2007 Instructs Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Pitchers

 

Name Pos

Ryan Acosta RHP

Michael Bunton LHP

Jose Ceda RHP R/R

Rafael Cova RHP R/R 6'2 175 03/05/82 Did Not Play in 07

Marcus Hatley RHP

Yuri Higgins RHP

Chris Huseby RHP

Casey Lambert LHP

Jordan Latham RHP

Matt Maradeo RHP

Mark Pawelek LHP

Herman Ramos RHP R/R 6'3 170 07/01/85 Did Not Play in 07

James Russell LHP

Chris Siegfried LHP

Donald Veal LHP

Steve Vento RHP

 

Catchers

Name Pos

Wellington Castillo C

Steve Clevenger C

Josh Donaldson C

Carlos Perez C

Mark Reed C

 

Infielders

Name Pos

Darwin Barney SS

Kyler Burke 1B

Marwin Gonzalez 2B

Gian Guzman SS

Bryan Jost 1B

Jovan Rosa 3B

Drew Rundle 1B

Marquez Smith 3B

Tony Thomas 2B

Josh Vitters 3B

 

Outfielders

Name Pos

Cliff Andersen OF

Tyler Colvin OF

Brandon Guyer OF

Leon Johnson OF

Ty Wright OF

Jonathan Wyatt OF

 

Some stuff that stands out: Drew Rundle is going to be at first base at instructs, Marwin Gonzalez (a natural 3B who played everywhere in the IF for Mesa) is listed at second base. I was hoping Rafael Dolis would show up by now, hopefully he just has the fall off to rest.

 

http://braves.scout.com/a.z?s=248&p=2&c=676620

Edited October 11, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin

[Outshined_One]

Burke is also listed at 1B. Something tells me the positions are a tad off.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I didnt even realise that Pawelek was still with the organization. Didnt he make the 40 man last year?

[CubinNY]

Is Mark Reed still a prospect at C?

 

He's still pretty young (21) but he hasn't exactly set the world a fire in the box and he had 8 errors this year.

 

Does he have enough value as a tradeable commidity?

[Guest]

I didnt even realise that Pawelek was still with the organization. Didnt he make the 40 man last year?

 

No he didn't make the 40-man last year.

 

I don't think Reed has any value as a prospect anymore.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Can we send them to the Braves program(at least position players)..obviously something here isn't clicking.

[TruffleShuffle]

somebody instruct vitters on how to hit

[Balsa]

somebody instruct vitters on how to walk

Fixed.

[NCCubFan]

Someone needs to instruct Patterson on how to get to the park on time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Someone needs to instruct Paweleck on how not to be another first round bust.

[chattbaseball]

Burke is also listed at 1B. Something tells me the positions are a tad off.

 

Actually, several of the Minor League Coordinators have spoken to Burke earlier in the season about spending some playing time at first base. Basically, it will allow him to get more at-bats. Seems like there are more outfield prospects than first basemen...He never played first base in Boise, but he worked out quite a bit there. He played first base all the way through his freshman year in high school, so he's got some experience there.

 

I do however think that Burke is one of the better defensive outfielders - as far as athleticism and arm strength. BUT, he fits the physical profile of a first baseman better than the other OF prospects at 6'3", 210.

[jersey cubs fan]

Burke is also listed at 1B. Something tells me the positions are a tad off.

 

Actually, several of the Minor League Coordinators have spoken to Burke earlier in the season about spending some playing time at first base. Basically, it will allow him to get more at-bats. Seems like there are more outfield prospects than first basemen...He never played first base in Boise, but he worked out quite a bit there. He played first base all the way through his freshman year in high school, so he's got some experience there.

 

I do however think that Burke is one of the better defensive outfielders - as far as athleticism and arm strength. BUT, he fits the physical profile of a first baseman better than the other OF prospects at 6'3", 210.

 

But is there any hope that he'll hit enough to be a first baseman?

 

 

I remember instructional league was when coaches pitched underhand to the kids and the "little pitcher" stood behind them.

[chattbaseball]

 

But is there any hope that he'll hit enough to be a first baseman?

 

 

I remember instructional league was when coaches pitched underhand to the kids and the "little pitcher" stood behind them.

 

I guess that remains to be seen. He showed at Boise that he's got the power to hit home runs. He needs to get his average up, but if he can hit .280 and be a power guy, I think he could be a first baseman...and it might not even be permanent...but it's going to allow him more at-bats during instructs.

 

I know histoy hasn't been too kind to Cubs' high school hitters, but we have to keep in mind age and experience with guys like Burke and Vitters and Rundle. Vitters is barely 18 and Burke is barely 19.

[BigSlick]

somebody instruct Colvin on how to walk

Fixed.

 

Double fixed

[TruffleShuffle]

gist of these sarcastic comments = our minor league system sucks

[NCCubFan]

somebody instruct Colvin on how to walk

Fixed.

 

Double fixed

Get Igor from Young Frankenstein to instruct them: "Walk this way." :D

[BDWeav71]

I was kind of hoping Harvey's name would appear on this list as a pitcher....

[Guest]

I was kind of hoping Harvey's name would appear on this list as a pitcher....

 

He's going to the Hawaii Winter Baseball League as an outfielder.

[Guest]

Herman Ramos

[chattbaseball]

I know there's a pennant race going on right now, but our lower minor league prospects are working long days in AZ to improve their game....anybody got any news out of Mesa??

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/21/cubs-win-cubs-win-for-instructional-purposes-only/

 

AZ Phil over at TCR is great for stuff going on at Fitch.

 

In the game he saw, Wyatt, Thomas and Vitters looked good with the bat, Huseby looked impressive on the mound. The comments section has a lot of stuff too, including a note that Gooz might not have had surgery, that Huseby was throwing 3 pitches for strikes, Veal went to 3 3-2 counts and Ceda was primarily working on his offspeed stuff.

 

AZ Phil's roster:

 

PITCHERS (21):

Ryan Acosta

Michael Bunton

Jose Ceda

Rafael Cova (25-year old ex-Mets prospect, pitched for Tijuana in 2007)

Dumas Garcia (24-year old Colombian signed last week out of indy league in Georgia)

Alan Guerrero

Marcus Hatley

Yuri Higgins

Chris Huseby

Casey Lambert

Jordan Latham

Matt Maradeo

Marcos Mateo

Mark Pawelek

Hernan Ramos (NDFA Venezuelan signed in August out of Ellsworth CC in Iowa)

Dae-Eun Rhee (signed this past summer out of Korea)

James Russell

Chris Siegfried

Marco Tovar

Donald Veal

Stephen Vento

 

CATCHERS (6):

Welington Castillo (NOTE: Only one “L” in Welington!)

Steve Clevenger (also plays 1B-2B-3B-SS)

Josh Donaldson

John Nelson (AAA Iowa utility INF learning to be a catcher?)

Carlos Perez

Mark Reed

 

INFIELDERS (9):

Darwin Barney (SS)

Marwin Gonzalez (3B-SS-2B-1B)

Gian Guzman (3B-SS-2B)

Bryan Jost (1B)

Josh Lansford (3B)

Jovan Rosa (3B)

Marquez Smith (3B)

Tony Thomas (2B)

Josh Vitters (3B)

 

OUTFIELDERS (7):

Cliff Andersen

Kyler Burke (also is playing 1B)

Brandon Guyer

Leon Johnson

Drew Rundle (also learning to play 1B)

Ty Wright

Jonathan Wyatt

 

He also has a box score of the game that he saw.

[BDWeav71]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/21/cubs-win-cubs-win-for-instructional-purposes-only/

 

AZ Phil over at TCR is great for stuff going on at Fitch.

 

In the game he saw, Wyatt, Thomas and Vitters looked good with the bat, Huseby looked impressive on the mound. The comments section has a lot of stuff too, including a note that Gooz might not have had surgery, that Huseby was throwing 3 pitches for strikes, Veal went to 3 3-2 counts and Ceda was primarily working on his offspeed stuff.

 

AZ Phil's roster:

 

PITCHERS (21):

Ryan Acosta

Michael Bunton

Jose Ceda

Rafael Cova (25-year old ex-Mets prospect, pitched for Tijuana in 2007)

Dumas Garcia (24-year old Colombian signed last week out of indy league in Georgia)

Alan Guerrero

Marcus Hatley

Yuri Higgins

Chris Huseby

Casey Lambert

Jordan Latham

Matt Maradeo

Marcos Mateo

Mark Pawelek

Hernan Ramos (NDFA Venezuelan signed in August out of Ellsworth CC in Iowa)

Dae-Eun Rhee (signed this past summer out of Korea)

James Russell

Chris Siegfried

Marco Tovar

Donald Veal

Stephen Vento

 

CATCHERS (6):

Welington Castillo (NOTE: Only one “L” in Welington!)

Steve Clevenger (also plays 1B-2B-3B-SS)

Josh Donaldson

John Nelson (AAA Iowa utility INF learning to be a catcher?)

Carlos Perez

Mark Reed

 

INFIELDERS (9):

Darwin Barney (SS)

Marwin Gonzalez (3B-SS-2B-1B)

Gian Guzman (3B-SS-2B)

Bryan Jost (1B)

Josh Lansford (3B)

Jovan Rosa (3B)

Marquez Smith (3B)

Tony Thomas (2B)

Josh Vitters (3B)

 

OUTFIELDERS (7):

Cliff Andersen

Kyler Burke (also is playing 1B)

Brandon Guyer

Leon Johnson

Drew Rundle (also learning to play 1B)

Ty Wright

Jonathan Wyatt

 

He also has a box score of the game that he saw.

 

 

Wow, fantastic thanks a lot! Any word why Colvin isn't at instructs, i thought he was supposed to be?

[Guest]

I'm guessing he got a week or a few weeks off before reporting since he's mostly doing Team USA stuff. Also, EPatt is now on the Team USA roster.

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/24/cubs-youngsters-drop-one-to-as/

 

Another report from Arizona Phil at Cub Reporter.

 

Here's how the big name kids did if you don't want to click the link:

 

2B T. Thomas 1/3, R, BB, SB, PO

RF K. Burke 0/3, BB, 2 K

DH #1 J. Vitters 0/2, 2 BB

DH #2 C. Andersen 1/3, 2 K

RP M. Mateo 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 26 pitches (PTBNL for Buck Coats)

 

“Welcome to the Cubs. Our job is to get you to Wrigley Field. Be patient, relax, and have fun.” - Oneri Fleita, speaking through a Korean translator to new Cubs pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee at Fitch Park today. (Rhee’s family is in town and has been attending the games).

 

Dae-Eun Rhee was the big Cubs international signing this past summer.

[craig]

Thanks for the info, cal. Keep em coming, fun. Vitters seems to continue to be one of the lesser hitters. But mostly interesting postive stuff. That they really did sign Rhee is great news. The notes on Suarez having the big stuff but looking sullen and smile-free, that's interesting too. That may be bad, sullen people who don't enjoy their work have a harder time with everything. But, serious guys can be very successful, has Lilly ever cracked a smile? hasn't hurt his season. If Z was a little less zany and a little more serious, that might be fine.

 

the notes on Castillo's throwing, I liked those.

 

Other things I liked:

*Clevenger catching, Reed not catching. (Although why Reed is there at all, I dunno. I suppose you need lots of catchers when you're training lots of pitchers, but I'd like to see him released, myself, to get out of the way for major-league prospects.)

*The three Mexican kids.

*With Rhee from Korea, Chen and his Taiwan friend, that Australian kid, Maestri from Italy, the recent Dutch kid, now the several Mexicans, nice to see the cubs broadening their scope from just Venez and DR. Was a long 5 haul where Venez and DR were pretty much our only international spot.

*The favorable comments about Huseby's progress were also really encouraging.