Catcher from Independent League purchased by Cubs

[Wrigley Rat]

DURHAM, NC - The Lincoln Saltdogs have sold the contract of C Shawn McGill to the Chicago Cubs as announced by the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball today. He will report to the Cubs' spring training facilities in Mesa, Arizona later this month.

 

McGill batted .299 with nine home runs, 43 RBI and 82 hits for the Saltdogs in 2008. The resident of Wakefield, RI finished tied for fourth in the American Association in triples (6) and fifth in on-base percentage (.424). McGill was a Player of the Week recipient for the week of July 14-20.

 

The 24-year-old was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2006 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in 2006 with Batavia of the NY-Penn League and 2007 with the Phillies GCL.

 

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3773109

 

He hasn't played above short season ball, and is already 24. He could get a look at the Daytona backup catcher spot. If he is not released after spring training, he could be considered for catching spots at Peoria and Boise as well. (My speculation)

[Wrigley Rat]

Quote from Boston College after McGill was drafted in 2006.

The Eagles lost a valuable asset behind the plate in Shawn McGill.

Mcgill hit .322 in 54 games last season for the Eagles, and was an es-

pecially strong defensive catcher. The battle for the backstop is going

to be tough competition between junior Jett Ruiz and freshman Tony

Sanchez.

“Losing Shawn is a big loss,” the coach says. “Shawn was the type of

player who could always be counted on. From a leadership standpoint,

he was everything that you would want on and off the field. He was an

outstanding defensive player who came up with some huge hits for us

last year and had a terrific season.”

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:PG9ZO3lTCOIJ:grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/bc/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/MediaGuide.pdf+%22Shawn+McGill%22+Phillies&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=42&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Surprising we'd be signing catchers with how many decent options we have throughout the different levels.

 

Iowa: Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo

Tenn: Chris Robinson, Mark Reed/Steve Clevenger

Daytona: Reed/Clevenger, Luis Flores, Luis Bautista?

Peoria: Mario Mercedes, Mike Brenly

Boise: Matt Cerda, 2009 draftees

 

Obviously it's not a collection of future Sotos, but for most of them you could say without sarcasm that they have at least a small chance of carving out a MLB future as a backup.

[Guest]

Surprising we'd be signing catchers with how many decent options we have throughout the different levels.

 

Iowa: Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo

Tenn: Chris Robinson, Mark Reed/Steve Clevenger

Daytona: Reed/Clevenger, Luis Flores, Luis Bautista?

Peoria: Mario Mercedes, Mike Brenly

Boise: Matt Cerda, 2009 draftees

 

Obviously it's not a collection of future Sotos, but for most of them you could say without sarcasm that they have at least a small chance of carving out a MLB future as a backup.

 

Carlos Perez at Peoria.

[Guest]

Surprising we'd be signing catchers with how many decent options we have throughout the different levels.

 

Iowa: Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo

Tenn: Chris Robinson, Mark Reed/Steve Clevenger

Daytona: Reed/Clevenger, Luis Flores, Luis Bautista?

Peoria: Mario Mercedes, Mike Brenly

Boise: Matt Cerda, 2009 draftees

 

Obviously it's not a collection of future Sotos, but for most of them you could say without sarcasm that they have at least a small chance of carving out a MLB future as a backup.

My guess is that he's been signed as an extra mitt during spring training. He'd have to have an exceptional spring to stick.

 

Either that or one of the expected catchers is injured/moving to a diff position.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Surprising we'd be signing catchers with how many decent options we have throughout the different levels.

 

Iowa: Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo

Tenn: Chris Robinson, Mark Reed/Steve Clevenger

Daytona: Reed/Clevenger, Luis Flores, Luis Bautista?

Peoria: Mario Mercedes, Mike Brenly

Boise: Matt Cerda, 2009 draftees

 

Obviously it's not a collection of future Sotos, but for most of them you could say without sarcasm that they have at least a small chance of carving out a MLB future as a backup.

 

Carlos Perez at Peoria.

 

Good, Peoria seemed to be the weakest anyway.

 

I read in more than one place since I made that post that he's likely to be ST help, and that seems to make the most sense.

[Wrigley Rat]

IIRC Koyie Hill is out of options. Everyone, including me, have been expecting him to share catching duties with Welington Castillo at Iowa, but I'm starting to think that now that we have signed Paul Bako to be the Chicago backup, Koyie Hill is a goner!?

 

Can anyone confirm or deny that for me? Also, was Tony Richie a minor league free agent?

[videographer]

Tony Ritchie is listed on the Iowa roster at the Cubs website. I cannot see Luis Bautista as the #2 catcher at Daytona. I think his primary position is 1B and will "fill-in" as needed at catcher. McGill looks to have a future as a swing catcher between Peoria and Daytona. I will guess that at least one of the Hill/Robinson/Reed/Mercedes/Ritchie group will be released by the end of spring training.

[Ben32]

I would have to agree with Tim that they signed this guy for an extra mitt not to do any filling in. He will have to have an unbelievable Spring in order to stick around as a backup somewhere. And Wrigley Rat you might be right about Koyie Hill I believe he is out of options and I believe they will let him go sometime this Spring.

 

This is my thoughts of the Catching situation:

 

Iowa:Castillo or Clevenger/Robinson or Richie(who ever doesn't get released)/Chirinos(Also plays infield)

Tennesse: Castillo or Clevenger/Reed/Lalli(will also DH,and play 1B)

Daytona:Luis Flores/Mario Mercedes/Luis Bautista(Will play alot of 1B)

Peoria:Brenly or Carlos Perez(They will split time at first)/New Guy?(Maybe)

 

I think that Castillo and Clevenger will both battle for the Starting AAA and AA Spot whoever ends up AAA the other will be the starter in AA. Usually teams only carry two catchers in AAA and AA but the guys I have listed also play other positions so that allows teams to carry maybe an extra pitcher or two which the manager might consider. I think that Chirinos will skip AA because of his age but I could be mistaken. Reed will be a backup where ever he goes probaly AA. Lalli will be in AA his bat is to advanced to go back a level but he will mainly play 1B and DH and catch when the starter needs a break. Remeber these are my thought not saying that they are right.

[Wrigley Rat]

Welcome to the forum Ben!

[Wrigley Rat]

"McGill has gotten a chance to play in affiliated ball, but 2008 was his first chance to get consistent at-bats. A 23rd-round pick of the Phillies in 2006 out of Boston College, McGill spent his two years in affiliated ball buried on the bench. He was released after playing in just 27 games. Given a first chance in pro ball to play regularly, McGill responded by hitting .299/.424/.454 with six triples, nine home runs and 15 steals in 16 attempts. Although he’s a catcher, speed is actually one of McGill’s better tools. He runs a 6.8 second 60-yard dash and showed a knack for reading pitchers and getting good jumps."

- Baseball America Transactions

 

I think he's more than roster filler/spring training help. I think he has a good chance of playing for Peoria or Daytona.

[wvcbxl]

"McGill has gotten a chance to play in affiliated ball, but 2008 was his first chance to get consistent at-bats. A 23rd-round pick of the Phillies in 2006 out of Boston College, McGill spent his two years in affiliated ball buried on the bench. He was released after playing in just 27 games. Given a first chance in pro ball to play regularly, McGill responded by hitting .299/.424/.454 with six triples, nine home runs and 15 steals in 16 attempts. Although he’s a catcher, speed is actually one of McGill’s better tools. He runs a 6.8 second 60-yard dash and showed a knack for reading pitchers and getting good jumps."

- Baseball America Transactions

 

I think he's more than roster filler/spring training help. I think he has a good chance of playing for Peoria or Daytona.

 

That guy sounds like a gamble worth taking - a useful catcher is welcome in just about any organization, I guess.

But let's not get our hopes up.

[karenmac]

I cannot see Luis Bautista as the #2 catcher at Daytona. I think his primary position is 1B and will "fill-in" as needed at catcher.

 

Totally agree. After watching him in Peoria a good chunk of last year, I was honestly surprised that Bautista was even listed as a C any longer. He didn't have much, if any, agility behind the plate, and was primarily used in that role when he was helping warm guys up in the bullpen (he DHed a decent amount). He was serviceable at 1B, but can't see him even getting game time behind the plate at Daytona or above.

[Wrigley Rat]

I cannot see Luis Bautista as the #2 catcher at Daytona. I think his primary position is 1B and will "fill-in" as needed at catcher.

 

Totally agree. After watching him in Peoria a good chunk of last year, I was honestly surprised that Bautista was even listed as a C any longer. He didn't have much, if any, agility behind the plate, and was primarily used in that role when he was helping warm guys up in the bullpen (he DHed a decent amount). He was serviceable at 1B, but can't see him even getting game time behind the plate at Daytona or above.

That's interesting to hear, because I had him penciled in as a backup catcher - I guess he'll have to be moved to 1B. It's too bad he can't backup at 3B, and he didn't seem to get much of a chance at the corner infield spots. I really like his bat, but he's getting old to be much of a prospect if he doesn't have a position.

 

We now seem to have a glut of decent (but not great) 1B prospects throughout the minors. Several of them play the corner outfield spots or catcher, but seem to project as 1B'men. A guy like Blake Lalli catches my attention even though he is old - he has solid defensive numbers behind the plate and hits extremely well, yet hasn't gotten much of a chance yet.

 

What happens to Sean Hoorelbeke? He seems to be the most fringy of the lower level 1B'men due to his age and low draft status. Ryan Keedy and Rebel Ridling seem to be slightly better prospects. Does Bryan Jost get another chance?

[videographer]

What happens to Sean Hoorelbeke? He seems to be the most fringy of the lower level 1B'men due to his age and low draft status. Ryan Keedy and Rebel Ridling seem to be slightly better prospects. Does Bryan Jost get another chance?

 

In the spirit and celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, I predict the fittest 1B will survive. The player who has the most potential married with production will separate from the pack and progress to the prospect level of trade bait and/or 4A status. If one of these players had the talent to bump Derrick Lee at contract renewal time, I think we would have heard Oneri Fleita pontificate the skill set of said prospect. Micah Hoffpauir is still king of the mid-round draft prospects at 1B.

 

On a side note, I watched Rebel Ridling flail at fastballs and breaking balls in low A last summer. He didn't look like future trade bait. My hopes are with Ryan Keedy.

[Wrigley Rat]

What happens to Sean Hoorelbeke? He seems to be the most fringy of the lower level 1B'men due to his age and low draft status. Ryan Keedy and Rebel Ridling seem to be slightly better prospects. Does Bryan Jost get another chance?

 

In the spirit and celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, I predict the fittest 1B will survive. The player who has the most potential married with production will separate from the pack and progress to the prospect level of trade bait and/or 4A status. If one of these players had the talent to bump Derrick Lee at contract renewal time, I think we would have heard Oneri Fleita pontificate the skill set of said prospect. Micah Hoffpauir is still king of the mid-round draft prospects at 1B.

 

On a side note, I watched Rebel Ridling flail at fastballs and breaking balls in low A last summer. He didn't look like future trade bait. My hopes are with Ryan Keedy.

Nice :)