Cub prospects in the news

[sneakypower]

here i was about to say kaz matsui and then i see his 14:93 ratio as a 20 y.o. in Japan, i give up

[TruffleShuffle]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

[jersey cubs fan]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

 

So Castro = ARod. I'm fine with that.

[Sever82]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

 

So Castro = ARod. I'm fine with that.

 

If Castro continues to hit for contact like he has, and if he grows to 6'3 195lbs like some people think. And if his power potential becomes Soriano like, like what people say, then maybe a Arod type of player is not far off. I wouldn't say Arod necessarily but maybe closer to hanley.

[Serge]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

 

So Castro = ARod. I'm fine with that.

 

If Castro continues to hit for contact like he has, and if he grows to 6'3 195lbs like some people think. And if his power potential becomes Soriano like, like what people say, then maybe a Arod type of player is not far off. I wouldn't say Arod necessarily but maybe closer to hanley.

 

I think Jeter with better D is the absolute ceiling for Castro. Great hitter for average, 20 HR power, and 25 steals at a good rate. I don't see any way in hell he pulls off A-Rod or Hanley, though I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

[jersey cubs fan]

What about Nomar? Hanley/Jeter/Arod are 70-90 walk type guys. Castro has about as many walks in 2 seasons as Hanley had each year in the minors. Jeter drew 58 walks at 19 in A ball. Arod was in the majors.

[fromthestretch]

What about Nomar? Hanley/Jeter/Arod are 70-90 walk type guys. Castro has about as many walks in 2 seasons as Hanley had each year in the minors. Jeter drew 58 walks at 19 in A ball. Arod was in the majors.

 

I certainly wouldn't object to him turning into a healthy version of Nomar.

[TruffleShuffle]

What about Nomar? Hanley/Jeter/Arod are 70-90 walk type guys. Castro has about as many walks in 2 seasons as Hanley had each year in the minors. Jeter drew 58 walks at 19 in A ball. Arod was in the majors.

 

nomar's probably a good comp. he always had fairly low walk rates and made a lot of contact, hit for good average. it might be a stretch for starlin to hit for that much doubles/home run power but he'll also be better defensively than nomar. i like that comp... nomar with a little less power and more D.

[Serge]

What about Nomar? Hanley/Jeter/Arod are 70-90 walk type guys. Castro has about as many walks in 2 seasons as Hanley had each year in the minors. Jeter drew 58 walks at 19 in A ball. Arod was in the majors.

 

Jeter's an average walker, 9% of his PA's versus the league average of 8.9%. I think that's doable for Castro. But yeah, Nomar with less power does sound more reasonable.

[SouthSideRyan]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

 

So Castro = ARod. I'm fine with that.

 

If Castro continues to hit for contact like he has, and if he grows to 6'3 195lbs like some people think. And if his power potential becomes Soriano like, like what people say, then maybe a Arod type of player is not far off. I wouldn't say Arod necessarily but maybe closer to hanley.

 

I think Jeter with better D is the absolute ceiling for Castro. Great hitter for average, 20 HR power, and 25 steals at a good rate. I don't see any way in hell he pulls off A-Rod or Hanley, though I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

Hanley ISOd 128 in A ball when he was Castro's age. (Castro ISOd 108 at AA, 93 total last season)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Nomar never really hit for any power until he was a 22 year old in AAA, and then from then on in MLB.

[TruffleShuffle]

I think Jeter with better D is the absolute ceiling for Castro. Great hitter for average, 20 HR power, and 25 steals at a good rate. I don't see any way in hell he pulls off A-Rod or Hanley, though I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i don't think it's unreasonable. think about it, last year he hit fairly well in rookie ball, now this year he is hitting fairly well but up 3/4 levels and is leading a fall league of top prospects in batting average even though he's the second-youngest player in the league. clearly he's improving by leaps and bounds, and as a 6'1" 160 lb guy he still has room to fill out. he might only end up being a decent player but with how much he's improved in a year, and how much projectability he has left, what's to say he doesn't turn into an elite player? there's a pretty wide range of possibilities here.

[Serge]

as middle infielders who were on an accelerated timetable and played well in AA at age 19, i can offer a few suggestions:

 

-wilson betemit (didn't have contact skills that castro has, but better power potential... obviously has been a disappointment)

-renteria (already been discussed... probably my favored comp right now)

-angel berroa? (he got to AA at 21 but i think he might have been one of the people who aged a couple of years magically)

-brandon phillips was a year later... has a shorter and stockier build than starlin though.

 

i dunno, it is pretty hard to come up with a good comp because starlin's contact skills are ahead of most latin american middle infielders who reach AA in their teens. there may be more u.s. born players but because they're generally not drafted until age 17/18, they usually don't reach AA that quickly unless they're a-rod good.

 

So Castro = ARod. I'm fine with that.

 

If Castro continues to hit for contact like he has, and if he grows to 6'3 195lbs like some people think. And if his power potential becomes Soriano like, like what people say, then maybe a Arod type of player is not far off. I wouldn't say Arod necessarily but maybe closer to hanley.

 

I think Jeter with better D is the absolute ceiling for Castro. Great hitter for average, 20 HR power, and 25 steals at a good rate. I don't see any way in hell he pulls off A-Rod or Hanley, though I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

Hanley ISOd 128 in A ball when he was Castro's age. (Castro ISOd 108 at AA, 93 total last season)

 

Hanley was more projectable though. After 2004 BA wrote this about him:

 

Shortstop has become a position of strength in the organization, yet Ramirez' five-tool package easily stands out among a crop that also includes Dustin Pedroia, Luis Soto, Christian Lara and Kenny Perez. He's the best athlete in the system with the potential to excel in all aspects of the game. A career .313 hitter, he has quick hands and a short stroke, allowing him to catch up to any fastball. He also excels at pitch recognition, so breaking pitches don't fool him. Ramirez signed as a switch-hitter but was so advanced from the right side that the Red Sox told him not to bother batting lefthanded. Besides his ability to hit for average, he also has plus raw power that started to show up in games after he reached Double-A. He can drive the ball out to all fields, and his home run totals would be higher if he didn't focus so much on hitting the ball up the middle, an approach Boston preaches at the lower levels of the minors. In addition to his offensive skills, Ramirez also has the most speed, best infield skills and strongest infield arm among Red Sox farmhands. After making 36 errors in 2003, he played more under control and cut his miscues to 20.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

[TruffleShuffle]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

[Serge]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

[SouthSideRyan]

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

Oh, I agree that I'm certainly not expecting Hanley or A-Rod power from Castro, but I don't think you can ever expect that kind of translation of power no matter how raw a player is considered. I just think it's a bit early to write off the power potential of a wiry 19 year old playing at AA. I'm interested to see what Callis has to say in his write-up in a couple weeks.

[Serge]

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

Oh, I agree that I'm certainly not expecting Hanley or A-Rod power from Castro, but I don't think you can ever expect that kind of translation of power no matter how raw a player is considered. I just think it's a bit early to write off the power potential of a wiry 19 year old playing at AA. I'm interested to see what Callis has to say in his write-up in a couple weeks.

 

Oh okay, I get what you're saying now.

[SouthSideRyan]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

 

Fleita gush?? Never.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

 

I believe you're referring to a Wilken interview, not Fleita.

[Tim M]

Is there a hotter prospect right now than Castro? Seems everywhere I look his name is being mentioned. Let's hope the kid can handle it. Last year's "it" guy was Lars Anderson and he fell flat on his face.

[Serge]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

 

I believe you're referring to a Wilken interview, not Fleita.

 

Oh yeah, I think you're right.

[bubblesdachimp]

from Callis's chat

 

Matt (Chicago)

 

 

Does it make any sense for the Cubs to spend any money and/or give up any talent to acquire another middle infielder if Castro will be up sooner rather than later?

 

Jim Callis (2:11 PM)

 

 

Not really. I could see Castro at shortstop by the end of the 2010, with Theriot sliding over to second base. The Cubs have a lot of middle-infield talent coming, and I don't think they have a lot of extra cash to spend.

 

Dale (Calvert City KY)

 

 

Jim, I read something on ESPN Insider last week that said the Cubs have one of the worst farm systems in baseball. Is that true? With Castro, Vitters, Brett Jackson, Jay Jackson, Kyler Burke, Colvin, Samardzija, Gaub, and others(you mention middle infield), seems like they are headed in the right direction. And every year, they have guys who come up and contribute like Wells, Theriot, Soto, Marmol.

 

Jim Callis (2:18 PM)

 

 

That sounds harsh to me. The Cubs don't have one of the top 10 farm systems in the game, but they're definitely on the rise. I haven't ranked all 30 systems yet, but they're middle of the pack, not one of the worst.

 

Justin (Nashville)

 

 

I know a lot of people think Andrew Cashner's future is in the bullpen, but do you think the Cubs still look at him as a long term starter?

 

Jim Callis (2:36 PM)

 

 

The Cubs do look at him as a starter and will give him every chance to succeed in that role.

 

Jay (Lincoln)

 

 

Place in order: Castro, Green, Gordon

 

Jim Callis (2:58 PM)

 

 

I'll take that order.

 

charlie (DC)

 

 

True or false, Brett Jackson will be ranked third on the Cubs' top ten list?

 

Jim Callis (2:59 PM)

 

 

False. But you're going to have to wait for the magazine (or online posting) to see where he fits.

 

SteveFitz (Cicero, IL)

 

 

Hak-Ju Lee and Starlin Castro are the Cubs starting middle infield in _____?

 

Jim Callis (3:00 PM)

 

 

mid-2012.

 

Interesting stuff as always

[Sever82]

With all the Castro Love, dont tell phil rogers how good he is, he just posted an article saying we should trade him for Granderson.

 

Cubs must go after Granderson

November 11, 2009 2:16 PM | 1 Comment

By Phil Rogers

 

The New York Post's Joel Sherman is reporting that the Tigers are shopping Curtis Granderson. That would be crazy, given Granderson's impact on and off the field, but could be true with Detroit forced to consider ways to cut a payroll that no longer fits the franchise's financial picture, in part bloated by the presence of Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez.

 

Granderson, 28, is a product of Thornton Fractional South and the University of Illinois-Chicago. He's also a terrific center fielder and the type of hitter who can help in the leadoff spot or the middle of the order. He's got only $25.75 million on his contract for three years, not including a $13-million option for 2013.

 

In short, he's the perfect player for a Chicago team.

There's no way that the Tigers would be willing to trade him to a division rival, so the White Sox are out of the question. The Cubs should do absolutely everything to get him, if he is available. There's no debate about this.

 

Starlin Castro has an unbelievable future as the Cubs' shortstop. Carlos Marmol is a very valuable pitcher as a guy with less than two years' service time and the mindset and repertoire of an elite closer. Granderson is such a perfect guy for the Cubs that they should be willing to deal those guys to get him. That's the viewpoint here, anyway. It will be interesting to see what the Tigers say about the NY Post report.

Are they hurting so bad they would trade one of the best guys in the game?

[Ryno12]

With all the Castro Love, dont tell phil rogers how good he is, he just posted an article saying we should trade him for Granderson.

 

Cubs must go after Granderson

November 11, 2009 2:16 PM | 1 Comment

By Phil Rogers

 

The New York Post's Joel Sherman is reporting that the Tigers are shopping Curtis Granderson. That would be crazy, given Granderson's impact on and off the field, but could be true with Detroit forced to consider ways to cut a payroll that no longer fits the franchise's financial picture, in part bloated by the presence of Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez.

 

Granderson, 28, is a product of Thornton Fractional South and the University of Illinois-Chicago. He's also a terrific center fielder and the type of hitter who can help in the leadoff spot or the middle of the order. He's got only $25.75 million on his contract for three years, not including a $13-million option for 2013.

 

In short, he's the perfect player for a Chicago team.

There's no way that the Tigers would be willing to trade him to a division rival, so the White Sox are out of the question. The Cubs should do absolutely everything to get him, if he is available. There's no debate about this.

 

Starlin Castro has an unbelievable future as the Cubs' shortstop. Carlos Marmol is a very valuable pitcher as a guy with less than two years' service time and the mindset and repertoire of an elite closer. Granderson is such a perfect guy for the Cubs that they should be willing to deal those guys to get him. That's the viewpoint here, anyway. It will be interesting to see what the Tigers say about the NY Post report.

Are they hurting so bad they would trade one of the best guys in the game?

 

Phil Rogers = Idiot. While I would gladly take Granderson as my CF, if we're going to give up Castro and Marmol, we better get more than just him.

[sneakypower]

letting Magglio's option kick in was indescribably incompetent

 

maybe the worst personnel move made by any team since the Vernon Wells extension