Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-1-2009

[Outshined_One]

Box Score

 

Iowa lost 1-0 in the 14th Box Score

 

CF M. Camp 1/6, 2B (5)

1B M. Craig 1/5, K

3B B. Scales 1/4, BB, K, SB (5)

C S. Clevenger 1/5, K

DH J. Dubois 0/4, BB, K

SS D. Barney 1/5, K

2B N. Spears 1/5, CS (4), E (7, fielding)

SP J. Ascanio 4 scoreless, 2 H, 7/2 K/BB, 4-0 GO-FO

RP J. Russell 2 scoreless, 0 H, 0/1 K/BB, 3-3 GO-FO

RP J. Stevens 2 scoreless, 1 H, 3/0 K/BB, 0-3 GO-FO

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

RP J. Berg 3 scoreless, 2 H, 3/0 K/BB, 5-1 GO-FO

RP J. Gaub 1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 0/1 K/BB, 2-1 GO-FO

RP V. Perkins 1 scoreless, 2 H, 2/0 K/BB, 1-0 GO-FO

 

Tennessee lost 3-1 Box Score

 

SS J. Mota 2/3, BB, R, 2B (9), K

3B M. Smith 0/4, 2 K, HBP

RF D. Deeds 2/5, K

LF T. Colvin 2/3, BB

C W. Castillo 0/5, 2 K

2B N. Samson 0/2, 2 BB

PH R. Canzler 1/1

PH T. Wright 1/1

PH T. Thomas 0/1, K

SP J. Papelbon 5 scoreless, 3 H, 3/3 K/BB, 9-3 GO-FO

RP J. Ruhlman 1 scoreless, 0 H, 0/1 K/BB, 3-0 GO-FO

 

Daytona lost 5-2 Box Score

 

CF T. Campana 2/4, R, 2 SB (23)

SS S. Castro 0/4, RBI

RF B. Guyer 0/3, RBI, SB (7)

DH J. Opitz 0/2, 2 BB, K, SB (3)

3B J. Vitters 1/4

2B M. Gonzalez 2/3, R

SP R. Searle 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 7/2 K/BB, 2 HR, 5-3 GO-FO

RP D. Sasser 1.1 scoreless, 0 H, 1/1 K/BB, HBP, 2-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria lost 3-2 Box Score

 

LF J. Harrison 1/5, E (5, fielding), Assist (2B)

CF D. Macias 0/2, BB

B R. Ridling 1/4

DH R. Flaherty 0/4, K

RF N. Perez 1/4, 3 K

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, K

2B D. Fitzgerald 0/3, K, E (1, fielding)

PH K. Burke 0/0, BB

SP J. Bristow 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1/2 K/BB, 3-4 GO-FO

RP R. Buchter 2 scoreless, 0 H, 4/2 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

 

Boise lost 6-4 Box Score

 

SS HJ Lee 1/4, BB, R, RBI, 2B (5), K, SB (5)

2B L. Watkins 1/3, BB, K, SB (3)

1B G. Rohan 0/4

3B J. Petraitis 0/3, BB, K

CF/LF JH Ha 2/4, R, RBI

C M. Williams 1/4, 2B (1), K, E (1, throw), 2 PB (2)

RF K. Soto 0/3, BB, R, K, E (1, fielding)

DH G. Matheus 1/4, R, 2 RBI, K

SP R. Hernandez 4 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3/1 K/BB, 2 HR, 3-5 GO-FO

RP C. Martin 2 scoreless, 0 H, HBP, 3-3 GO-FO

RP R. Sontag 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2/1 K/BB, 2-0 GO-FO

 

AZL Cubs won 12-3 Box Score

 

CF F. Guzman 0/4, BB, R, RBI, K, 2 SB (6), E (3, throw)

SS R. Bautista 1/4, 2 R, 3B (1), K, SB (5), E (5, fielding)

DH B. Jackson 1/2, 2 BB, 3 R, RBI

1B J. Bour 3/4, BB, 2 R, RBI

C R. Jones 3/5, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR (2), K

RF J. Morelli 1/4, BB, R, RBI

LF B. Davis 1/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, 3 SB (3)

3B D. Kemp 1/5, 2 K

2B B. Springfield 0/3, HBP

SP T. Matchulat 4 scoreless, 1 H, 5/2 K/BB, 5-1 GO-FO

RP C. Hams 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2/4 K/BB, 2-1 GO-FO

RP C. Rojas 1.1 scoreless, 1 H, 2/1 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

RP T. Clubb 1 scoreless, 1 H, 2-1 GO-FO, E (1, pickoff)

RP S. Grife 1 scoreless, 1 H, 2/1 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 5-4 in the 10th Box Score

 

DSL Cubs 2 won 7-6 in the 10th Box Score

 

OVERALL: 3-5

 

---

 

MLBAAP: Roos won 9-3 Box Score

 

2B PC Chen 2/2, R, BB, 2 SB (3) - overall in Australia: 2/5, 0 K, 1 BB, 3/3 SB, 1 E

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: TBA

Tennessee: LHP Jeremy Papelbon (2-4, 3.95 ERA, 43.1 IP, 34 K/22 BB)

Daytona: RHP Ryan Searle (5-6, 4.33 ERA, 62.1 IP, 32 K/24 BB)

Peoria: RHP Justin Bristow (3-3, 4.47 ERA, 46.1 IP, 29 K/13 BB)

Boise: RHP Robert Hernandez (0-1, 4.00 ERA, 9 IP, 9 K/3 BB)

AZL Cubs: RHP Toby Matchulat (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 IP, 5 K/2 BB)

[Guest]

Baseball Daily Digest did a top 10 Asian prospects in the minor leagues list back in April. Two Cubs made it then:

 

5. Hak-ju Lee, SS. The Cubs signed Lee, probably the top South Korean prospect in the majors, and he’s being compared to Ichiro for his blazing speed and hitting ability. He’s got soft hands, a quick release and a cannon for an arm. He also lost all of last year to Tommy John surgery, not an uncommon ailment among South Korean players, who endure punishing workouts. That won’t affect his speed or bat, of course, but it might take a few MPH off that arm. Even if it does, he could shift to the other side of the keystone, and should be the first South Korean infielder in MLB—but not until 2012. This year, he’ll start in rookie ball, and work up slowly from there.

 

6. Dae-Eun Rhee SP. Rhee was another piece of the Chicago Cubs’ South Korean haul—they have the deepest Korean farm system in baseball. Rhee was the prize pitcher, just like Lee was the prize position player. Rhee dazzled in his debut for single-A Peoria in 2008, until he had to go under the knife for TJS. Assuming he recovers—and let’s face it, TJS is a rite of passage for most pitchers these days, making recovery routine—he should continue to rise through the ranks. He’s got a fastball in the low-to-mid nineties, a great change and a good curve. Only the uncertainty of TJS, and the certainty that he won’t be at full strength this season, keeps him this low on the list.

 

Well, they have a midseason update posted today: link.

 

5. Hak-Ju Lee, playing with the short-season (low-A) Boise Hawks, simply hasn’t had enough time to make the impact needed to make the Futures game. The Hawks have played 10 games, and the Korean shortstop has been their offensive star. In 44 PAs, Lee has hit .359/.432/.462, with 4 doubles and 5 RBI among his 14 hits. Though he’s got a .927 Fielding percentage, his 5.10 RF/G is excellent. Expect to see Lee in the 2010 Futures Game—and in the majors not too many years after that.

 

6. Dae Eun Rhee is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and has yet to throw a pitch in a game.

 

ETA: Shinsano at East Windup Chronicle has said a few times now that no one in the Cubs organization has made any Lee-Ichiro comps. Sounds like the media just ran with that one.

[weis21]

I'm really excited about following Lee over the next few years.

 

Thanks as always Raisin & OO

[KaiserCesar]

Baseball Daily Digest did a top 10 Asian prospects in the minor leagues list back in April. Two Cubs made it then:

 

5. Hak-ju Lee, SS. The Cubs signed Lee, probably the top South Korean prospect in the majors, and he’s being compared to Ichiro for his blazing speed and hitting ability. He’s got soft hands, a quick release and a cannon for an arm. He also lost all of last year to Tommy John surgery, not an uncommon ailment among South Korean players, who endure punishing workouts. That won’t affect his speed or bat, of course, but it might take a few MPH off that arm. Even if it does, he could shift to the other side of the keystone, and should be the first South Korean infielder in MLB—but not until 2012. This year, he’ll start in rookie ball, and work up slowly from there.

 

6. Dae-Eun Rhee SP. Rhee was another piece of the Chicago Cubs’ South Korean haul—they have the deepest Korean farm system in baseball. Rhee was the prize pitcher, just like Lee was the prize position player. Rhee dazzled in his debut for single-A Peoria in 2008, until he had to go under the knife for TJS. Assuming he recovers—and let’s face it, TJS is a rite of passage for most pitchers these days, making recovery routine—he should continue to rise through the ranks. He’s got a fastball in the low-to-mid nineties, a great change and a good curve. Only the uncertainty of TJS, and the certainty that he won’t be at full strength this season, keeps him this low on the list.

 

Well, they have a midseason update posted today: link.

 

5. Hak-Ju Lee, playing with the short-season (low-A) Boise Hawks, simply hasn’t had enough time to make the impact needed to make the Futures game. The Hawks have played 10 games, and the Korean shortstop has been their offensive star. In 44 PAs, Lee has hit .359/.432/.462, with 4 doubles and 5 RBI among his 14 hits. Though he’s got a .927 Fielding percentage, his 5.10 RF/G is excellent. Expect to see Lee in the 2010 Futures Game—and in the majors not too many years after that.

 

6. Dae Eun Rhee is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and has yet to throw a pitch in a game.

 

ETA: Shinsano at East Windup Chronicle has said a few times now that no one in the Cubs organization has made any Lee-Ichiro comps. Sounds like the media just ran with that one.

 

So, Castro is a few levels above, hitting decently well with a some defensive issues at this point. Does HJL have a better chance at leapfrogging Castro and getting to the majors? I guess a lot depends on both players' development, but Lee is doing pretty similar to what Castro did in rookie ball last year, and doesn't have the as many concerns.

[UBlink]

Mark Johnson to the 7 day DL for the ICubs to make way for a blast from the not too distant past. Matt Craig traded to Iowa from the Zephyrs.

[Guest]

So, Castro is a few levels above, hitting decently well with a some defensive issues at this point. Does HJL have a better chance at leapfrogging Castro and getting to the majors? I guess a lot depends on both players' development, but Lee is doing pretty similar to what Castro did in rookie ball last year, and doesn't have the as many concerns.

 

Despite the poor walk rate and defense, what Starlin is doing is *really* impressive - hitting .300 and only striking out 11% as a 19-year old and the youngest guy in the FSL.

 

Sure, Lee doesn't have too many concerns now. Castro didn't have too many last year either. Let's see how things go when Lee gets to full season ball and faces stiffer competition.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Mark Johnson to the 7 day DL for the ICubs to make way for a blast from the not too distant past. Matt Craig traded to Iowa from the Zephyrs.

 

THE Matt Craig? The one who floated around our farm system from 1987-2008?

[Outshined_One]

I'm really excited about following Lee over the next few years.

 

Thanks as always Raisin & OO

 

No problemo.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Ascanio is making a mockery of Oklahoma City: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 7/2 K/BB

 

Searle got victimized by a couple HR balls: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 7/2 K/BB, 2 HR

[sporrer17]

So, Castro is a few levels above, hitting decently well with a some defensive issues at this point. Does HJL have a better chance at leapfrogging Castro and getting to the majors? I guess a lot depends on both players' development, but Lee is doing pretty similar to what Castro did in rookie ball last year, and doesn't have the as many concerns.

 

The only reason Lee doesn't have as many concerns yet, is because we have very little to judge him by. He's got <40 professional ABs, where as Castro (who's not even a full year older than Lee) has 450 ABs the last two years in which he's been very impressive overall. Plus, Castro's doing it a couple levels above where Lee is, and he skipped a few levels to get there. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about Lee. I'm just more impressed by what Castro's done so far, considering his age.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Project Prospect's 5 NWL Players to watch. Link

 

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Boise (Chicago-N)

 

Lee, 18, was signed out of Korea last year for $725,000. The Cubs had made splashes in Korea in the past -- most notably Jae Kuk Ryu and Hee Seop Choi -- but both proved to be wasted investments. A potential top-of-the-order hitter, Lee is hoping to make the Cubs look better than his predecessors did and he's off to a good start, going 14-for-39 with four doubles and four steals through his first nine games. "He's got a good swing and he's got good balance. I would say right now he's more of guy who uses the whole field to hit, (who) stays inside the ball good. I wouldn't say he's going to be a power guy, but he's got some power," Cubs Pacific Rim scout Paul Weaver told Baseball America. Between Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney, Junior Lake and Ryan Flaherty, the Cubs have a slew of promising shortstop prospects and Lee is at least as intriguing as any of them.

[Tony Thomas]

Brett Jackson's first at bat at AZL is a walk.

Richard Jones got a triple

Blair Springfield also is makin his debut.

[sandbergcubs]

game tonight was pretty boring in daytona, searle was sitting around 90-91 from wat i saw on the gun

 

the first inning was very average, second pitch of the game HR, followed by two ground ball base hits just out of range of the infielders the second home run then came from a curveball that covered a little too much of the plate, he took it the other way for what looked like a fly ball but the wind aided just over

 

after the first he was very solid, striking out the side the next inning, and 4 more after that

 

vitters made a couple of solid plays at 3B, also showing some power with a line drive that was caught in center, also with his first daytona hit tonight

 

sasser once again looked solid, and must be looking for a promotion soon..

 

also noticed that there is only 24 players on daytonas roster.

 

side note.. Al Albaqurque was traded to the colorado rockies

[Outshined_One]

Brett Jackson's first at bat at AZL is a walk.

Richard Jones got a triple

Blair Springfield also is makin his debut.

 

Runey Davis, too.

[Outshined_One]

Toby Matchulat in Mesa: 4 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 2 BB

[UK1679666180]

Nice job by toby, looks like he is starting to progress, he definitely has the tools to be a very good pitcher, getting him mentally prepared to do so has been the issue. Based on his age, I'd like to see him at least finish the season in Boise.

[Outshined_One]

Another RBI double for Hak Ju Lee.

[Outshined_One]

Quick updates...

 

Iowa's game is a scoreless tie in the 14th.

 

Boise's down 4-2 in the 6th.

 

AZL Cubs are up 6-1.

[Outshined_One]

Apparently ticked off at everyone knocking his plate discipline, Brett Jackson decides to take two walks tonight without striking out.

 

9th rounder Richard Jones hit a pair of HRs in his debut.

[logn2k5]

Apparently ticked off at everyone knocking his plate discipline, Brett Jackson decides to take two walks tonight without striking out.

 

9th rounder Richard Jones hit a pair of HRs in his debut.

 

Yeah, well I bet he still can't hit for power or cure cancer.

[Bear Cub]

Reading between the posts, Al Alburquerque traded to the Rockies , Jeff Baker to the Cubs?