Info on Kyler Burke (aquired in Barrett trade)

TruffleShuffle · June 20, 2007

I'd have a huge problem if they drafted Weiters based on what they would w/Barrett, apples and oranges as far as drafting a player based on what is done on the 25 man roster.
I'm no draft expert, but I don't understand that at all. It seems to me that a team would want to go with BPA AND need. To me that was clearly Weiters. Now if the Cubs have concerns that he won't stick at catcher, I could see drafting someone else.

I just seems that a team would want to at least think about the mid term future of their ball club when drafting.

It'd be great if they worked together, but if the Cubs feel that Vitters is the BPA, the player they liked the most from the start, followed the most during his HS season, etc. should they pass that to the side b/c of a need on the 25 man roster? Btw, when Vitters gets to the majors the Cubs might be looking to trade Ramirez.

You're playing the "what if" as far as trying to project what the roster will look 2-3 years down the road. Who's to say that Soto won't an everyday C and Ramirez is playing more like a 1B at 3B b/c of a career of leg injuries who can't stay healthy?

Their biggest need is getting the best talent at any position.

The problem is that Wieters is not some late-first talent who you're overdrafting because he's a quick fix. He already was the best talent at any position. But never mind that, because thank God we have Jeff Samardzija.

don_kessinger_was_good · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Burke was/is also a LHP with nice stuff, a low 90s FB and sharp CB in high school. Many scouts--including one Tim W., who I believe is now employed by the Cubs--liked Burke as a pitcher in last year's draft.

The Cubs will send Burke to the mound (likely in Mesa) and convert him to a pitcher a-la Carlos Marmol. In the Cubs' opinion, they just picked up a young, 19 yo lefty pitcher with promise for free.

I have also heard the Cubs are now this --><-- close to converting Ryan Harvey into a pitcher as a last-ditch effort at getting something out of his career. Harvey has always had a cannon for an OF arm (probably his best asset), and he dialed it up to 95 with the FB as a high school pitcher. What the hell, can't hurt, since Harvey will never make the big leagues as a hitter, that pipe dream is over.

CubinNY · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

UK1679666180 · June 20, 2007

The problem is that Wieters is not some late-first talent who you're overdrafting because he's a quick fix. He already was the best talent at any position. But never mind that, because thank God we have Jeff Samardzija.

Based on???

Outshined_One · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

Yeah, this.

Most of what I've read about Burke from last year's draft suggests he's better at the plate than on the mound. He'd start an outing while working in the low 90s, but lose velocity in the middle innings. That suggests the guy needs to do some serious strengthening if he is to remain a starter. Along with that, his mechanics were so-so in terms of what kind of upside he'd offer later in his career.

As a hitter, on the other hand, he had a pretty good swing that was a bit handsy (i.e. he "throws his hands at the ball"), but otherwise was clean and repeatable.

June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

I've heard this speculated from a few people. He was a P/OF and many teams were split on whether he'd be on the mound or hitting, though I think more teams liked his hitting. I have no clue what the Cubs brass think about him pitching vs. hitting but he easily could convert to the mound.

jersey cubs fan · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

I've heard this speculated from a few people. He was a P/OF and many teams were split on whether he'd be on the mound or hitting, though I think more teams liked his hitting. I have no clue what the Cubs brass think about him pitching vs. hitting but he easily could convert to the mound.

I think it's funny that what's his name is ridiculing people for posting conjecture, then he decides it's a foregone conclusion this guy is going to pitch. Pretty much every statement about the kid is about what he has done in the minors. That's not conjecture.

moorecg · June 20, 2007

By the way.

Kyler? Seriously?

I just wanted to say that this really is the best question to ask about the guy...

What...Mom wanted Kyle, Dad wanted Tyler? I hate new made up names....

How about naming the kid Tyle?

Think his girlfriend would talk about laying tile?

(I know...Iknow...family board)

don_kessinger_was_good · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

I've heard this speculated from a few people. He was a P/OF and many teams were split on whether he'd be on the mound or hitting, though I think more teams liked his hitting. I have no clue what the Cubs brass think about him pitching vs. hitting but he easily could convert to the mound.

As you've likely gathered by now, the current Cubs "braintrust" has a distinct fetish for projects and conversion-type players. Former quality ML veterans coming off serious injuries; hitters converted to pitchers and vice-versa; players moved to new positions; etc....

Burke is yet another of these games. It's like buying a scratch-off ticket at the convenience store; once every couple of weeks, you find a winner, so you keep coming back and playing the game again (even though you know it's a sucker's bet).

The recent success of Carlos Marmol will only get the Cubs to buy some more scratch off tickets. Bully for them. Prediction--Burke will indeed be converted to pitcher, perhaps yet this summer, and never be heard from again. But, there's always hope.....

TruffleShuffle · June 20, 2007

The problem is that Wieters is not some late-first talent who you're overdrafting because he's a quick fix. He already was the best talent at any position. But never mind that, because thank God we have Jeff Samardzija.

Based on???

my obviously correct opinion :wink:

don_kessinger_was_good · June 20, 2007

It would be nice if some of the "experts" in this thread did some research before posting pure, conjectural blather.

Speaking of... Where did you hear this as he hasn't pitched in the minors yet?

I've heard this speculated from a few people. He was a P/OF and many teams were split on whether he'd be on the mound or hitting, though I think more teams liked his hitting. I have no clue what the Cubs brass think about him pitching vs. hitting but he easily could convert to the mound.

I think it's funny that what's his name is ridiculing people for posting conjecture, then he decides it's a foregone conclusion this guy is going to pitch. Pretty much every statement about the kid is about what he has done in the minors. That's not conjecture.

You seem to enjoy posting as many comments as you possibly can in as many threads as you can, mr jersey is his name. Such fun! I think 50-page threads are much more informative than comments from actual baseball scouts, too. You keep posting, you!

Edited June 20, 2007 by don_kessinger_was_good

TruffleShuffle · June 20, 2007

The recent success of Carlos Marmol will only get the Cubs to buy some more scratch off tickets. Bully for them. Prediction--Burke will indeed be converted to pitcher, perhaps yet this summer, and never be heard from again. But, there's always hope.....

you might be right, but i'd still like to see some evidence that Tim Wilken liked him better as a pitcher than an outfielder.

jersey cubs fan · June 20, 2007

You seem to enjoy posting as many comments as you possibly can in as many threads as you can, mr jersey is his name. Such fun! I think 50-page threads are much more informative than comments from actual baseball scouts, too. You keep posting, you!

I'll try.

Outshined_One · June 20, 2007

He's a raw five tool player, you're telling me the Cubs don't have an irrational amount of manlove for guys like that?

Iceblink · June 20, 2007

Smells kind of like a lefty Ryan Harvey. Color me skeptical, but hopeful.

Outshined_One · June 20, 2007

Smells kind of like a lefty Ryan Harvey. Color me skeptical, but hopeful.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh...I don't think that comparison works. Burke seems to have something resembling a clue at the plate but hasn't displayed much power in his professional career. Harvey has no clue at the plate but probably has the best power in the Cubs' minor leagues.

don_kessinger_was_good · June 20, 2007

You seem to enjoy posting as many comments as you possibly can in as many threads as you can, mr jersey is his name. Such fun! I think 50-page threads are much more informative than comments from actual baseball scouts, too. You keep posting, you!

I'll try.

You're posting at the rate of 300 posts/week in your 6+ weeks of membership, I'd say you're succeeding. At what, I don't know.

RichHillIsABeast · June 20, 2007

You seem to enjoy posting as many comments as you possibly can in as many threads as you can, mr jersey is his name. Such fun! I think 50-page threads are much more informative than comments from actual baseball scouts, too. You keep posting, you!

I'll try.

You're posting at the rate of 300 posts/week in your 6+ weeks of membership, I'd say you're succeeding. At what, I don't know.

jersey cubs fan = goony