2007 Instructs Thread

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/26/cubs-tie-cubs-tie/

 

The big names:

 

2B T. Thomas 1/3, K, HBP, SB, CS, PO

C-DH J. Donaldson 1/3, K - 1/1 in throwing out baserunners

1B K. Burke 0/3, K

3B J. Vitters 1/3, R

RF C. Andersen 0/3, K

DH #2 J. Rosa 1/3, 3B, RBI, K

SP C. Huseby 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K/0 BB, 26 pitches

RP J. Ceda 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 K/1 BB, 7 pitches

 

Bunch of the recent signings pitched today (Hernan Ramos, Alan Guerrero and Dumas Garcia) and AZ Phil has a review of each. Ceda continues to bring it at 98 mph. And apparently Huseby is impressing:

 

Chris Huseby got the start and went two innings, and he looked VERY sharp. He also pitched very well in his first outing last Friday, and he looks like he is on the verge of getting switched to a faster track as he develops into one of the Cubs top pitching prospects.

 

And, of course:

 

ATTENDANCE - 7 (Dae-Eun Rhees’ parents, a couple of scouts, an MLB umpire instructor who met with the three-man umpire crew after every half-inning to tell them what they did wrong the previous half-inning, AZ Phil, and a mysterious guy sitting in the shadows I couldn’t quite identify).

[BDWeav71]

 

Chris Huseby got the start and went two innings, and he looked VERY sharp. He also pitched very well in his first outing last Friday, and he looks like he is on the verge of getting switched to a faster track as he develops into one of the Cubs top pitching prospects.

 

 

I look forward to seeing Huseby develop next year, I really think he has a chance to shoot up the system with a strong showing next season.

[Brian]

Is it alright that I'm kind of excited about the prospects of our farm system at the lower levels?

[the splendid splinter]

Is it alright that I'm kind of excited about the prospects of our farm system at the lower levels?

Sure its good to get excited about our prospects at the lower level, its been awhile since we had quite a few of them to talk about. Keep getting excited.

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/27/thursday-means-camp-day/

 

Mark Pawelek has control problems even when he's pitching to Cubs prospects. Donaldson, Lansford and Thomas all hit doubles:

 

LINEUPS:

 

SQUAD “A”

1. Jonathan Wyatt, LF (0-2)

2. Marwin Gonzalez, SS (1-2)

3. Marquez Smith, 2B (0-2)

4. Josh Donaldson, DH #1 (1-2, 2B)

5. Josh Lansford, DH #2 (1-2, 2B)

6. Kyler Burke, RF (0-1)

7. Ty Wright, CF (0-1)

8. Jovan Rosa, 3B (0-1)

9. Carlos Perez, C (0-1)

10. Bryan Jost, 1B (0-1)

 

SQUAD “B”

1. Leon Johnson, CF (0-1, R BB, 2 SB)

2. Darwin Barney, SS (0-1, R, BB)

3. Tony Thomas, DH #1 (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, K)

4. Steve Clevenger, DH #2 (0-1)

5. Brandon Guyer, LF (0-0, BB)

6. Josh Vitters, 3B (0-1, K)

7. Mark Reed, C (0-1)

8. Gian Guzman, 2B (0-1)

9. Cliff Andersen, RF (1-1)

10. Drew Rundle, 1B (0-1)

 

PITCHERS:

 

SQUAD “A”

1. Marcus Hatley - 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (29 pitches)

2. Casey Lambert - 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (12 pitches)

3. Mark Pawelek - 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER) 2 BB, 0 K (18 pitches)

 

SQUAD “B”

1. Marco Tovar - 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (33 pitches)

2. Jordan Latham - 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP (13 pitches)

 

NO ERRORS

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Carlos Perez 0-3 CS

 

OUTFIELD ASSIST:

Cliff Andersen (doubled runner off 2nd base 9-6 after making diving catch on a line drive)

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/09/29/windy-city-classic-101/

 

Yay Cubs instructs beat White Sox instructs.

 

The big names:

 

SS M. Gonzalez 2/4, R, RBI, 2B, PO

DH #1 J. Donaldson 1/1, R, BB

3B J. Vitters 2/4, 2B - line drive single and double, one of his outs was a flyout to the warning track

RF C. Andersen 2/3, R, 2 RBI, BB, K

SP D. Veal 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 3 K/1 BB, 3 GO-0 FO, 25 pitches

RP M. Pawelek 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 K/0 BB, 2 GO-1 FO, 8 pitches

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/02/cubs-learn-pleasures-of-a-walk-in-the-park/

 

The big names:

 

C J. Donaldson 2/2, R, RBI, 2B

3B J. Vitter 1/4, K

DH #1 J. Rosa 1-4, RBI, 2B, 2 K

RF D. Rundle 1/3, BB

SP D. Veal 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K/0 BB, 15 pitches

RP M. Pawelek 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 K/2 BB, WP, 34 pitches

 

Arizona Phil had a glowing report of Josh Donaldson in the comments section of that blog entry:

 

Josh Vitters looks OK at 3rd base so far. His arm is fairly strong but isn’t real accurate, and he doesn’t have much range, but his glove is solid. He also has below-average speed on the bases. But his bat speed has improved a lot since his sluggish debut in the AZL in August. He’s been driving the ball lately.

 

And Josh Donaldson is (in my opinion) the best all-around offensive player (AVG, SLG, and OBP) in the Cubs minor league system right now. Awesome, awesome power. A young Paul Konerko. If we have occasion to rank the Cubs prospects sometime this off-season, Donaldson will be my #1.

 

If Donaldson can remain a catcher, Cubs fans will be ecstatic. And if he has to eventualy move to 1B (Derrek Lee’s contract expires after the 2010 season), he will hit enough to play 1B. And to think Donaldson was selected with a compensation pick awarded to the Cubs after the Dodgers signed Juan Pierre. Thank you Ned Colletti!

[CubinNY]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/02/cubs-learn-pleasures-of-a-walk-in-the-park/

 

The big names:

 

C J. Donaldson 2/2, R, RBI, 2B

3B J. Vitter 1/4, K

DH #1 J. Rosa 1-4, RBI, 2B, 2 K

RF D. Rundle 1/3, BB

SP D. Veal 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K/0 BB, 15 pitches

RP M. Pawelek 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 K/2 BB, WP, 34 pitches

 

Arizona Phil had a glowing report of Josh Donaldson in the comments section of that blog entry:

 

Josh Vitters looks OK at 3rd base so far. His arm is fairly strong but isn’t real accurate, and he doesn’t have much range, but his glove is solid. He also has below-average speed on the bases. But his bat speed has improved a lot since his sluggish debut in the AZL in August. He’s been driving the ball lately.

 

And Josh Donaldson is (in my opinion) the best all-around offensive player (AVG, SLG, and OBP) in the Cubs minor league system right now. Awesome, awesome power. A young Paul Konerko. If we have occasion to rank the Cubs prospects sometime this off-season, Donaldson will be my #1.

 

If Donaldson can remain a catcher, Cubs fans will be ecstatic. And if he has to eventualy move to 1B (Derrek Lee’s contract expires after the 2010 season), he will hit enough to play 1B. And to think Donaldson was selected with a compensation pick awarded to the Cubs after the Dodgers signed Juan Pierre. Thank you Ned Colletti!

Ain't that the truth.

[Outshined_One]

In all honesty, Donaldson has the goods to move to 3B successfully if needed.

[brinoch]

Since Angel Guzman was mentioned in this thread:

 

Angel Guzman underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, and will spend the offseason rehabbing in Arizona at the Cubs facility. ...

[Guest]

That sucks. :(

 

BTW, AZ Phil also said OF Hae-Seong Kook has arrived at Fitch for Instructs.

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/04/cubs-make-guest-appearance-at-camp-day/

 

Marshall, Monroe and Ohman were at instructs today. Carlos Perez (hamstring) and Mark Reed (hit in groin by WP) left the camp day game with injuries.

 

The big names:

 

2B T. Thomas 0/2, BB, 2 K, E (throw)

RF K. Burke 2/3

DH-C J. Donaldson 1/3, K

3B J. Vitters 0/4, E (throw)

RF C. Andersen 2/4, 2B, 2 K

C S. Clevenger 0/2, defense: 1/2 CS

1B D. Rundle 2/4, K

RP M. Hatley 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 K/ 0 BB, 7 pitches

 

The big leaguers:

 

SP S. Marshall 5 IP, 1 ER, 10 H, 4 K/1 BB, 8 GO-1 FO, 71 pitches (48 strikes)

RP W. Ohman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K/0 BB, 1 GO-1 FO, 9 pitches (7 strikes)

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/05/cubs-win-8-1-in-arizona/

 

Dae-Eun Rhee made his debut today. Didn't realize he was 21 years old, I thought he was 18. Huseby, Veal and Rhee looked good today. Welington Castillo had knee surgery recently.

 

Signed by Cubs Pacific Rim Scouting Coordinator Steve Wilson last July, the 21-year old Rhee was considered one of the top pitching prospects in South Korea this past year.

 

Rhee’s parents traveled from South Korea to Arizona with Dae-Eun, and have been attending Instructional League games for two weeks, hoping for a chance to see their son to pitch in a game. And today, they fiinally got their wish.

 

With their mini-video recorders in hand recording their son’s debut from different POVs, Rhee showed-off a 90 MPH two-seamer with movement and a virtually unhittable splitter that left Giants hitters waving their bats like fly swatters. I can tell you that scouts from rival teams who were in attendance at the game today were VERY impressed with Rhee.

 

Another positive is the continued improvement in Donnie Veal.

 

The only AA pitcher at Instructs, Veal arrived at Fitch Park last month with his mechanics totally messed up. But he has managed to smooth-out his delivery and straighten-up his body (he’s now “pitching tall”) to where he is an almost completely new (and better!) pitcher than the one who arrived three weeks ago. And he was at his best today, throwing two pristine perfect innings (22 pitches), and striking out three. He was as sharp as a tack.

 

Also some nice scouting reports for some of the other guys who the Cubs signed recently (specifically Dumas Garcia and Rafael Cova who have nice stuff, appparently).

 

The big names:

 

LF C. Andersen 1/3, BB

RF K. Burke 1/4, R, 2B, 2 K

3B J. Rosa 2/4, R, RBI, K

1B D. Rundle 2/4, R, K

 

SP C. Huseby 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 K/0 BB, 25 pitches

RP D. Veal 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K/0 BB, 22 pitches

RP D. Rhee 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K/0 BB, 11 pitches

RP J. Ceda 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 3 K/3 BB, 35 pitches

[chattbaseball]

Kyler Burke to replace Harvey in Hawaii. He leaves AZ Sunday morning. Will post more when I find out more details about the Harvey injury.

[Brian]

The only AA pitcher at Instructs, Veal arrived at Fitch Park last month with his mechanics totally messed up. But he has managed to smooth-out his delivery and straighten-up his body (he’s now “pitching tall”) to where he is an almost completely new (and better!) pitcher than the one who arrived three weeks ago. And he was at his best today, throwing two pristine perfect innings (22 pitches), and striking out three. He was as sharp as a tack.

 

I don't if I should be happy that hopefully Veal's '07 is because of bad mechanics and he'll be alright

 

or if I should be angry that nobody thought of fixing it till now.

 

Hopefully he can keep it up and lead into a bounce back '08

[Guest]

The only AA pitcher at Instructs, Veal arrived at Fitch Park last month with his mechanics totally messed up. But he has managed to smooth-out his delivery and straighten-up his body (he’s now “pitching tall”) to where he is an almost completely new (and better!) pitcher than the one who arrived three weeks ago. And he was at his best today, throwing two pristine perfect innings (22 pitches), and striking out three. He was as sharp as a tack.

 

I don't if I should be happy that hopefully Veal's '07 is because of bad mechanics and he'll be alright

 

or if I should be angry that nobody thought of fixing it till now.

 

Hopefully he can keep it up and lead into a bounce back '08

Why do you assume nobody "thought of fixing it" until now?

[Brian]

Well maybe they thought of it, but if they knew about it wasn't it a bad idea to allow him to keep pitching with messed up mechanics?

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/08/cubs-bats-stay-smokin-hot/

 

Dae-Eun Rhee's actually 18, not 21, and he continues to impress. 3B Marquez Smith (2007 8th rounder from Clemson) has been working out at second base all fall. Tyler Colvin has stopped by as part of his Team USA preparation.

 

The big names:

 

DH #2 T. Colvin 1/4, R, 2B, K

RF C. Andersen 1/4, R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K

3B J. Rosa 2/4, R, 2B

C J. Donaldson 0/2

1B D. Rundle 1/3, BB, K

 

SP C. Siegfried 3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 K/2 BB, 7 GO-1 FO, 47 pitches

RP D. Rhee 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 K/0 BB, 9 pitches

Edited October 10, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin

[craig]

Thanks, Cal. Great to hear that Rhee is 18 rather than 21. Interesting that Phil again mentioned Martinez and Antigua. I wonder what he sees in Martinez, if Martinez is hurt (I assumed so after he dropped out of summer league), and why he likes Antigua. Just logical interest, since Antigua is very young (turned 17 in June), is lefty, and started all summer with good results for DSL? The same things that would interest you or me from the DSL stats? Or whether he has actually heard some scouting talk about Antigua that is favorable?

 

anyway, thanks a ton for providing these links, they are really fun to read.

[Guest]

Thanks, Cal. Great to hear that Rhee is 18 rather than 21. Interesting that Phil again mentioned Martinez and Antigua. I wonder what he sees in Martinez, if Martinez is hurt (I assumed so after he dropped out of summer league), and why he likes Antigua. Just logical interest, since Antigua is very young (turned 17 in June), is lefty, and started all summer with good results for DSL? The same things that would interest you or me from the DSL stats? Or whether he has actually heard some scouting talk about Antigua that is favorable?

 

anyway, thanks a ton for providing these links, they are really fun to read.

 

Oswaldo Martinez was hurt but it was precautionary stuff and nothing major.

 

Someone from the Cubs said that Antigua was the best prospect headed to the DSL Cubs before their season had started and AZ Phil followed that up by saying that Antigua might have been in extended spring training last April but he was too young (he was still 16 in April) so they keep him in the Dominican.

[Guest]

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/10/09/cubs-de-feet-sox-at-maryvale/

 

Colvin continues to rake, Veal continues to pitch much better and Ceda is a beast.

 

2B T. Thomas 2/3, R, BB, K, SB

DH 1 T. Colvin 2/4, 3B, 3 RBI

C J. Donaldson 0/2, 2 K - defense: 0/1 CS

3B J. Vitters 0/4, E (bobbled ground ball)

RF C. Andersen 1/4, 2B, K, RBI

 

SP D. Veal 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K/1 BB, 2 GO-3 FO, 27 pitches

RP M. Pawelek 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K/2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 GO-1 FO, 34 pitchse

RP J. Ceda 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K/0 BB, 15 pitches

[Brian]

RP J. Ceda 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K/0 BB, 15 pitches

 

sexy

[Guest]

Check out the comments on the most recent entry, Craig. AZ Phil answered your question and got pretty indepth.

 

ETA: Here it is:

 

CRAIG: Rhee is definitely 18. He has the same lanky physique as Robert Hernandez. In fact, Rhee reminds me a lot of Hernandez, except Rhee has a killer splitter as an “out” pitch. It is VERY good.

 

Mexican RHP Oswaldo Martinez really came on strong at the very end of EXST and at AZL. Before he got shut-down, his command had really improved, and he has a nice array of pitches (fastball, breaking ball, and change) that would be useful for a rotation starter.

 

I’ve never seen Jeffry Antigua throw, because (at 16) he was too young to be brought to Arizona for ST or EXST ‘07. But I was told by somebody with the Cubs who should know that Antigua was the #1 pitching prospect at DSL Cubs and to watch for him next Spring (2008). But I’ve never seen him pitch, so we’ll see.

 

The only other player I know of at DSL Cubs who is supposedly projected to be at ST and EXST (and probably AZL) next year is catcher Alvaro Sosa. He is supposed to be pretty good (decent, anyway). And outfielders Andres Quezada and Edgar Herrera were at ST and EXST this past season, but both got sent back to DSL at the very end of EXST. But either (or both) could be back at minor league camp and EXST 2008.

 

Among the Dominican position players, only RF Nelson Perez and 2B Elvis Lara survived EXST and got assigned to AZL Cubs this past season, although neither are at Instructs. Converted RHP Nelson Perez is quite the physical specimen, with tremendous HR power and a plus-plus OF arm. He had about a dozen OF assists at AZL Mesa in 2007, and that’s an amazing number for a player in a short season league. But he is VERY raw.

 

But I’m sure there will be several other Dominican pitchers besides Antigua at ST and EXST for the first time in 2008, like maybe Jose Severino and Ramon Rache.

 

And to keep morale high, the Cubs will probably want to invite at least one position player and one pitcher to ST 2008 from VSL Cubs/Twins. Like maybe EHP Edilmar Infante and catcher Carlos Guevara.

 

As for Huseby, his command is outstanding right now and he’s pitching with a lot of confidence. He’s not a gasser (he throws in the low 90’s), but his fastball has sinking action and his breaking ball is very good. And he’s throwing strikes! I would say he has turned the corner, and will almost certainly be a rotation starter at Peoria in 2008. I’m expecting big things out of Chris Huseby in 2008.

[Guest]

AZ Phil posted this in the comments section of his previous entry:

 

For those of you anxiously awaiting today’s Instructs report, they started the game 90 minutes early and so I got there late.

 

However, I can tell you that the Sox drubbed the Cubs, and the Cubs lineup was:

 

LINEUP:

1. Leon Johnson, RF

2. Marwin Gonzalez, SS

3. Tyler Colvin, CF

4. Brandon Guyer, LF

5. Ty Wright, DH #1

6. Josh Vitters, DH #2

7A. Carlos Perez, C

7B. Steve Clevenger, C

8. Jovan Rosa, 3B

9. Drew Rundle, 1B

10. Gian Guzman, 2B

 

PITCHERS:

1. Chris Huseby (3 IP)

2. Ryan Acosta (2 IP)

3. Marcus Hatley (2 IP)

4. Marcos Mateo (2 IP)

 

I did get there just in time to see Marcus Hatley get tagged for 8 runs (7 ER) on 8 hits (one HR) and a walk in his two innings of work, though.

 

If I haven’t mentioned it before, two instructs players are out with season-ending injuries:

 

Welington Castillo, C (knee surgery)

Brian Jost, 1B (shoulder)

 

If you check out the comments section, AZ Phil says Mark Pawelek's control/velocity problems are mechanical (and possibly mental) and compares Pawelek to Jon Garland who had a drop in velocity after he was drafted by the Cubs. Apparently the Cubs tinkered with Garland's mechanics a lot and the White Sox had him revert to his HS ways to bump his velocity back. It's an interesting point, especially considering one of his biggest concerns when he was drafted was his windup and mechanics, but I don't know that AZ Phil is an expert on pitching mechanics.

[badnews]

As for Huseby, his command is outstanding right now and he’s pitching with a lot of confidence. He’s not a gasser (he throws in the low 90’s), but his fastball has sinking action and his breaking ball is very good. And he’s throwing strikes! I would say he has turned the corner, and will almost certainly be a rotation starter at Peoria in 2008. I’m expecting big things out of Chris Huseby in 2008.

 

That's not sexy. For that kind of money I want a Justin Verlander fastball and a Tim Lincecum curveball, not the scouting report for Matt Morris' middling years.