Cub prospects in the news

[Guest]

A little fluff from a Muskat blog entry on Baez w/some comments from McCleod and Tom Beyers.

 

Told that he’s one of the youngest in the AFL — only the Rangers’ Luis Sardinas is younger — Baez just shrugs.

 

“I’ve heard that,” Baez said. “If you do good here, you have to keep working hard. They just tell me to do my job every time, play hard, do everything right.”

 

He flashed some of his defensive skills as well with a diving stop of a ball, and nearly threw the runner out. Replay might have backed up Baez. What’s impressed McLeod and others are the shortstop’s instincts for the game.

 

“When you watch him play defense and watch him on the bases, he plays like a veteran who has been in the Major Leagues for a long time and at a very young age,” McLeod said. “That was the most pleasant surprise for me and it’s really fun to watch him on defense. It’s like he sees things before it happens.”

 

It wasn’t a perfect night. Baez did strike out twice. But he was perfectly positioned on defense, backing up on plays in the infield.

 

“He’s got tons of talent and it’s not just hitting, it’s his overall game,” said Tom Beyers, Cubs Minor League hitting coordinator. “One of his biggest strengths is aptitude. I was very impressed with how he took instruction and applied it right away in a ballgame. Some guys, that process takes longer than others. His is pretty quick, and the knowledge he has of how the game is played, he always seems to be a step ahead.”

 

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/10/10/1010-keep-an-eye-on-baez/

[Guest]

Keith Law on Baez

 

Here's a ranking of the 10 players I'm most interested in seeing this year, as well as lists of other players to watch from each of the six AFL rosters. I've omitted some very good prospects from the top 10 because I've seen them too recently or otherwise feel like I've got a good handle on their tools and skills, not because I am down on them as prospects.

 

1. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs/Mesa

 

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 Rule 4 draft out of a Jacksonville, Fla., high school, Baez has huge raw power due to very quick wrists that allow him to drive the ball to all fields, but was widely seen as a candidate to move off shortstop in pro ball. Improved instruction and increased effort on his part now have that flipped around, with pro scouts who got their first looks at him this year giving him a good chance to stay at the position long-term.

 

The Puerto Rican-born Baez reached high Class A this year at age 19 but played less than a full season after spending April and most of May in extended spring training. The main area of his game that still needs work is patience, as his approach and his stat line have a whiff of Josh Vitters about them.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/law_keith/id/8482237/javier-baez-leads-list-most-intriguing-players-arizona-fall-league-mlb

[El Duderino]

Keith Law on Baez

 

Here's a ranking of the 10 players I'm most interested in seeing this year, as well as lists of other players to watch from each of the six AFL rosters. I've omitted some very good prospects from the top 10 because I've seen them too recently or otherwise feel like I've got a good handle on their tools and skills, not because I am down on them as prospects.

 

1. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs/Mesa

 

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 Rule 4 draft out of a Jacksonville, Fla., high school, Baez has huge raw power due to very quick wrists that allow him to drive the ball to all fields, but was widely seen as a candidate to move off shortstop in pro ball. Improved instruction and increased effort on his part now have that flipped around, with pro scouts who got their first looks at him this year giving him a good chance to stay at the position long-term.

 

The Puerto Rican-born Baez reached high Class A this year at age 19 but played less than a full season after spending April and most of May in extended spring training. The main area of his game that still needs work is patience, as his approach and his stat line have a whiff of Josh Vitters about them.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/law_keith/id/8482237/javier-baez-leads-list-most-intriguing-players-arizona-fall-league-mlb

 

epic trolling right there.

[El Duderino]

McLeod talks about some guys, including comping Szczur to Reed Johnson. http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/10/11/jason-mcleod-offers-thoughts-on-vogelbach-bruno-watkins-szczur-struck-more/

[Guest]

Jesse Sanchez ‏@JesseSanchezMLB

“@BerniePleskoff: #Cubs Talked to several scout friends about Baez swing. Consensus: "He needs to fix the "whip" now."~ @ProfessorParks

[jumbo]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/mike-newman-prospects-chat-101812/

 

4:32

Comment From bob

How far away is Baez, and what do the Cubs do with him position-wise?

4:35

Mike Newman: Had a contact tell me Baez was much better at SS than he was expecting and may receive every opportunity to stick there which was surprising. I'm hoping to see him late next season when he reaches Tennessee.

 

------------

 

4:42

Comment From Cubs Fan

Any news on Arodys Vizcaino? After his injury does he still profile as a SP?

 

4:42

Mike Newman: I don't think so. He should be their closer before too long. Remember, he had been moved to the pen while he was with Atlanta.

 

-------------

 

4:42

Comment From jeff

in no particular order, what are some of YOUR top prospects heading into next season?

4:44

Mike Newman: I can name a few I'm looking forward to seeing.... Dahl, Nimmo, Soler (maybe), Puig, Heredia (PIT). My only real disappointment is that Lexington is now a Royals affiliate. I might have lost my 2013 shot at Correa.

 

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5:28

Comment From Chris

Any thoughts on Christian Villanueva? I have seen a couple write-ups mention he may be more valuable at 2B than at 3B.

5:28

Mike Newman: Those were probably my write ups.

[Gilby]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/mike-newman-prospects-chat-101812/

 

4:42

Comment From Cubs Fan

Any news on Arodys Vizcaino? After his injury does he still profile as a SP?

 

4:42

Mike Newman: I don't think so. He should be their closer before too long. Remember, he had been moved to the pen while he was with Atlanta.

 

Yeah, contending teams never have young starting pitchers start their major league career in the bullpen.

 

He actually could be right about Vizcaino, but if that's his reason, then I'm not ruling him out for the rotation in 2014.

[davell]

I'm pretty sure our guys have been quoted that they see Vizcaino as a starter. With his innings limited in 2013 and the likely command issues that initially happen after TJS, I fully expect him at Iowa all season on strict pitch counts. Probably gets 100 innings or so.

[ctcf]

Jason Parks ‏@ProfessorParks

I've been making calls about the #Cubs system for a week, and it's not as bad as I thought. Reports on the sticks are very promising.

 

Jason Parks ‏@ProfessorParks

Not as good, but some legit pitching talent could blossom in '13. RT @tim815 @ProfessorParks Then there's the pitching side of things....

[davell]

Jason Parks ‏@ProfessorParks

I've been making calls about the #Cubs system for a week, and it's not as bad as I thought. Reports on the sticks are very promising.

 

Jason Parks ‏@ProfessorParks

Not as good, but some legit pitching talent could blossom in '13. RT @tim815 @ProfessorParks Then there's the pitching side of things....

Little disappointed to his response to my followup question. I asked is it fair to say it's a borderline top 10ish system and he said not that high for him, but showing improvement.

[El Duderino]

Was wondering who was taking over Goldstein's rankings. Parks is awesome.

[davell]

Absolutely. He's one of my favorite prospect guys for sure. Personally, I find him funnier than KG too.

[El Duderino]

He's doing a chat right now if anyone's lurking: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=975

[El Duderino]

A.C. Slater (California): Thanks for the chat Jason. Do you see any top of the rotation arms in the cubs system? Seems like they are loaded with low ceiling #5 or middle relief types. Are there a few names to watch for?

 

Jason Parks: I don't see any high-ceiling arms. I'm working on the Cubs list right now for the BP prospect rankings, so I don't want to tip my hand, but let's just say that the system is very top heavy and very bat heavy. They have a few arms that have the stuff to take steps forward in 2013, and I will identify a few of those arms in the prospect report.

 

JayT (San Francisco): Who is the best power prospect in the minors right now? Are there any guys that you could see having 80 power in the majors?

 

Jason Parks: Guys like Miguel Sano, Joey Gallo, and Javier Baez have huge power potential

 

rangerfans2 (Fort Worth, TX): You alluded to Baez having huge raw power, with his improved defense increasing his likelihood of sticking at ss....are we looking at the Future Number 1 Prospect in baseball?

 

Jason Parks: Not likely. Baez has incredible talent; major league talent. But he is very loose right now; he swings at anything and everything and doesn't know how to slow the game down yet. The raw tools are great, and he does have a chance to stick at SS. He won't have the best range, but his hands are excellent and his arm is very strong. Depending on what his body does during the maturation process, a shift to 3B seems like an option. The bat is the game changer. He has 30+ power in that stick, with some of the best bat speed you will see. But he's wild right now. If he wants to refine and mature on the field, he could be an all-star. If he wants to go crazy and swing max-effort at every offering, well, he isn't going to develop as planned and he will fall apart as he advances. He has a long way to go, but the ceiling is scary.

 

myshkin (Santa Clara, CA): So far, the public reports on Jorge Soler seem at least cautiously optimistic. I know it's too soon to say anything definitive, but are the industry folks who thought his contract was way above his worth changing their minds some?

 

Jason Parks: He could be a monster that scares opposing pitchers like Daniel Craig scares my heterosexuality

 

David (Va Beach): The Cubs have a ton of 2B prospects right now. Between Watkins, Torreyes, Amaya, and Bruno, which one has the best chance to be the Cubs longterm answer? Or is Alcantara or Hernandez a better bet, to be moved off SS and wind up there?

 

Jason Parks: There aren't many 2B prospects, in my opinion. There are failed SS, but the stand alone 2B type isn't all that common. They have to be able to hit to have a lot of value, and the above list isn't all that promising to me. I've always liked Torreyes, but I saw more of a utility profile than a major league regular

 

iorg34 (Jalalabad): Think Brett Jackson will have a career as a starting outfielder?

 

Jason Parks: I do. He will always wear the swing and miss like a birthmark, but if he can show some power and better on-base skills, he should offer enough defensive value to stay in a major league lineup.

 

Andrew (IL): As someone who was very high on Christian Villanueva while in the Rangers organization, would you be able to touch on what type of player he the Cubs got in return? Does he have 1st division potential? Would he be able to handle 2nd base?

 

Jason Parks: I've seen him play 2B, but I think [athletically], he is a better fit for 3B. He has a very good glove, with clean actions, and a strong arm. His bat isn't all that special, but he has good hands and shows quality bat speed. I don't think he's big batting average type, but he might be able to achieve the .265-.270 range, with 10-15 bombs. Not a first division talent, but a steady major league regular if everything clicks. Big makeup as well. Works very hard. Good kid.

[Little Slide Rooter]

myshkin (Santa Clara, CA): So far, the public reports on Jorge Soler seem at least cautiously optimistic. I know it's too soon to say anything definitive, but are the industry folks who thought his contract was way above his worth changing their minds some?

 

Jason Parks: He could be a monster that scares opposing pitchers like Daniel Craig scares my heterosexuality

 

:hello:

[El Duderino]

@jimcallisBA

 

Would guess yes on all three. @mikeylo34: Do you think Soler will start the season in Kane County? How about Almora and Vogelbach? #Cubs

[imb]

Jason Parks: He could be a monster that scares opposing pitchers like Daniel Craig scares my heterosexuality

 

well when you put it like that

[Guest]

Carrie Muskat piece on Almora: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121107&content_id=40192464&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

[Guest]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Caracas Lions drop Josh Vitters after only two games and seven hitless at-bats in Venezuelan Winter League. #Ouch

[jersey cubs fan]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Caracas Lions drop Josh Vitters after only two games and seven hitless at-bats in Venezuelan Winter League. #Ouch

 

Just saw that, what does that mean? Did the Cubs bring him back or did he really get dumped by a winter league team?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Caracas Lions drop Josh Vitters after only two games and seven hitless at-bats in Venezuelan Winter League. #Ouch

 

Just saw that, what does that mean? Did the Cubs bring him back or did he really get dumped by a winter league team?

 

@BleacherNation: Re: Vitters leaving VWL - could be related to any number of things that have nothing to do with not having a hit in whopping 7 at bats.

 

There's been some baseless speculation that it could be trade related. Makes since with the need to get the roster back to 40.

[sneakypower]

There's been some baseless speculation that it could be trade related.

:beg:

[Cubswin11]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Caracas Lions drop Josh Vitters after only two games and seven hitless at-bats in Venezuelan Winter League. #Ouch

 

Just saw that, what does that mean? Did the Cubs bring him back or did he really get dumped by a winter league team?

 

@BleacherNation: Re: Vitters leaving VWL - could be related to any number of things that have nothing to do with not having a hit in whopping 7 at bats.

 

There's been some baseless speculation that it could be trade related. Makes since with the need to get the roster back to 40.

Makes sense, I'm not going to get too excited of trading Vitters solely in and of himself as I doubt he'd yield much but some sort of larger package including him for something good-decent (Bauer/Upton/one of the Royals young guys/etc.) certainly intrigues me

[javy knows my name]

There's been some baseless speculation that it could be trade related.

:beg:

 

I'd have to think it's just a matter of time. Still have no idea why he was brought up this year, though. He was kind of set up to fail.

[ctcf]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Caracas Lions drop Josh Vitters after only two games and seven hitless at-bats in Venezuelan Winter League. #Ouch

 

Just saw that, what does that mean? Did the Cubs bring him back or did he really get dumped by a winter league team?

 

@BleacherNation: Re: Vitters leaving VWL - could be related to any number of things that have nothing to do with not having a hit in whopping 7 at bats.

 

There's been some baseless speculation that it could be trade related. Makes since with the need to get the roster back to 40.

Makes sense, I'm not going to get too excited of trading Vitters solely in and of himself as I doubt he'd yield much but some sort of larger package including him for something good-decent (Bauer/Upton/one of the Royals young guys/etc.) certainly intrigues me

 

Yea that would certainly make sense. It struck me as quite weird that a Venezuelan Winter League team would just drop him like that.