playing in the OF is one way to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

Pat Listach definitely talked up Fox getting some playing time in the OF, but we're still at the point where we can't tell if the Cubs have lost faith in his defense or if they just want Fox to get a few games under his belt in other positions. Fox supposedly will catch and play other positions at the AFL.

 

Thanks for the info raisin. I wish these minor league games were on TV.

[WrigleyField 22]

I wonder if Fox could be a utility type player in the future? Spend some time at catcher backing up the starter while bouncing around OF,3B,1B other times. An good comparison is Craig Wilson who played 21 games at catcher in 2003 while also playin games at 1B and OF. Lookng at Wilson's career numbers, they aren't out of the possibility for Fox, though he would likely have to have a higher BA to sustain the OBP.

 

Best case scenario is that he works on his weaknesses and becomes a full time catcher, but if he still doesnt have it down in a few years, then you could test him out elsewhere.

[mg420]

I wonder if Fox could be a utility type player in the future? Spend some time at catcher backing up the starter while bouncing around OF,3B,1B other times. An good comparison is Craig Wilson who played 21 games at catcher in 2003 while also playin games at 1B and OF. Lookng at Wilson's career numbers, they aren't out of the possibility for Fox, though he would likely have to have a higher BA to sustain the OBP.

 

Best case scenario is that he works on his weaknesses and becomes a full time catcher, but if he still doesnt have it down in a few years, then you could test him out elsewhere.

 

fox should try 3b imo.