Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-11-2009

[UK1679666180]

I know I had mentioned Reinhard at the time of trade, very good move by Wilken at the time as his knowledge of the Rays farm definitely helped.

[UK1679666180]

As far as Cales, if keeps his focus and watches his weight better, he's definitely a steal given his circumstances during his 1st 3 years of college.

[Little Slide Rooter]

As far as Cales, if keeps his focus and watches his weight better, he's definitely a steal given his circumstances during his 1st 3 years of college.

 

What was that?

[craig]

As far as Cales, if keeps his focus and watches his weight better, he's definitely a steal given his circumstances during his 1st 3 years of college.

 

Good to see input, ping. Can you expand on any of these issues? What were the "circumstances" of his college years? I'm guessing there are indications of some baggage, but I'm not sure whether that's true or fair or just assuming there is problem because of unusual history. I'm seeing you as a source making reference to:

 

a) weight issues;

b) focus issues;

 

c) I know he's a guy who left Missouri after only one year. Most guys don't voluntarily leave the powerful Big-12 after one successful season. Did he get kicked out (and why?), or did he choose to leave (and why?)

 

d) I know that he played at UIC in 07, this time as a regular infielder, and again as a very effective relief pitcher. But just as it was one-and-done at Missouri, after playing at UIC in 07 he did not play in 08. Again, why?

 

It's a very unusual college pathway.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It might have been Ping that said this, but to my memory, Cales left Mizzou because he wanted the opportunity to pitch more and he wasn't going to get that opportunity in Columbia

[craig]

It might have been Ping that said this, but to my memory, Cales left Mizzou because he wanted the opportunity to pitch more and he wasn't going to get that opportunity in Columbia

 

That would make sense if it was about playing SS. Probably not about pitching; he pitched more innings in one freshman year at Mizzou than he did the following year at UIC. And if Mizzou-UIC was about playing time, that still leaves unanswered the question of why he didn't play as a junior. (Injury was not the reason, I believe he was either ineligible or else he quit or something.) Even if Mizzou-UIC was about PT, that's unusual to voluntarily take such a huge step down in competitive level when he had plenty of opportunity as a pitcher.

[Brian]

I was a student at UIC when Cales left. I think I remember a rumor about potential drug problems (either recreational or performance enhancing).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It might have been Ping that said this, but to my memory, Cales left Mizzou because he wanted the opportunity to pitch more and he wasn't going to get that opportunity in Columbia

 

That would make sense if it was about playing SS. Probably not about pitching; he pitched more innings in one freshman year at Mizzou than he did the following year at UIC. And if Mizzou-UIC was about playing time, that still leaves unanswered the question of why he didn't play as a junior. (Injury was not the reason, I believe he was either ineligible or else he quit or something.) Even if Mizzou-UIC was about PT, that's unusual to voluntarily take such a huge step down in competitive level when he had plenty of opportunity as a pitcher.

 

He did make one more appearance at UIC, but perhaps that's why he left there too and transferred to St. Xavier(where he didn't pitch/play) the next year.

[UK1679666180]

I believe Cales left Mizzou because he wanted to play SS. I think Cales left UIC because he did not qualify academically.

 

Over at BBF, I think I mentioned a story on Cales. He's extremely gifted and if he keeps his focus, he definitely has the ceiling as a ML reliever with that FB/slider combo and his ability to put it where he wants to.

[UK1679666180]

Cales gained an unusual amount of weight (fat) from when he left UIC to St. Xavier. I haven't seen him since his UIC days, but his body then wasn't ideal and if it got worse, would become a concern for the Cubs. As we seen with Acosta, they don't put up with too much as far as players becoming an issue or lack of effort.

 

The fact he did go to several schools on face value doesn't indicate problems, but the likely reasons behind them does.

[Brian]

Now that I think about it more, I think it was a different player that left the same season that had the drug rumors.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The new Smokies make an immediate impact. Canzler is 3 for 3, and Cales went 1.1 perfect with a K. Thomas is 1 for 3 with a walk and K, and Gaub got a K and a groundout to push the game into extras.

[craig]

I believe Cales left Mizzou because he wanted to play SS. I think Cales left UIC because he did not qualify academically.

 

Over at BBF, I think I mentioned a story on Cales. He's extremely gifted and if he keeps his focus, he definitely has the ceiling as a ML reliever with that FB/slider combo and his ability to put it where he wants to.

 

Thanks for the input, ping. I hadn't gotten that much info previously. He's not the first guy who's had weight problems, or been too irresponsible and short-sighted to maintain academic eligibility, or to prefer to play at a small school than pitch at a big school. None of that reflects good decision making, obviously, which doesn't bode so well; and it's easy to see why other teams would have crossed him off or dropped him well down on their draft boards.

 

But, talent is king. And if some bad decision-making and personal baggage is what it took to enable the Cubs to get a possible major-league talent in the 24th round, that's a good thing.

[UK1679666180]

Teams crossed him off because many didn't know what happended to him and/or couldn't see him pitch since he hadn't pitched since '07. I give the Cubs credit for this one.

[Guest]

1B/OF Russ Canzler and RHP David Cales have been promoted from Daytona to Tennessee.

 

IF Kyle Reynolds and RHP Blake Parker promoted from Tennessee to Iowa.

 

1B Ryan Keedy and OF Francisco Guzman promoted from extended spring training to Daytona.

 

Tyler Colvin (concussion) placed on the Daytona DL.

[Wrigley Rat]

Steve Vento activated from the 7-day DL for Daytona.

[biittner77]

Chris Robinson is off to a very good start. 75+ abs into the season is it time to wonder if he's figured out how to hit ala Geovanny Soto? Am I correct in thinking that Robinson is fine defensively and it's his bat that has held him back? This becomes important with Soto's struggles and possible injuries.

[jersey cubs fan]

is it time to wonder if he's figured out how to hit ala Geovanny Soto?

 

You mean, temporarily?