Cub prospects in the news

[toonsterwu]

just turned 26 late August. Seems like he's been around forever, partly due to the fact that the Dodgers rushed him up from AA that year when their 2nd baseman, name is slipping me, got hurt.

[jersey cubs fan]

just turned 26 late August. Seems like he's been around forever, partly due to the fact that the Dodgers rushed him up from AA that year when their 2nd baseman, name is slipping me, got hurt.

 

Still don't believe. He looks like every 33 year old crappy middle infielder who has ever played the game.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I''ll give Blake DeWitt a better Aaron Miles, and lets face it, aside from his year with the Cubs, Miles has been a somewhat serviceable utility middle infielder throughout his career.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't really buy DeWitt's bat getting that much better. For all the talk people had about how his bat would develop at some point, it's never happened. He's 26 now. While there's still time, I'm just not sure I buy it getting that much better. I think he's a serviceable utility guy, particularly if he learns to play some corner OF as he gets older (since he really isn't all that good at 2nd), whereas, on a 2nd tier club, you could probably be fine with Darwin Barney as a starting shortstop.

 

I think his bat has gotten better this season (the knock on him was always that he should be hitting for more power then he was, and this year is his best power season yet) but I would agree that it hasn't improved enough for him to be better than a low tier starter at second or a solid utility player. I think his numbers could still project slightly better than that over the next couple years as his BA has some room to move up, but he's close to his peak.

[pitchcs]

just turned 26 late August. Seems like he's been around forever, partly due to the fact that the Dodgers rushed him up from AA that year when their 2nd baseman, name is slipping me, got hurt.

 

Still don't believe. He looks like every 33 year old crappy middle infielder who has ever played the game.

 

Yes, Blake DeWitt is not good. And he looks much older than 26.

 

I don't think we need to discuss him going home this offseason, working on his game a ton, hitting the weights every day and returning a really good hitter.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I don't really buy DeWitt's bat getting that much better. For all the talk people had about how his bat would develop at some point, it's never happened. He's 26 now. While there's still time, I'm just not sure I buy it getting that much better. I think he's a serviceable utility guy, particularly if he learns to play some corner OF as he gets older (since he really isn't all that good at 2nd), whereas, on a 2nd tier club, you could probably be fine with Darwin Barney as a starting shortstop.

 

I think DeWitt could get better as a utility player. Other utility guys like DeRosa and Baker only started not sucking in their late 20's/early 30's. Baker didn't even have a positive productive season until he was 27...If the Cubs get '08 or first half of '10 DeWitt then there's a pretty productive bench player there.

 

26 isn't exactly old either. It's not even in the unofficial prime of a hitter...27-32...and DeWitt might not even make half a million next year...I'd actually look to hand off Baker's role to him.

[NCCubFan]

just turned 26 late August. Seems like he's been around forever, partly due to the fact that the Dodgers rushed him up from AA that year when their 2nd baseman, name is slipping me, got hurt.

DeWitt actually played 3B, not 2B, for the Dodgers that year. I believe it was probably Casey Blake that you're thinking of who got injured. Jeff Kent was the 2B that year.

[onion999]

This is Barneys first year in the big leagues. He still has time to improve his bat. Blake has already shown what he is about and it is mediocre. You can tell value between the two by seeing who can start in this league and who cannot.

 

If Barney were cut today, there would be lots of teams after him and he would start somewhere.

 

If Dewitt were cut today he would struggle for a roster spot.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

This is Barneys first year in the big leagues. He still has time to improve his bat. Blake has already shown what he is about and it is mediocre. You can tell value between the two by seeing who can start in this league and who cannot.

 

If Barney were cut today, there would be lots of teams after him and he would start somewhere.

 

If Dewitt were cut today he would struggle for a roster spot.

 

Also has time to get worse.

 

If DeWitt were cut today he'd find a team pretty quickly too.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

This is Barneys first year in the big leagues. He still has time to improve his bat. Blake has already shown what he is about and it is mediocre. You can tell value between the two by seeing who can start in this league and who cannot.

 

If Barney were cut today, there would be lots of teams after him and he would start somewhere.

 

If Dewitt were cut today he would struggle for a roster spot.

 

Also has time to get worse.

 

If DeWitt were cut today he'd find a team pretty quickly too. Teams will take a young guy who's had solid value in the MLB and can spot start in multiple spots.

[onion999]

You tend to get the benefit of the doubt by being a rookie since this would be your first time seeing big league pitching. His numbers can go down just like Dewitts numbers can go up, but what is more likely? Dewitt has already had his chance to show his stuff and he is sitting for a reason. Barney may always be this kind of hitter, but because its only his first season he has a chance to improve.

 

But even if his numbers don't improve he is already a suitable SS who can start in this league while Dewitt has limited upside and will always be a bench player.

[Little Slide Rooter]

This is Barneys first year in the big leagues. He still has time to improve his bat. Blake has already shown what he is about and it is mediocre. You can tell value between the two by seeing who can start in this league and who cannot.

 

If Barney were cut today, there would be lots of teams after him and he would start somewhere.

 

If Dewitt were cut today he would struggle for a roster spot.

 

Also has time to get worse.

 

If DeWitt were cut today he'd find a team pretty quickly too. Teams will take a young guy who's had solid value in the MLB and can spot start in multiple spots.

 

Any time that you have a utility infielder who is slightly competant with the bat, they'll be able to find work. Look at Aaron Miles.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Havnt seen this posted anywhere else, but Matt Camp has been suspended 50 games for substance abuse. I'll go out on a limb and say that this signals the end of Matt Camps career in the Cubs organization, maybe in pro-baseball

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110831&content_id=23996646&notebook_id=24011274&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc

[jersey cubs fan]

Dewitt has already had his chance to show his stuff and he is sitting for a reason.

 

The reason is that the people who make decisions for the Chicago Cubs decided he should sit. That's not exactly an ironclad justification.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Dewitt has already had his chance to show his stuff and he is sitting for a reason.

 

The reason is that the people who make decisions for the Chicago Cubs decided he should sit. That's not exactly an ironclad justification.

 

The reason he's sitting is because Aramis Ramirez is our best hitter and the organization seems to be in love with Darwin Barney, whether he's actually a better player than DeWitt, or even Baker or not.

[Guest]

Cracker (Barrel): I understand that the Cubs are unlikely to get Epstein or Cashman as their GM but it would seem to me that the Cubs could make Rays' GM Andrew Friedman an offer this off-season that he couldn't refuse and that the Rays couldn't match. Thoughts? Would the Cubs be smart to go this route?

 

Kevin Goldstein: If I'm going after someone with the Rays hoping for a Rays-esque turn around, I'm going after Gerry Hunsicker.

 

Colin (chicago): In a few years from now do you think B.Jackson could be putting up numbers similar to McCutchen's now?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Good lord no. He'll never be that good a hitter.

 

Matt (Chicago): Vitters:turning the corner or still not enough BBs , in your opinion?

 

Kevin Goldstein: There has certainly been progress this year, but the question remains as to whether it's been ENOUGH progress.

 

Matt (KC): Are you encouraged by what seems a diminishing chance of hard slotting?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Very much so. It's such a horrible idea on so many levels.

 

Matt (Chicago): What can you tell me about the recent performance surge from Jay Jackson?

 

Kevin Goldstein: He's been better, but I'm not sure it's a 'surge'. I think think he has a shot at a relief role down the road.

 

MJ (Edmonton): Jeff Samardzija has quietly been an effective reliever this year. Think he can take the next step and be a shut down set up guy or closer?

 

Kevin Goldstein: I think the control will keep him from ever getting to that role, but he's already exceeded expectations, like you said.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

You tend to get the benefit of the doubt by being a rookie since this would be your first time seeing big league pitching. His numbers can go down just like Dewitts numbers can go up, but what is more likely? Dewitt has already had his chance to show his stuff and he is sitting for a reason. Barney may always be this kind of hitter, but because its only his first season he has a chance to improve.

But even if his numbers don't improve he is already a suitable SS who can start in this league while Dewitt has limited upside and will always be a bench player.

 

I doubt anyone sees DeWitt as a potential starter. OTOH, a capable bench bat who can spot start at 3B, 2B, LF, and probably 1B (hopefully never to be found out) with some pop is still plenty useful...You need those kind of guys on teams too.

[Vinestal]

Gerry Hunsicker is not a bad idea, a lot of Friedmans success has been due to Gerry.

[toonsterwu]

This may be the homer in me, but right now, McCutchen's line is .271/.371/.469. My median expectations for Brett Jackson have always been roughly .265-.275/.360-.370/.440-.460.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think McCutchen is a far better talent and in time, could possible put up even better lines than this, but I'm not sure why Goldstein found the comparison of what BJax could do a few years from now vs. McCutchen now as lopsided as he seems to think it is. This is also McCutchen's first solid year according to UZR numbers, and most have BJax as an average to above average defensive player.

 

So I'm curious ... are my expectations too high for Brett? I'm curious what other people are expecting.

[Rob]

This may be the homer in me, but right now, McCutchen's line is .271/.371/.469. My median expectations for Brett Jackson have always been roughly .265-.275/.360-.370/.440-.460.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think McCutchen is a far better talent and in time, could possible put up even better lines than this, but I'm not sure why Goldstein found the comparison of what BJax could do a few years from now vs. McCutchen now as lopsided as he seems to think it is. This is also McCutchen's first solid year according to UZR numbers, and most have BJax as an average to above average defensive player.

 

So I'm curious ... are my expectations too high for Brett? I'm curious what other people are expecting.

 

I'm expecting that, for at least his first few years in the bigs, his batting average is more likely to float in the .230 to .250 range than .265 or higher.

 

.240/.315/.375 for 2012, I'll say.

 

Then again, I'm also expecting the Cubs to try to get him to alter his swing to cut down on the strikeouts, for him to lose some power in the process, and our coaches to start telling him he should be more aggressive and just put the ball on the ground and use his speed.

[Rob]

Also, for clarifications sake, I said Barney would have about as much value as DeWitt had when we traded for him. And I stand by that.

 

Player A: 25 years old, ~600 MLB PA with a .276/.314/.350 line. Good defense, no more projection in his bat.

Player B: 24 years old, ~750 MLB PA with a .262/.340/.379 line. Bad defense, some projection left in his bat.

[toonsterwu]

This may be the homer in me, but right now, McCutchen's line is .271/.371/.469. My median expectations for Brett Jackson have always been roughly .265-.275/.360-.370/.440-.460.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think McCutchen is a far better talent and in time, could possible put up even better lines than this, but I'm not sure why Goldstein found the comparison of what BJax could do a few years from now vs. McCutchen now as lopsided as he seems to think it is. This is also McCutchen's first solid year according to UZR numbers, and most have BJax as an average to above average defensive player.

 

So I'm curious ... are my expectations too high for Brett? I'm curious what other people are expecting.

 

I'm expecting that, for at least his first few years in the bigs, his batting average is more likely to float in the .230 to .250 range than .265 or higher.

 

.240/.315/.375 for 2012, I'll say.

 

Then again, I'm also expecting the Cubs to try to get him to alter his swing to cut down on the strikeouts, for him to lose some power in the process, and our coaches to start telling him he should be more aggressive and just put the ball on the ground and use his speed.

 

Everything these days comes with the caveat that there will be a new regime, but as to how this regime was operating, I wasn't expecting them to alter his swing drastically at this stage. I actually think he has a mildly similar issue as to what David Ortiz had coming up, a minor hitch on the inside of the swing (to my naked eye), and Ortiz was able to fix that with a good coach without anything being impacted.

 

My expectation for 2012 ... I'll take a stab (assuming regular PT in the bigs) and say, .250/.330/.400.

[Rob]

This may be the homer in me, but right now, McCutchen's line is .271/.371/.469. My median expectations for Brett Jackson have always been roughly .265-.275/.360-.370/.440-.460.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think McCutchen is a far better talent and in time, could possible put up even better lines than this, but I'm not sure why Goldstein found the comparison of what BJax could do a few years from now vs. McCutchen now as lopsided as he seems to think it is. This is also McCutchen's first solid year according to UZR numbers, and most have BJax as an average to above average defensive player.

 

So I'm curious ... are my expectations too high for Brett? I'm curious what other people are expecting.

 

I'm expecting that, for at least his first few years in the bigs, his batting average is more likely to float in the .230 to .250 range than .265 or higher.

 

.240/.315/.375 for 2012, I'll say.

 

Then again, I'm also expecting the Cubs to try to get him to alter his swing to cut down on the strikeouts, for him to lose some power in the process, and our coaches to start telling him he should be more aggressive and just put the ball on the ground and use his speed.

 

Everything these days comes with the caveat that there will be a new regime, but as to how this regime was operating, I wasn't expecting them to alter his swing drastically at this stage. I actually think he has a mildly similar issue as to what David Ortiz had coming up, a minor hitch on the inside of the swing (to my naked eye), and Ortiz was able to fix that with a good coach without anything being impacted.

 

My expectation for 2012 ... I'll take a stab (assuming regular PT in the bigs) and say, .250/.330/.400.

 

New regime, but my same broken heart.

[RammyFanny]

I've had the McCutchen comparison (with more K's) in my mind for awhile now. Maybe a little lower on the average but it's possible IMO.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I think he'll settle somewhere in between Chris Young and McCutchen.