2007 Arizona Fall League

[Guest]

From BA:

 

“There’s no doubt about how valuable he is,” the Solar Sox manager said. “He can hit, he can run, he can throw, he can steal a base, he plays great defense. You talk about a five-tool guy–there he is. He’s a leadoff lefthanded hitter. He’s a catalyst. He does so many things well. Everything I’ve seen is above average and he can help any major league ballclub right now.

 

“And there a lot of them watching right now.

Uh...

 

Isn't power still a tool?

[E.J.]

From BA:

 

“There’s no doubt about how valuable he is,” the Solar Sox manager said. “He can hit, he can run, he can throw, he can steal a base, he plays great defense. You talk about a five-tool guy–there he is. He’s a leadoff lefthanded hitter. He’s a catalyst. He does so many things well. Everything I’ve seen is above average and he can help any major league ballclub right now.

 

“And there a lot of them watching right now.

Uh...

 

Isn't power still a tool?

 

They're counting his grittiness as a tool.

[UK1679666180]

From BA:

 

“There’s no doubt about how valuable he is,” the Solar Sox manager said. “He can hit, he can run, he can throw, he can steal a base, he plays great defense. You talk about a five-tool guy–there he is. He’s a leadoff lefthanded hitter. He’s a catalyst. He does so many things well. Everything I’ve seen is above average and he can help any major league ballclub right now.

 

“And there a lot of them watching right now.

Uh...

 

Isn't power still a tool?

 

He doesn't have a great arm either.

[Guest]

Well, he is slugging .678 now. (But I agree.)

[Guest]

Tyler Colvin didn't start for Team USA because he's hurt:

 

But with outfielders Delwyn Young (Dodgers) and Tyler Colvin (Cubs) unavailable, Johnson wasn't kidding.

 

"I said, 'OK, all right,'" Hollimon said. "[Young and Colvin] can still swing, but their arms are just a little bit sore. I felt like a Little Leaguer out there again. It was pretty cool."

 

Tyler Colvin has been rehabbing his shoulder while playing for Team USA. It's the same shoulder injury that landed him on the DL for two weeks in August.

 

Colvin, a Cubs prospect, spent 10 days on the disabled list in early August with a shoulder injury. He played until suffering a few problems late in the season, and the Cubs placed him on a rehab program that extended into Team USA's workouts.

 

"From what my understanding was, was that it fatigued on him and he took a step back," Team USA trainer Fred Dicke said. "[Chicago] put him on the throwing program just to get it back.

 

"Basically, I had to follow the last part of that rehab program and work him back in and ease him back into it. It was just a matter of following Cubs' protocol."

 

Colvin took infield practice before Saturday's game but was not in the starting lineup.

 

"We are hoping that he will be 100 percent on Monday," Johnson said.

[Guest]

Monday:

 

Mesa won 13-12, box:

 

CF S. Fuld 1/3, 2B (8), BB, SB (7), OF assist at second base

PH-RF J. Simokaitis 0/2, RBI, K

C S. Clevenger 2/4, 2 R, BB, 2 K, PB (2)

RP J. Berg 0+ IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 0 K/1 BB, 13 pitches (6 strikes) - faced 3 batters

RP M. Avery 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 K/1 BB, 1 GO-0 FO, 22 pitches (13 strikes)

RP R. Roquet 0.2 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 1 K/3 BB, HR, 1 GO-0 FO, 31 pitches (16 strikes) - ERA went from 0 to 8.44

 

Team USA lost 8-6, box:

 

RF T. Colvin 1/4, RBI, BB, SB (1), OF assist at first base

 

Overall:

 

Tyler Colvin (Team USA): 2/7, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 SB, 1 OF assist - .286/.375/.286

Steve Clevenger: 2/8, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 PB - .250/.333/.250

Sam Fuld: 24/62, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 12 BB, 9 K, 7/8 SB, 1 E, 1 OF assist - .387/.486/.677

Josh Lansford: 7/29, 2 2B, 2 BB, 5 K - .241/.290/.310

Joe Simokaitis: 5/30, 1 HR, 2 BB, 7 K, 0/1 SB, 1 E - .167/.219/.267

Matt Avery: 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, K/5 BB, 5 GO-6 FO, 3.00 ERA

Justin Berg: 7 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 6 K/2 BB, 13 GO-3 FO, 7.71 ERA

Sean Gallagher: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 6 K/1 BB, 10 GO-4 FO, 0.00 ERA

Rocky Roquet: 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 8 K/7 BB, 7 GO-1 FO, 8.44 ERA

[karenmac]

I'm still glad to see Sam getting some well deserved attention. He grew up in NH and spent a summer on the Cape, so doesn't suprise me that he's been on Gammons' radar for quite a while...

 

Boy, I really wish I could get out to the AFL this year.

[Guest]

Tuesday:

 

Team USA beat Mesa 10-2, box:

 

RF T. Colvin 2/5, R, 2B (1), 2 RBI, OF assist at first base (2)

RF S. Fuld 0/3, BB

3B J. Lansford 1/4, K

 

Overall:

 

Tyler Colvin (Team USA): 4/12, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 SB, 2 assists - .333/.385/.417

Steve Clevenger: 2/8, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 PB - .250/.333/.250

Sam Fuld: 24/65, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 13 BB, 10 K, 7/8 SB, 1 E, 1 assist - .369/.481/.646

Josh Lansford: 8/33, 2 2B, 2 BB, 6 K - .242/.278/.303

Joe Simokaitis: 5/30, 1 HR, 2 BB, 7 K, 0/1 SB, 1 E - .167/.219/.267

Matt Avery: 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, K/5 BB, 5 GO-6 FO, 3.00 ERA

Justin Berg: 7 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 6 K/2 BB, 13 GO-3 FO, 7.71 ERA

Sean Gallagher: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 6 K/1 BB, 10 GO-4 FO, 0.00 ERA

Rocky Roquet: 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 8 K/7 BB, 7 GO-1 FO, 8.44 ERA

[CubColtPacer]

How does any OF rack up two OF assists at first base on consecutive days?

[Guest]

Wednesday:

 

Mesa lost 10-7, box:

 

SS J. Simokaitis 3/5, R, RBI, K, E (2, throw)

 

Team USA won 5-3, box:

 

PH-RF T. Colvin 0/3, K - PH for Cardinals' prospect Colby Rasmus in the 5th inning; not sure if Rasmus was hurt

 

Overall:

 

Tyler Colvin (Team USA): 4/15, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/1 SB, 2 assists - .267/.313/.333

Steve Clevenger: 2/8, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 PB - .250/.333/.250

Sam Fuld: 24/65, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 13 BB, 10 K, 7/8 SB, 1 E, 1 assist - .369/.481/.646

Josh Lansford: 8/33, 2 2B, 2 BB, 6 K - .242/.278/.303

Joe Simokaitis: 8/35, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K, 0/1 SB, 2 E - .229/.270/.314

Matt Avery: 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, K/5 BB, 5 GO-6 FO, 3.00 ERA

Justin Berg: 7 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 6 K/2 BB, 13 GO-3 FO, 7.71 ERA

Sean Gallagher: 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 6 K/1 BB, 10 GO-4 FO, 0.00 ERA

Rocky Roquet: 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 8 K/7 BB, 7 GO-1 FO, 8.44 ERA

[Guest]

How does any OF rack up two OF assists at first base on consecutive days?

 

The first was a DP:

 

Ryan Patterson flies into double play, right fielder Tyler Colvin to first baseman Steve Pearce. Sergio Santos doubled off 1st.

 

Maybe the second time the guy wandered too far away from first base?

 

Mark Hamilton singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Tyler Colvin. Lou Palmisano scores. Mark Hamilton out at 1st, right fielder Tyler Colvin to first baseman Steve Pearce.

[Quakers]

How does any OF rack up two OF assists at first base on consecutive days?

 

The first was a DP:

 

Ryan Patterson flies into double play, right fielder Tyler Colvin to first baseman Steve Pearce. Sergio Santos doubled off 1st.

 

Maybe the second time the guy wandered too far away from first base?

 

Mark Hamilton singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Tyler Colvin. Lou Palmisano scores. Mark Hamilton out at 1st, right fielder Tyler Colvin to first baseman Steve Pearce.

 

 

Tyler has a good arm. Obviously the opposition in this league hasn'tseen it yet.

[Guest]

Thursday:

 

Mesa won 5-3 as every Cub in the AFL besides Rocky Roquet got in the game, box:

 

CF S. Fuld 2/5, SB (8)

3B J. Lansford 3/4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, E (1, throw)

SS J. Simokaitis 0/2, K, 2 HBP, E (3, throw)

C S. Clevenger 0/4, K, E (1, catcher's interference)

SP S. Gallagher 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 K/2 BB, 3 GO-3 FO, 45 pitches (26 strikes)

RP J. Berg 2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 K/1 BB, 4 GO-1 FO, 27 pitches (16 strikes), E (1, pickoff)

RP M. Avery 0.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 K/1 BB, 0 GO-1 FO, 28 pitches (15 strikes)

 

Team USA won 3-0, box:

 

RF T. Colvin 1/4, RBI, K, SB (2), CS (1)

 

Overall:

 

Tyler Colvin (Team USA): 5/19, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 K, 2/3 SB, 2 assists - .263/.300/.316

Steve Clevenger: 2/12, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 PB, 1 E - .167/.231/.167

Sam Fuld: 26/70, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 13 BB, 10 K, 8/9 SB, 1 E, 1 assist - .371/.476/.629

Josh Lansford: 11/37, 3 2B, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 E - .297/.325/.378

Joe Simokaitis: 8/37, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K, 0/1 SB, 3 E - .216/.292/.297

Matt Avery: 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 7 K/6 BB, 5 GO-7 FO, 4.05 ERA

Justin Berg: 9 IP, 6 ER, 11 H, 7 K/3 BB, 17 GO-4 FO, 6.00 ERA

Sean Gallagher: 10 IP, 0 R, 7 H, 9 K/3 BB, 13 GO-7 FO, 0.00 ERA

Rocky Roquet: 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 8 K/7 BB, 7 GO-1 FO, 8.44 ERA

[Athletics36]

Yes, today was cubs day in Mesa as they are holding the Cubs Organizational meetings this week in Mesa. Sean was a suprise starter as they needed a pitcher for today. Thought he did very well as this is the most he has thrown in a while.

[Guest]

Yes, today was cubs day in Mesa as they are holding the Cubs Organizational meetings this week in Mesa. Sean was a suprise starter as they needed a pitcher for today. Thought he did very well as this is the most he has thrown in a while.

 

Do you know if he'll keep starting?

[NCCubFan]

Gallagher still unscored on. That's certainly good to see.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Gallagher still unscored on. That's certainly good to see.

 

Agreed. I'd like to see Sean get a chance to be the number five starter next season.

[Athletics36]

I think the plan is for Sean to return to the pen as of now but who knows? I do know that from looking at some of the scouts guns while he was throwing he threw a few 96mph FB to a couple of hitters. Its pretty interesting to watch these games as every MLB team has scouts in attendance. I also overheard that a lot of scouts were happy to see Sean start.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the plan is for Sean to return to the pen as of now but who knows? I do know that from looking at some of the scouts guns while he was throwing he threw a few 96mph FB to a couple of hitters. Its pretty interesting to watch these games as every MLB team has scouts in attendance. I also overheard that a lot of scouts were happy to see Sean start.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

And shouldn't you consider changing your user name from "peoriachiefs39" to "chicagocubs36"? :)

[CuseCubFan69]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

I'd love to see Gallagher battle for the 5 spot. The more guys that can pitch the better.

[moorecg]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

I'd love to see Gallagher battle for the 5 spot. The more guys that can pitch the better.

 

I'd love to see both of those guys contribute at the ML level next year...if we can get good, solid, cheap production it allows us to do some other things with the $$.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

Maybe, but I wouldn't hold out much hope, especially since he has multiple superior options keeping him from that role in our system, in Pie and Patterson.

[Guest]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

Maybe, but I wouldn't hold out much hope, especially since he has multiple superior options keeping him from that role in our system, in Pie and Patterson.

No love for Colvin?

[CuseCubFan69]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

Maybe, but I wouldn't hold out much hope, especially since he has multiple superior options keeping him from that role in our system, in Pie and Patterson.

 

He kind of reminds me of a better defensive version of Theriot only a CF obviously. The 2 you mentioned are either going to crash and burn or be really good imo. I just don't see a middle of the road for them for some reason like I do Fuld.

[craig]

Could Fuld ever be able to be a starting CF?

 

Maybe, but I wouldn't hold out much hope, especially since he has multiple superior options keeping him from that role in our system, in Pie and Patterson.

 

Fuld isn't going to be a first-choice starter.

 

But, I don't see Patterson being a factor here. He hasn't played hardly any CF yet. I think it's premature to count on him as even an adequate defensive CF, much less an excellent one. And his offense isn't that great that he'll be a primo CF if his defense isn't good.

 

To some degree Fuld's situation is perhaps somewhat like Theriot. Theriot has no power. and isn't very toolsy. Cedeno has more defensive tools and has more hitting power, and has had much superior AAA OPS thanks to that power. But when it's come to actual games, Cedeno makes more mistakes, and whatever power superiority cedeno has, ithasn't manifested itself often enough at the bigs to make that an overriding decision maker.

 

EPatt could be like that, a guy with a Cedeno-like power advantage, but might HR's so infrequently early in his career that he won't be given a job based on HR's.

 

I suppose that it's also possible that Fuld could be to Pie what Theriot was to cedeno. Much less scouting love, many fewer tools. But if the not-so-polished talent comes up, gets flustered, goes into a slump, hacks somewhat indiscriminately, and looks auto-out, the manager sometimes turns to somebody less toolsy but more able to give consistently competitive AB's. It's not beyond possible that if Pie is struggling to reach the .280 OBP line, that a Fuld who was hitting .285 with a .335 OBP and playing a spirited CF might end up playing.

 

I'm not saying it's probable. But it's not beyond plausible.