Cub prospects in the news

[Little Slide Rooter]

So we have Jake Fox on our hands. Maybe we'll see him when hes 33 and putting up a .395/.410/.650 line in Iowa.

 

I wouldn't even put his ceiling at Jake Fox. Ridling's never played any position but 1B and, as mentioned above, he doesn't play it particularly well. Plus, Fox actually has some semblance of patience at the plate.

 

So we have Micah Hoffpauir on our hands.

[ChiefsVoice]

So we have Jake Fox on our hands. Maybe we'll see him when hes 33 and putting up a .395/.410/.650 line in Iowa.

 

I wouldn't even put his ceiling at Jake Fox. Ridling's never played any position but 1B and, as mentioned above, he doesn't play it particularly well. Plus, Fox actually has some semblance of patience at the plate.

 

That's not entirely true. He played a handful of games (id say 7-10 off the top of my head) in Left last season when we had Bautista DHing and Rosa at first. He is a better defensive first baseman IMHO than Rosa. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in LF during instructs this September. The Cubs have done the same with Russ Canzler in the past.

 

And I disagree with the other post. Rebel is fine at first. he goes to his right with range. He scoops it above average (has saved Lake probably 10-15 errors this season, and a few for Vitters too). Starts the 3-6-3 double play well. For those that have played 60 or more games this season at first base in the MWL he is 5th in fielding pct at first. Of his 12 errors, one was a horrid call at Beloit, two were on throws to a pitcher covering and two were on throws either to third or home rushing on bunts. He is a doubles machine with HR power. I think Rebel will see time in Tennessee next year and surprise some people.

[toonsterwu]

So we have Jake Fox on our hands. Maybe we'll see him when hes 33 and putting up a .395/.410/.650 line in Iowa.

 

I wouldn't even put his ceiling at Jake Fox. Ridling's never played any position but 1B and, as mentioned above, he doesn't play it particularly well. Plus, Fox actually has some semblance of patience at the plate.

 

That's not entirely true. He played a handful of games (id say 7-10 off the top of my head) in Left last season when we had Bautista DHing and Rosa at first. He is a better defensive first baseman IMHO than Rosa. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in LF during instructs this September. The Cubs have done the same with Russ Canzler in the past.

 

And I disagree with the other post. Rebel is fine at first. he goes to his right with range. He scoops it above average (has saved Lake probably 10-15 errors this season, and a few for Vitters too). Starts the 3-6-3 double play well. For those that have played 60 or more games this season at first base in the MWL he is 5th in fielding pct at first. Of his 12 errors, one was a horrid call at Beloit, two were on throws to a pitcher covering and two were on throws either to third or home rushing on bunts. He is a doubles machine with HR power. I think Rebel will see time in Tennessee next year and surprise some people.

 

I'm a fan of Ridling, beyond his name, which is awesome, and while he has a real solid MWL season line, I'm wondering if you could offer your take on why he's been so streaky this year, since you see him on a regular basis. He's got power that the system could really use, and part of me would like to see him sacrifice some of that power for more average. It's good to hear that you think he's at least an average first baseman, as there were mixed "reports" out there about that. I think part of that was that, last year, he came in with Ryan Keedy, who was better defensively, and Rebel sort of got lost in the shuffle.

[bubblesdachimp]

So we have Jake Fox on our hands. Maybe we'll see him when hes 33 and putting up a .395/.410/.650 line in Iowa.

 

I wouldn't even put his ceiling at Jake Fox. Ridling's never played any position but 1B and, as mentioned above, he doesn't play it particularly well. Plus, Fox actually has some semblance of patience at the plate.

 

That's not entirely true. He played a handful of games (id say 7-10 off the top of my head) in Left last season when we had Bautista DHing and Rosa at first. He is a better defensive first baseman IMHO than Rosa. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in LF during instructs this September. The Cubs have done the same with Russ Canzler in the past.

 

And I disagree with the other post. Rebel is fine at first. he goes to his right with range. He scoops it above average (has saved Lake probably 10-15 errors this season, and a few for Vitters too). Starts the 3-6-3 double play well. For those that have played 60 or more games this season at first base in the MWL he is 5th in fielding pct at first. Of his 12 errors, one was a horrid call at Beloit, two were on throws to a pitcher covering and two were on throws either to third or home rushing on bunts. He is a doubles machine with HR power. I think Rebel will see time in Tennessee next year and surprise some people.

 

Thanks for the analysis. From reading all the lines that I do everyday I dont know what to make ofRebel. He seems almost too old for the level. Same with Ryan. And their numbers arent jaw dropping which concerns me

[ChiefsVoice]

So we have Jake Fox on our hands. Maybe we'll see him when hes 33 and putting up a .395/.410/.650 line in Iowa.

 

I wouldn't even put his ceiling at Jake Fox. Ridling's never played any position but 1B and, as mentioned above, he doesn't play it particularly well. Plus, Fox actually has some semblance of patience at the plate.

 

That's not entirely true. He played a handful of games (id say 7-10 off the top of my head) in Left last season when we had Bautista DHing and Rosa at first. He is a better defensive first baseman IMHO than Rosa. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in LF during instructs this September. The Cubs have done the same with Russ Canzler in the past.

 

And I disagree with the other post. Rebel is fine at first. he goes to his right with range. He scoops it above average (has saved Lake probably 10-15 errors this season, and a few for Vitters too). Starts the 3-6-3 double play well. For those that have played 60 or more games this season at first base in the MWL he is 5th in fielding pct at first. Of his 12 errors, one was a horrid call at Beloit, two were on throws to a pitcher covering and two were on throws either to third or home rushing on bunts. He is a doubles machine with HR power. I think Rebel will see time in Tennessee next year and surprise some people.

 

I'm a fan of Ridling, beyond his name, which is awesome, and while he has a real solid MWL season line, I'm wondering if you could offer your take on why he's been so streaky this year, since you see him on a regular basis. He's got power that the system could really use, and part of me would like to see him sacrifice some of that power for more average. It's good to hear that you think he's at least an average first baseman, as there were mixed "reports" out there about that. I think part of that was that, last year, he came in with Ryan Keedy, who was better defensively, and Rebel sort of got lost in the shuffle.

 

Well that is the million dollar question. Our whole offense has been streaky all season, even when Vitters was here. In fact the only real consistent player we had from day 1 was Harrison. Rebel does get pull hungry every once in a while and thats when his strikeouts tend to come. When he works on going the other way, then his hitting is solid. He is right around .290 so I'm not sure his average is going to go much higher. But the power is definitely there.

[Guest]

No Cubs prospects in BA's top AA tools: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/best-tools/2009/268703.html

 

The interesting stuff should start once we get to A+ and A.

[UK1679666180]

No Cubs prospects in BA's top AA tools: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/best-tools/2009/268703.html

 

The interesting stuff should start once we get to A+ and A.

 

Nothing at Iowa either, which isn't a surprise given that roster.

 

Notice who's the top managerial prospect from the IL, someone who you know I like as a future manager and a UCLA alum.

[Guest]

No Cubs prospects in BA's top AA tools: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/best-tools/2009/268703.html

 

The interesting stuff should start once we get to A+ and A.

 

Nothing at Iowa either, which isn't a surprise given that roster.

 

Notice who's the top managerial prospect from the IL, someone who you know I like as a future manager and a UCLA alum.

 

It seems like Torey Lovullo has been getting recognized as a top managerial prospect for a few years now.

[UK1679666180]

That's his annual award, yet he keeps getting overlooked for any managerial job b/c he hasn't made it to the recycling bin.

 

My fav. managerial prospect is still Matt Walbeck.

[toonsterwu]

No Cubs prospects in BA's top AA tools: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/best-tools/2009/268703.html

 

The interesting stuff should start once we get to A+ and A.

 

Badler made a comment awhile ago (at least, I think it was BB) saying that they were getting excellent reports on Castro. Wonder how high he ranks.

[Guest]

Finding his source of power

 

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

Wednesday's stats: 3-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 R, 4 RBI, BB

The Cubs first-round pick in June, Jackson is a big, toolsy athlete who has a lot of swing-and-miss in him. While he's now hitting .338 across three levels, the power hasn't showed up until recently. After hitting just one home run in his first 116 pro at-bats, he has now slugged four in his last nine games. An outstanding defensive centerfielder who also features plus speed, he has the tools to make a lot of teams look silly for passing on him.

[ChiefsVoice]

Having seen the MWL best tools list from our league's managers, it is gonna be fitting for this discussion on this thread...

[Outshined_One]

8/14 BA Hot Sheet

 

No. 12 BRETT JACKSON, CF CUBS

Brett JacksonTeam: low Class A Peoria (Midwest)

Age: 21

Why He's Here: .400/.486/.733 (12-for-30), 3 HR, 1 2B, 6 RBIs, 4 BB, 6 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Tony Sanchez isn't the only '09 first rounder to get off to a hot start in low Class A. Jackson, the 31st overall pick from California, arrived in Peoria on July 31 and has put up a .328/.423/.574 line in 61 at-bats. An athletic, high-energy player with some pop in his bat, Jackson opened his week with a home run to lead off Peoria's game last Friday against Wisconsin, and then slugged two home runs in an 11-1 thumping of Burlington on Wednesday. Jackson is on an eight-game hitting streak overall, a stretch that includes five multi-hit games.

[UK1679666180]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124966930911615069.html

 

WSJ article on foreign born ballplayers with an emphasis on Lee.

Like many teenagers spending this summer abroad, Hak-Ju Lee is immersing himself in a foreign culture, making friends and tasting exotic food like moose stew. Unlike most teens, however, he's getting paid three-quarters of a million dollars to do it.

 

Mr. Lee, 18 years old, is a shortstop, and the culture he is experiencing is American minor-league baseball, where major-league teams develop their talent in small towns across the country.

 

For decades, minor-league rosters seemed the essence of America's heartland. But thanks to growing numbers of foreign players like Mr. Lee, the minors are fast turning into a veritable United Nations.

 

The gangly infielder is one of three South Koreans playing this summer for the Boise Hawks, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Hawks' opening-day roster boasted 18 of 25 players from abroad -- mostly Venezuela and the Dominican Republic -- making it one of the most "imported" of all minor-league teams.

 

Boise Hawks' hitting instructor, Ricardo Medina, a native of Panama who translates at team meetings in what has become almost a bilingual program, notes that Mr. Lee and his Korean teammates are getting something else from their summer in Idaho. "I think they may be learning more Spanish than English," he jokes.

 

The three South Koreans on the Hawks' roster matches the total number playing at the major-league level. Today, 19 Koreans play in the minor leagues, compared with just seven five years ago.

 

"There is no longer a limit on work visas," explains Oneri Fleita, the Florida-born director of minor-league development for the Cubs. "So, yeah, you might see more foreign players getting an opportunity."

 

The Cubs, who signed Korea's Hak-Ju Lee right out of high school, have become one of the most aggressive signers of foreign players. In 2006, 86 players in the Cubs' major and minor-league system were foreign-born. This year, 142 Cubs are imports.

 

Economics plays a huge role. U.S.-born players drafted out of high school rarely sign a contract to turn pro without a cash bonus, most in excess of $100,000. This summer, the Cubs have forked out more than $6 million in signing bonuses to 26 U.S. prospects, an average of nearly a quarter million apiece.

 

While some foreign players like Mr. Lee got hefty signing bonuses, the majority do not. Latin players in particular can be had for a lot less -- just $10,000 in the case of Venezuelan pitcher Eduardo Figueroa, one of Mr. Lee's teammates. Third baseman George Matheus, another Hawk from Venezuela, received $15,000 for signing.

 

 

On both counts, South Korea's Mr. Lee is an enthusiastic student. "Stolen base! Slider! Fastball! Right down the middle!" the teenager recently shouted with a smile, demonstrating the English terms he's mastered since arriving in Idaho.

 

Much like in an exchange-student program, local families host foreign ballplayers, getting season tickets in return. Mr. Lee lives in a suburban home festooned with heads of antelope and deer and other hunting trophies. He has learned to play Rock Band with his 17-year-old host-family "brother," a ballplayer who is entering his senior year in high school.

 

His typical teenage observation about life in America: lack of sleep. "Bus ride after game from Vancouver?" he groans, feigning fatigue. "Thirteen hours! Oh, my God. Tired!"

[chattbaseball]

Brief video blurb on Burke.

 

http://centralillinoisproud.com/media_player.php?media_id=371401

[Shilzzz]

i mean, we have to eventually hit on the 'big, atheletic, toolsy player' we draft high, right?

 

edit: i mean Jackson

[RammyFanny]

Jackson really reminds me of a lefty Hunter Pence.

[Brian]

Jackson really reminds me of a lefty Hunter Pence.

 

 

I hope he runs like a man though.

[Outshined_One]

Jackson really reminds me of a lefty Hunter Pence.

 

 

I hope he runs like a man though.

 

He does. The guy has plus speed for a reason.

[inari]

Jackson really reminds me of a lefty Hunter Pence.

 

 

I hope he runs like a man though.

 

He does. The guy has plus speed for a reason.

 

Doesn't Pence have plus speed despite his stupid running?

[Jehrico]

On both counts, South Korea's Mr. Lee is an enthusiastic student. "Stolen base! Slider! Fastball! Right down the middle!" the teenager recently shouted with a smile, demonstrating the English terms he's mastered since arriving in Idaho.

He's not learning English from scratch. English is mandatory in S Korean middle schools (3 or 4 years minimum?), so all S Korean players should have at least a very basic vocabulary (not expecting Koreans to be able to speak it well by any means....just differentiating between him and the average Venezuelan or Dominican that probably doesn't speak any at all...).

[mul21]

Jackson really reminds me of a lefty Hunter Pence.

 

I was actually thinking along the line of Edmonds with less patience. It sounds to me like he can develop that 25-30 HR power and play a real solid CF.

[Guest]

Ryan Flaherty, INF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

While Double-A is a bit of an aggressive push for a player's full-season debut, for a guy like Flaherty, a supplemental first-round pick last year out of Vanderbilt, beginning the year at Low-A seemed a bit conservative, so his slow start to the year was cause for genuine concern. Happily, not only has he found his stroke, he's also maintained his power; after hitting homers on Saturday and Sunday, he's now hitting .301 since the All-Star break, and .267/.333/.467 overall. As a player with that kind of pop who can at least hold his own at three infield positions, he's definitely still a prospect.

[bubblesdachimp]

Ryan Flaherty, INF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

While Double-A is a bit of an aggressive push for a player's full-season debut, for a guy like Flaherty, a supplemental first-round pick last year out of Vanderbilt, beginning the year at Low-A seemed a bit conservative, so his slow start to the year was cause for genuine concern. Happily, not only has he found his stroke, he's also maintained his power; after hitting homers on Saturday and Sunday, he's now hitting .301 since the All-Star break, and .267/.333/.467 overall. As a player with that kind of pop who can at least hold his own at three infield positions, he's definitely still a prospect.

 

I am excited to think that he could be a more versatile version of derosa. Maybe even with more pop.. 20 jacks is pretty good for the MWL. But i really think we should be agressive and send him to Tennessee next year..

[toonsterwu]

Ryan Flaherty, INF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

While Double-A is a bit of an aggressive push for a player's full-season debut, for a guy like Flaherty, a supplemental first-round pick last year out of Vanderbilt, beginning the year at Low-A seemed a bit conservative, so his slow start to the year was cause for genuine concern. Happily, not only has he found his stroke, he's also maintained his power; after hitting homers on Saturday and Sunday, he's now hitting .301 since the All-Star break, and .267/.333/.467 overall. As a player with that kind of pop who can at least hold his own at three infield positions, he's definitely still a prospect.

 

I am excited to think that he could be a more versatile version of derosa. Maybe even with more pop.. 20 jacks is pretty good for the MWL. But i really think we should be agressive and send him to Tennessee next year..

 

I really wouldn't mind seeing Burke and Flaherty in AA, the more I think about it. Unless the Cubs want to keep Flaherty at short for some reason, I don't see any reason to not be aggressive and send him up. Tony Thomas isn't blocking anyone, and much as I hold some interest in Nate Samson, he isn't either. Move Flaherty to AA, get him working with Starlin Castro and hope that is your MI in the near future.