Cub prospects in the news

[davell]

No idea where to put this, but didn't want to start a thread on it. We're losing Derek Johnson to the Brewers, who'll become their pitching coach. Would've been nice to hold onto him for a while longer, but that's a promotion we just couldn't give him obviously.

[Cubswin11]

From Law's chat today, he's been at/still is at the AFL. FWIW

 

Mark: How good is Willson Contreras defensively?

Klaw: I’ve heard more than just playable or average. So far I’ve only seen him hit here – two doubles and a homer yesterday – and I love what I see at the plate.

 

Mark: How soon can Wilson Contreras get a look in Chicago? Montero’s second half and playoffs worries me greatly.

Klaw: I think he can be part of the catching solution there next year, not right away but over the course of the whole season.

[toonsterwu]

Not sure if it's been posted, but Jim Callis wrote this today:

 

There was a video in there as well.

 

Willson Contreras, the Cubs' No. 10 prospect, was the most impressive hitter in Peoria's 5-3 victory, doubling twice and homering in four at-bats. After Travieso induced him to hit an easy comebacker with a 95-mph fastball in the first inning, Contreras drove an 89-mph fastball down and in to left-center in the fourth against Mariners left-hander Ryan Horstman and then took an 87-mph heater in the same location to the right-field wall in the seventh off Orioles sidearming southpaw Donnie Hart.

Braves right-hander Mauricio Cabrera entered in the eighth inning and fired 99-102 mph fastballs to the first three hitters. Up came Contreras, who was hunting fastballs and got badly fooled when Cabrera took something off and started him with an 89-mph pitch in the dirt. When Cabrera tried to do the same thing three pitches later, he hung an 89-mph offering and Contreras crushed it over the fence in left-center.

Originally signed as a third baseman out of Venezuela in 2009, Contreras converted to catcher in 2012 and emerged as one of baseball's best prospects at the position this year. He led the Double-A Southern League with a .333 average this year, thanks to a quick right-handed swing and an improved approach at the plate. He's also a capable defender with solid arm strength, though he didn't display his defensive ability on Wednesday because he was DHing.

 

If Contreras can be ready by midseason, it'd be great if we could sideline David Ross and make him the backup, giving us an improved backup and some time to get him ready for 2017.

[Proven Veteran]

No idea where to put this, but didn't want to start a thread on it. We're losing Derek Johnson to the Brewers, who'll become their pitching coach. Would've been nice to hold onto him for a while longer, but that's a promotion we just couldn't give him obviously.

 

Just make a thread, it's not like we're running out of room.

[Guest]

BA on Willson Contreras:

Baseball America[/url]"]A marginal prospect in his first five years in the Chicago organization, the righthanded-hitting Contreras broke out in a big way with a solid season in the Double-A Southern League, winning the batting title in a .333/.413/.478 and ranking as the league’s No. 11 best prospect. It was his third season behind the plate after starting his minor league career as a third baseman.

 

He’s continued the torrid hitting in the AFL, with three home runs and a slash line of .302/.380/.605 at the season’s midpoint. Scouts covering the league have praised Contreras for his solid defense behind the plate, with sub-2.00 pop times, a strong, quick arm and good receiving skills.

 

Contreras believes the turning point in his career came when he spent time in winter ball in Venezuela last year, picking the brains of veteran big league players as to how to be most successful in the game. In talking with Avisail Garcia, Yangervis Solarte, Wilson Ramos and Hector Gimenez, the lesson was the same from each experienced player.

 

In general, they each said to Contreras, “It’s nothing different. You just have to be 100 percent focused and 100 percent sure of what you want to do.”

 

Contreras had a new mantra as he began the 2015 season—”Paying attention to details”—a phrase that he continually repeats during the course of conversation.

 

Part of paying attention to details is to consistently follow a plan at the plate. Contreras used a disciplined approach in 2015, walking nearly as often as he struck out. He attributes it to improvements he made in regular hitting sessions with Double-A Tennessee assistant hitting coach Guillermo Martinez. He said that before this year he would go to the plate, see the ball and swing at the ball, and didn’t have a plan at the plate.

 

“This year I have a plan,” Contreras said. “Every at-bat I have a plan. With two strikes, I just try to put the ball in play and that’s what’s been working for me.”

[Guest]

I was ready to get excited about this new 20-80 site and then I saw that Arguello joined up

[Guest]

BA on Willson Contreras:

Baseball America[/url]"]A marginal prospect in his first five years in the Chicago organization' date=' the righthanded-hitting Contreras broke out in a big way with a solid season in the Double-A Southern League, winning the batting title in a .333/.413/.478 and ranking as the league’s No. 11 best prospect. It was his third season behind the plate after starting his minor league career as a third baseman.

 

He’s continued the torrid hitting in the AFL, with three home runs and a slash line of .302/.380/.605 at the season’s midpoint. Scouts covering the league have praised Contreras for his solid defense behind the plate, with sub-2.00 pop times, a strong, quick arm and good receiving skills.

 

Contreras believes the turning point in his career came when he spent time in winter ball in Venezuela last year, picking the brains of veteran big league players as to how to be most successful in the game. In talking with Avisail Garcia, Yangervis Solarte, Wilson Ramos and Hector Gimenez, the lesson was the same from each experienced player.

 

In general, they each said to Contreras, “It’s nothing different. You just have to be 100 percent focused and 100 percent sure of what you want to do.”

 

Contreras had a new mantra as he began the 2015 season—”Paying attention to details”—a phrase that he continually repeats during the course of conversation.

 

Part of paying attention to details is to consistently follow a plan at the plate. Contreras used a disciplined approach in 2015, walking nearly as often as he struck out. He attributes it to improvements he made in regular hitting sessions with Double-A Tennessee assistant hitting coach Guillermo Martinez. He said that before this year he would go to the plate, see the ball and swing at the ball, and didn’t have a plan at the plate.

 

“This year I have a plan,” Contreras said. “Every at-bat I have a plan. With two strikes, I just try to put the ball in play and that’s what’s been working for me.”[/quote']

 

Very cool. I wonder how many guys have the ability to be disciplined if they flip the switch like that.

[davell]

I was ready to get excited about this new 20-80 site and then I saw that Arguello joined up

 

Eh, that's his strength easily. I'm interested to see what happens with it and BP, since they've taken a ton of guys from there.

[Vinestal]

I was ready to get excited about this new 20-80 site and then I saw that Arguello joined up

 

Eh, that's his strength easily. I'm interested to see what happens with it and BP, since they've taken a ton of guys from there.

What's his strength?

[jersey cubs fan]

I was ready to get excited about this new 20-80 site and then I saw that Arguello joined up

 

Eh, that's his strength easily. I'm interested to see what happens with it and BP, since they've taken a ton of guys from there.

What's his strength?

20

[Guest]

I think Arguello can talk knowledgeably about minor leaguers, he isn't a dummy and especially now that he's in AZ he can talk to others to get good info. I would not particularly trust a scouting report with Arguello as the primary source, at least not compared to others that I've seen that are joining 20-80.

[Vinestal]

I think Arguello can talk knowledgeably about minor leaguers, he isn't a dummy and especially now that he's in AZ he can talk to others to get good info. I would not particularly trust a scouting report with Arguello as the primary source, at least not compared to others that I've seen that are joining 20-80.

There are 3 or 4 people here that can do a far better job of talking about minor leaguers than Arguello. He doesn't have much credibility with me, he's spent years building a following with fake sources and just making crap up. Maybe having to be accountable to a boss will straighten him out somewhat. I love a lot of the writers that left BP to join 2080 so I guess we'll see.

[CubsWin]

I think Arguello can talk knowledgeably about minor leaguers, he isn't a dummy and especially now that he's in AZ he can talk to others to get good info. I would not particularly trust a scouting report with Arguello as the primary source, at least not compared to others that I've seen that are joining 20-80.

There are 3 or 4 people here that can do a far better job of talking about minor leaguers than Arguello. He doesn't have much credibility with me, he's spent years building a following with fake sources and just making crap up. Maybe having to be accountable to a boss will straighten him out somewhat. I love a lot of the writers that left BP to join 2080 so I guess we'll see.

Fake sources? Who? How would you know?

 

Or are you just making crap up...?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Catchers typically develop later, so I don't think he'll get docked there.

 

I think Torres and McKinney are the only 2 guys we have that'll get unanimous love for top 100's between BA, BP, Law, Kiley, and MLB. Too many different eval processes going on. But I'd bet we see Underwood, Contreras, and Happ on a list or more. With Almora as a possibility and Jimenez and Cease as dark horses for BP.

 

Johnson?

[CubsWin]

Catchers typically develop later, so I don't think he'll get docked there.

 

I think Torres and McKinney are the only 2 guys we have that'll get unanimous love for top 100's between BA, BP, Law, Kiley, and MLB. Too many different eval processes going on. But I'd bet we see Underwood, Contreras, and Happ on a list or more. With Almora as a possibility and Jimenez and Cease as dark horses for BP.

 

Johnson?

Edwards doesn't get a mention here? He's currently #57 on MLB. That'd be a long way to fall if he didn't make it at all. Not saying it couldn't happen. They could see his move to reliever as permanent. But there are other likely relievers on their top 100.

[Bilbo161]

I was ready to get excited about this new 20-80 site and then I saw that Arguello joined up

 

Huh. Kinda like the guy myself. What's the issue?

[Post Count Padder]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/669562030966349825[/tweet]

[Guest]

2080 Baseball finally launched, their AFL review of Mesa is worth a read: http://2080baseball.com/2015/12/afl-team-review-mesa-solar-sox/

 

Bits on Johnson, Contreras (Arguello warning), Candelario, Black, and Zagunis.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I would not have guessed Pierce Johnson is about to turn 25

[Banedon]

According to the Normal Cornbelter's twitter and instagram, the Cubs bought the contract to RHP Cole Brocker.

[Guest]

According to the Normal Cornbelter's twitter and instagram, the Cubs bought the contract to RHP Cole Brocker.

Are these names of actual people?

[Guest]

The Normal Cornbelters are an Indy league team. Brocker is a reliever who it looks like spent about a year in the Braves system in between stays in Normal. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=brocke000col

[Banedon]

According to the Normal Cornbelter's twitter and instagram, the Cubs bought the contract to RHP Cole Brocker.

Are these names of actual people?

 

The Cornbelter's are the Frontier League team down here in Bloomington/Normal. Their claim to fame is that Ozzie Guillen's kid played for them for a while, and Ozzie himself "guest managed" at one point last year. No idea about that pitcher...just saw something on reddit and figured i'd make a rare minor league forum appearance to share.

[Guest]

According to the Normal Cornbelter's twitter and instagram, the Cubs bought the contract to RHP Cole Brocker.

Are these names of actual people?

 

The Cornbelter's are the Frontier League team down here in Bloomington/Normal. Their claim to fame is that Ozzie Guillen's kid played for them for a while, and Ozzie himself "guest managed" at one point last year. No idea about that pitcher...just saw something on reddit and figured i'd make a rare minor league forum appearance to share.

 

OHHH. Nothing to see here.

 

I missed the "the" the first time.

[Banedon]

So you thought Normal Cornbelter was someone's name?