Cub prospects in the news

[Guest]

@jimcallisMLB: Yes. Easily. @NYYBaseball2: Would Gleyber Torres & Rafael Devers be top 10 picks if eligible for this year's @MLBdraft? @Cubs @RedSox

[toonsterwu]

To be fair, it's a pretty crappy class. I would take Torres in a heartbeat over Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman, so I think Torres probably would be a top 5, maybe top 3 pick if he were in the draft.

[Guest]

I find Callis' comment ... funny ... in that the Starlin Castro express route for Torres would push Castro out soon (since Castro came up at 20). I gotta think that, unless he absolutely forces their hand, the front office will buy time with Torres rather than forcing him up.

 

Will be curious how Torres' plays out. He reminds me a lot of Jurickson Profar.

 

Not sure why you'd say that.

 

Actually, I had a specific reason why I said that. Again, it was premised on Callis' comments that he could be pushed to the bigs soon.

 

Gleyber Torres doesn't project as well if he's not in the middle infield. He doesn't have the top power you'd want in a corner role, he doesn't have a huge cannon of an arm. He really doesn't have the great speed for CF. If he came up anytime soon, it's probably middle infield, with an outside option of 3rd. If the front office pushed him up that fast, he's going to play, and thus, a secondary move would in all likelihood happen.

 

I love Castro. I said it before that I think he'll add power as he hits his prime years. This isn't me saying I want Castro gone. It's just that, if Callis' comment of Torres potentially being pushed to the bigs soon actually occurred (as noted, I don't think that happens), I don't see Torres playing anywhere else besides middle infield in that scenario, which would force another move, and the most likely domino would still be packaging Castro, IMO (rather than moving Russell or doing a dramatic shift of 2-4 players defensive homes ... or shifting Castro to a corner OF role).

 

I'm just not seeing why you would consider Castro being traded more likely than Russell going to 3B.

[toonsterwu]

More times than not (admittedly, giving myself some leeway there) a major leaguer who has established that he can play at this level and is decent/passable defensively doesn't get moved if they are in their prime years. Teams move other guys around - leaving aside the Cubs, Manny Machado playing 3rd base for the Orioles comes to mind, even though most would acknowledge he has far superior talent than JJ Hardy (whether or not he would have the consistency in the majors is a separate issue, although I would think so). There are exceptions (I believe Alex Gordon gets mentioned sometimes, as Moustakas was coming up the ladder at the time, but the counter would be that, when Gordon was moved, he was scuffling as a hitter in the bigs and there were big questions about his future - his first full season as a LF is when he took off offensively.)

 

In this case, again predicated on the unlikely possibility that Gleyber Torres would be up in the bigs by age 20, you are looking at more than one move. Now, one can argue that

 

a) Russell and Bryant aren't estbalished enough to preclude a second move

b) The Cubs have pondered these possibilities of Bryant in the OF and Russell at 3rd

 

but if Bryant and/or Russell show any competency at their respective positions while showing enough offensive potential (both things that are expected), I just find it hard to see the Cubs triggering a domino effect of moves to make way for Torres. Nothing's impossible, but asking two big time guys to shift positions if they are competent in their major league runs at those spots ... I really can't recall a team that made multiple moves like that (If this unlikely hypothetical scenario happened, the short-circuit to it, if they kept everyone, might be to move Russell to the OF). If Torres was that good to force his way up the ladder that quick, it's likely that his offense is what pushes him up, so I guess it's not implausible to consider him as a corner OF option ... but he's not an ideal fit there (granted ... the Cubs have power to spare so it's not impossible). Much as I love Castro, it still seems more likely to me that the Cubs would move someone (and Russell seems far more like the type of guy they would prefer long run than Castro). If the Cubs are fortunate enough to have the majority of their guys pan out, and pan out at a expedited timeline, they'd likely move some assets to make a stronger run.

 

Anyhow, this is all extended from a Callis comment that I was simply making light of. No scenario is impossible.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure trading mid 20's all star shortstops on extremely favorable deals is more unusual than moving a rookie ss playing 2B to 3B and a bad rookie 3B who many/most see as a long term OF to the OF.

 

i'm really not trying to be a dick. i appreciate your knowledge on this stuff and your contributions to the minor league forum. i just think that's a really silly scenario.

[toonsterwu]

No, I get the point you are making, and no one really annoys me on sports forums, so no need to apologize. I would just say that I think to preclude any possibility (that is, being rather adamant that the idea that everyone is going to stay put) would be a bit silly. I certainly wouldn't rule them out from keeping everyone. I don't think that's likely, much as everyone wants a full homegrown team (and much as Theo has made jokes of it in the past), but it's possible. We're talking about 2017 ... if the Cubs are lucky enough that the majority of the players have panned out, at some point, there's going to be a logjam somewhere. I also noted in a separate post that I don't think they'd make a rash trade/bad trade of Castro (or anyone else, for that matter), but again, we're talking about 2017.

 

That said, we are talking about a guy in Castro who

 

a) Doesn't exactly fit the offensive profile that they desire (again, I like Castro, and I believe he may add power and discipline as he gets older)

b) Doesn't really fit the defensive emphasis that they would ideally prefer

c) Hasn't, and it hurts to say this because of what I expected at the time, shown much growth from what he was when he came in (fully acknowledge that my belief in a bit more power and discipline isn't really a justifiable belief yet based upon his moderate rate of development)

 

Functionally, this front office has shown, based on past history, that they'll move big pieces to try and shore up holes to make a push (and I'm not speaking solely of the Nomar deal, although a 31 year old Nomar coming off a big offensive season vs. whatever Starlin is at 27 isn't as dramatic of a difference as it sounds right now ... ). Now, situations and circumstances are different for each trade and each organization's dynamics. I would also add in that what's left of the deal, while team friendly, isn't so far below market value that it's ridiculous (3/31 or 4/46 ... I'd guess that 27 year old Starlin Castro, barring a collapse and assuming MLB market forces haven't drastically changed, and assuming he hasn't made a huge offensive leap yet, could probably net 12-15 mil on the AAV).

 

Again, I don't know why it's so hard to consider the idea that, if Torres is ready for the bigs by 2017 (his age 20 season), that they may consider moving Starlin Castro (or someone else) to shore up a run. If so many of our guys pan out, someone's going to go at some point. To be quite honest, the shrewd front office would discern who the guys are to keep (I keep thinking of the Pettite/Hitchcock decision back in the day, along with the Braves moving young pitchers in the 90's like David Nied) and sell the other names earlier to net a bigger return (there's always a gamble ... the Braves thought Adam Wainwright might never become a TOR iirc). You just try to balance the gamble with ceiling and floor considerations.

[Guest]

Gleyber Torres puff piece: http://m.southbendtribune.com/sports/professional/sbcubs/teenager-torres-mature-beyond-years-for-cubs/article_76ce01e7-3a5c-5535-b5c5-5c8efa3d607a.html?mode=jqm

[Guest]

Jeff (Chicago): Thanks Ben, love your work. Who has made the biggest impression on you so far this year in the Cubs system?

 

Ben Badler: Thank you. Kyle Schwarber, for one, which is no surprise. That’s one of the best hitters in the minors and he’s showing why he gets that label. Gleyber Torres is another. Again, not a huge surprise because he’s always had a good swing, a mature hitting approach and an extremely high baseball IQ, but even the best 18-year-old kids out of Latin America usually don’t have such a seamless transition jumping to full-season ball.

 

nb (philly): I know it's a small sample (and he's now on the DL), but Albert Almora has actually taken a few walks this year! Has there been a noticable change in his approach or just dumb luck? Any shot of regaining his top prospect status? Thanks!

 

Ben Badler: He’s had it hammered into his head that he needs to be more selective. Same with Nick Williams of the Rangers. Some of that approach and pitch selection is hard-wired, some of it can be taught, but so far, it’s a good sign.

[Cubswin11]

Could Schwarber be up in LF this year if they said [expletive] it with catcher and just let the bat move him?

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Could Schwarber be up in LF this year if they said [expletive] it with catcher and just let the bat move him?

 

Could, yes. Would, no.

[Guest]

Billy McKinney made this week's Hot Sheet:

 

11. Billy McKinney, rf, Cubs

 

Team: high Class A Myrtle Beach (Carolina)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .364/.533/.955 (8-for-22), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 7 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: As if landing Addison Russell from the Athletics in last summer’s Jeff Samardzija trade wasn’t enough, the Cubs also acquired McKinney. He capped a fabulous week with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning on Thursday, and it came after he’d walked in each of his first four trips to the plate. With excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline, he has walked 16 times this season to rank third in the Carolina League. Just as importantly, he’s tied for the league lead with four home runs.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Billy McKinney made this week's Hot Sheet:

 

11. Billy McKinney, rf, Cubs

 

Team: high Class A Myrtle Beach (Carolina)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .364/.533/.955 (8-for-22), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 7 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: As if landing Addison Russell from the Athletics in last summer’s Jeff Samardzija trade wasn’t enough, the Cubs also acquired McKinney. He capped a fabulous week with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning on Thursday, and it came after he’d walked in each of his first four trips to the plate. With excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline, he has walked 16 times this season to rank third in the Carolina League. Just as importantly, he’s tied for the league lead with four home runs.

 

There is nothing about that paragraph that I do not enjoy.

[sneakypower]

Billy McKinney made this week's Hot Sheet:

 

11. Billy McKinney, rf, Cubs

 

Team: high Class A Myrtle Beach (Carolina)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .364/.533/.955 (8-for-22), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 7 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: As if landing Addison Russell from the Athletics in last summer’s Jeff Samardzija trade wasn’t enough, the Cubs also acquired McKinney. He capped a fabulous week with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning on Thursday, and it came after he’d walked in each of his first four trips to the plate. With excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline, he has walked 16 times this season to rank third in the Carolina League. Just as importantly, he’s tied for the league lead with four home runs.

he's leading the Carolina League in hitting, and he's the youngest hitter in the league; top-50 prospect

 

he alone would have been a perfectly fair return for Samardzija

[imb]

BA chat tabbed schwarber as best remaining catching prospect since swihart was called up

[ctcf]

all these promotions has left our farm system is in shambles, you guys

[Tryptamine]

all these promotions has left our farm system is in shambles, you guys

 

It's funny, even after graduating Soler,Russell and Bryant we still may have 5 top 75 guy,3 top 5, in Schwarber,McKinney,Torres,Almora and our draft pick. Then you have other guys like Underwood who still have a good shot at the back end as well.

[Guest]

McKinney made the hot sheet again this past week: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot-sheet-may-15-berrios-buries-double-competition/

 

14. Billy McKinney, rf, Cubs

 

Team: high Class A Myrtle Beach (Carolina)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .458/.444/.708 (11-for-24), 5 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO

 

The Scoop: McKinney went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in his debut at Double-A Tennessee yesterday, and Carolina League pitchers breathed a sign of relief. The 2013 first-rounder terrorized CL pitchers during his 29 games at Myrtle Beach, leading the league in average (.340), on-base percentage (.432) and slugging (.544). McKinney manages the strike zone and has feel for the barrel, which is good because he doesn’t have the plus power (or speed) typically associated with a corner outfielder.

[RynoRules]

2017 starting OF: Schwarber-McKinney-Soler

 

http://media0.giphy.com/media/VLwYmTMsPcjAI/giphy.gif

[Guest]

schwarber is going to catch you monster

[CubsWin]

schwarber is going to catch you monster

And McKinney can't play CF.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

schwarber is going to catch you monster

And McKinney can't play CF.

And JCVD hasn't made a good film in years.

[Deeg]

ChicagoCubsOnline retweeted

Bill Mitchell ‏@billazbbphotog 5m5 minutes ago

Dylan Cease (#Cubs) pitching 2nd extended spring game. Less than year after TJ. Trouble throwing strikes, but FB sat 94-96, touched 98-99.

[Guest]

ChicagoCubsOnline retweeted

Bill Mitchell ‏@billazbbphotog 5m5 minutes ago

Dylan Cease (#Cubs) pitching 2nd extended spring game. Less than year after TJ. Trouble throwing strikes, but FB sat 94-96, touched 98-99.

More:

 

@billazbbphotog: Dylan Cease finished after 4 batters - 3 BBs, 1 K. Plus-plus velo good sign so soon after TJ. #Cubs

[ctcf]

ChicagoCubsOnline retweeted

Bill Mitchell ‏@billazbbphotog 5m5 minutes ago

Dylan Cease (#Cubs) pitching 2nd extended spring game. Less than year after TJ. Trouble throwing strikes, but FB sat 94-96, touched 98-99.

More:

 

@billazbbphotog: Dylan Cease finished after 4 batters - 3 BBs, 1 K. Plus-plus velo good sign so soon after TJ. #Cubs

 

I will certainly take that.

[Deeg]

If Cease can actually come back and be the guy he was projected to be before the injury, hat could be huge for the Cubs. He has Glasnow upside. Unlikely he ever reaches it, but the raw talent is there.