2009 Cubs Releases

[CaliforniaRaisin]

RHP Ryan Acosta :shock:

[Guest]

didn't see that one coming.

[Rob]

Whoa

[Outshined_One]

Wow, I actually thought he had a chance to be a decent back end of the rotation guy. I wonder what happened?

[videographer]

According the BA, the Cubs gave Acosta (12th round pick in 2007) a $225,000 signing bonus. I know he had arm issues last season, but to give up on a teenager after a 1 1/2 years leads to harsh speculation. With his backstory (dad Oscar, a former Cubs pitching coach, was killed in an auto accident shortly before Ryan was drafted) some news should be posted to explain his release.

[Guest]

According the BA, the Cubs gave Acosta (12th round pick in 2007) a $225,000 signing bonus. I know he had arm issues last season, but to give up on a teenager after a 1 1/2 years leads to harsh speculation. With his backstory (dad Oscar, a former Cubs pitching coach, was killed in an auto accident shortly before Ryan was drafted) some news should be posted to explain his release.

 

His arm issues revolved around him having to leave the Cubs midseason to go help his mom (who was injured in some sort of accident) and then rushing back once he returned to Mesa. It didn't sound severe enough to even need offseason arm surgery. He showed potential in Boise two seasons ago and early last season in Peoria. This is quite the surprise and disappointment.

[Wrigley Rat]

Tony Richie - per BA

[ChiefsVoice]

Looks like Ryan Acosta signed with the Royals so maybe we will see him with Burlington against the Chiefs in 2009.

[Guest]

Looks like Ryan Acosta signed with the Royals so maybe we will see him with Burlington against the Chiefs in 2009.

 

That was quick. :|

[Guest]

Falcon mentioned in another thread that the Cubs cut 7 minor leaguers yesterday but the only one he knew of is likely the biggest name cut - Ryan Harvey.

[SouthSideRyan]

Falcon mentioned in another thread that the Cubs cut 7 minor leaguers yesterday but the only one he knew of is likely the biggest name cut - Ryan Harvey.

 

We never even let him pitch did we?

[Guest]

Falcon mentioned in another thread that the Cubs cut 7 minor leaguers yesterday but the only one he knew of is likely the biggest name cut - Ryan Harvey.

 

We never even let him pitch did we?

 

Reading between the lines elsewhere, I believe the player has the final say and Ryan Harvey never wanted to go to the mound.

[Guest]

RHP Jim Henderson

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Falcon mentioned in another thread that the Cubs cut 7 minor leaguers yesterday but the only one he knew of is likely the biggest name cut - Ryan Harvey.

 

I have some Ryan Harvey autographs if anyone wants them.... #-o

[kylescubs23]

Bruce Miles reports Grant Johnson...

 

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/1710

[Wrigley Rat]

Mark Pawelek

 

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2009/03/cubs_pawelek.php

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/329_quick_hits.html

[Quakers]

"crickets chirping"

[Guest]

so we've released our first pick from three separate drafts within about a week. What a run that was. There's no question why this system is struggling right now.

[Outshined_One]

so we've released our first pick from three separate drafts within about a week. What a run that was. There's no question why this system is struggling right now.

 

Let's hear it for LaTroy Hawkins, Jacque Jones, Bobby Howry, and Scott Eyre!

[Post Count Padder]

Three former top prospects gone in about a week. That just makes me sad. It also makes me wonder what could have been if they had worked out. Or if we had drafted Markakis in 03 instead of Harvey.

[NCCubFan]

Happy Pawalek Day.

[Guest]

Huh, I never realized Mark Pawelek was born in Pasadena till this moment.

 

But how many first round pitchers couldn't get more than 2 innings in full season ball when injuries aren't a factor? At least Harvey and Johnson got to AA.

[videographer]

I remember when Pawalek was drafted. He was the first to sign of all the 1st round picks. I think it was within a week of the draft and for $1.75 million. I believe he said he wanted to start his career as soon as possible. The pre-draft buzz was that it would take awhile because he was a Boras client. He was the most highly rated Utah H.S. pitcher since (I beleive) Bruce Hurst.

 

Now 3 1/2 years later, it looks like the kid took the money and ran. His checkered history is filled with internet fodder of half-hearted conditioning and a lack of urgency in his focus. He will go down in history as the worst Cub 1st round draft pick. Earl Cunningham cannot hold a candle to this kid. He is more notorious than Matt Bush. At least Bush managed to play two seasons in the Midwest League.

 

Washed up, washed out and 7 figures in the bank before he has turned 23 years old. The joke is on the Cubs and anyone who wanted to believe he had a future in Wrigley. I wouldn't lay favorable odds that his life will be charmed. His track record as an athlete suggests inmaturity that will derail success and frustrate friends, family and acquaintances.

 

I predict he will one day end up in politics.

 

Mormons know how to take care of their own.

[Outshined_One]

I remember when Pawalek was drafted. He was the first to sign of all the 1st round picks. I think it was within a week of the draft and for $1.75 million. I believe he said he wanted to start his career as soon as possible. The pre-draft buzz was that it would take awhile because he was a Boras client. He was the most highly rated Utah H.S. pitcher since (I beleive) Bruce Hurst.

 

My memory was that Hendry announced the signing of Pawelek during the first day of the draft (I think in the third round?). It was an especially weird situation since, up to that point, Boras HS clients had developed a notorious reputation of going off to college. Most people thought that Pawelek would be one of the hardest signings in that draft for that exact reason. The number of Scott Boras HS clients between A-Rod and the 2005 draft who had signed with the teams that drafted them was impressively low.

 

What was especially disappointing about Pawelek, in my mind, was that he initially lived up to the hype. He posted really promising numbers in the AZ League (56/21 K/BB in 43 IP with 0 HRs allowed) and everyone raved about him (including BA, who named him top prospect in the AZ League that year). Whispers started spreading about him showing up to camp out of shape in 2006, but a decent season in Boise maintained his promise and potential. And then...everything just went to hell. He got hurt after apparently tripping over his Playstation in 2007. He had that whole bizarre passport incident last year and was shut down in August despite being healthy.

 

I can't claim to know what exactly happened to him. Maybe some day we'll get the whole story.

[TruffleShuffle]

And then...everything just went to hell. He got hurt after apparently tripping over his Playstation in 2007.

 

pretty sure he was drunk when that happened.