Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-26-2007

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pina, Ceda, and to a lesser extent Renshaw(all pitchers) are the only real prospects at Peoria, they are completely devoid of potential major league hitters.

 

And CF Leon Johnson & SS Darwin Barney aren't real prospects? Then why did the Cubs draft them in the top 10 rounds a month ago? Johnson is 22 and Barney turns 22 in November.

 

Johnson through 8 games: .308/.419/.462

Barney through 7 games: .269/.387/.308 - Needs to work on his power

 

I don't know why they drafted them, they were incredible reaches. Barney looks like a slightly better version of Joe Simokaitis, and Johnson is Sam Fuld reincarnated.

I dont believe that the Cubs drafted Barney because they were thinking of Simokaitis and Sam Fuld is a pretty good player who'll have a chance to play in the big leagues, thou he cant come close to running with Johnson. My next question is, do they check birth certificates in the major leagues?

 

Of course they had something better in mind when they drafted them, just like they had something better in mind when they drafted Montanez, or Harvey, or Dopirak, or Pawelek, or Colvin. It doesn't mean that's going to happen. Fuld will be a 5th outfielder if he makes the major leagues, and his ~.750 OPS in AA at age 25 doesn't exactly put him on track to make it there.

 

I don't really know what you're addressing with the birth certificate thing, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that Johnson and Barney are both 22(EDIT: Barney isn't quite 22) and in Low A. I never said anything about it, and I'm not holding it against them right now, but age matters, and those two are going to have to move quickly through the system.

 

Barney was a reach, but how can you call Leon Johnson an "incredible reach"? He was a 10th round pick.... unless you want the Cubs drafting high school guys and signing them above slot (which they didn't do much of this year), you can't call Johnson much of a reach.

 

I know he might've been rusty from his Mormon mission, but did you see his numbers at BYU? Flat out terrible(.248/.335/.339), and the Mountain West isn't exactly a baseball power either.

[CubColtPacer]

Pina, Ceda, and to a lesser extent Renshaw(all pitchers) are the only real prospects at Peoria, they are completely devoid of potential major league hitters.

 

And CF Leon Johnson & SS Darwin Barney aren't real prospects? Then why did the Cubs draft them in the top 10 rounds a month ago? Johnson is 22 and Barney turns 22 in November.

 

Johnson through 8 games: .308/.419/.462

Barney through 7 games: .269/.387/.308 - Needs to work on his power

 

I don't know why they drafted them, they were incredible reaches. Barney looks like a slightly better version of Joe Simokaitis, and Johnson is Sam Fuld reincarnated.

I dont believe that the Cubs drafted Barney because they were thinking of Simokaitis and Sam Fuld is a pretty good player who'll have a chance to play in the big leagues, thou he cant come close to running with Johnson. My next question is, do they check birth certificates in the major leagues?

 

Of course they had something better in mind when they drafted them, just like they had something better in mind when they drafted Montanez, or Harvey, or Dopirak, or Pawelek, or Colvin. It doesn't mean that's going to happen. Fuld will be a 5th outfielder if he makes the major leagues, and his ~.750 OPS in AA at age 25 doesn't exactly put him on track to make it there.

 

I don't really know what you're addressing with the birth certificate thing, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that Johnson and Barney are both 22(EDIT: Barney isn't quite 22) and in Low A. I never said anything about it, and I'm not holding it against them right now, but age matters, and those two are going to have to move quickly through the system.

 

Barney was a reach, but how can you call Leon Johnson an "incredible reach"? He was a 10th round pick.... unless you want the Cubs drafting high school guys and signing them above slot (which they didn't do much of this year), you can't call Johnson much of a reach.

 

I know he might've been rusty from his Mormon mission, but did you see his numbers at BYU? Flat out terrible(.248/.335/.339), and the Mountain West isn't exactly a baseball power either.

 

I don't think Johnson is a non-prospect though, especially after he destroyed the rookie league and then has done very well in a small (26) number of at-bats in Peoria. I'm not terribly excited about him at this point, but he at least deserves a look with those numbers and considering his break from baseball.

[rabidawg900]

I know he might've been rusty from his Mormon mission, but did you see his numbers at BYU? Flat out terrible(.248/.335/.339), and the Mountain West isn't exactly a baseball power either.

 

I just like the guy because he has been continuing to hit successfully through the jump from Rookie to A ball. He had a 1.220 OPS in Mesa and a .868 OPS right now in Peoria. He hit 5 triples in Mesa which is ridiculous. And that he was the State champion in the 100 Meter dash and also runs a 4.4 40. Great athlete and great prospect IMO especially for a 10th rounder. Hit .667 in HS and .434 at a Juco before coming to BYU. Set the MWC stolen base record for a Soph with 29 last season.

[TruffleShuffle]

I know he might've been rusty from his Mormon mission, but did you see his numbers at BYU? Flat out terrible(.248/.335/.339), and the Mountain West isn't exactly a baseball power either.

 

Hence the reason for scouting. Maybe it was rust or a lack of good coaching. But obviously they weren't picking him based on his college numbers.

[the splendid splinter]

I know he might've been rusty from his Mormon mission, but did you see his numbers at BYU? Flat out terrible(.248/.335/.339), and the Mountain West isn't exactly a baseball power either.

 

I just like the guy because he has been continuing to hit successfully through the jump from Rookie to A ball. He had a 1.220 OPS in Mesa and a .868 OPS right now in Peoria. He hit 5 triples in Mesa which is ridiculous. And that he was the State champion in the 100 Meter dash and also runs a 4.4 40. Great athlete and great prospect IMO especially for a 10th rounder. Hit .667 in HS and .434 at a Juco before coming to BYU. Set the MWC stolen base record for a Soph with 29 last season.

coming to BYU via siberia for 2 YEARS, last time I checked there's no baseball or baseball fields, in Siberia in case you want to practice/play. That 434 as a freshman led the state juco in hitting, the same conference which has produced many major leaguers. His year was a strange one indeed, it included a 5 hit game his 1st game back in uniform, it also included an 0-28, in 2 games vs Arrieta the #1 draft out of TCU, he`went 5-9 with a home run in two games against Arrieta.

[ChiefsVoice]

Boise is now my favorite affiliate to follow. Aside from Iowa, there's no level that has the potential hitting prospects that Boise has, between Thomas, Donaldson, Burke, Rundle, Smith, and Wright.

Not bad and you forgot Wyatt, dont underrate Peoria which could be as good or better.

 

Peoria? Isn't virtually that entire team devoid of prospects?

 

Anyway, I'm glad to see that Burke is not being overmatched like he had been for the rest of his minor league career. I'm actually glad the Cubs picked up a high-ceiling offensive prospect, because they really don't have any outside of Vitters.

 

(i'm assuming Dopirak and Harvey are busts)

Wrong again on Peoria, after thee aforementioned Samson and Barney you have pitchers Pino, Ceda, Lambert and Renshaw and you have everyday players in Lansford, Leon Johnson, and wait till Hardman gets some at bats. My next question is what makes Burke a " high-ceiling" player? Would that be his baseball america ranking in high school?

 

Pina, Ceda, and to a lesser extent Renshaw(all pitchers) are the only real prospects at Peoria, they are completely devoid of potential major league hitters.

 

I disagree. Hernandez is a way better prospect than Pina. So is Maestri and probably Papelbon. As for the hitters, Barney, Adduci, Lansford and Castillo are all prospects...you guys can love Boise all you want but remember all the guys you loved at Boise last year are the ones you hate here this season...AND Johnston and Burke both failed pretty badly hitting in this league so that SHOULD tell you the HUGE difference between Boise and Peoria just as there is a huge difference pitching wise between Peoria and Daytona...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can't believe I forgot Hernandez, he's my favorite pitching prospect!

 

Anyway, Burke failed in the MWL because he went too fast too soon. And yes, while more marginal college guys like Smith and Wright may not continue their success at higher levels and therfore be "hated" by next year, the point is that they are having success, and they haven't failed yet. The same can't be said of Lansford, Adduci, Norwood, etc.

[the splendid splinter]

I can't believe I forgot Hernandez, he's my favorite pitching prospect!

 

Anyway, Burke failed in the MWL because he went too fast too soon. And yes, while more marginal college guys like Smith and Wright may not continue their success at higher levels and therfore be "hated" by next year, the point is that they are having success, and they haven't failed yet. The same can't be said of Lansford, Adduci, Norwood, etc.

PS, Norwood has been released, Lalli would be a better example. Anyways I'll just bet that Smith/Wright go quite a bit further than Norwood!

[ChiefsVoice]

I can't believe I forgot Hernandez, he's my favorite pitching prospect!

 

Anyway, Burke failed in the MWL because he went too fast too soon. And yes, while more marginal college guys like Smith and Wright may not continue their success at higher levels and therfore be "hated" by next year, the point is that they are having success, and they haven't failed yet. The same can't be said of Lansford, Adduci, Norwood, etc.

 

Norwood is gone...Lansford, Adduci and Lalli have all had success this season...Lalli is VERY improved from 2006....Adduci is young and Lansford is one of the best defensive players i have seen in the MWL...

 

And I guess we will see in April how Smith and Wright adjust to this level...hopefully sooner!