Cub prospects in the news

[javy knows my name]

From John Sickels:

**Thomas Diamond started the game for Iowa, pitching three shutout innings before being shutdown so he can go to the Triple-A All-Star Game. Max velocity was 92 MPH; most of his fastballs were 88-89. His breaking ball was a consistent 85 MPH. His best pitch was a 74-76 MPH changeup which had great dropping action. He doesn't throw as hard as he did before Tommy John surgery, but he showed polish, and I don't remember the changeup being that good before he got hurt. I got some video of him which I will post tonight or tomorrow.

Kind of disappointing. Given how long it's been since he's had Tommy John, I wonder if that velocity will ever come back.

 

If he has a 74 mph changeup, the 89 mph fastball will work for him.

No kidding. How is this even possible? The speed differential between the two has to typically be less than 10 mph, right?

Yeah, looks like I'm right.

 

http://friarforecast.com/?p=1739

[UK1679666180]

From John Sickels:

**Thomas Diamond started the game for Iowa, pitching three shutout innings before being shutdown so he can go to the Triple-A All-Star Game. Max velocity was 92 MPH; most of his fastballs were 88-89. His breaking ball was a consistent 85 MPH. His best pitch was a 74-76 MPH changeup which had great dropping action. He doesn't throw as hard as he did before Tommy John surgery, but he showed polish, and I don't remember the changeup being that good before he got hurt. I got some video of him which I will post tonight or tomorrow.

Kind of disappointing. Given how long it's been since he's had Tommy John, I wonder if that velocity will ever come back.

 

If he has a 74 mph changeup, the 89 mph fastball will work for him.

No kidding. How is this even possible? The speed differential between the two has to typically be less than 10 mph, right?

 

I think the ideal difference between a FB and change is 10-15 mph

 

The avg. velo difference is about 8-10 MPH and only a handful get that difference around 15, it's what makes Buchholz such a nasty pitcher since he's one of the few starters who does. Of course, his plus breaking ball, and slightly above avg. FB doesn't hurt but his best pitch is his change.

[BeerHere]

Not sure how I remember this, but when Prior was drafted I was reading some articles by/about his personal pitching coach (Tim House?). Anyway the jist of the article was that the bigger the difference, generally the more effective it will be - up to a point. A 95mph fb is best complimented by a 80-85 mph change. However if the difference between a fb and change is more than 15mph the effectiveness diminishes. Something like that....looking for the article now but not having any luck.

[Wrigley Rat]

A bit of a fluff piece on Chris Rusin:

...Rusin doesn't consider himself a strikeout pitcher and strikeouts are not his focus. The goal is control, a weapon whose value he learned in college.

 

"My college coach was big on throwing strikes and not walking people, just attacking hitters," Rusin explained. "From there, I've gotten better at it, throwing strikes and attacking the zone and allowing the defense to take care of you. So far, that has worked for me."

 

It's that philosophy that Rusin believes will take him far in his baseball career, perhaps as far as Wrigley Field. By throwing strikes, not necessarily recording strikeouts, he reduces wear and tear on his arm.

 

"If you throw a lot of strikeouts, that means you will be throwing a lot of pitches," Rusin said. "By throwing strikes and forcing ground balls, letting your defense take care of you and do their job, you can go deeper into games. By walking a lot of people or striking people out, your pitch count is going to rise. You want to go deeper into the game. I just try to keep the pitches low and for strikes."

 

Rusin's overall numbers probably could be better and he likely would have been in Double-A by now if not for a sprained right ankle suffered in his second appearance of the season. He tried to pitch through the injury but messed up his mechanics compensating for the injury. That set him back, and he eventually sat out a few weeks until the ankle was fully healed.

 

"I had a rough start, but since then I've gotten control of my pitches," Rusin said. "Everything since [the injury] has been working out."

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100713&content_id=12232664&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

[Outshined_One]

Jim Callis had a chat today.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What is Chris Archer's ceiling?

 

Jim Callis: Has the arm to be a No. 2 or 3 starter but I wonder if his inconsistent command will lead him to the bullpen.

[UK1679666180]

Not sure how I remember this, but when Prior was drafted I was reading some articles by/about his personal pitching coach (Tim House?). Anyway the jist of the article was that the bigger the difference, generally the more effective it will be - up to a point. A 95mph fb is best complimented by a 80-85 mph change. However if the difference between a fb and change is more than 15mph the effectiveness diminishes. Something like that....looking for the article now but not having any luck.

 

You're thinking of Dr. Tom House who coached and developed him mechanically while Prior attended USC. I don't remember the article but if the point is that after a certain point it makes it less efecttie then it's wrong assuming the pitcher keeps the same arm action/speed as his FB. The greater the variation, the greater it will disrupt his timimg at the plate.

[CubsWin]

Jim Callis had a chat today.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What is Chris Archer's ceiling?

 

Jim Callis: Has the arm to be a No. 2 or 3 starter but I wonder if his inconsistent command will lead him to the bullpen.

I'm not sure if Callis is aware that Archer's so called inconsistent command has been getting more consistent every year.

 

2008 - 115.1 IP, 106 K/84 BB

2009 - 109 IP, 119 K/66 BB

2010 - 84.1 IP, 92 K/33 BB

[TruffleShuffle]

Jim Callis had a chat today.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What is Chris Archer's ceiling?

 

Jim Callis: Has the arm to be a No. 2 or 3 starter but I wonder if his inconsistent command will lead him to the bullpen.

I'm not sure if Callis is aware that Archer's so called inconsistent command has been getting more consistent every year.

 

2008 - 115.1 IP, 106 K/84 BB

2009 - 109 IP, 119 K/66 BB

2010 - 84.1 IP, 92 K/33 BB

 

he may not be, but 33 BB in 84 IP is not really that great. certainly the big strides are something to be excited about.

[CubsWin]

Jim Callis had a chat today.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What is Chris Archer's ceiling?

 

Jim Callis: Has the arm to be a No. 2 or 3 starter but I wonder if his inconsistent command will lead him to the bullpen.

I'm not sure if Callis is aware that Archer's so called inconsistent command has been getting more consistent every year.

 

2008 - 115.1 IP, 106 K/84 BB

2009 - 109 IP, 119 K/66 BB

2010 - 84.1 IP, 92 K/33 BB

 

he may not be, but 33 BB in 84 IP is not really that great. certainly the big strides are something to be excited about.

Agreed. I'm pointing more to the trend than to the present condition. As a 21 year old at AA with a 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and a solid trend of improving control, I don't think his trajectory is pointed toward the bullpen.

[rawaction]

Jim Callis had a chat today.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What is Chris Archer's ceiling?

 

Jim Callis: Has the arm to be a No. 2 or 3 starter but I wonder if his inconsistent command will lead him to the bullpen.

I'm not sure if Callis is aware that Archer's so called inconsistent command has been getting more consistent every year.

 

2008 - 115.1 IP, 106 K/84 BB

2009 - 109 IP, 119 K/66 BB

2010 - 84.1 IP, 92 K/33 BB

 

he may not be, but 33 BB in 84 IP is not really that great. certainly the big strides are something to be excited about.

 

33 BB in 84 innings, isn't pinpoint control, but it's pretty solid. That's 3.5 BB/9, which is better than the current major league average (I believe). If Archer is going to put up a 3.5 BB/9 in his career and combine that with a 9.8 K/9 and near 1.5 GB/FB ratio that he has right now, he will be a near elite major league pitcher.

[Guest]

And while still at Daytona, he improved his control each month. You have to wonder if the switch turned on or it was just a couple of good months. Hopefully the poor control he displayed in his second start at Tennessee was just part of the adjustment period.

[chopsx9]

Not sure how I remember this, but when Prior was drafted I was reading some articles by/about his personal pitching coach (Tim House?). Anyway the jist of the article was that the bigger the difference, generally the more effective it will be - up to a point. A 95mph fb is best complimented by a 80-85 mph change. However if the difference between a fb and change is more than 15mph the effectiveness diminishes. Something like that....looking for the article now but not having any luck.

 

You're thinking of Dr. Tom House who coached and developed him mechanically while Prior attended USC. I don't remember the article but if the point is that after a certain point it makes it less efecttie then it's wrong assuming the pitcher keeps the same arm action/speed as his FB. The greater the variation, the greater it will disrupt his timimg at the plate.

 

I've heard the same thing as well that if variance is too great it can give a hitter (not named Soriano) time to readjust.

[TruffleShuffle]

Chris Archer, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. 17 innings without an earned run in three Southern League starts; 21-year-old has plus velocity with sink, and breaking ball has shown marked improvement.

 

# Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 4-for-5, 2B, 2 R. Showing signs of life with the bat; up to .271/.340/.338 with speed and arm strength standing out tools-wise.

[Guest]

Goldstein makes a good point about Archer's sink - he's very anti-HR.

[CubsWin]

Goldstein makes a good point about Archer's sink - he's very anti-HR.

He also just described McNutt. Plus velo w/ sink. Except for his anomaly game on July 9th when he gave up 3 HRs in one game, McNutt hadn't allowed one all year.

 

I'm inclined to call Archer and McNutt the top two pitching prospects in the organization followed by Jay Jax. For a guy acquired as the Low-A project arm in the DeRosa deal and the 32nd round pick last season, that's not bad.

[illiniguy]

Goldstein makes a good point about Archer's sink - he's very anti-HR.

He also just described McNutt. Plus velo w/ sink. Except for his anomaly game on July 9th when he gave up 3 HRs in one game, McNutt hadn't allowed one all year.

 

I'm inclined to call Archer and McNutt the top two pitching prospects in the organization followed by Jay Jax. For a guy acquired as the Low-A project arm in the DeRosa deal and the 32nd round pick last season, that's not bad.

Where do you think Cashner fits in? Or has he already had enough innings to lose prospect status?

[davell]

Technically, Cashner hasn't lost his prospect status YET, but it'll happen very soon. If he were still eligible, he's done nothing to change his status as our best young arm.

[CubsWin]

Technically, Cashner hasn't lost his prospect status YET, but it'll happen very soon. If he were still eligible, he's done nothing to change his status as our best young arm.

Agreed. Cashner's no longer in the minor league organization and it doesn't look like he'll return anytime soon. But if he were still in Iowa, he'd be the top pitching prospect hands down. That's not to say that Archer is way behind him, just clearly behind him.

 

What's exciting to think about is that McNutt is still 20 (for a few weeks anyway) and Archer is still just 21. Cashner is almost exactly 2 years older than Archer. These guys look like pretty solid prospects at the moment. Here's hoping they just keep on keeping on.

[TruffleShuffle]

#Robinson Chirinos, C, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 3-for-3, 2B, HR (11), 2 R, 5 RBI. Late bloomer is hitting .323/.408/.592 and plenty of scouts are projecting him as a future every day big leaguer.

 

Trey McNutt, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 5 K. Breakout pitcher for Cubs has been up to 96 mph with plus slider; when he throws strikes, he's nothing short of fantastic.

 

Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Speedy fifth-round pick is 12-for-28 (.429) in first seven Northwest League games.

 

chirinos has been terrific the last two years, but future every day big leaguer seems a bit of a stretch. he's been in the system nearly 10 years... he should be able to hit at AA at this point. definitely a backup option if he has a solid glove, though.

[Guest]

Nice to see Chirinos getting the love. I like him more than Castillo.

[TruffleShuffle]

Nice to see Chirinos getting the love. I like him more than Castillo.

 

same here. i certainly like him more if we're talking about a backup for next season. castillo is a hacker with some power and i've always seen it written that he has good defensive tools, but makes too many mental mistakes or gets lazy and doesn't block the ball. he could use another year at iowa; chirinos isn't getting any younger and should get the backup job if he shows up in shape and hits a little in spring training. koyie hill can go the [expletive] away.

[CubsWin]

#Robinson Chirinos, C, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 3-for-3, 2B, HR (11), 2 R, 5 RBI. Late bloomer is hitting .323/.408/.592 and plenty of scouts are projecting him as a future every day big leaguer.

 

Trey McNutt, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 5 K. Breakout pitcher for Cubs has been up to 96 mph with plus slider; when he throws strikes, he's nothing short of fantastic.

 

Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Speedy fifth-round pick is 12-for-28 (.429) in first seven Northwest League games.

 

chirinos has been terrific the last two years, but future every day big leaguer seems a bit of a stretch. he's been in the system nearly 10 years... he should be able to hit at AA at this point. definitely a backup option if he has a solid glove, though.

Chirinos probably looks like a back-up to us because Soto's having a good season. But if Robinson keeps hitting like he has over the last year and a half, there are several teams out there that would consider him better than the scrub who is starting for them.

[jersey cubs fan]

So the Cubs newest first round pick is missing time due to mono? Isn't that what Vitters had? That's the thing you get from making out with dirty chicks and/or the excuse pregnant girls use for missing a semester of school. Why are our top draft picks hooking up with dirty girls? If they are worthy of first round selections, shouldn't they be able to land a better class of female?

[SouthSideRyan]

If they are worthy of first round selections, shouldn't they be able to land a better class of female?

 

Cause they're no fun

[scarey]

So the Cubs newest first round pick is missing time due to mono? Isn't that what Vitters had? That's the thing you get from making out with dirty chicks and/or the excuse pregnant girls use for missing a semester of school. Why are our top draft picks hooking up with dirty girls? If they are worthy of first round selections, shouldn't they be able to land a better class of female?

 

You're jumping to the conclusion that they are hooking up with dirty girls. Are we just throwing the pregnant possibility?