2008 Cubs Picks Thread

[YearofDaCubs]

Wilson was primed to become an early-round pick in this year’s draft after going 13-3, 3.78 with 143 strikeouts in 138 innings as a freshman at Winthrop, and following up with a solid 6-4, 2.51 record with 97 strikeouts in 111 innings as a sophomore—accomplished mainly on the strength of a fastball in the 92-95 mph range. But those hopes were pretty much dashed when he felt discomfort in his pitching elbow in two brief appearances last summer in the Cape Cod League and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery. He would have been lost for the entire 2008 season anyway, but he elected to transfer from Winthrop to Texas A&M. He could still be drafted in a prominent round by a team prepared to monitor his progress during the summer, but his immediate future is uncertain. In all probability, he will pitch for Texas A&M in 2009. His loss was the second critical blow for Winthrop as righthander Jason Franzblau, who went 8-4, 3.13 last year as a co-ace with Wilson, chose to transfer to Arizona State rather than return to Winthrop for his junior year—though Franzblau is nowhere near the prospect Wilson is. Wilson’s secondary stuff, a 70-73 mph curve and 79-81 mph slider, is a marginal complement to his fastball. That pitch and his aggressive approach are his strengths.—ALLAN SIMPSON

UPDATE (5/15): Wilson has made a quick and strong comeback from TJ surgery and threw a bullpen for scouts in early May where he touched 94 mph. More such bullpens will certainly be thrown leading up to the draft. Wilson has plans to pitch at Falmouth in the Cape this summer and any team drafting him is sure to follow him there to further gauge his health and progress. But the early velocity that Wilson showed is sure to spike interest among scouts who saw him dominate in 2006 and 2007

Sounds like a very good pick.

[ChiCubsFan]

Seems like the Cubs are selecting a lot of pitchers who have undergone TJS or other forms of surgery on their pitching arms. I kind of like it. There's a lot of risk involved, but we're getting first round talent still in round 10.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

THT linked to collegiate splits for all the first day picks. Of note for our draftees:

 

Cashner

 

Flaherty

v. LHP: .250/.333/.380/.713

v. RHP: .366/.457/.640/1.097

 

Home: .299/.399/.488/.887

Away: .329/.427/.632/1.059

Neutral: .380/.429/.560/.989

 

He also OPS'ed nearly 175 points better in conference than in the non-con.

 

Shafer

 

Carpenter was brutal on RH hitters, better away from home, and overcame a terrible, terrible February.

 

Bristow was much better at home and in the non-con.

 

Harrison got better as the year progressed, and appears to be anti-clutch.

[RammyFanny]

So far the pick I think sounds like he has the most upside is Chris Carpenter.

Him and Cashner, who may very well be a SP in our system. Cashner definately hsan't had the normal developmental progress of normal kids his age, growing so much so recently and finally start to settle into his body. 98 mph heater with a nasty slider is nice, and he has great mechanics like Wilson said.

 

Not bad on the Wilson pick from what I can gather, I like these gambles. I'd wager at least one of these guys who fell due to injury can return back to their high round form (though in Carpenters case it appears he already had last year).

[Guest]

11th round: RHP Toby Matchulat, Wabash Valley CC

 

BA's 21st best prospect in Illinois. No writeup. :|

[UK1679666180]

White his teammate Aaron Barrett (No. 6 above) is much further ahead in his development, scouts believe the 6-foot-5 Matchulat may have the higher upside. He struggled with his mechanics and command as a freshman, but flashed three impressive pitches, including an 89-93 mph and an outstanding tight curve with sharp bite and a strong finish. He got just limited exposure, working both as a starter and closer, and went 4-1, 3.00. In 30 innings, he walked 27 but allowed just 18 hits while striking out 33. He lacks control of his tall, gangly frame, and it will take time before it all comes together for him.—

[YearofDaCubs]

Seems like the Cubs are selecting a lot of pitchers who have undergone TJS or other forms of surgery on their pitching arms. I kind of like it. There's a lot of risk involved, but we're getting first round talent still in round 10.

Agreed. I like this strategy.

[CuseCubFan69]

By the way guys, thanks for posting the info on the players...I enjoy reading!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Athlete    GP IP R ER Hits SO BB ERA 
Toby Matchulat 10 30 11 10 18 33 27 3.00

 

27 walks in 30 IP, yikes

[RammyFanny]

Another good pick. I'd rather take guys with low 90's FB's and plus curves who struggle with command than the typical 88mph college lefty who won't walk anyone.

[Old Style]

I'm late to this thread, but I saw Cashner pitch against my alma mater (Texas A&M) this year. He is sick. Great fastball with a nasty slider. On the other hand, I don't even recognize the name Alex Wilson who supposedly pitched at A&M.

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm late to this thread, but I saw Cashner pitch against my alma mater (Texas A&M) this year. He is sick. Great fastball with a nasty slider. On the other hand, I don't even recognize the name Alex Wilson who supposedly pitched at A&M.

 

He just transfered.

[ChiCubsFan]

Another 2B Jake Opitz.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Player                 AVG  GP-GS    AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR RBI   TB  SLG%  BB HBP  SO GDP   OB%  SF  SH  SB-ATT   PO   A   E  FLD%

Opitz, Jake.........  .339  58-58   227  51  77  15   2  11  50  129  .568  37   5  26   3  .434   5   0  13-15   105 154  12  .956

[Guest]

Round 12: 2B Jake Opitz, Nebraska

 

Opitz is an outstanding defender who also has a good offensive approach and bat speed.

 

He's a college senior.

[UK1679666180]

Opitz has been a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers at second base, with more than 200 career starts to his credit. He’s a lefthanded hitter who has gradually developed some gap power (.335-8-45, 15 2B) with the bat. Opitz is limited to second base by his arm strength but has good quickness and range, and is especially quick getting rid of the ball on the double play. He’s developed a reputation as a gamer and leader while at Nebraska, and should be a good senior-sign type of pick

[justlikethecubs]

Opitz has been a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers at second base, with more than 200 career starts to his credit. He’s a lefthanded hitter who has gradually developed some gap power (.335-8-45, 15 2B) with the bat. Opitz is limited to second base by his arm strength but has good quickness and range, and is especially quick getting rid of the ball on the double play. He’s developed a reputation as a gamer and leader while at Nebraska, and should be a good senior-sign type of pick

 

I don't know much about this stuff but would he be comparable to Fontenot probably?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Fontenot is a pretty poor defensive 2B, although with his experience at 3B his arm isn't awful. Opitz sounds like a guy who can really get to the ball, but his lack of arm strength limits him to 2B.

 

Offensively they seem to compare, as much as a comparison to a MLB player and a collegiate player can be made.

[UK1679666180]

Opitz has been a four-year starter for the Cornhuskers at second base, with more than 200 career starts to his credit. He’s a lefthanded hitter who has gradually developed some gap power (.335-8-45, 15 2B) with the bat. Opitz is limited to second base by his arm strength but has good quickness and range, and is especially quick getting rid of the ball on the double play. He’s developed a reputation as a gamer and leader while at Nebraska, and should be a good senior-sign type of pick

 

I don't know much about this stuff but would he be comparable to Fontenot probably?

 

On paper, yes. But Fontenot was drafted much higher.

[UK1679666180]

Campana has one exceptional tool: game-changing speed. He ran a league-best 6.31 seconds in the 60 at the Great Lakes League all-star game last summer, and led the league with 24 stolen bases. He also stole 60 bases, second in the nation, during his junior year at Cincinnati. Like big leaguer Juan Pierre, he makes good contact as primarily a slap hitter. He doesn’t offer much power (only seven extra-base hits in 2007), but he can work counts and take a walk. He will also drop a bunt in his leadoff role, but his upside at the plate is limited as he is so small that he struggles to get the ball out of the infield on the fly. He hit .349-0-11 on the summer, earning Great Lakes League all-star honors. Campana was the league’s best base stealer, even as he was caught stealing a league-high nine times. His speed also plays well in center field but his arm is considered just adequate.—ALLAN SIMPSON

UPDATE (5/15): With Campana, it’s all about speed. He was the same player this spring that he’s always been. He stole a team-best 44 bases in 55 attempts, while hitting .338-1-28. His bat will limit him. He shows a better swing and a more patient approach to hitting in BP, but rarely brings those qualities into games. He’s jumpy at the plate and is prone to chasing pitches. Campana plays exceptionally hard, a trait that endears him to scouts. As a senior sign, he could sneak into the top10 rounds.—

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Another Cincy burner?

 

Player        avg  gp-gs  ab  r  h  2b  3b  hr  rbi  tb  slg%  bb  hbp  so  gdp  ob%  sf  sh  sb-att  po  a  e  fld%
Campana, Tony   .338  59-59  263  60  89  8  8  1  28  116  .441  28  2  29  2  .405  1  2  44-55  158  5  4  .976 

 

A .067 isoP? Leon Johnson redux.

[Guest]

Round 13: CF Tony Campana, Cincinnati

 

Cincinnati has not one but two 5-foot-8 position players who will get the chance to play pro ball in Tony Campana and Josh Harrison. Campana, who spent his first two college seasons at UNC Asheville, led NCAA Division I with 1.07 steals per game in 2007 and swiped 44 more as a senior. He has top-of-the-line speed and knows his job is to make use of it on the bases and in center field. The downside is that he weighs just 151 pounds, has no power and will have trouble handling fastballs with a wood bat.

 

(Harisson was also drafted by the Cubs)

[cubweiser03]

Wilken conference call about Cashner on Cubs.com

He will start at RP but 'let it play out' and see if he might become a starter.

Describes the slider more as power curve. One of the reasons they drafted him

Good command of the fastball.

Good feel for the change.

Best delivery in the draft.

 

Cashner call

Left HS at 5'9 is now 6'6. Feels like this is the first year he has grown into his body.

Mets and Mariners also interested in 1st round selection.

At first didnt like the move to RP this year. Started the year sitting at 94 and moved his way up.

[Guest]

14th rounder: RHP Dan McDaniel, Chabot College

 

4/18/1988 6'3, 220 lb

[justlikethecubs]

Dan McDaniel _ RHP _ Chalbot college