Where will guys start next season at? (Full Season Rosters)

[Wrigley Rat]

Soto of course played three full seasons at iowa, IIRC. So perhaps they feel that what worked well for Geo is good for Castillo too. Perhaps catching some of the more experienced guys at AAA might be better for him, more breaking balls etc. and simply more experienced and wiser pitchers who can teach him more. His hitting might also benefit from being exposed to all the AAA junkball stuff thrown by a lot of the AAAA pitchers he'll see. And as you say, they may simply figure that AA/AAA are pretty similiar, so why not when it helps Clev.

Agree completely - well said.

I do agree with you, talented young catchers are not abundant. If Castillo could be really productive at AAA, he'd turn into a very useful trade piece. Clevenger, being the LH guy and with no power, he projects more as a backup. So if both were to develop well and become successful major leaguers, trading Castillo for serious value while keeping Clevenger as a career backup would make more sense.

Good point about the lefty/righty thing - the Cubs really seem to want that left-handed backup catcher since they dumped Blanco and really pushed for Hill or Bako.

And perhaps they simply believe that Castillo is advanced enough so that he really can be the #3 catcher, the guy who'll get called up if Soto or Hill get DL'd.

I would hope they wouldn't start Castillo's option clock running just to fill in for an injury, but who knows! If they think he's close enough, they probably would do just that. I think the better option for the #3 catcher would be a Mark Johnson or Chris Robinson type who we could lose at the end of the year when he is de-rostered since his 40-man spot would be needed (see Casey McGehee!).

[Guest]

cal, I also don't pay for Holley's material. How expensive is that, and is it pretty good? I'd also appreciate highlight info from there. (Or feedback on how worthwhile it might be to pay, for a guy on a very tight budget...)

 

It's ok, but on a tight budget, it's probably not worth it (especially with posters here and at other places on the net who have access and are willing to share the highlights). I only have ITI because it's free with the UCLA Scout site which I subscribe to. If it was ITI on its own, I wouldn't subscribe.

[chattbaseball]

Here are two good articles from AZ Phil that show the current roster/lineups (or some form of them) of the Peoria and Daytona teams...

 

http://thecubreporter.com/node/2145

http://thecubreporter.com/node/2146

[Bear Cub]

Phil's report.....Starlin Castro in Daytona and Ryan Flaherty in Peoria.

[TruffleShuffle]

Phil's report.....Starlin Castro in Daytona and Ryan Flaherty in Peoria.

 

wow castro in daytona? seems like too much of a leap.

[Guest]

Phil's report.....Starlin Castro in Daytona and Ryan Flaherty in Peoria.

 

wow castro in daytona? seems like too much of a leap.

 

We'll see if he actually sticks there. There's always one or two guys who end up getting demoted to where you expect them right before the season starts.

 

I can't imagine Castro at Daytona so soon.

 

Of course there's this from AZ Phil:

 

And I do expect both Starlin Castro and Marwin Gonzalez to start the season at Daytona. Player Development Director Oneri Fleita really loves those two guys (and Junior Lake, too, who will probably be the primary utility infielder at Peoria).

 

I'm disappointed that Robert Hernandez is relieving.

 

And what is Jose Pina doing at Peoria again?

[craig]

Some surprising stuff from Phil. Guyer to AA? Castro to A+? Vitters and Flaherty batting near the bottom of the order for Peoria in that Peoria box? Harrison as a left fielder? Other than Guyer and perhaps Castro, no hints of anything to raise our hopes for any of these guys. No pitchers to get very interested in in either of those box scores, either.

 

But it's not uncommon for things to still change some compared to what things look like a few days before camp breaks.

[Keener98]

So is it a pretty safe bet that Vitters will be starting in Peoria?

[TruffleShuffle]

i like castro a lot too, that's why i don't want him jumped to daytona. flaherty is more advanced than castro; if they're sticking with both of them at SS then go with flaherty at daytona, castro at peoria and junior lake at boise. castro has had 51 games in the arizona league, just turned 19 and weighs in around 160. you don't jump a guy like that past two levels.

[Guest]

Some surprising stuff from Phil. Guyer to AA? Castro to A+? Vitters and Flaherty batting near the bottom of the order for Peoria in that Peoria box? Harrison as a left fielder? Other than Guyer and perhaps Castro, no hints of anything to raise our hopes for any of these guys. No pitchers to get very interested in in either of those box scores, either.

 

But it's not uncommon for things to still change some compared to what things look like a few days before camp breaks.

 

I don't think batting order matters much in preseason minor league ball. I mean, they sub guys in and out of the batting order and on the base paths all the time.

[craig]

I don't think batting order matters much in preseason minor league ball. I mean, they sub guys in and out of the batting order and on the base paths all the time.

 

True. But I think to some degree it reflects what the manager will use when the season opens, and how they view the guys they've got. Those views are often based on experience or on short-sighted stuff, I'm sure. But for Daytona, the lineup looked pretty much what you'd expect: Samson leadoff, Castro 9th, Colvin and Rosa 3rd/4th, Rundle near the bottom. For Peoria Harrison leadoff, Bautista 4th, Nelson Perez 5th, those are some power guys.

Interestingly, Lake is 3rd, where typically a top guy would go. Vitters and flaherty 6th and 7th.

 

Minor league camp is pretty short. I'm just thinking that if Flaherty and Vitters had been hitting .400 with power, and Perez and Lake hitting .110 with tons of K's, that probably Flaherty and Vitters would be batting 3rd and 4th. But all of that could get turned around in a weekend, it's really early.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I guess this means Jericho will be at Boise. I was hoping he'd start the year in Peoria.

[falcon]

The Cubs idea of a major league outfielder is 5'6-5'10, speedy,spray hitter with no power. Jericho can easily handle the corner outfield positions with his glove,strong arm, and average-plus speed.The trick is convincing the powers that be, that a 6'5" outfielder (that can hit breaking pitches) with a huge power bat is in the long range plans of the Cubs. He has Hoffpair power but can actually play solid defense in the outfield. He has played leftfield all this week with the Tennessee squad and caught the eye of Ryno & the other coaches. He hit one ball up in the top of one of those Palm trees past the left-center outfield fence the other day.....some of the players are still talking about it.If he starts out in Boise I think he won't be there long as he gets' a chance to finally be "seen".

[Guest]

The Cubs idea of a major league outfielder is 5'6-5'10, speedy,spray hitter with no power. Jericho can easily handle the corner outfield positions with his glove,strong arm, and average-plus speed.The trick is convincing the powers that be, that a 6'5" outfielder (that can hit breaking pitches) with a huge power bat is in the long range plans of the Cubs. He has Hoffpair power but can actually play solid defense in the outfield. He has played leftfield all this week with the Tennessee squad and caught the eye of Ryno & the other coaches. He hit one ball up in the top of one of those Palm trees past the left-center outfield fence the other day.....some of the players are still talking about it.If he starts out in Boise I think he won't be there long as he gets' a chance to finally be "seen".

I can't say that I agree with your perception about what the Cubs look for in an outfielder, but thanks for the info on JJ.

[falcon]

I was exaggerating based on the kind of outfielders the Cubs have drafted in the last few years ( with a few exceptions). At the major league level, they have it right, with two corner outfieders ( Bradley & Soriano)that play adequate defense and can hit for average & power. Jericho Jones ( 6'5" 225 ) is more in the category of Corey Hart with the Brewers ( 6'6" 220 ).A guy that size doesn't necessarily have to play first base when he has the skills athleticism,and power requirements of a corner outfielder.

[Guest]

I was exaggerating based on the kind of outfielders the Cubs have drafted in the last few years ( with a few exceptions). At the major league level, they have it right, with two corner outfieders ( Bradley & Soriano)that play adequate defense and can hit for average & power. Jericho Jones ( 6'5" 225 ) is more in the category of Corey Hart with the Brewers ( 6'6" 220 ).A guy that size doesn't necessarily have to play first base when he has the skills athleticism,and power requirements of a corner outfielder.

True enough.

[craig]

Having the skills, athleticism, arm, and power to be a corner outfielder is one thing. But if you hit like a Harvey, you don't go far. I assume the issue with Jones is whether he has the pitch recognition and the stroke to hit the ball often enough for his power to matter. I hope he does. Most likely he doesn't.

 

I have a friend who is friends with a long-term Orioles scout, who is responsible for scouting the Cubs prospects every spring, and who had some comments about what he saw this spring. He tends to be somewhat enthusiastic, so sometimes guys sound better than they are.

 

But to pass along some tidbits:

1. he said that Coleman has looked good this spring and might possibly even open at Tennessee, certainly no lower than Daytona.

 

2. He said that Castro has added an inch and 15 pounds, and thinks he may be done growing at this point so that he'll probably be able to stay at SS. Scouted his SS defensive tools very favorably, seemed to think he has a chance to become a good big-league SS defensively. Seemed to think he had a pretty good stroke and was reasonably disciplined at the plate.

 

3. He thinks Flaherty might be able to stick at SS, might have the power for 3B, but his guess was that if he had to guess he's a bit more likely to end at 2B than at either SS or 3B, although any of the three are possible. Seemed to think Flaherty's stroke is long and that he'll have K problems, even though his plate discipline is good.

 

4. Very favorable about Clevenger. It probably speaks to the scout's lack of objectivity or brains, but he still seems to think Clev might end up hitting as many as 15-20 HR's. Seemed to think he was a natural in terms of defense, calling pitches, all of that stuff. Said Castillo has improved and can make some really great stops, but is inconsistent and can let some easy ones sail by. Thinks his swing is kind of long and that it's iffy whether he'll end up with a starter's bat or a backup's bat.

 

5. Very enthusiastic about Guyer. Said he has looked great this spring, excellent plate discipline, uses all fields and showing some HR power, said he plays mostly center but has the arm to play right.

 

6. Very positive stuff on Gaub, said his breaking pitch has been more consistent then before, death on lefties, but also has a cutter that works against righties so might be more than a Loogie. Says he typically works at 91-92, but his velocity is inconsistent and he has often hit 95 this spring.

[Wrigley Rat]

Having the skills, athleticism, arm, and power to be a corner outfielder is one thing. But if you hit like a Harvey, you don't go far. I assume the issue with Jones is whether he has the pitch recognition and the stroke to hit the ball often enough for his power to matter. I hope he does. Most likely he doesn't.

 

I have a friend who is friends with a long-term Orioles scout, who is responsible for scouting the Cubs prospects every spring, and who had some comments about what he saw this spring. He tends to be somewhat enthusiastic, so sometimes guys sound better than they are.

 

But to pass along some tidbits:

1. he said that Coleman has looked good this spring and might possibly even open at Tennessee, certainly no lower than Daytona.

 

2. He said that Castro has added an inch and 15 pounds, and thinks he may be done growing at this point so that he'll probably be able to stay at SS. Scouted his SS defensive tools very favorably, seemed to think he has a chance to become a good big-league SS defensively. Seemed to think he had a pretty good stroke and was reasonably disciplined at the plate.

 

3. He thinks Flaherty might be able to stick at SS, might have the power for 3B, but his guess was that if he had to guess he's a bit more likely to end at 2B than at either SS or 3B, although any of the three are possible. Seemed to think Flaherty's stroke is long and that he'll have K problems, even though his plate discipline is good.

 

4. Very favorable about Clevenger. It probably speaks to the scout's lack of objectivity or brains, but he still seems to think Clev might end up hitting as many as 15-20 HR's. Seemed to think he was a natural in terms of defense, calling pitches, all of that stuff. Said Castillo has improved and can make some really great stops, but is inconsistent and can let some easy ones sail by. Thinks his swing is kind of long and that it's iffy whether he'll end up with a starter's bat or a backup's bat.

 

5. Very enthusiastic about Guyer. Said he has looked great this spring, excellent plate discipline, uses all fields and showing some HR power, said he plays mostly center but has the arm to play right.

 

6. Very positive stuff on Gaub, said his breaking pitch has been more consistent then before, death on lefties, but also has a cutter that works against righties so might be more than a Loogie. Says he typically works at 91-92, but his velocity is inconsistent and he has often hit 95 this spring.

Thanks Craig - whether his comments are too positive or not, it's nice to hear some actual scouting reports on our players. One can't get by in life strictly on statistics and Arizona Phil alone!

[Keener98]

Shouldnt minor league rosters be announced by now?

[Guest]

Shouldnt minor league rosters be announced by now?

 

Generally, they're announced around opening day of the major league season. The minor league season normally starts on Thursday (which is the case this season).

[chattbaseball]

Peoria's roster is updated on their site at http://www.peoriachiefs.com.

[Guest]

Peoria's roster is out:

 

PEORIA: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090405&content_id=550811&vkey=pr_t443&fext=.jsp&sid=t443

 

P

 

RHP Chris Archer

LHP Jeff Belliveau

LHP Ryan Buchter

RHP Alberto Cabrera

RHP Chris Carpenter

RHP Erik Hamren

RHP Marcus Hatley

RHP Chris Huseby

RHP Kevin Kreier

RHP Mike Perconte

RHP Jose Pina

RHP Aaron Shafer

RHP Josh Whitlock

 

C

 

Luis Flores

Mario Mercedes

 

IF

 

Ryan Flaherty

Josh Harrison

Junior Lake

Rebel Ridling

Josh Vitters

 

OF

 

Cliff Andersen

Kyler Burke

Tony Campana

David Macias

Nelson Perez

 

PJ-Star highlights the returning Chiefs: http://www.pjstar.com/sports_chiefs/x549594895/Cubs-send-several-back-to-play-in-Peoria

[Guest]

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has the Smokies' roster:

 

http://media.knoxnews.com/kns/content/img/photos/2009/04/05/smokies_t600.JPG

 

SP:

 

RHP Hung-Wen Chen

RHP Casey Coleman

RHP Jay Jackson

LHP Casey Lambert (!)

LHP James Russell

 

RP:

 

LHP John Gaub

RHP Alex Maestri

LHP Jeremy Papelbon

RHP Blake Parker

RHP Vince Perkins

LHP Jayson Ruhlman

RHP Brian Schlitter

 

C:

 

Welington Castillo

Steve Clevenger

 

IF:

 

Darwin Barney

Matt Camp

Blake Lalli

Jonathan Mota

Kyle Reynolds

Tony Thomas

 

OF:

 

James Adduci

Brandon Guyer

Richie Robnett

Ty Wright

 

"Coleman and Jackson are pitchers straight out of the draft last year," Fleita said. "We're trying to make Lambert a starting pitcher. Gives him more innings and a chance to command his fastball. Down the road, if it doesn't work, we can always make him a reliever.

 

"But we are trying to put our better arms in the rotation and see if we can't come up with some starting pitching," Fleita said.

 

...

 

"Obviously, I didn't know John Gaub," Fleita said. "Oh, he has a great arm and we don't have a lot of left-handed relievers in the system. He is so mature and way ahead of his years (23).

[Guest]

A lot of rambling thoughts here:

 

From this, it seems obvious that Marwin Gonzalez and Starlin Castro did skip over Peoria to Daytona. Good to see Guyer make it to Tennessee if he deserved to skip past Daytona. Also nice to see Coleman and Jackson start the year at Tennessee and Daytona. In the end, Welington Castillo didn't make it to Iowa which I am glad about since he's still pretty raw from all accounts. One guy MIA from Tennessee that surprised me was Marcos Mateo. Also, surprised to not see Carlos Perez catching with Peoria. I hope Junior Lake gets a lot of starts and isn't a utility guy. He'd be better off at extended/Boise if he was going to back up Flaherty and Harrison.

 

If I were to guess Peoria's rotation, I'd say Archer/Belliveau/Carpenter/Huseby/Shafer. Would love to see a guy like Cabrera or Hatley surprise and make the rotation. Disappointed to not see Cedric Redmond or Ryan Searle at full season. Great to see Huseby is alive, he must have found the strike zone again this spring. This is the first time in a few years we haven't seen a surprise young guy start the year in Peoria's rotation (in year's past, we've seen Gallagher, Ceda, Dolis and Rhee - I was hoping a guy like Suarez or Jung or an Aussie pitcher).

[Keener98]

Sweet Vitters in Peoria! I know it was expected, but Im just glad hes there, because that means I can go see him whenever I want. Anybody else on Peoria roster I should be looking at while there?