Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-12-2008

[Guest]

The AZL Cubs are taking forever in the bottom of the 4th, I'm guessing they've scored a few runs and if it's a long half inning, that might be enough for Rich.

 

ETA: By AZL rules, he can't throw more than 5 innings, Jon.

[Guest]

Matt Cerda is now 2 for 2 with a walk and 3 runs scored. Good gosh.

 

Only 20 AB but .409/.533/.545/1/078, 7 BB, 2 K as an 18-year old.

 

Mesa up 5-0, let's see if Hill will pitch the top of the 5th.

[Keener98]

The AZL Cubs are taking forever in the bottom of the 4th, I'm guessing they've scored a few runs and if it's a long half inning, that might be enough for Rich.

 

ETA: By AZL rules, he can't throw more than 5 innings, Jon.

 

Really, what is this rule for? Protect young guys?

[Guest]

5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 8 GO-0 FO. That should be it for him.

 

Raddy Sierra walks.

Kevin Ramos singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Soto. Raddy Sierra to 3rd.

With Adam Younger batting, Kevin Ramos caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alvaro Sosa to second baseman Starlin Castro.

Adam Younger strikes out swinging.

Ikko Sumi grounds out, shortstop Junior Lake to first baseman Sean Hoorelbeke.

[Guest]

The AZL Cubs are taking forever in the bottom of the 4th, I'm guessing they've scored a few runs and if it's a long half inning, that might be enough for Rich.

 

ETA: By AZL rules, he can't throw more than 5 innings, Jon.

 

Really, what is this rule for? Protect young guys?

 

I think it's to protect young rookie ballers from being dominated by upper level minor leaguers or rehabbing big leaguers. If they wanted their 18 year old kids to face a rehabbing big leaguer for 8 innings, why not call the kid up to the big leagues?

 

ETA: I'm not sure how the intricacies of the rule work, but I think it applies to all pitchers in the rookie leagues.

[Jon]

Time for him to move up.

[Keener98]

The AZL Cubs are taking forever in the bottom of the 4th, I'm guessing they've scored a few runs and if it's a long half inning, that might be enough for Rich.

 

ETA: By AZL rules, he can't throw more than 5 innings, Jon.

 

Really, what is this rule for? Protect young guys?

 

I think it's to protect young rookie ballers from being dominated by upper level minor leaguers or rehabbing big leaguers. If they wanted their 18 year old kids to face a rehabbing big leaguer for 8 innings, why not call the kid up to the big leagues?

 

Makes sense and Im for any rule that tries protecting the young arms at Mesa

[Guest]

That is Hill's final line. Ryan Acosta now in for Mesa.

[TruffleShuffle]

abuck should start freeing his schedule up for later this week.... iowa's at home against nashville, and you'd think they'd have hill start on friday or saturday.

[rawaction]

Wow, only 1 ball left the ground. Very impressive.

[Guest]

AZ Phil was at the game and it sounds like Rich Hill was as good as the box score indicates:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Starting for the AZL Cubs versus he AZL Angels at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning, Rich Hill worked five shutout innings (68 pitches, 47 strikes, 8/0 GO/FO), allowing three hits (all three singles) and a walk, with five strikeouts. He really had his roundhouse curve and efficient two-seamer working today, as he went to a three ball count on only two of the 17 Angels hitters he faced.

 

Hill was supposed to start yesterday's game versus the AZL Rangers, but the game was canceled due to wet grounds (a severe monsoon storm hit the Phoenix area Thursday night and Fitch Park was still flooded Friday morning).

 

If he doesn't get promoted to Iowa this coming week, his next AZL start should be Thursday in Peoria (Arizona) versus the AZL Padres. If he does stay in Arizona for one more start, it's possible that Hill will rejoin the Iowa Cubs when the I-Cubs play at Tucson the week of July 21st (the same week the Cubs play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix).

 

Coupled with his previous outing last Sunday when he worked four innings of one hit ball with six K, Hill has now gone 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB and 11 K over his last two outings since modifying his delivery under the auspices of Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins and AZL Cubs Pitching Coach Rick Tronerud.

 

Hill almost certainly could have gone longer today, but there is a limit of five innings or 75 pitches (whichever comes first) for AZL pitchers, including rehabbers.

[rawaction]

AZ Phil was at the game and it sounds like Rich Hill was as good as the box score indicates:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Starting for the AZL Cubs versus he AZL Angels at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning, Rich Hill worked five shutout innings (68 pitches, 47 strikes, 8/0 GO/FO), allowing three hits (all three singles) and a walk, with five strikeouts. He really had his roundhouse curve and efficient two-seamer working today, as he went to a three ball count on only two of the 17 Angels hitters he faced.

 

Hill was supposed to start yesterday's game versus the AZL Rangers, but the game was canceled due to wet grounds (a severe monsoon storm hit the Phoenix area Thursday night and Fitch Park was still flooded Friday morning).

 

If he doesn't get promoted to Iowa this coming week, his next AZL start should be Thursday in Peoria (Arizona) versus the AZL Padres. If he does stay in Arizona for one more start, it's possible that Hill will rejoin the Iowa Cubs when the I-Cubs play at Tucson the week of July 21st (the same week the Cubs play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix).

 

Coupled with his previous outing last Sunday when he worked four innings of one hit ball with six K, Hill has now gone 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB and 11 K over his last two outings since modifying his delivery under the auspices of Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins and AZL Cubs Pitching Coach Rick Tronerud.

 

Hill almost certainly could have gone longer today, but there is a limit of five innings or 75 pitches (whichever comes first) for AZL pitchers, including rehabbers.

 

I wouldn't imagine the travel issue would come into play, but Hill wouldn't have to leave the state of Arizona if he stayed in Mesa 1 more start. I'd rather him go to Iowa now. At this point, it's time to see what he does vs. more experienced hitters and once that pitch count goes over 75. I was wrong that it might take til September to get Rich back in the majors. He's turned it around right away, which I did not count on. The only issues now are repeating his performances in Iowa and how he gets back into the rotation if he does.

[NCCubFan]

I was wrong that it might take til September to get Rich back in the majors.

Not a bad type of wrong to be. :D

[C.C.]

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

 

Way to go Rich!

[Guest]

AZ Phil had some interesting answers to questions in the comments section:

 

• Rafael Dolis (rehabbing TJS) was supposed to start an AZL game a few weeks ago but was shut down due to a shoulder flare up. He's hard thrower with a high ceiling; these setbacks have been disappointing.
  
• Angel Guzman remains ready to move up but has been kept out of official rehab assignmets to protect his option year for next season. He'd be ready to go on July 14 (Monday) and still keep his final option year available.
  
• Aaron Shafer has reported to Fitch; Phil hasn't seen Cashner yet.
  
• Chris Carpenter had an ankle injury which is why he AZL debut was delayed.
  
• Tarlandus Mitchell had an ankle injury but is close to being cleared to pitch in the AZL.
  
• Kitt Kopach should be ready to pitch in the AZL next month (another hard thrower who has missed time due to surgery).

[Guest]

Tenn - Donnie Veal followed up his strong outing last time out (9 K in 5.1 w/ 1 ER) with a horrid outing: 3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HBP. Tyler Colvin is 0 for 2 with a K.

 

Daytona - Marco Carrillo: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR. Marquez Smith is 2 for 4 with a double and triple.

 

Peoria - Julio Castillo: 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 9 GO-2 FO.

[Outshined_One]

Good to see Neifi and Jacque are doing so well in the AZL!

[rawaction]

Tenn - Donnie Veal followed up his strong outing last time out (9 K in 5.1 w/ 1 ER) with a horrid outing: 3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HBP.

 

Not as bad as Mark Holliman who followed with 5 ERs on 8 hits in 2 innings. Smokies down 10-0 after 5.

[rawaction]

Lix hits one into the RF corner for a 2-out, 2-run triple! He also hit a ball hard to deep RF in the 1st.

 

Pie is now 15 for his last 36, with 2 doubles, 2 triples, a HR, 2 BBs and 4 Ks. .417/.447/.667 in his last 8+ games.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

This is great news...maybe HIll can save us from the brtual Jason Marquis or Teddy Lilly.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Will Pie have to wait until September due to Edmonds hitting, or is there any chance he sees Chicago before then?

[Guest]

Josh Vitters is 0 for 2 thus far. Struck out looking in the first, flew out to right field in the third.

[Guest]

Now Vitters is 0 for 3 thanks to a pop out.

[Guest]

Josh Vitters with a line single the other way..."showed good bat speed and went the other way." He's now 1 for 4.

[Guest]

Vitters ends up going 1 for 5 as he strikes out on a nasty slider (on a 2-2 count). Boise loses 10-6.