Cub prospects in the news

[Guest]

So, I don't really know how the lowest levels work.

 

If they're playing in the AZL, the next step is Boise?

 

If they're 16 or 17 or whatever playing in the AZL, then next year 17 or 18 they'd be slated for Boise if they excel?

[Guest]

Yes, it would be a shock if Torres and Jimenez ended up starting in the DSL.

Why? Most of our Dominican bonus babies have started there, including Frandy under the current leadership.

 

That said, it sounds like Badler has inside information that the current intention is to start them in Mesa.

 

But none of the teenagers they've signed, including Frandy, were anywhere near the prospects Jimenez and Torres are. Besides, industry-wide, it's pretty rare to see the top couple of Latin IFAs in a class not start their first season in the US.

[Guest]

So, I don't really know how the lowest levels work.

 

If they're playing in the AZL, the next step is Boise?

 

If they're 16 or 17 or whatever playing in the AZL, then next year 17 or 18 they'd be slated for Boise if they excel?

 

Yeah, most will go to Boise next year. Some might skip to Kane County (Junior Lake did that; Starlin Castro actually jumped all the way to Daytona).

[KingCubsFan]

Weren't they both in Arizona in the fall for instructs already?

[davell]

Weren't they both in Arizona in the fall for instructs already?

 

Yeah, but that doesn't really tell us anything. De La Rosa, Malave, Acosta, most of our recent high priced signings come over for that.

[craig]

...none of the teenagers they've signed, including Frandy, were anywhere near the prospects Jimenez and Torres are. Besides, industry-wide, it's pretty rare to see the top couple of Latin IFAs in a class not start their first season in the US.

 

Will be interesting, maybe they will. In Cubs case, the facilities in DSL are really good, and a lot of the instruction there. So maybe "staying" in DSL is not a disadvantage instruction-wise, whereas perhaps with some teams that would be true. But yeah, it would sure be fun to have them up in Mesa right away, in the box scores, getting Az Phil reports, etc., and poised so that if either did do well, they'd be on schedule for Boise next year and full-season as early as 2016. May depend a bit on their English and stuff, too.

[Guest]

Dan Szymborski ranked Law's top 100 according to zips

 

here's the top 10

1. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

2. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates

3. Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

4. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox

5. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

6. Addison Russell, SS, A's

7. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

9. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

10. George Springer, OF, Astros

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10397789/projecting-keith-law-top-100-prospects-mlb

[ctcf]

Dan Szymborski ranked Law's top 100 according to zips

 

here's the top 10

1. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

2. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates

3. Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

4. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox

5. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

6. Addison Russell, SS, A's

7. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

9. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

10. George Springer, OF, Astros

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10397789/projecting-keith-law-top-100-prospects-mlb

 

With Arismendy at 13!

[Guest]

Dan Szymborski ranked Law's top 100 according to zips

 

here's the top 10

1. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

2. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates

3. Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

4. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox

5. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

6. Addison Russell, SS, A's

7. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

9. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

10. George Springer, OF, Astros

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10397789/projecting-keith-law-top-100-prospects-mlb

 

With Arismendy at 13!

 

Yep.

 

Also, Almora at 24, Soler at 40, CJ at 53, and Vogey (not in Law's rankings) at 97.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Taiwan Easterling released

[imb]

put that godly body to use

[Guest]

Dan Szymborski ranked Law's top 100 according to zips

 

here's the top 10

1. Javier Baez, SS, Cubs

2. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates

3. Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

4. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox

5. Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

6. Addison Russell, SS, A's

7. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals

8. Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

9. Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

10. George Springer, OF, Astros

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10397789/projecting-keith-law-top-100-prospects-mlb

 

How many things does he have to smash before he is declared hulk?

[KingCubsFan]

I got excited about that list for a moment, but then I saw that Polanco was somehow ahead of Buxton.

[davell]

I got excited about that list for a moment, but then I saw that Polanco was somehow ahead of Buxton.

 

Buxton doesn't have a single AA at bat yet. Ranking Polanco's expected ML contributions in 2014 higher than Buxton's doesn't seem at all to be a stretch for me.

[Guest]

I got excited about that list for a moment, but then I saw that Polanco was somehow ahead of Buxton.

 

Buxton doesn't have a single AA at bat yet. Ranking Polanco's expected ML contributions in 2014 higher than Buxton's doesn't seem at all to be a stretch for me.

That's a ranking by projected career WAR.

[davell]

I got excited about that list for a moment, but then I saw that Polanco was somehow ahead of Buxton.

 

Buxton doesn't have a single AA at bat yet. Ranking Polanco's expected ML contributions in 2014 higher than Buxton's doesn't seem at all to be a stretch for me.

That's a ranking by projected career WAR.

 

Oh. That's [expletive] crazy then.

[Guest]

I'm guessing that has more to do with how projection systems look at AA production more than anything else.

 

Scouting-wise, you see Buxton's ability and it tells you there's more there, but the numbers probably say that having done something at AA raises the odds of MLB success significantly.

[sneakypower]

Dan Szymborski is a national treasure

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Jae-Hoon Ha had wrist surgery and is aiming to be back mid-season.

[Guest]

Jae-Hoon Ha had wrist surgery and is aiming to be back mid-season.

...and he's out of my top 40

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Jae-Hoon Ha had wrist surgery and is aiming to be back mid-season.

...and he's out of my top 40

 

Didn't he have wrist problems last year, now that I think about it?

[craig]

Ha was well off my top-40 before this, but I almost think it's encouraging. Maybe a bad wrist is why he couldn't hit and had no power? Maybe if he really does get it fixed, and he's more competitive healthy than he showed, maybe 5th OFer is not beyond his reach someday?

[Guest]

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2014/02/jason-mcleod-talks-cubs-prospects-farm-system-mlb-network-radio.php#.UvuDm_ldXa8

 

Transcript of McLeod's appearance on MLB radio yesterday.

[Guest]

A tidbit on Arodys for those who don't read the transcript, since I (and TT, I think) had been concerned about the way McLeod talked about him at the Cubs Convention:

 

JM: He (Vizcaino) had a setback last year. He was throwing really well in Spring Training, ball was coming out great. And then came up tender again so we shut him back down. Rehabbed him, throughout the year he threw some in our Dominican Instructional League, the ball was coming out great again. So, knock on wood, he is on schedule to face hitters this spring. It is a special arm. If you remember him when he was in Atlanta, it is electric stuff out of his hand. And even through the rehab process, when you watch the ball when he is playing catch, there are certain guys the ball just comes out different, you know, it’s got that extra zip on it. He is STILL a young guy when you think about it and we are real hopeful that he’s going to have a healthy season this year because we do see him as someone that can be a very viable backend candidate in the bullpen.

[Guest]

Well that's certainly better news. The good part is that there's little pressure for him to break camp with the team, so he can get some Iowa innings and be the first on the Iowa express up the MLB team if someone's hurt, Rondon struggles, etc.