Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-7-2007

[CubsWin]

is marshall next on the list if guzman flames out? would the cubs really go with 3 lefties in the rotation?

 

i don't understand why it's a big deal if the cubs have three lefties in the rotation. teams have 4-5 righties in the rotation all the time and no one says anything about it.

 

There are more right-handed hitters in most (all?) lineups than there are left-handed hitters.

 

The NL hit .265/.340/.426 against LHP last year, and .264/.332/.428 against RHP.

 

What matters is who is the better pitcher, not if you have too many LH, or not enough.

That is awesome, mind-blowing information. Bring on Marshall!

[NCCubFan]

If Fontenot were a major leaguer he wouldn't have been passed on by all 30 teams when he was outrighted. There's not one single team that thinks he's a major leaguer; I can't imagine 32 teams being wrong.

 

Was trying to come up with something witty about 32 teams being wrong. Maybe the Cubs count three times? :)

Oops; I just got back from the future (after expansion teams were added in Las Vegas and Charlotte) and forgot that, at present, there are still only 30 teams. The time travel equivalent of jet lag. :D

[Guest]

Ryno and pitching coach Rosario just got tossed by a guy who shouldnt even be umping t-ball games.

 

The Chiefs are having a run of awful umps.

[ChiefsVoice]

Ryno and pitching coach Rosario just got tossed by a guy who shouldnt even be umping t-ball games.

 

The Chiefs are having a run of awful umps.

 

its the same idiot. we get him again at home May 15-18 against Beloit...

[Guest]

At least Peoria is up 8-1 after 5. Yusuf Carter is 3/3 with a HR and Rafael Dolis went 4.1 innings before Alessandro Maestri helped him out of a jam. Dolis' final line: 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 5 K, 4 BB.

 

Daytona is scoreless in the third inning and facing Yankees prospect Joba Chamberlain.

[Guest]

Peoria wins it 10-4.

[Guest]

AZ Phil report from Mesa:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Cubs Roving Baserunning and Outfield Instructor

Bob Denier arrived in town this week, and is working with the EXST Cubs. During the Cubs-Giants game on Field #3, The Deer worked with outfielders Cliff Andersen and Drew Rundle on the finer points of OF play on Field #2.

 

Also on Field #2, 18-year old Mexican RHP Oswaldo Martinez and 19-year old RHP Kevin Kreier (’06 20th round draft pick out of Foothill HS in Henderson, NV) threw 30 pitches apiece in a two-inning “live” BP session with some of the players not playing in the game on Field #3 (Andersen, Rundle, Elvis Lara, Cesar Valentin, Blake Parker, and Mario Mercedes). Both Martinez and Kreier will likely pitch at AZL Mesa this season.

 

Here is the Cubs abridged box score:

 

LINEUP:

1. Velerio Heredia, DH #1 (1-3, HBP, SB, R)

2. Nathan Samson, SS (0-3, BB, K)

3. Sammy Baez, CF (0-4)

4. Cody Gilbert, LF (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, CS)

5. Ryne Malone, 2B (0-3, BB, K)

6. Elvin Puello, 3B (2-4)

7. Jesus Reyes, 1B (0-4, K)

8-A. Steve Clevenger, C (1-2)

8-B. Carlos Perez, C (0-1, K)

9. Gian Guzman, DH #2 (0-3)

10. Andres Quezada, RF (2-3, 3B, R, K)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Chris Huseby - 2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1 WP

2. Chris Shaver - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

3. Simon Lee - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K

4. Audy Santana - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP

 

Huseby roughed up, Shaver has a good outing but his velo is a bit down.

[Guest]

Daytona tied 2-2 in the 8th. Santo: 6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 3 K, 4 BB.

 

Tennessee down 2-0 in the 5th. Berg: 4 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 K, 2 BB

[Guest]

Daytona wins it 3-2, Matt Matulia with the GW RBI single in the top of the 9th. Tyler Colvin went 1 for 5 with a K.

[Flames24Rulz]

Tennessee loses 2-1. Fox had the lone RBI in the 9th inning on an RBI single. Berg had another decent start: 7 IP, 8 hits, 2 runs, 1 K/2 BB's.

[Outshined_One]

I have a huge exam tomorrow morning.

 

I'll update some time tomorrow.

[Guest]

I have a huge exam tomorrow morning.

 

I'll update some time tomorrow.

 

Eh, I took care of it.

 

IowaCubs.com[/url]"]Cubs Finish off Sweep of Zephyrs

Iowa has won season-best four straight

By Benjamin Hill / MLB.com

 

Sean Marshall allowed a run on just three hits over 6 1/3 innings as visiting Iowa defeated New Orleans, 7-1, on Monday afternoon.

Iowa (16-15) completed a four-game sweep with the victory. The Zephyrs, losers of six straight, dropped to 15-17 on the season.

 

Marshall (1-0), a 24-year-old left-hander who spent the majority of the 2006 season in the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation, struck out three and walked one. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, lowering his ERA to 0.79 in two starts with the I-Cubs. A shoulder injury forced the Virginia native to begin the season on the disabled list. Randy Wells hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Marshall and notched his first save of the season.

 

The Cubs (16-15) got on the board in the first inning as Micah Hoffpauir launched a two-out, two-run homer. Mike Kinkade rapped run-scoring singles in both the fourth and eighth frames, while Mike Fontenot hit a two-run double in the ninth.

 

Chip Ambres' solo homer in the seventh accounted for the Zepyhrs' lone run.

 

Philip Humber (2-4) took the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out seven. Ambiorix Burgos yielded two runs on three hits in two innings and fanned five. Eddie Camacho was touched for two runs in the ninth.

 

SmokiesBaseball.com[/url]"]Seddon Pitches Montgomery to a 2-1 Win Monday Night over the Smokies

 

Mongomery, AL-Chris Seddon pitched eight innings in the start and gave up only one run on six hits with no walks for the victory.

 

Tennessee did rally in the ninth after being shutout the first eight innings. Joe Simokaitis doubled to start the ninth off Seddon then Jemel Spearman singled to center. Seddon gave way for the Biscuits closer Dale Thayer. He would strikeout the first batter he faced then Jake Fox delivered an infield single scoring Simokaitis. The next batter grounded out to second moving the runners to second and third with two retired and Matt Craig was called out on strikes ending the game.

 

Justin Berg got tabbed with the loss going seven innings for Tennessee. He surrendered eight hits and walked two but only gave up two runs in the loss.

 

DaytonaCubs.com[/url]"]Cubs Pull Out Scrappy 3-2 Win Over Tampa

Matulia Delivers Go-Ahead Hit in 9th

 

By: Dan Watson

 

[TAMPA, FL] The Daytona Cubs combined strong pitching, solid defense and just enough timely hitting as they clawed their way to a 3-2 triumph over the Tampa Yankees Monday night at Legends Field. With the win, the Cubs sit alone atop the Florida State League Eastern Division.

 

Even though his hot bat went silent, first baseman Alberto Garcia still managed to come up with one of the game’s biggest plays in the field. With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Tampa strung together three straight singles to load the bases with nobody out. But Jon Mueller struck out Grant Plumley for the first out. On the next play, Garcia snagged a would-be base hit out of midair and doubled off the runner at second to short-circuit the rally and keep the game tied.

 

With the momentum turned, Daytona went to work in the top of the ninth. Nate Spears started the inning with a single into right field, and Mark Reed’s sacrifice bunt moved Spears into scoring position. Two batters later, Matt Matulia stroked a go-ahead, two-out RBI single into right to plate Spears and give the Cubs a 3-2 lead. Closer Matt Avery slammed the door in the bottom of the inning to notch his sixth save.

 

With Palm Beach and Brevard County both losing Monday, Daytona (17-14) surged into sole possession of first place in the FSL East. The loss dropped Tampa to 14-17.

 

The Yankees got on the scoreboard first in the home half of the third. Cubs starter Joel Santo walked Mario Holmann to start the frame. Two batters later, Tim Battle singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Then, Jose Tabata legged out a ground ball to first base for a single, but the throw went wild and allowed Holmann to score the game’s first run. With runners at first and third, Juan Miranda followed with an RBI single to put the Yankees up, 2-0. Santo managed to get out of the jam with no further damage by striking out a batter and inducing a flyout.

 

Daytona took advantage of a fielding miscue in the next half-inning. Tyler Colvin led off the inning by reaching on an error and moved to second on a groundout by Jesus Valdez. The next batter, Ryan Harvey, bounced a single into center to cut the Yankee lead to 2-1. It would be the only run allowed by Tampa starter Joba Chamberlain in his first professional start. Chamberlain went four innings and gave up the unearned run on three hits, no walks and five strikeouts.

 

The Cubs appeared to be on their way to tying the game up in the top of the sixth. With one out, Jesus Valdez singled. The next batter, Ryan Harvey, appeared to ground into what would have been an inning-ending double play, but the ball was booted and both Valdez and Harvey were safe on the play. Robinson Chirinos followed by hitting a hard grounder up the middle, but the ball hit the umpire. By rule, the play was dead on contact. Instead of Valdez scoring from second on the single, the bases were loaded with one out. On the next play, Valdez was nailed trying to tag up on a flyout to center field for an inning-ending double play.

 

Daytona came right back in the seventh. Spears started the inning with a single and moved to second on a walk by Matulia. Tyler Colvin ripped a two-out RBI single to tie the game at 2-2 and set up the wild eighth and ninth innings.

 

Santo kept the Cubs close all night, scattering seven hits and four walks over six innings. He gave up two runs, one of them earned, in the no-decision. The win went to Mueller (3-1), as Anthony Clagett was charged with his fourth loss of the year (0-4). The Daytona bullpen sparkled again; Jesse Estrada, Mueller and Avery combined for three scoreless relief innings.

 

Matulia's go-ahead RBI single capped off a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Chirinos also went 3-for-4, while Spears was 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.

 

PeoriaChiefs.com[/url]"]Sandberg, Rosario Tossed in Chiefs Win

 

Fort Wayne, IN – Although manager Ryne Sandberg wasn’t around to see it, the Peoria Chiefs finally found their offense with a seven run inning and a 10-4 win over the Fort Wayne Wizards on Monday night. The win salvaged the final game of the series and the big inning came after Sandberg and pitching coach David Rosario were ejected.

 

The drama carried over from Saturday’s game when Chiefs starter Jose Ceda couldn’t get any strikes called from home plate umpire Bronson Martinez. When today’s starter Rafael Dolis started getting the same treatment in the bottom of the third, Rosario got vocal and was tossed while still in the dugout. Rosario got his money’s worth getting in the face of Martinez and covering home plate with dirt as the game paused for a few moments. After Rosario left the field, Martinez approached Sandberg and the two exchanged words. After just a few seconds, Martinez tossed Sandberg, the Hall of Famer’s first ejection as a skipper.

 

Peoria scored in the second inning against Fort Wayne starter Aaron Breit. Josh Lansford led off with a double and move to third on a Blake Lalli groundout. Yusuf Carter gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead with a solid single to left.

 

Fort Wayne tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Cedric Hunter walked and moved to second on an errant pickoff throw by catcher Wellington Castillo. After a groundout, Hunter came home on a wild pitch before Dolis got out of the inning.

 

Peoria broke the game open in the fifth against Breit and reliever Wilton Lopez. Carter led off with a solo homer that initially looked like a triple until the umpires got together and ruled the ball hit the netting for a homer. Jim Aducci singled and moved to third on a one-out hit by Matt Camp. Dylan Johnston walked to load the bases and Alfred Joseph singled home a pair. Ruzz Canzler’s double brought home two more and gave Peoria a 6-1 lead. Josh Lansford singled home Canzler and later scored on a bashit by Carter off the leftfield wall.

 

The Chiefs added to an 8-1 lead in the sixth against reliever Jon Kirby. Camp drew a one out walk and Joseph was hit by a pitch with two outs. Canzler rocketed another double off the leftfield billboards to bring home Camp for a 9-1 Peoria lead.

 

Dolis left after 4 1/3 innings due to a high pitch count. He walked four and struck out five while allowing five hits and one run. Alex Maestri (2-0) picked up the win with 2 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The righthander allowed one run on two hits and struck out one. Oscar Bernard allowed back to back solo homers in the ninth for the final scoring plays of the contest.

 

Gorman’s Pub Player of the game: Yusuf Carter (CF) – Carter singled home the Chiefs first run in the second, homered to start the run barrage in the fifth and then delivered another RBI single to cap the 7-run fifth. He finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored.

 

Notes… Sandberg was tossed twice during his Hall of Fame career…Dolis went 17 1.3 innings without allowing a run from April 19th through the first three innings tonight…The home run allowed by Maestri in the 6th was the first allowed by the Chiefs bullpen in 114 2/3 innings this season…Peoria is 5-19 at Fort Wayne since the start of the 2002 season…Jonathon Mota singled in his only at-bat to extend his hit streak to a Chiefs season high eight games…Lansford has a RBI in three straight games…

[Guest]

AZ Phil report from Mesa:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Cubs Roving Baserunning and Outfield Instructor

Bob Denier arrived in town this week, and is working with the EXST Cubs. During the Cubs-Giants game on Field #3, The Deer worked with outfielders Cliff Andersen and Drew Rundle on the finer points of OF play on Field #2.

 

Also on Field #2, 18-year old Mexican RHP Oswaldo Martinez and 19-year old RHP Kevin Kreier (’06 20th round draft pick out of Foothill HS in Henderson, NV) threw 30 pitches apiece in a two-inning “live” BP session with some of the players not playing in the game on Field #3 (Andersen, Rundle, Elvis Lara, Cesar Valentin, Blake Parker, and Mario Mercedes). Both Martinez and Kreier will likely pitch at AZL Mesa this season.

 

Here is the Cubs abridged box score:

 

LINEUP:

1. Velerio Heredia, DH #1 (1-3, HBP, SB, R)

2. Nathan Samson, SS (0-3, BB, K)

3. Sammy Baez, CF (0-4)

4. Cody Gilbert, LF (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, CS)

5. Ryne Malone, 2B (0-3, BB, K)

6. Elvin Puello, 3B (2-4)

7. Jesus Reyes, 1B (0-4, K)

8-A. Steve Clevenger, C (1-2)

8-B. Carlos Perez, C (0-1, K)

9. Gian Guzman, DH #2 (0-3)

10. Andres Quezada, RF (2-3, 3B, R, K)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Chris Huseby - 2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1 WP

2. Chris Shaver - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

3. Simon Lee - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K

4. Audy Santana - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP

 

Huseby roughed up, Shaver has a good outing but his velo is a bit down.

 

Some very interesting stuff in the comments section too - talking about the different types of players you'll find at Mesa (rehabers, players changing positions, young guys who aren't ready for Peoria, older guys who didn't make the cut and the pitchers with bad mechanics or control problems):

 

Then there are pitchers who have significant command issues where mechanics are being reworked. This group would include guys like Luke Hagerty, Mark Pawelek, Miguel Cuevas, and Julio Castillo (recently demoted from Peoria). The mechanical problems with Pawelek, Cuevas and Castillo are not as severe as Hagerty’s, and Pawelek throws in EXST games and will likely be a rotation starter at Boise. But Hagerty is only throwing “live” BP right now while the coaches try to work out his control problems. Cuevas and Castillo will likely go to Boise in June whether they get it together or not, but Hagerty is 26, so he is too old to play in a short season league (where the age limit is 24). So if Hagerty does manage to get it together and “graduates” from EXST, he would have to be assigned to Peoria or Daytona. Otherwise, he could get released.

 

And finally there are the 17, 18, and 19-year olds (including a number of Latin players) who are still learning how to hit a curve ball or play outfield correctly or turn the DP, or who are trying to master a change-up or learn how to throw a two-seamer consistently for strikes, and these guys will either be assigned to Boise or AZL Mesa, or some of the Latin players could be sent to DSL Cubs or to the new Cubs/Twins co-op team in the VSL. It all depends on how they progress.

 

Robert Hernandez, Alberto Cabrera, Chris Huseby, Drew Rundle, Cliff Andersen, Guan Guzman, Elvis Lara, Kevin Kreier, Nathan Samson, Larry Suarez, Andres Quezada, Edgar Herrera, Francisco Acosta, Oswaldo Martinez, and Audy Sanchez are some of the players in this group, and some have progressed faster than others.

 

For example, Huseby, Rundle, Samson, and Herrera (for example) would seem to require more remedial instruction, while guys like Hernandez and Cabrera seem more advanced and are on the “fast track,” although they still could be assigned to AZL Mesa because both are only 18.