Cub prospects in the news

[E.J.]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/05/10/full-scouting-report-cubs-prospect-hak-ju-lee/?sms_ss=twitter

 

Lots of praise for Hak-Ju Lee there.

 

 

It's high praise and risky to make such a comparison, but Lee plays the position like a stronger armed Omar Vizquel.

 

That's some high praise.

[Guest]

Also from Frankie a couple days earlier: Scout's Take: Castro's Bat is Legit

 

The 20-year-old Castro is different than most prospects that come up around his age. He's not the typical toolsy player that arrives with raw skill alone. Know this about Castro -- he can really swing the bat. He's going to be a solid shortstop, and he can run the bases, but nothing leaps out at you the way his bat will.

 

Upon getting my first look at Castro last year in the Florida State League, I came away tremendously impressed with how well he handled the bat. He shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields and adjusts well to off-speed pitches. Castro is not just a mistake hitter and can hang with tough breaking pitches.

 

In other words, he has an advanced feel and control with the bat. Minor league batting averages aren't exactly a great way of evaluating a prospect, but in Castro's case, his .376 average in 2010 is indicative of just what kind of an advanced hitter he is.

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2010/269967.html

 

Harold (Daytona): Is Josh Vitters going to be the next Cub prospect to make a big splash in Wrigley this year, or is he still too raw? I mean, he can't do much worse than Aramis Ramirez at this point!!!

 

Ben Badler: Woah, Vitters has made some progress at the plate with his approach, but there's still a lot more work to be done on both sides of the ball.

 

Eric K (Chicago): What's your opinion on the Cubs promotion of Starlin Castro? I think I am in the minority of people in Chicago who feel it was a huge mistake and they are rushing the kid along for the wrong reasons.

 

Ben Badler: He's still probably a couple of years from being an above-average big league shortstop, so sure, he could maybe use more developmental time in the minors, but player development can take place in the big leagues as well. You're losing the service time, but Castro has already exceeded expectations and handled his previous promotions cleanly, even last year with what looked like an aggressive Opening Day assignment in the Florida State League.

[TruffleShuffle]

Andrew Cashner, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

The Cubs are quickly arriving at a bit of a tipping point when it comes to Cashner. When they selected him in the first round of the 2008 draft as the best college reliever in the country, they immediately went about developing him as a starter, and it was the smart thing to do. Unlike many closers, Cashner actually has a quality changeup, and with his dominating fastball/slider mix in front of it, his value increased exponentially in the rotation. He's been one of the most dominant starters in the minors this year, as seven shutout innings on Saturday gives him a 0.95 ERA in three Triple-A starts, but that's not what the Cubs need. They need bullpen help, and Cashner is ready. Let's just hope it's a temporary fix so all of this really smart development doesn't go for naught.

[jersey cubs fan]

Andrew Cashner, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

The Cubs are quickly arriving at a bit of a tipping point when it comes to Cashner. When they selected him in the first round of the 2008 draft as the best college reliever in the country, they immediately went about developing him as a starter, and it was the smart thing to do. Unlike many closers, Cashner actually has a quality changeup, and with his dominating fastball/slider mix in front of it, his value increased exponentially in the rotation. He's been one of the most dominant starters in the minors this year, as seven shutout innings on Saturday gives him a 0.95 ERA in three Triple-A starts, but that's not what the Cubs need. They need bullpen help, and Cashner is ready. Let's just hope it's a temporary fix so all of this really smart development doesn't go for naught.

 

I've been a defender of the using him as a reliever option this year, but I don't get them saying they basically have no choice but using him as a reliever.

[TruffleShuffle]

a few little notes from bp last week:

 

#Darwin Barney, SS, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 3-for-5, 2 R. Batting .402 in May and .313/.333/.406 overall, with Starlin Castro around, he has no chance of starting with the Cubs.

 

# Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, K. On-base percentage is still the same of the batting average, but when that number is .361, it doesn't bother you so much.

 

Chris Archer, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 10 K

 

Not a guy who gets a lot of attention, Archer had a very good year at Low-A Peoria last year after arriving in Chicago as part of the Mark DeRosa deal, and High-A has yet to slow him down, as over his last four starts, he's giving up one earned run in 20 2/3 innings while striking out 24 and allowing just seven hits. He pitches primarily off his 92-94 mph fastball, but he'll flash a plus breaking ball as well, and his projectable frame could lead to better stuff down the road. He's an intriguing arm who deserves more attention.

 

# Thomas Diamond, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Former Rangers' first-round pick has 2.08 ERA in eight starts; stuff isn't at pre-injury levels, but there's still some life in his arm.

 

Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-3, HR (1), 2 R, RBI; 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SB

 

It was around this time last year when Vitters went a bit crazy at Low-A Peoria, hitting home runs in eight of ten games. While nobody is predicting another run of that nature, the point here is that Vitters continues to hit since taking Starlin Castro's roster spot at Double-A, batting .393/.393/.607 in eight game since the move. That's not a typo on the on-base percentage, as he's yet to draw a walk, but don't automatically make the assumption that no walks = no prospect. It's a true weakness in his game, and one that needs to be addressed on some level, but it's not going to keep a bit this good from advancing.

[TruffleShuffle]

Trey McNutt, RHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

 

In a recent outing when I saw McNutt, a scout I was sitting next to asked me what I knew about the right-hander. My quick answer was, "Real late pick last year, but big arm and the Cubs paid him six figures." The scout's reply, "I can see why." It's was the 32nd round and $115,000 to be exact, and McNutt's arm has definitely been big, as he's been touching 95 mph while sitting comfortably in the 92-94 range and also featuring a nice slider. His command and control comes and goes, but his 1.69 ERA and .191 opponents average prove the stuff out.

[TruffleShuffle]

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, HR (4), R, 3 RBI, K.

 

Jackson's explosive debut last year may have resulted in some unfair expectations, as while on a tools and athleticism level, he was far better than the 31st best player in the draft, he also had some real holes in his game, especially in his swing. While the power hasn't been there this year, he has flirted with .300 for much of the season while drawing a good number of walks, and in the Florida State League, it's certainly an excellent showing, as by going 12-for-27 in his last six games, including last night's stylish cycle that ended with a walk-off home run, he's up to .291/.405/.450 and still easily the best outfielder in the system.

 

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 3-for-5, 2 R. Finally catching up offensively; 19-year-old is hitting .370/.431/.391 in 12 June games and seems to make one eye-popping defensive play a night.

[TruffleShuffle]

Trey McNutt, RHP, Cubs(Low-A Peoria): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K

 

One of the biggest surprises in the Midwest League, McNutt was a 32nd round pick last year who signed for just over $100,000, yet he's been one of the best pitchers in the Midwest League, with a 1.51 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. The good news is that the scouting reports back up the numbers, as he parks a heavy fastball at 93-95 mph and has a quality power breaking ball. His mechanics are a bit unwieldy, and his command can come and go, but this is a quality arm and a great find for scouting directorTim Wilkin.

 

# Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, 2 K. 16 hits in last eight games, including half of them for extra bases. Up to .296/.404/.457 and should finish the year in Double-A.

 

# Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. Best game in over a month; just .233/.275/.330 in 32 games since promotion.

 

# Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Nine innings without allowing an earned run in two starts with 11 strikeouts; could get another look with desperate Cubs team.

[Outshined_One]

From BA's Helium Watch

 

Chicago Cubs: Chris Archer, rhp, high Class A Daytona

Archer was a wild arm with upside in the Indians' system, so the Cubs took a chance on him in the Mark DeRosa trade. Archer's control improved last year in his Cubs debut with low Class A Peoria and has been even better this year with Daytona. His low-90s fastball and above-average breaking ball have helped him strike out more than a batter per inning, which might make him the best arm in the system at the end of the year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

ouble-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. Best game in over a month; just .233/.275/.330 in 32 games since promotion.

 

# Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Nine innings without allowing an earned run in two starts with 11 strikeouts; could get another look with desperate Cubs team.

 

As desperate as the Cubs may be, pitching, especially starting pitching is not something they are desperate for.

[ctcf]

ouble-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. Best game in over a month; just .233/.275/.330 in 32 games since promotion.

 

# Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Nine innings without allowing an earned run in two starts with 11 strikeouts; could get another look with desperate Cubs team.

 

As desperate as the Cubs may be, pitching, especially starting pitching is not something they are desperate for.

 

I'd imagine Diamond or Jackson would get a look before Mr. Alphabet

[Guest]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2010/2610213.html

 

Trey McNutt story in BA:

 

But as the season went along his velocity increased. He had made some mechanical adjustments, but nothing that would seem to explain what happened to his velocity. He started throwing harder near the end of his junior college season and picked up another tick or two on his fastball during his work in a summer league.

 

"My arm just got stronger and my velocity jumped up," McNutt said.

 

As you would expect, turning a tick below-average fastball into a plus fastball has made a big difference. McNutt mixes a two-seamer with good movement with an occasional four-seamer. But the biggest difference this year is the improvement in his slurve. When the season began, McNutt's breaking ball was pretty loopy and he struggled to locate it. McNutt has tightened it up making it more of a slurve.

 

McNutt also has a changeup, but it's still pretty raw and is more of a work-in-progress than a weapon—sometimes he's doing hitters a favor by throwing them a pitch they can catch up to.

 

So when the season began, if McNutt got two strikes on a hitter, he could try to throw a breaking ball, but all too often, it would result in a ball and a deeper count. If he was looking for the strikeout he had to rely on his fastball. It often was enough, but it led to a lot of foul balls, some walks and too many outings where he was being pulled before he could get out of the fifth. The Cubs' are holding him to roughly an 85-pitch limit, which explains why he's failed to get out of the fifth six times this season.

[TruffleShuffle]

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennesee)

After getting plunked in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Jackson needed a day off on Sunday, but he got the day off for all the right reasons, as it was time to pack his stuff for a move to Double-A. Jackson had clearly become too good for the Florida State League, batting .410 in his last 20 games while slugging .783, and scouts who have seen him of late are absolutely baffled as to how he lasted 31 picks in last year's draft. He strikes out more than one would like, but that might be the only hole in his game, as he's a patient hitter with at least average raw power, well above-average speed, good center field skills, and a strong arm. Right now, it's a nearly perfect combination of tools and production, and if he can keep producing in the Southern League, next year's spring training could be interesting.

 

apparently kevin goldstein didn't check the southern league box scores. BA daily dish did, though:

 

Brett Jackson, cf, Double-A Tennessee (Cubs): The Southern League has gotten a nice talent infusion this week as Sands, Andrew Lambo and Aaron Miller have joined the Lookouts, Brad Boxberger has been promoted to Carolina and Jackson, one of the Cubs' top prospects, has joined the Smokies. Jackson got the news of his promotion just before a bus-ride back to Daytona on Saturday night. He still had to ride the bus back with the team, then hop on a 5 a.m. flight to Knoxville that got him to the ballpark in time for Sunday afternoon's game. Even with just a couple of cat-naps, Jackson went 2-for-5 with a home run in his Double-A debut.

 

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

While Lee's .276/.344/.346 batting line with 23 errors might not seem Futures Game worthy, he's been generating a ton of buzz. Only 19 years old, the South Korea native doesn't have the experience of most his age, but he'll show you something almost every night to get excited about. Sure, that's a lot of errors, but he likely leads all Midwest League shortstops in web gem-worthy plays, is a plus-plus runner with a rocket for an arm, and has an idea at the plate to go with a quick line-drive swing. He's clearly getting better as the season wears on, and after a pair of multi-hit games over the weekend, he's hitting .333/.398/.360 in June.

[CUBZ99]

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennesee)

After getting plunked in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Jackson needed a day off on Sunday, but he got the day off for all the right reasons, as it was time to pack his stuff for a move to Double-A. Jackson had clearly become too good for the Florida State League, batting .410 in his last 20 games while slugging .783, and scouts who have seen him of late are absolutely baffled as to how he lasted 31 picks in last year's draft. He strikes out more than one would like, but that might be the only hole in his game, as he's a patient hitter with at least average raw power, well above-average speed, good center field skills, and a strong arm. Right now, it's a nearly perfect combination of tools and production, and if he can keep producing in the Southern League, next year's spring training could be interesting.

 

apparently kevin goldstein didn't check the southern league box scores. BA daily dish did, though:

 

Brett Jackson, cf, Double-A Tennessee (Cubs): The Southern League has gotten a nice talent infusion this week as Sands, Andrew Lambo and Aaron Miller have joined the Lookouts, Brad Boxberger has been promoted to Carolina and Jackson, one of the Cubs' top prospects, has joined the Smokies. Jackson got the news of his promotion just before a bus-ride back to Daytona on Saturday night. He still had to ride the bus back with the team, then hop on a 5 a.m. flight to Knoxville that got him to the ballpark in time for Sunday afternoon's game. Even with just a couple of cat-naps, Jackson went 2-for-5 with a home run in his Double-A debut.

 

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria)

While Lee's .276/.344/.346 batting line with 23 errors might not seem Futures Game worthy, he's been generating a ton of buzz. Only 19 years old, the South Korea native doesn't have the experience of most his age, but he'll show you something almost every night to get excited about. Sure, that's a lot of errors, but he likely leads all Midwest League shortstops in web gem-worthy plays, is a plus-plus runner with a rocket for an arm, and has an idea at the plate to go with a quick line-drive swing. He's clearly getting better as the season wears on, and after a pair of multi-hit games over the weekend, he's hitting .333/.398/.360 in June.

 

Great stuff. Love hearing the enthusiasm in regard to Lee.

[Wrigley Rat]

As for the three who got their tickets punched to Boise, Kurcz may not have the stamina or repertoire to be a starter, but he does have the earmarks of a closer or 8th inning set-up man (he throws mid-90's gas), Jokisch is a polished college lefty who (if he can stay healthy) could move quickly through the system, and LePage began his pro career last week like a house afire, getting seven hits and two SB in his first two games before the promotion to Boise. (LePage struck out just three times in 278 PA at U-Conn in 2010).

Aaron Shafer was sent to the bullpen only because he failed to win a job in the Daytona starting rotation in Minor League Camp (the D-Cubs were overloaded with starters), and he really took to the bullpen gig. It doesn't mean he can't be a starter again somewhere down the road, but he has been outstanding working out of the pen, actually much better than he had been as a starter. If he pitches at Tennessee like he did at Daytona, he could get to the big leagues in a hurry, which probably would not be the case if he was a starter. BTW, Shafer has allowed no runs (earned or unearned) in the month of June.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/28/azl-cubs-rally-four-8th-defeat-hohokam

[TruffleShuffle]

# Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI. 4-for-10 with two home runs in two Double-A games; starting to wonder how high on an overall prospect list he belongs.

[Guest]

# Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI. 4-for-10 with two home runs in two Double-A games; starting to wonder how high on an overall prospect list he belongs.

I saw him last year in South Bend when he was with the Cheifs. He's a man amongst boys. Hopefully the power translates to @ 20/season.

[toonsterwu]

KG offers up Brett Jackson as a possibility as the 11th best prospect in the minors. Well, he gives a top 10 and then a bunch of options to vote on, so Brett is somewhere from 11th-20th in this quick list he made.

[TruffleShuffle]

kevin goldstein did a top 10 of prospects still in the minors, and this was how he ranked them:

 

 

1. Domonic Brown, OF, Philles

2. Mike Trout, OF, Angels

3. Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves

4. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Rays

5. Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays

6. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals

7. Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers

8. Jesus Montero, C/DH, Yankees

9. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds

10. Tyler Matzek, LHP, Rockies

 

he then listed a number of candidates for the next spot on the list: 0

* Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners

* J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays

* Chris Carter, 1B, Athletics

* Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals

* Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs: He's performing very well of late, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game, while his tools are good but not mind-blowing.

* John Lamb, LHP, Royals

* Mike Montgomery, LHP, Royals

* Logan Morrison, 1B, Marlins

* Will Myers, C, Royals

* Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins

 

 

that's a lot of royals, by the way.

[jersey cubs fan]

that's a lot of royals, by the way.

 

5 of 'em, dang, nice inventory.

[chopsx9]

KG offers up Brett Jackson as a possibility as the 11th best prospect in the minors. Well, he gives a top 10 and then a bunch of options to vote on, so Brett is somewhere from 11th-20th in this quick list he made.

 

 

With how he's performing in Ten. is it outside the relm of possability that he fights for a big league spot in March?

[toonsterwu]

KG offers up Brett Jackson as a possibility as the 11th best prospect in the minors. Well, he gives a top 10 and then a bunch of options to vote on, so Brett is somewhere from 11th-20th in this quick list he made.

 

 

With how he's performing in Ten. is it outside the relm of possability that he fights for a big league spot in March?

 

Is it possible? Sure. I hope they give him a tad more time, though. The chances of this club being overhauled enough to be competitive for the playoffs in 2011 is fringy, imo, considering the limited financial flexibility. Maybe things change, but I think we should be targeting 2012, if not 2013, as the first year of our new window, and as such, I don't see the rush.

[nick23]

Keith Law's lates chat.

Billy (Champaign)

 

 

Hey Keith, I was wondering what your thoughts are on Brett Jackson. You sounded disappointed that he was on the futures game roster, and then didn't have him in your top 25, or even an honorable mention yesterday. Are you down on him, or just not nearly as high on him as a lot of others?

 

Klaw (2:07 PM)

 

 

Never been very high on him. Don't see a plus tool, and I believe he's going to strike out too often to be an impact hitter through batting average.

Bob (Tinley Park, IL)

 

 

What happened to Josh Vitters...I'm guessing that he dropped off your list due to his lack of plate discipline?

 

Klaw (1:16 PM)

 

 

Yes, in a nutshell. His whole approach isn't improving - if anything it's gone backwards. Great swing, potential power, but how's he going to get to it if he shows virtually no discrimination at the plate?

[jersey cubs fan]

KG offers up Brett Jackson as a possibility as the 11th best prospect in the minors. Well, he gives a top 10 and then a bunch of options to vote on, so Brett is somewhere from 11th-20th in this quick list he made.

 

 

With how he's performing in Ten. is it outside the relm of possability that he fights for a big league spot in March?

 

Is it possible? Sure. I hope they give him a tad more time, though. The chances of this club being overhauled enough to be competitive for the playoffs in 2011 is fringy, imo, considering the limited financial flexibility. Maybe things change, but I think we should be targeting 2012, if not 2013, as the first year of our new window, and as such, I don't see the rush.

 

I don't get the point of tying Jackson's timeline with that of a theoretical "new window" for the team. I'm not all that interested in bringing him up that soon, but if he is still hitting like a mofo, it would be hard to ignore. That being said, these aren't the A's. They don't have to worry as much about timing windows and such. If they get some improved production in a couple spots and a GM with a brain, they could be right back in it soon. Also, if Jackson's rookie year is 2011, he could be an established known commodity by 2012/2013 and make it easier to determine exactly what that team needs to get better.