2008 Cubs Picks Thread

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

So he wasn't that great of a prospect until impressing people out of the pen, and since he was successful enough out of the pen to draw interest in the 1st, people think he should move back to starter? What do the Cubs see him as?

 

How much does signability play here?

He can play multiple positions(in a "pitchers" sense)

[Guest]

(Mods, can we keep one thread for only stats and scouting reports?)

 

This thread?

 

Up to you. Just for future reference, I think it makes it easier to have them in one thread.

 

This thread is perfect then.

[Guest]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

[CUBZ99]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

Consistent 96-98mph fastball is rated as a 60? What does it take to get to 70 or 80?

[jersey cubs fan]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

I kind of really hope that Lou demanded the Cubs draft a reliever in the first to help fill the inevitable 15 man bullpen.

[Tyrant]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

I kind of really hope that Lou demanded the Cubs draft a reliever in the first to help fill the inevitable 15 man bullpen.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Lou didn't even know the draft was today.

[RammyFanny]

As I posted in the other thread

 

I'd wager we picked him to use him as a reliever quick (win now), then pull a Dempster and convert him in an offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

I kind of really hope that Lou demanded the Cubs draft a reliever in the first to help fill the inevitable 15 man bullpen.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Lou didn't even know the draft was today.

 

Probably, unless he called Jim this afternoon to complain about walks and demanding a new arm.

 

"What do you mean he's unavailable?"

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

Consistent 96-98mph fastball is rated as a 60? What does it take to get to 70 or 80?

 

Movement. Maybe command of it too, I can't remember if that's considered.

[UK1679666180]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

Consistent 96-98mph fastball is rated as a 60? What does it take to get to 70 or 80?

 

Movement. Maybe command of it too, I can't remember if that's considered.

 

All of them are and ranked separately.

[USSoccer]

The question really shouldn't just be "How good is Cashner?".

 

It should be "Is our system good enough to be drafting for need?"

[RammyFanny]

Wow, I just saw a slider (i'm assuming, unless it was a sharp curve) and it was nasty.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

Consistent 96-98mph fastball is rated as a 60? What does it take to get to 70 or 80?

 

Movement. Maybe command of it too, I can't remember if that's considered.

who needs movement at 98?

[Guest]

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/154

 

We're very, very happy," said scouting director Tim Wilken. "We're pretty excited at this point. His delivery is pretty darn sound, one of the better in this draft."

 

As far as repertoire goes, Wilken says Cashner has a four-seam fastball with "good ride." Wilken added that Cashner's breaking ball is "as close to a power curve as you'll see in baseball." The fastball, according to Wilken, is 92-98 mph and the curve is 80-85.

[UK1679666180]

Cashner could get to the big leagues this year. On his best days, he has two pitches that grade as 60. The slider is at 88 mph, and it's an out pitch. And he can run his fastball up to 98 mph. There's a question about his command; can he command his pitches? If he can, he can get to the big leagues right away as an impact relief pitcher. - Keith Law

 

Consistent 96-98mph fastball is rated as a 60? What does it take to get to 70 or 80?

 

Movement. Maybe command of it too, I can't remember if that's considered.

who needs movement at 98?

 

Farnsworth

[Guest]

Kevin Goldstein (12:59:40 PM PT): 19. Cubs take Andrew Cashner, TCU

 

This is a total shock, and also the guy the Mariners really wanted @20. I can say that I NEVER heard Cashner attached to Chicago. It will be interesting to see if they try to start him. It's a dangerous thing to do. Yes he has three pitches, but he was a starter his whole life until this year, and he was pretty marginal as one. So it's a risk.

 

 

Bryan Smith (1:00:04 PM PT): The first player drafted that was a JuCo transfer, Cashner was recruited to Texas Christian to replace Jake Arrieta on Friday nights. But once they put him in the bullpen, he replaced Sam Demel as his fastball jumped up to 98 mph. His back-and-forth nature is pretty comparable to Jon Papelbon, actually, though I'm not going to compare his future to that. Like Papelbon, though, I think he might get tried as a starter, but I'm pretty sure he'll end up as a reliever.

 

- Baseball Prospectus

[cubweiser03]

Cashner stats dont support him coming up this year. His command isnt very good. If lou gets pissed at Wuertz for walking two guys, this kid doesnt stand a chance. And its not like the Cubs need BP help even on the backend.

[Jon]

So it is a curve?

[jersey cubs fan]

My question is where were they on money when they failed to sign him after last year's draft? And does signability play a role here?

[CubinNY]

Great googly moggly I don't understand the Cubs. The major leagues are chalk-a-block full with fungible relief pitchers and the Cubs waste their first pick on one. Really? What gives?

[Clem Fandango]

Admittedly, I don't know anything about the draft class, and while I would've preferred to see a position player drafted, after reading about this guy it sounds like he may be a potential SP candidate who can be very good, or a Carlos Marmol like reliever. I can live with that.

[wekse]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8lRB4sDlS7Y

[CubColtPacer]

Cashner stats dont support him coming up this year. His command isnt very good. If lou gets pissed at Wuertz for walking two guys, this kid doesnt stand a chance. And its not like the Cubs need BP help even on the backend.

 

The Cubs could use a BP arm after the year that they trust so they don't go out and sign any relievers to large contracts to fill their holes (Howry, Eyre, Wood, and Lieber are all free agents after this season currently pitching in the bullpen).

 

I still would likely want him to begin as a starter, but if he is ticketed as a reliever, he could definitely fill a need for the major league team very quickly.

 

I agree with you on Lou though. I'm worried about him accepting a reliever that struggles mightily with his control. Thankfully, most of his relievers on the major league level who have had control issues in the past (Marmol and Wood especially) have really toned that down in the bullpen.

Edited June 5, 2008 by CubColtPacer

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Admittedly, I don't know anything about the draft class, and while I would've preferred to see a position player drafted, after reading about this guy it sounds like he may be a potential SP candidate who can be very good, or a Carlos Marmol like reliever. I can live with that.

 

Those predictions are very optimistic and probably a couple years from being realized(both of them).

[brinoch]

I was kind of hoping that the Cubs would draft Josh Fields -- depending on who was available of course -- so I'm intrigued by this pick. I really, really like the idea of a Lidge-type pick to augment the bullpen quickly, and Cashner could be that guy. Among Ascanio, Ceda and Cashner, that could be a real upgrade if there's a problem with Wuertz, Lieber, Howry or whoever.