2009 Cubs Picks Thread

[Guest]

John Sickels[/url]"]Chicago: Brett Jackson in the first round offers excellent upside for a college guy, provided he can get the strikeouts under control. He might take longer to develop than the average college pick. Second rounder D.J. LeMahieu out of LSU had a disappointing spring, but the tools are still there, and even though he is a sophomore he should be signable in this spot. Third round pick Austin Kirk, a lefty from high school in Oklahoma, has a solid fastball and a decent curve. Fourth round Kentucky lefty Chris Rusin has average velocity but a strong college track record. Sixth rounder LHP Brooks Raley out of Texas A&M is a terrific two-way player, but has leverage as a sophomore and could be a tough sign. This looks like an average class to me, with a lot riding on two non-guaranteed-but-intriguing upside college guys at the top.

[UK1679666180]

I'm generally not a fan of Sickels, but that's a fair analysis.

[badnews]

Brett Jackson sounds a lot like Tyler Colvin - a lot of talk of tools and doing this and that but not much in the way of actually baseball acumen or results to show for it.

[Wrigley Rat]

"They told me they really liked me and wanted to draft me later in draft and would follow me during the summer," David said of his discussions with the Cubs. "Nothing is going to happen in the next week or two, but maybe some time in July. "They're going to follow me and could make an offer later in the summer. I'm still only a red-shirt sophomore in college, but this is another door for me to look through. I'm just kind of playing the summer and seeing which way it goes. If the opportunity is right, I'll sign. If not, I'll go back to school and try again next year."

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090613/SPORTS/906130352/-1/NEWSMAP

Good article

[Wrigley Rat]

Maybe one of you with a scout.com membership could summarize what was said in this article? It mentions the Cubs later round draft picks who are unlikely to sign, but are intriguing. Thanks!!!

 

http://orioles.scout.com/a.z?s=251&p=2&c=871971&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2forioles.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d251%26p%3d2%26c%3d871971

[Guest]

Maybe one of you with a scout.com membership could summarize what was said in this article? It mentions the Cubs later round draft picks who are unlikely to sign, but are intriguing. Thanks!!!

 

http://orioles.scout.com/a.z?s=251&p=2&c=871971&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2forioles.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d251%26p%3d2%26c%3d871971

 

Just how the Cubs scouted football players Kaepernick and Cook. Cook is expected to sign soon and had a good work out in front of Rolando Pino a few weeks ago. Kaepernick will be a much harder sign but was a good HS pitcher. They're going to have a few scouts watch him throw in a week or so.

[Tony Thomas]

http://www.langleyblaze.com/web1/index.php

 

It says that the cubs have signed wesley darvill but does not say how much.

[Wrigley Rat]

Everyone probably knows this already, but I'm watching the LSU/Virginia game on ESPN and the announcers just explained that our 2nd round pick LeMahieu started as their SS this year, but due to his weak arm and poor range, he was switched to 2B. I'm not sure that screams 2nd rounder to me! He made a nice diving stab at a ball up the middle. It bounced off his glove and as it rolled away, he lunged and grabbed it bare-handed, then threw the runner out at 1B with a weak throw from his knees.

[Wrigley Rat]

Maybe one of you with a scout.com membership could summarize what was said in this article? It mentions the Cubs later round draft picks who are unlikely to sign, but are intriguing. Thanks!!!

 

http://orioles.scout.com/a.z?s=251&p=2&c=871971&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2forioles.scout.com%2fa.z%3fs%3d251%26p%3d2%26c%3d871971

 

Just how the Cubs scouted football players Kaepernick and Cook. Cook is expected to sign soon and had a good work out in front of Rolando Pino a few weeks ago. Kaepernick will be a much harder sign but was a good HS pitcher. They're going to have a few scouts watch him throw in a week or so.

Thank you!

[Guest]

I'm updating the first post in this thread with each signed pick. I'll add bonus info when we find it.

[manbearcub]

Everyone probably knows this already, but I'm watching the LSU/Virginia game on ESPN and the announcers just explained that our 2nd round pick LeMahieu started as their SS this year, but due to his weak arm and poor range, he was switched to 2B. I'm not sure that screams 2nd rounder to me! He made a nice diving stab at a ball up the middle. It bounced off his glove and as it rolled away, he lunged and grabbed it bare-handed, then threw the runner out at 1B with a weak throw from his knees.

doesnt look very fast either. wasnt even close to making it after hitting a slow double play ball to second

[Wrigley Rat]

Everyone probably knows this already, but I'm watching the LSU/Virginia game on ESPN and the announcers just explained that our 2nd round pick LeMahieu started as their SS this year, but due to his weak arm and poor range, he was switched to 2B. I'm not sure that screams 2nd rounder to me! He made a nice diving stab at a ball up the middle. It bounced off his glove and as it rolled away, he lunged and grabbed it bare-handed, then threw the runner out at 1B with a weak throw from his knees.

doesnt look very fast either. wasnt even close to making it after hitting a slow double play ball to second

Jim Hendry was just interviewed - he has tickets to all of the College World Series games in Omaha. He seems excited about LeMahieu, but I don't see it. Assume he hits .300 as a RH 2B. He has no power and little speed - what are they hoping he develops? I just watched him try to turn the DP - footwork looked good, but he threw a sinker in the dirt at 1B.

I'm updating the first post in this thread with each signed pick. I'll add bonus info when we find it.

Thanks - I hadn't seen that. Makes sense!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Everyone probably knows this already, but I'm watching the LSU/Virginia game on ESPN and the announcers just explained that our 2nd round pick LeMahieu started as their SS this year, but due to his weak arm and poor range, he was switched to 2B. I'm not sure that screams 2nd rounder to me! He made a nice diving stab at a ball up the middle. It bounced off his glove and as it rolled away, he lunged and grabbed it bare-handed, then threw the runner out at 1B with a weak throw from his knees.

doesnt look very fast either. wasnt even close to making it after hitting a slow double play ball to second

Jim Hendry was just interviewed - he has tickets to all of the College World Series games in Omaha. He seems excited about LeMahieu, but I don't see it. Assume he hits .300 as a RH 2B. He has no power and little speed - what are they hoping he develops? I just watched him try to turn the DP - footwork looked good, but he threw a sinker in the dirt at 1B.

I'm updating the first post in this thread with each signed pick. I'll add bonus info when we find it.

Thanks - I hadn't seen that. Makes sense!

 

They think he'll develop more power. I don't know if that will happen, but that's what I've heard.

[Wrigley Rat]

Everyone probably knows this already, but I'm watching the LSU/Virginia game on ESPN and the announcers just explained that our 2nd round pick LeMahieu started as their SS this year, but due to his weak arm and poor range, he was switched to 2B. I'm not sure that screams 2nd rounder to me! He made a nice diving stab at a ball up the middle. It bounced off his glove and as it rolled away, he lunged and grabbed it bare-handed, then threw the runner out at 1B with a weak throw from his knees.

doesnt look very fast either. wasnt even close to making it after hitting a slow double play ball to second

Jim Hendry was just interviewed - he has tickets to all of the College World Series games in Omaha. He seems excited about LeMahieu, but I don't see it. Assume he hits .300 as a RH 2B. He has no power and little speed - what are they hoping he develops? I just watched him try to turn the DP - footwork looked good, but he threw a sinker in the dirt at 1B.

I'm updating the first post in this thread with each signed pick. I'll add bonus info when we find it.

Thanks - I hadn't seen that. Makes sense!

 

They think he'll develop more power. I don't know if that will happen, but that's what I've heard.

I hope so. There had to be players available with that pick who have already displayed power in college - maybe a RF or corner infielder. The Cubs didn't draft many power hitters this draft (at least in the top 15 rounds) - I guess they realize they can just sign major league free agents with power.

[Guest]

Given his size, he's got some growing left. Plus they plan to fix his swing.

 

When Jim was back here in February for our opening banquet and came out and watched us practice, he whispered to me, ‘This kid is really going to hit in pro ball,’” Mainieri recalled. “‘You get him with the right hitting coach, they’re going to teach him how to pull the ball and I think he’s going to have power.’”

 

He was a top 5 sophomore going into this season and he still was a top 80 prospect in the draft after a disappointing sophomore season. I'd have liked the Cubs to have gone a different way but I don't know that it's such a horrific pick. Like Brett Jackson, he was picked about where he was rated.

[Outshined_One]

Puff piece on Chris Rusin.

 

“I just think hard work paid off,” said Rusin during a phone interview Friday. “It was unexpected to be picked by the Cubs, I didn't know who I was going to be drafted by.”

 

But now that he knows, he can't wait to begin.

 

“I think the main reason the drafted me is they have a lack of lefthanded pitching and I can move up quickly,” Rusin emphasized. “But I'm just thrilled to get 'er going.”

 

He said he was hopeful details of a contract could be ironed out within the next two weeks.”

 

Rusin, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, went 7-4 this season for the Wildcats with a 4.20 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 94-plus innings. He blanked Indiana State on March 7, walking one and fanning nine and had 14 strikeouts on May 2 against Tennessee, adding to his total in victories and strikeouts — where he ranks second all-time at the Lexington university with totals of 23 and 274, respectively.

[Wrigley Rat]

Darvill expects to begin negotiating with the team soon, although he cannot sign a pro contract until after he graduates later this month. According to Major League Baseball’s signing bonus structure for draft picks, they recommend a $150,000 signing bonus for the last (172nd) pick of the fifth round.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/47833367.html

No word on how much he signed for, but it should be for around $150,000.

[Wrigley Rat]

The Citadel's Richard Jones said he'd take a week or two to decide what he will do. His alternative is to return for his senior season with the Bulldogs after putting together an All-American season as a junior and tying that school's single-season home run record at 17. It's a big decision. "I'm not even close to reaching a decision right now. It's going to be a week or two before I decide, I'm pretty sure," said Jones, a former standout catcher for both Wilson Hall and the Sumter American Legion P-15's. "There's a lot of negotiations and stuff that has to take place. It's stuff I don't like to deal with, but it's a lot of stuff. "I'd love to play pro ball, but then again, my education is important," Jones added. "It's still totally up in the air right now, whether I will sign or not. It all plays into it -- money, your degree -- there are plenty of factors that play into it."

http://www.theitem.com/article/20090612/ITSPORTS01/706129984/-1/ITSPORTS

[Wrigley Rat]

Charles (Joseph) Thomas, who played at Edward Waters College, was posing for pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty when his phone rang. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the 10th round. He played third base for EWC, but pro scouts project him as a first baseman or pitcher. Thomas said he doesn't care which position he plays - or how long it takes to get to the majors - as long as he gets the chance.

http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/baseball/major_league_baseball/2009-06-11/story/wolfson_grad_jones_drafted_by_braves

[Wrigley Rat]

By this time next week, there's a good chance Cody Shields will be somewhere other than Montgomery. And chances are he'll be playing professional baseball... He has exhausted his collegiate eligibility, and thus has little bargaining power. That's not a problem for Shields, who said he wants to sign as soon as possible to begin his pro journey... Shields, 21, had several tryouts in front of pro scouts recently, including one for the Cubs two weeks ago in Atlanta. He said his best workout was with the organization he'll be playing for soon. "They had seen me play a few times and I was in contact with them throughout the year," Shields said. "If I had to bet I would have said it was going to be the Cubs." Shields said he likely will play center field. It was there that he blossomed defensively. He played second base for two seasons, but he admitted he felt more comfortable in the outfield, saying "it's a lot easier to catch a flyball than field a grounder." However, he reveled in the quarterback role and enjoyed being a leader. Defense is only half of the game. Hitting is where Shields made his mark, finishing this season with a .461 batting average, 13 doubles, nine triples, seven home runs and 43 RBIs. He was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Year and also earned second-team NAIA All-American honors.

http://www.newsherald.com/sports/shields-74924-year-montgomery.html

[Wrigley Rat]

Judge outfielder Keenyn Walker, who drew raves for his speed, defense and overall athleticism, went later than he was expected to. Some projections had him going between the second and fifth rounds. Walker said Wednesday that he will wait and see what kind of contract the Cubs offer him before deciding whether to turn professional.

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_12562115

Does that mean the Cubs have to pay him 2nd-5th round slot money for him? Should the Cubs pay that for him?

[Wrigley Rat]

Pitcher B.J. Dail was selected on the second day of the draft in the 17th round by the Chicago Cubs... Dail, a transfer from the University of North Carolina, made a big impact on Trojan pitching coach Aaron Akin in his one-year stint in Mount Olive. The hard-throwing junior compiled a 7-0 record over the course of 11 appearances. "Between the chalk lines, he is the best pitcher I have coached," said Akin. "He has four different pitches and he can locate them all." Over the last three seasons Mount Olive has produced nine major league draft picks. None have been as highly regarded by pro scouts as Dail. "It's easy to see what the pro guys like about his game," said Akin. "He throws as hard as any guy we've had and he can dominate the game by getting his curve ball and changeup over the plate."

http://www.newsargus.com/sports/archives/2009/06/13/moc_duo_drafted/

[Wrigley Rat]

Dyersburg State freshman DJ Fitzgerald must determine how much three years of college are worth... "The Cubs have made him an offer already, but he is on the fence right now," Coach White said. "He is going to sit on it. I think his best days are ahead of him either way." The second baseman hit 10 home runs with a .340 batting average this season. White said MLB scouts notice him because of his rare combination of power and speed. "He has hit some of the furthest home runs I have ever seen at the college level," White said. "He is a phenomenal athlete, and has lightning hands." White said his speed could move him to the outfield if he infield defense isn't cannot further develop."

http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20090611/SPORTS/906110316

[craig]

Judge outfielder Keenyn Walker, who drew raves for his speed, defense and overall athleticism, went later than he was expected to. Some projections had him going between the second and fifth rounds. Walker said Wednesday that he will wait and see what kind of contract the Cubs offer him before deciding whether to turn professional.

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_12562115

Does that mean the Cubs have to pay him 2nd-5th round slot money for him? Should the Cubs pay that for him?

 

I would think so, absolutely.

 

Some projections, of course, leaves a lot of range; if there were 10 projectors, and 8 of them had him as a 20th rounder, the local media will obviously mention the two possible high-round projections, even if they outliers.

 

But, regardless of that, I think it's a given, that he'll require 2nd-5th round money.

 

The question is, where in that very wide spectrum? Should we pay him 2nd round? Don't know. But certainly we should pay 5th round. We drafted a whole bunch of guys who I think we are prepared to offer 6th or 5th round money to. I think the question for many of them, for walker and Burundi Davis and Sergio Burruel and Fitzgerald and Esquivel and DeJiulio and probably others is whether 6th or 5th round money is enough. And if not, how much higher do we need to go, and then is it worth it?

 

In Walker's case, I thought he had cornerback scholarship offers to half the major teams in the northwest. As a two-career guy, not much point in sacrificing both a possible NFL future and a possible high-dollar future baseball draft spot to take a 5-figure bonus now. He's certainly going to be a 6-figure guy, no question. It's just a matter of whether $.15-.20 will do it, or if we're talking more $0.4-.8 or something.

 

Wrigley, thanks a ton for some of the comments on some of these picks, and some clues about where they are at signability-wise.

[Outshined_One]

Chad Taylor, SS, Jefferson, 13th round, Cubs: Dragons coach Pop Cuesta said Taylor and his family are still negotiating with the Cubs, and said the next meeting with the team is set for Thursday. "They're learning toward USF unless they come up with more money," Cuesta said.

 

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