Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-21-2008

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm guessing we might see Soriano tonight since he didn't play the whole game for Mesa.

 

Is it really a good idea? Remember what happened last time he was rushed back. Didnt start off so well. Too bad were not playing the Giants or the Badres. If we were, that could have been considered his rehab assignment.

[E.J.]

I'm guessing we might see Soriano tonight since he didn't play the whole game for Mesa.

 

Is it really a good idea? Remember what happened last time he was rushed back. Didnt start off so well. Too bad were not playing the Giants or the Badres. If we were, that could have been considered his rehab assignment.

 

It's not a good idea at all, but I'm guessing it happens anyway.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm guessing we might see Soriano tonight since he didn't play the whole game for Mesa.

 

Is it really a good idea? Remember what happened last time he was rushed back. Didnt start off so well. Too bad were not playing the Giants or the Badres. If we were, that could have been considered his rehab assignment.

 

It's not a good idea at all, but I'm guessing it happens anyway.

 

Its kind of like staying out until 3 when you have to work at 7. You know its going to lead to no good, but your going to enjoy it anyway.

[CubColtPacer]

I'm guessing we might see Soriano tonight since he didn't play the whole game for Mesa.

 

Is it really a good idea? Remember what happened last time he was rushed back. Didnt start off so well. Too bad were not playing the Giants or the Badres. If we were, that could have been considered his rehab assignment.

 

It depends on how he felt today.

 

And with the Cubs having 2 of their next 3 games against left-handers, as long as Soriano can field his position (and every indication says that there should be no problem with that) he likely won't be a downgrade to whoever else the Cubs would throw out in that spot.

 

I don't think the Cubs should have real high expectations for him the next 3 days, but I don't mind if they throw him out there in the majors instead of the minors. As long as there isn't a high chance of having a setback (which isn't common with this type of injury, and it doesn't sound likely in this case) then Soriano working on his timing at the plate is more upside with little downside for the major league team.

[Guest]

I'm not a fan of this decision if true.

[Guest]

Rotoworld's top 150 midseason prospect list: http://rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&articleid=30730&pg=1

 

Lots of LOL-worthy stuff in there (although my top 5 is exactly the same as theirs): Andrus at 7? The comments on Porcello being a #2 (despite saving his out pitch while making his pro debut at age 19 in the FSL). Jesus Montero not in the top 100.

 

Cubs on the list: Josh Vitters at 44, Jose Ceda at 85, Donald Veal at 96 and Tyler Colvin at 141.

[Guest]

Kudos to Boise's Drew Rundle and Bubba O'Donnell:

 

MiLB.com[/url]"]Northwest League Hitter of the Week

 

Andrew Rundle, Boise

.526 (10-19), 9 R, 2 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 6 SO, 2 SB, 1.263 SLG

Everybody's losing their hitting streaks and Rundle is no exception. He had his seven-game streak snapped, but had arguably the most complete week of any Player of the Week recording two doubles, three triples and two homers. He upped his OPS to 1.176 on the season and has scored 14 runs through 15 games in the NWL.

 

MiLB.com[/url]"]Northwest League Pitcher of the Week

 

Bubba O'Donnell, Boise

2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO

O'Donnell is the second reliever to be named his league's Pitcher of the Week. After a rocky start to the season, which has led to his still-lofty 6.05 ERA, the 6-foot-2 right-hander has recorded wins in his last four outings. He scattered two hits and struck out four in 4 1/3 scoreless innings innings last week.

[Guest]

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/07/21/soriano-plays-peoria

 

AZ Phil on Soriano.

 

Here is the pitch-by-pitch log of Soriano's three at-bats this morning in Peoria.

 

(All three ABs were against AZL Padres RHP Junior Veras).

 

1ST AB (leading off 1st inning):

PITCH 1: Ball one (fastball up & in, chin music)

PITCH 2: Ball two (fastball up)

PITCH 3: Strike one (called, right down the middle of the plate)

PITCH 4: Strike two (fouled straight back)

PITCH 5: Ball in play (lazy fly ball caught by right-fielder in front of warning track in straight-away RF)

 

OUTCOME: F-9

 

2ND AB (leading off 3rd inning):

PITCH 1: Strike one (right down the middle of the plate)

PITCH 2; Strike two (fouled straight back)

PITCH 3: Foul (line drive hooked into LF bullpen)

PITCH 4: Ball one (outside)

PITCH 5: Foul (fouled straight back)

PITCH 6: Foul (line drive hooked into LF bullpen)

PITCH 7: Strike three (swing & miss, breaking ball in dirt)

 

OUTCOME: Strike out (swinging)

 

3RD AB (leading off 5th inning):

PITCH 1: Strike one (pop foul over 1st base dugout)

PITCH 2: Strike two (swing & miss, breaking ball in dirt)

PITCH 3: Ball one (high fastbal)

PITCH 4: Ball two (breaking ball outside)

PITCH 5: Ball three (fastball up)

PITCH 6: Ball four (fastball outside)

 

OUTCOME: Walked, and then scored on a two-run HR by the next batter, Starlin Castro.

 

Generally, Soriano looked somewhat rusty and his timing was a bit off, but at least he did get to face some "live" pitching in a game action setting.

 

Hmm, apparently Nelson Perez - like Felix Pie - is a protege of Soriano's.

[Cubbies622]

44. Josh Vitters - 3B Cubs - DOB: 08/27/89 - ETA: 2012

Previous rankings: 2008 #43

 

 

Are they serious? Will it really take that long for Vitters to develop?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

44. Josh Vitters - 3B Cubs - DOB: 08/27/89 - ETA: 2012

Previous rankings: 2008 #43

 

 

Are they serious? Will it really take that long for Vitters to develop?

 

It's not out of the question at all.

 

2009: A-/A+

2010: A+/AA

2011: AA/AAA

2012: AAA/MLB

[Guest]

44. Josh Vitters - 3B Cubs - DOB: 08/27/89 - ETA: 2012

Previous rankings: 2008 #43

 

 

Are they serious? Will it really take that long for Vitters to develop?

 

If he goes one year at each level, yes.

 

2009 at Peoria

2010 at Daytona

2011 at Tennessee

2012 at Iowa/MLB

[Guest]

Yes, my favorite cubs farm arm is going today! go Billy!

 

4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K so far.

[Vinestal]

CaliforniaRaisin: can you ask over at TCR if Arizona Phil spotted a gun reading on any of Shafer's fastballs? Im not registered over there and really dont want to hassle with it.

[Guest]

CaliforniaRaisin: can you ask over at TCR if Arizona Phil spotted a gun reading on any of Shafer's fastballs? Im not registered over there and really dont want to hassle with it.

Will do once he answers my original question.

 

And Muldowney just give up a grand slam in the 5th. :|

[THE RIOT]

Yes, my favorite cubs farm arm is going today! go Billy!

 

4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K so far.

 

 

I dont know a lot about his stuff but hes been impressive since drafted. An 8th rounder out of Pitt who knows how far Muldowney can go. I dont know how much of a prospect he is but he is impressing me

[Rob]

Vitters out of the lineup again tonight. Something must be up.

[Guest]

Vitters out of the lineup again tonight. Something must be up.

 

Rolled his ankle a few days ago, he's day-to-day.

[dlocks]

Vitters out of the lineup again tonight. Something must be up.

 

Rolled his ankle a few days ago, he's day-to-day.

 

likely back tomorrow the braodcaster for boise said. They're being extremely cautious. They said he very easily could have played tonight, and is avaiable to pinch hit.

[davell]

Has there been any word on Flaherty at all?

[dlocks]

Has there been any word on Flaherty at all?

 

 

apparently a hand injury... Haven't heard much more than that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

CaliforniaRaisin: can you ask over at TCR if Arizona Phil spotted a gun reading on any of Shafer's fastballs? Im not registered over there and really dont want to hassle with it.

Will do once he answers my original question.

 

And Muldowney just give up a grand slam in the 5th. :|

 

Do we have any confirmation that AZ Phil can be trusted with that information? :wink:

[Guest]

Rundle keeps it going.

[jersey cubs fan]

44. Josh Vitters - 3B Cubs - DOB: 08/27/89 - ETA: 2012

Previous rankings: 2008 #43

 

 

Are they serious? Will it really take that long for Vitters to develop?

 

If he goes one year at each level, yes.

 

2009 at Peoria

2010 at Daytona

2011 at Tennessee

2012 at Iowa/MLB

 

Are ETAs literally when they expect a guy to make his first big league appearance, or are they when they expect a guy to stick? Like you guys noted, 2012 isn't all that conservative for Vitters, especially if you are talking about when you expect him to stick. When will be his first/most likely option year? Is it 4 years after being drafted for a high school guy before they have to be added to the 40-man?

[Guest]

44. Josh Vitters - 3B Cubs - DOB: 08/27/89 - ETA: 2012

Previous rankings: 2008 #43

 

 

Are they serious? Will it really take that long for Vitters to develop?

 

If he goes one year at each level, yes.

 

2009 at Peoria

2010 at Daytona

2011 at Tennessee

2012 at Iowa/MLB

 

Are ETAs literally when they expect a guy to make his first big league appearance, or are they when they expect a guy to stick? Like you guys noted, 2012 isn't all that conservative for Vitters, especially if you are talking about when you expect him to stick. When will be his first/most likely option year? Is it 4 years after being drafted for a high school guy before they have to be added to the 40-man?

 

I always use ETAs as the time they are expected to stick...far more valuable than when they first crack the big leagues. I don't know that others use it the same way.

 

It's 5 years after the draft for HS kids now. That would make it the offseason before his 2012 season (he was drafted in 2007).

[Jon]

I always assumed an ETA was when the player had a reasonable shot to stick on a 25-man roster. That would exclude September call-ups or short-term injury replacements.