Minor League Discussion & Boxes 6-5-2009

[Outshined_One]

Box Scores

 

Iowa won 2-1 Box Score

 

CF S. Fuld 1/4

C S. Clevenger 1/4

1B D. Deeds 2/4, 2B (10), K

3B K. Reynolds 0/2

PH C. Robinson 0/1

2B D. Macias 0/4

3B N. Spears 1/1, 2B (10), CS (3)

SP K. Hart 5 scoreless, 1 H, 5/5 K/BB, WP, 3-6 GO-FO

RP J. Berg 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2/2 K/BB, WP, 3-2 GO-FO

RP N. Cotts .2 perfect, 1-1 GO-FO

RP B. Parker 1 scoreless, 1 H, 0/1 K/BB, 1-2 GO-FO

 

Tennessee FINALLY broke their losing streak, winning 5-2 Box Score

 

CF B. Guyer 0/4, BB, K

LF T. Wright 0/4

2B T. Thomas 0/2, BB, R, K

3B M. Smith 2/4, R, K

PH T. Colvin 1/1, R, RBI

SS D. Barney 3/4, R, 2 RBI, 2B (10)

C W. Castillo 0/2

SP M. Mateo 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1/4 K/BB, HR, 10-7 GO-FO

RP J. Ruhlman 2 scoreless, 0 H, 0/1 K/BB, 1-5 GO-FO

RP J. Gaub 1 perfect, 1/0 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

 

Daytona won 6-1 Box Score

 

CF T. Campana 3/5, R, 2 K, 2 SB (10)

SS S. Castro 2/3, BB, 2 R, HBP, 2 SB (10)

2B N. Samson 1/4, R, K

C R. Chirinos 1/3, 2 BB, R, RBI, PO (2B)

1B J. Rosa 2/4, BB, R, 3 RBI, 3B (2), 2 K

DH J. Jones 2/3, 2B (1)

PH/DH J. Opitz 0/2

3B M. Gonzalez 0/5, 2 K

SP A. Cashner 3 scoreless, 3 H, 2/1 K/BB, Balk, 5-2 GO-FO

RP L. Sommer 3 scoreless, 2 H, 4/1 K/BB, 4-1 GO-FO

RP D. Cales 1 scoreless, 1 H, 2-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria won 5-1 Box Score

 

2B J. Lake 1/4, 3 K

3B J. Harrison 1/4

DH J. Vitters 1/3, BB, 2B (9), K, SB (3)

CF K. Burke 1/3, BB, 2 R, 2B (21), K

1B R. Ridling 2/4, R, K

SS R. Flaherty 1/4, RBI, K

RF N. Perez 1/2, BB, R, 2B (9), K

C M. Brenly 1/2R, 3 RBI, HR (2)

SP C. Carpenter 5 scoreless, 5 H, 4/1 K/BB, 6-4 GO-FO

RP R. Buchter 2 scoreless, 1 H, 2/0 K/BB, WP, 1-3 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 15-4 Box Score

 

LF V. Bieneme 2/4, BB, R, RBI, 3B (1), K, Assist (Home)

SS A. Alcantara 0/2, 3 BB, RBI, E (2, fielding)

3B J. Pena 2/6, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (1), 3 K, E (1, fielding)

RF X. Batista 2/5, BB, 3 R, RBI, 2B (1), HR (2)

DH M. Pestana 2/5, BB, R, 2 RBI, 3B (1), 2 K, CS (2)

C Y. Fuenmayor 3/5, BB, 2 R, RBI, SB (1)

2B J. Rodriguez 2/5, BB, 2 R, 2B (1), K, E (5, throw)

SP E. Pena 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0/3 K/BB, 4-4 GO-FO

RP W. Cruz 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1/3 K/BB, WP, 4-4 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 2 won 5-2 Box Score

 

2B M. Perez 3/4, BB, CS (2), E (2, throw)

SS C. Henry 1/3, 2 BB, R, 2B (2), K, SB (2, home)

3B J. Altagracia 1/4, R, 2B (3), K

C H. Suarez 0/2

C R. Parra 0/2, K

LF R. Disla 2/3, R, 2 RBI, 2B (1), K, SB (1), CS (1), PO (1B), HBP

DH M. Gonzalez 1/4, RBI

CF G. Robles 1/1, BB, CS (1)

CF J. Gonzalez 0/1, BB, K

SP J. Rosario 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5/3 K/BB, WP, 2-4 GO-FO

RP A. Jimenez 3.1 scoreless, 1 H, 4/1 K/BB, 4-2 GO-FO

RP R. Mejia 1 scoreless, 0 H, 1/1 K/BB, WP, 0-2 GO-FO

 

OVERALL: 6-0! :D

[craig]

Interesting DSL stat line:

 

Arismendy Alcantara http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Alcantara%20%20SS&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=570489

 

Five games in, he's got 7 hits, 4 of them for extra bases....... 3 of them triples.

 

I'm going to tab Alcantara as my first keep-my-eye-on DSL guy.

 

Cons:

1. 5'10". Not likely to be a HR-hitter at that size.

2. Only 3 SB when he's been on so much suggests he's no burner.

3. Batting 2nd. Typically top guys either bat 3rd or 1st. Again, not likely to be either a burner or a power guy.

 

Pros:

1. He'll be 17 all year. One of the younger guys on the Cubs DSL rosters, even if still half a year older than Henry.

2. He's playing SS

3. Unlike 6-figure SS Henry on on Cubs2, who has 7 errors, I'm not sure if he has any, or if so more than one or two

4. Often they rotate playing time and playing positions for guys. But he's all SS every game.

5. They popped him right into a high-order (#2) spot from the start. Not 1st or 3rd, but if he looked like a short, average hitter, those guys often bat low in order.

6. Well, OK, obvious pros include the 1.000 slugging percentage, the .438 batting average, the .591 OBP, and the favorable 5:2 BB/K ratio suggesting both contact skill, plate discipline, and pitch recognition.

7. I think Cubs1 is actually the more experienced, advanced team that is more likely to finish higher in the standings, the varsity with Cubs2 being the junior varsity. That Alc is on the varsity as a rookie 17-year-old may reflect favorably.

 

Obviously being good relative to DSL doesn't prove much for future. It's five games, so teensy sample. And he may be good relative to lousy DSL, but may be already at his ceiling and may never make it out of short-season.

 

Henry is obviously younger and rawer than Alc

[Guest]

Interesting DSL stat line:

 

Arismendy Alcantara http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Alcantara%20%20SS&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=570489

 

Five games in, he's got 7 hits, 4 of them for extra bases....... 3 of them triples.

 

I'm going to tab Alcantara as my first keep-my-eye-on DSL guy.

 

Cons:

1. 5'10". Not likely to be a HR-hitter at that size.

2. Only 3 SB when he's been on so much suggests he's no burner.

3. Batting 2nd. Typically top guys either bat 3rd or 1st. Again, not likely to be either a burner or a power guy.

 

Pros:

1. He'll be 17 all year. One of the younger guys on the Cubs DSL rosters, even if still half a year older than Henry.

2. He's playing SS

3. Unlike 6-figure SS Henry on on Cubs2, who has 7 errors, I'm not sure if he has any, or if so more than one or two

4. Often they rotate playing time and playing positions for guys. But he's all SS every game.

5. They popped him right into a high-order (#2) spot from the start. Not 1st or 3rd, but if he looked like a short, average hitter, those guys often bat low in order.

6. Well, OK, obvious pros include the 1.000 slugging percentage, the .438 batting average, the .591 OBP, and the favorable 5:2 BB/K ratio suggesting both contact skill, plate discipline, and pitch recognition.

7. I think Cubs1 is actually the more experienced, advanced team that is more likely to finish higher in the standings, the varsity with Cubs2 being the junior varsity. That Alc is on the varsity as a rookie 17-year-old may reflect favorably.

 

Obviously being good relative to DSL doesn't prove much for future. It's five games, so teensy sample. And he may be good relative to lousy DSL, but may be already at his ceiling and may never make it out of short-season.

 

Henry is obviously younger and rawer than Alc

Interesting stuff, Craig.

 

Question, though...when you say that the 3SB indicates he's not a burner:

 

- Isn't a rate of 3SB for every five games really good?

- If he's consistently on 2nd or 3rd after hitting doubles and triples, how many opportunities has he really had where he's on 1st with nobody on 2nd, favorable counts, outs, etc. to pick his spots to steal?

[BeerHere]

Interesting DSL stat line:

 

Arismendy Alcantara http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Alcantara%20%20SS&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=570489

 

Five games in, he's got 7 hits, 4 of them for extra bases....... 3 of them triples.

 

I'm going to tab Alcantara as my first keep-my-eye-on DSL guy.

 

Cons:

1. 5'10". Not likely to be a HR-hitter at that size.

2. Only 3 SB when he's been on so much suggests he's no burner.

3. Batting 2nd. Typically top guys either bat 3rd or 1st. Again, not likely to be either a burner or a power guy.

 

Pros:

1. He'll be 17 all year. One of the younger guys on the Cubs DSL rosters, even if still half a year older than Henry.

2. He's playing SS

3. Unlike 6-figure SS Henry on on Cubs2, who has 7 errors, I'm not sure if he has any, or if so more than one or two

4. Often they rotate playing time and playing positions for guys. But he's all SS every game.

5. They popped him right into a high-order (#2) spot from the start. Not 1st or 3rd, but if he looked like a short, average hitter, those guys often bat low in order.

6. Well, OK, obvious pros include the 1.000 slugging percentage, the .438 batting average, the .591 OBP, and the favorable 5:2 BB/K ratio suggesting both contact skill, plate discipline, and pitch recognition.

7. I think Cubs1 is actually the more experienced, advanced team that is more likely to finish higher in the standings, the varsity with Cubs2 being the junior varsity. That Alc is on the varsity as a rookie 17-year-old may reflect favorably.

 

Obviously being good relative to DSL doesn't prove much for future. It's five games, so teensy sample. And he may be good relative to lousy DSL, but may be already at his ceiling and may never make it out of short-season.

 

Henry is obviously younger and rawer than Alc

Interesting stuff, Craig.

 

Question, though...when you say that the 3SB indicates he's not a burner:

 

- Isn't a rate of 3SB for every five games really good?

- If he's consistently on 2nd or 3rd after hitting doubles and triples, how many opportunities has he really had where he's on 1st with nobody on 2nd, favorable counts, outs, etc. to pick his spots to steal?

+1

[Outshined_One]

Plus, he's a 17 year old who might not be done growing yet. If he gets up to 6', power questions based on his height will not hover around him.

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: RHP Kevin Hart (0-3, 3.93 ERA, 34.1 IP, 40 K/9 BB)

Tennessee: RHP Marcos Mateo (at Tenn: 1-3, 5.40 ERA, 30 IP, 19 K/14 BB)*

Daytona: RHP Andrew Cashner (0-0, 1.99 ERA, 22.2 IP, 20 K/9 BB)

Peoria: RHP Chris Carpenter (1-3, 3.38 ERA, 45.1 IP, 45 K/26 BB)

 

*Between Daytona and Tennessee, Mateo is 1-3, 4.15 ERA, 39 IP, 26 K/16 BB.

[craig]

[

Interesting stuff, Craig.

 

Question, though...when you say that the 3SB indicates he's not a burner:

 

- Isn't a rate of 3SB for every five games really good?

- If he's consistently on 2nd or 3rd after hitting doubles and triples, how many opportunities has he really had where he's on 1st with nobody on 2nd, favorable counts, outs, etc. to pick his spots to steal?

 

Good point. 3SB/5 games is good, and probably means he runs well.

 

But no, I don't think 3SB/5 games is all that special in DSL, no. He's tied for 3rd on the team, and one of the guys with more has only two hits! I think the pitchers and catchers are so raw that a real burner can pretty much steal at will, and would run a higher percentage of times when he's on base with 2nd or 3rd open. AA has 3 singles plus 5 walks. So if he was a burner, I think he'd have tried to steal more often. Plus I think that if he was a burner, (Juan Pierre, Kenny Lofton, Joey Gathright type speed), he'd be hitting 1st, not 2nd.

 

I could be wrong, but my guess is that if he ends up being a serious prospect or becomes a major leaguer, that base-stealing won't be a major part of his value.

[Guest]

Aaron Miles will start for Iowa tomorrow, Rich Harden will start on Sunday.

[Guest]

Drew Rundle story in the Peoria Journal-Star: http://www.pjstar.com/sports_chiefs/x862903638/Feeling-out-his-frustration

 

Ryan Flaherty storey in the PJ Star: http://www.pjstar.com/sports_chiefs/x1176000957/THEIR-MAINE-MAN

[Guest]

Craig, it's still only been 5 games so it's a small sample to infer too much about stolen bases and speed. Given the high number of triples, though, his speed can't be below average.

 

I do agree that batting order is one of the best indicators, especially early in the season.

[craig]

Sure, I think it's safe to say that he runs well, and of course 8 non-error times no 1B is small sample. By "con", I didn't mean to imply he has below-average speed, just that he wasn't a burner, by which I meant a guy where base-stealing is one of the virtues that defines his game and gets him promoted. Reed Johnson/Fukudome/Fontenot/Scales, they run fine.

 

One other little symptoms, several of the other guys have attempted multiple stolen bases in a game. I think there are at least five guys who have have run at least twice, and at least one who has attempted three in a game. Somebody like that, might be a burner.

[Guest]

Sure, I think it's safe to say that he runs well, and of course 8 non-error times no 1B is small sample. By "con", I didn't mean to imply he has below-average speed, just that he wasn't a burner, by which I meant a guy where base-stealing is one of the virtues that defines his game and gets him promoted. Reed Johnson/Fukudome/Fontenot/Scales, they run fine.

 

One other little symptoms, several of the other guys have attempted multiple stolen bases in a game. I think there are at least five guys who have have run at least twice, and at least one who has attempted three in a game. Somebody like that, might be a burner.

Another explanation could be that that this guy has the speed, but hasn't yet developed the ability to read pitchers to feel comfortable stealing. For example, Pie was/is a burner, but was never able to develop the ability to get a decent lead off first without getting picked off.

[jersey cubs fan]

I do agree that batting order is one of the best indicators, especially early in the season.

 

Wouldn't batting order just indicate what preconceived notions the manager has about the player?

[Outshined_One]

I do agree that batting order is one of the best indicators, especially early in the season.

 

Wouldn't batting order just indicate what preconceived notions the manager has about the player?

 

Pretty much, but it's better than anything else we have at this point of the season.

[Guest]

I do agree that batting order is one of the best indicators, especially early in the season.

 

Wouldn't batting order just indicate what preconceived notions the manager has about the player?

 

Pretty much, but it's better than anything else we have at this point of the season.

 

Preconceived notions plus spring training at Mesa or Boca Chica.

[Guest]

Castro: 1/1, single & a SB. Cashner: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 GO-1 FO. The 2 singles came with 2 outs in the 1st.

[Guest]

The final extended spring training game of the year:

 

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]19-year old Venezuelan bonus baby (and Carlos Zambrano clone) RHP Larry Suarez got the start on the mound for the Cubs, and appeared to be overthrowing a bit, as he was pitching in front of practically the entire Cubs Scouting Department and Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins. (Both Riggins and Cubs Minor League Hitting Coordinator Dave Keller have been at Fitch Park all week).

 

Suarez labored throughout his entire outing, and was relieved before he could complete three innings. Although he struck out the side, Suarez surrendered an unearned run in the top of the 1st on a double, a single, and an E-3 by 1B Sean Hoorelbeke on a pick-off attempt, and then the big right-hander gave up an earned run in the top of the 2nd on back to back doubles. He was removed from the game with runners at 2nd and 3rd and two outs in the top of the 3rd when he reached his max pitch count.

 

Rehabbing Aaron Miles, Ryan Freel and Luis Rivas (Iowa) all looked good today. Potential 1st round pick AJ Pollock worked out with the team. Tomorrow's extended game was cancelled so the Cubs can work out more potential draft picks.

[Wrigley Rat]

Tomorrow's Extended Spring Training game at the A's camp at the Papago Baseball Complex in Phoenix has been canceled because the Cubs want to have a closed "Camp Day" work-out for potential draft picks for their scouts at Fitch Park So today's game concluded the Cubs Extended Spring Training schedule.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2009/06/05/rivas-leads-cubs-victory-fitch

Sad :(

[Guest]

Tomorrow's Extended Spring Training game at the A's camp at the Papago Baseball Complex in Phoenix has been canceled because the Cubs want to have a closed "Camp Day" work-out for potential draft picks for their scouts at Fitch Park So today's game concluded the Cubs Extended Spring Training schedule.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2009/06/05/rivas-leads-cubs-victory-fitch

Sad :(

 

Why? Boise's season starts in 15 days and Mesa's in 16 days. Guaranteed box scores every day plus some newspaper, radio and even TV coverage in the case of Boise.

[Guest]

Cashner: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-2 GO-FO. That 3rd hit was a poorly fielded play by Dylan Johsnston that ended up turning into a double. Castro just bunted for a single making him 2/2 today.

 

Carpenter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 GO-0 FO. Vitters drew his 6th walk of the season in the 1st. :)

[Guest]

Mateo: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 5 GO-3 FO.

 

Cashner: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 5 GO-2 FO. All 4 base runners have gotten on with 2 outs in an inning.

 

Carpenter: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3 GO-1 FO.

[Guest]

Cashner doesn't come out for the 4th so his final line is: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 5 GO-2 FO.

 

The broadcasters think he threw only about 45 pitches. They're not at all sure why he was pulled as he was pitching well and hadn't racked up a lot of pitches.

[Guest]

Mateo: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 7 GO-4 FO.

 

Carpenter: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 4 GO-1 FO. 46 pitches per Nate.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Any word on Cashners early exit yet?

[Outshined_One]

Cashner: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-2 GO-FO. That 3rd hit was a poorly fielded play by Dylan Johsnston that ended up turning into a double. Castro just bunted for a single making him 2/2 today.

 

Carpenter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 GO-0 FO. Vitters drew his 6th walk of the season in the 1st. :)

 

SHOCK!