Down on the Farm Notes

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Wilken spoke highly of Rundell. He's a "skilled athlete" that is a "true rightfielder" with good projection.

 

He also raved about Lansford's defense. Called him "cat like" around the bag.

 

The biggest note I have from the session is that Flieta says Angel Guzman's curve is back. He says he thinks Angel may go to camp and make it tough on Lou to send him down.

 

Wilken says he has read Moneyball. Also says that he believes players can learn patience.

 

Luke Hagerty has apparently had another surgery, this time on his knee.

 

When asked about international scouting, Fleita mentions he goes to Latin America nearly every other month and holds tryouts. Mentioned the signing of Suarez and said the Zambrano family helped to influence that signing.

 

When asked about Harvey, Flieta says he has a "tool you cannot teach" when mentioning Harvey's power. He still seemed to believe there was hope for Ryan and mentioned his age.

[Guest]

I've said it before: 2007 is Angel Guzman's year.

[Mephistopheles]

You ought to fly out to Iowa then Tim. I'll try to catch a couple of his starts in Round Rock.

[NCCubFan]

I've said it before: 2007 is Angel Guzman's year.

I agree. I plan to put my money where my mouth is when designating my Roadkill keepers. :D

[CuseCubFan69]

The Zambrano Family? Did Z make him an offer he couldn't refuse?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Zambrano Family? Did Z make him an offer he couldn't refuse?

 

That's how Oneiri said it. :)

[craig]

Thanks much for the report, vance. Any other info, details, comments from that session, I'd love to get anything at all, no matter how trivial. By the way, what was your impression of Wilken? A friend last year who has attended for years thought he was a way inferior communicator than Stockstill, Fleita, or Hendry had been. And also thought he was less gushy, so that you maybe needed a little different filter for evaluating his comments. (I've thought this might apply to Colvin; if Hendry or Fleita had said what Wilken did, that Colvin wasn't a power hitter, it would raise lots of red flags that he has no power. But with Wilken saying it, I'm not sure it precludes the possibility that he could be a 30-35 HR guy someday.)

 

The positivity about Rundle and Lansford is encouraging. That would explain why BA had them at 15 and 20 on their Cub list. They always talk to Cub people before compiling the list, so their list particularly for guys in 2nd and 3rd tens is heavily influenced by Cub views. And of course they liked Rundle before his senior season, so he's a guy they might well tend to support.

 

I know it's super esoteric, but did Fleita mention any specific Latin names other than Suarez? I'm really hoping that last summer would mark the end of an extended Latin slump. And often guys that Fleita mentions do end up being the guys who emerge in due time.

[craig]

Also, thanks much for the Guzman note. We know he's had a really good run this winter.

 

Last summer, he really struggled with his curve, and I recall at one point them saying he was bagging the curve and going with slider instead. If he's back in with the curve, that's a big-deal difference. Curves aren't easy to control, though.

 

A friend of mine is friends with a Baltimore scout, who told him that Guzman this winter is looking like pre-injury Guzman, and that he'd given the Orioles a really strong report for Guzman. So, we'll see.

[CuseCubFan69]

Poor Luke. He's the Nic Jackson of Cub minor league pitchers unfortunately.

 

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis? I admit it would be a nice problem to have but a possible expensive one.

[moorecg]

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis?

 

Solid bat off the bench.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis?

 

Solid bat off the bench.

 

He can pinch hit and then pitch the 7 or 8th inning! I wonder how he would be as a closer if all things do go well. Well I suppose this would be more suited for the Bseball discussion thread.

 

I wouldn't mind a deep pen if Lou can use the pitchers correctly to keep the innings/pitches low for the young guys.

[CUBZ99]

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis?

 

Solid bat off the bench.

 

If Prior, Guzman, and Miller all come to spring training healthy and pitch lights out. (Big IF). Will the Cubs be willing to sit Marquis and his $7MM or Lilly and his $11MM contract in the bullpen? I know Lou has been saying all along the best players will play, but how do you justify wasting $7MM and/or Lilly's $11M in the bullpen??

[craig]

In the event that Prior, Miller, Guzman, and the 4 intended starters are all healthy, the initial solution is simple. Marquis and Prior start; Miller goes pen or gets traded or released; and Guzman goes to Iowa (or pen).

 

By June 15, Marquis is eligible for trade (under old union contract, at least.) If Guzman has proven things at Iowa by then, and everybody is still healthy, then I might explore trading Marquis or moving him to relief. He has had extensive experience in relief with Braves.

[CuseCubFan69]

In the event that Prior, Miller, Guzman, and the 4 intended starters are all healthy, the initial solution is simple. Marquis and Prior start; Miller goes pen or gets traded or released; and Guzman goes to Iowa (or pen).

 

By June 15, Marquis is eligible for trade (under old union contract, at least.) If Guzman has proven things at Iowa by then, and everybody is still healthy, then I might explore trading Marquis or moving him to relief. He has had extensive experience in relief with Braves.

 

Unless Marquis is giving up a touchdown a game like last year. I'm curious on how long the Cubs would wait if he is struggling and Guzman is ready.

[the splendid splinter]

Thanks much for the report, vance. Any other info, details, comments from that session, I'd love to get anything at all, no matter how trivial. By the way, what was your impression of Wilken? A friend last year who has attended for years thought he was a way inferior communicator than Stockstill, Fleita, or Hendry had been. And also thought he was less gushy, so that you maybe needed a little different filter for evaluating his comments. (I've thought this might apply to Colvin; if Hendry or Fleita had said what Wilken did, that Colvin wasn't a power hitter, it would raise lots of red flags that he has no power. But with Wilken saying it, I'm not sure it precludes the possibility that he could be a 30-35 HR guy someday.)

 

The positivity about Rundle and Lansford is encouraging. That would explain why BA had them at 15 and 20 on their Cub list. They always talk to Cub people before compiling the list, so their list particularly for guys in 2nd and 3rd tens is heavily influenced by Cub views. And of course they liked Rundle before his senior season, so he's a guy they might well tend to support.

 

I know it's super esoteric, but did Fleita mention any specific Latin names other than Suarez? I'm really hoping that last summer would mark the end of an extended Latin slump. And often guys that Fleita mentions do end up being the guys who emerge in due time.

 

Well I wasnt at the down on the farm segment and I Guess you would have to ask Vance how Wilken spoke, but remember last yr he (Wilken) was with us less than one month and probably didnt have much to share at that time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis?

 

Solid bat off the bench.

 

If Prior, Guzman, and Miller all come to spring training healthy and pitch lights out. (Big IF). Will the Cubs be willing to sit Marquis and his $7MM or Lilly and his $11MM contract in the bullpen? I know Lou has been saying all along the best players will play, but how do you justify wasting $7MM and/or Lilly's $11M in the bullpen??

 

I asked Hendry a variation of this question, and he tiptoed around it a bit. He said Miller could be put in the pen and said the best 11-12 pitchers would be on the team and that performance not salary would be the determining factor.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Guzman and Prior are both ready and throwing well what are the Cubs going to do with Marquis?

 

Solid bat off the bench.

 

If Prior, Guzman, and Miller all come to spring training healthy and pitch lights out. (Big IF). Will the Cubs be willing to sit Marquis and his $7MM or Lilly and his $11MM contract in the bullpen? I know Lou has been saying all along the best players will play, but how do you justify wasting $7MM and/or Lilly's $11M in the bullpen??

 

I asked Hendry a variation of this question, and he tiptoed around it a bit. He said Miller could be put in the pen and said the best 11-12 pitchers would be on the team and that performance not salary would be the determining factor.

 

Did you make sure that it was really Hendry talking?

 

Thanks for the info by the way Vance. It's pretty interesting to see what the Cubs players and brass think and let's hope Hendry sticks to his word about the best playing.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Thanks much for the report, vance. Any other info, details, comments from that session, I'd love to get anything at all, no matter how trivial. By the way, what was your impression of Wilken? A friend last year who has attended for years thought he was a way inferior communicator than Stockstill, Fleita, or Hendry had been. And also thought he was less gushy, so that you maybe needed a little different filter for evaluating his comments. (I've thought this might apply to Colvin; if Hendry or Fleita had said what Wilken did, that Colvin wasn't a power hitter, it would raise lots of red flags that he has no power. But with Wilken saying it, I'm not sure it precludes the possibility that he could be a 30-35 HR guy someday.)

 

The positivity about Rundle and Lansford is encouraging. That would explain why BA had them at 15 and 20 on their Cub list. They always talk to Cub people before compiling the list, so their list particularly for guys in 2nd and 3rd tens is heavily influenced by Cub views. And of course they liked Rundle before his senior season, so he's a guy they might well tend to support.

 

I know it's super esoteric, but did Fleita mention any specific Latin names other than Suarez? I'm really hoping that last summer would mark the end of an extended Latin slump. And often guys that Fleita mentions do end up being the guys who emerge in due time.

 

I'll look over my notes when I get home for some of the trivial stuff.

 

Flieta really didn't mention any other Latin guys, but he did mention the hiring of Steve Wilson as Pacific Rim scout. He did sound as if they are heavily mining Latin America as they attempt to find talent there.

 

I'd agree that Wilken is more soft spoken than Flieta. But I think it may have to do that he doesn't want to give away too much. Even in his answers, there seemed to be lots he left unsaid.

 

Flieta gushes on everyone. So it's hard to take some of what he says seriously. I know it's his job, but he seems to love every kid in the organization.

 

Wilken did seem quite excited about having the 3rd and 31st picks in this year's draft. I'm eager to see what comes from those.

 

I wanted to stay late and try to ask Wilken some more questions as he walked away, but I had to rush off to get in an auto line to get my Veal jersey signed as they rushed him away and wouldn't let him sign before he left.

 

I'm sure I have a few other things that I forgot that maybe I can decipher from my notes at home. I do remember them saying than Fleita is excited about the pitcher received in the Walker trade.

 

Also, Campusano was left unprotected because the Cubs have questions about whether he can stay healthy.

[NCCubFan]

I do remember them saying than Fleita is excited about the pitcher received in the Walker trade.

That was Ceda, if I recall.

[goonys evil twin]

So anyway, Oneri Fleiti doesn't look anything like I thought he looked like.

[the splendid splinter]

I do remember them saying than Fleita is excited about the pitcher received in the Walker trade.

That was Ceda, if I recall.

 

Actually one of the fans who asked the question. kept saying a player with the name of Cerda, Wilken figured it out and said Ceda and also mentioned that he was acquired in the deal for Walker.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ok, for those who wanted more minutae from my notes...

 

Patterson will play some OF as well as continue to work out at 2b. Eric believes he still has a lot to learn. Someone asked a question about why we signed Derosa when Patterson was able to do the job right now, and Patterson said he still had "lots" to work on.

 

Wilken liked Colvin because he is a good player with lots of projection. He can "run and throw." He also knows what it means to play in "meaningful games." He hit 6 HR in five days. He's also added some weight and projects to add power.

 

Mentioned his excitement over the 3rd and 31st pick. We lost our second round pick but still have picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds.

 

Veal said he throws fastball, change, and curve. He's trying to learn what he does well and go out there and do it. His curve needs the most work.

 

Eric was asked about his relationship with Corey. He said he talks to Corey in some fashion every day and works out with him in the offseason. They are very close. When asked who was better, he or Corey, he said Corey's played in the majors and I'm still trying to get there. I can't say I'm better.

 

Mark Paweleck is slated to go to Peoria.

 

Brownlie's velocity has never come back. They hope it does.

 

When deciding to spend a high round pick and a lot of money on a pitcher, Wilken looks for a "clean delivery." In later picks, he might take more gambles.

 

There was some discussion about the number of injuries. Flieta cited numbers that surgeries in the system have been decreasing.

 

Flieta called Pie a "Wow" player. Said one day you'll see him make a great catch and hit a homer to win a game and you say, "wow." The next time he'll make a gaffe on the bases or make a bad throw trying to do to much and you say, "wow." (differing inflections in the voice on the wow's.)

 

Veal said he's working on fine tuning his strategy. He says that when he's ready, he feels he'll know he's ready. He's trying to work on his control so he can have confidence in throwing any pitch in any count.

 

Players are shown stats on a bi-weekly basis. These stats show pitches per AB. Patterson says that is one area he is working to improve. These stats also include strike percentage which is shown to the pitchers.

 

Dopirak had to have another surgery on his ankle. (This is the second surgery we knew about at the end of the season, not a third surgery.) He wasn't following instructions about taking care of it and wouldn't stay out of the weight room. According to Fleita, he broke the pin that was inserted in the first surgery and required a new pin. He's healthy now and will be in ST and they will see how he does and how he responds.

 

There was some more, but I can't remember and didn't take as much notes as I should have.

[CoolHandLuke]

So anyway, Oneri Fleiti doesn't look anything like I thought he looked like.

 

Is this him?!?

 

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/30/309124.jpg

 

wow, I definately pitctured a hispanic man for some reason.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

That's Oneri.

 

And I don't know if it was just me, but I thought Wilken looked a lot like Steve Buechelle.

[craig]

Thanks for added details, Vance. Very helpful. Eric Patterson sounds like a sharp kid.

 

Heh, every draft has a chance to be a franchise-changer. Prior-Sisco-Nolasco, sure had that chance. Brownlie-Blasko-Hagerty-Clanton-Dopirak-Jones-Petrick-Hill sure seemed to have that chance.

 

Hopefully Samardzija-Colvin-Huseby-Rundle-Lansford will end up being one of those that works out for multiple guys and chances the face of the franchise for a decade or more.

 

And hopefully bouncing back with the #3 and #31 picks in a deep draft will also produce a couple of big winners.