Minor League Discussion & Boxes 8-2-2009

[Outshined_One]

Box Scores

 

Iowa lost 3-1 Box Score

 

2B A. Miles 1/3, BB, CS (2)

CF M. Camp 1/2, BB, R

LF J. Dubois 0/1

1B M. Craig 0/4, K

RF/3B B. Scales 0/3

C S. Clevenger 0/3

3B/SS N. Spears 1/3

SS D. Barney 0/3

SP C. Fossum 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 6/3 K/BB, HR, 6-5 GO-FO

RP J. Gaub 1.1 perfect, 2/0 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

RP B. Parker 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1/1 K/BB, WP, 2-0 GO-FO

 

Tennessee won 11-1 Box Score

 

SS J. Mota 1/1, BB, 2 R, RBI

PH/SS N. Samson 1/2, RBI

CF J. Adduci 1/4, R, RBI, K

CF D. Deeds 0/1

LF T. Wright 2/5, R, 2 RBI, 2B (16)

RF T. Colvin 3/5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (9)

3B M. Smith 3/4, BB, R, 2 RBI, 2B (29)

1B R. Canzler 1/5, K

C W. Castillo 2/3, R, RBI

2B T. Thomas 1/2, 2 BB, 2 R, 2B (21)

SP J. Papelbon 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/1 K/BB, 8-4 GO-FO

RP M. Mateo 2 scoreless, 0 H, 3/0 K/BB, 0-3 GO-FO

RP C. Lambert 1 scoreless, 0 H, 2/1 K/BB, 1-0 GO-FO

 

Daytona lost 3-2 Box Score

 

LF T. Campana 0/3, 2 K, Assist (2B)

3B J. Opitz 1/3, BB, R, E (14, fielding)

DH S. Castro 2/4

CF B. Guyer 1/3, BB, RBI, 2B (12), SB (17), PO (2B)

SS M. Gonzalez 1/4, RBI, 2 K, E (13, throw)

2B J. Made 2/4, R

SP C. Muschko 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5/2 K/BB, HR, 5-5 GO-FO

RP J. Pina 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1/0 K/BB, 2-0 GO-FO, E (1, pickoff)

RP L. Sommer 2 scoreless, 1 H, 4/0 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

RP D. Cales 1 scoreless, 1 H, 1/0 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria won 5-4 Box Score

 

CF B. Jackson 1/4, BB, R, K, 2 SB (4)

SS R. Flaherty 1/3, 2 BB

1B R. Ridling 2/5, R, 2 RBI, K

RF K. Burke 2/4, BB, R, K, SB (12)

2B DJ LeMahieu 2/4, R, 2 RBI, 3B (1)

3B J. Rosa 0/4, 2 K

DH J. Lake 0/4, K

LF D. Rundle 0/2, BB, K

PH/LF N. Perez 1/1, R

SP J. Antigua 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4/1 K/BB, 5-5 GO-FO

 

Boise lost 2-1 Box Score

 

SS HJ Lee 0/4, 2 K

CF J. Valdez 0/4, K

RF JH Ha 0/4

DH J. Bour 1/4, 2 K

3B R. Wagner 0/3, K, E (1, fielding)

1B G. Rohan 1/4

LF D. Fitzgerald 2/3, BB, R, PO (1B)

C R. Jones 1/2, BB, K, E (1, throw)

C M. Williams 0/1

2B G. Matheus 1/3, RBI, K, E (12, fielding)

SP R. Hernandez 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 9/3 K/BB, 4-4 GO-FO

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

 

AZL Cubs lost 4-2 Box Score

 

CF F. Guzman 0/3, BB, CS (6)

SS W. Darvill 0/3, BB, E (6, throw)

LF B. Snyder 0/4, 2 K, E (1, fielding)

RF J. Morelli 0/4, R

3B J. Petraitis 1/4, R, K

1B C. Thomas 2/4, RBI, 2B (6)

2B R. Bautista 0/3, 2 K

SP L. Liria 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3/1 K/BB, WP, 3-3 GO-FO

RP C. Rojas 3 scoreless, 1 H, 4/0 K/BB, 4-1 GO-FO

RP D. Encarnacion 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3/0 K/BB, HR, 2 HBP, 1-1 GO-FO

 

Both DSL teams with the day off.

 

OVERALL: 2-4

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: LHP Casey Fossum (at Iowa: 2-3, 5.40 ERA, 30 IP, 26 K/8 BB)

Tennessee: RHP Andrew Cashner (at Tenn: 1-0, 1.09 ERA, 24.2 IP, 21 K/9 BB)

Daytona: RHP Craig Muschko (5-1, 3.64 ERA, 71.2 IP, 54 K/11 BB)

Peoria: LHP Jeffry Antigua (at Boise: 2-1, 2.30 ERA, 31.1 IP, 35 K/10 BB) - Peoria debut

Boise: RHP Robert Hernandez (1-2, 3.82 ERA, 35.1 IP, 31 K/11 BB)

AZL Cubs: RHP Carlos Rojas (1-2, 8.31 ERA, 13 IP, 10 K/8 BB) & RHP Diego Encarnacion (at AZL: 1-1, 3.79 ERA, 19 IP, 14 K/12 BB)

[ctcf]

Woohoo! Cashner day!

 

Man our minor leagues are fun to follow this year.

[Guest]

Antigua has been solid thus far in his debut - 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. The run scored in the 3rd when he gave up a leadoff double and then a 2-out RBI double.

 

Brett Jackson 0/3 with a K thus far.

[Guest]

Antigua's final line: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 5-5 GO-FO.

 

Nathan only had good words for Antigua's offspeed pitches, saying it has been unhittable.

[Guest]

DJ LeMahieu with a 2-run triple in the top of the 6th and then he scored on the errant throw from the cut off man.

 

Burke is 2/2 with a BB today. LeMahieu is 2/3 with that triple and he's got his BA during his short stint at Peoria up to .400.

[Guest]

Baserunner runs right into Boise's second baseman George Matheus and, somehow, no interference will be called.

 

Hernandez works around it. 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K.

[inari]

I don't know where else to ask this, so I'll ask it here. I'm not hugely informed about the minors, so don't laugh at me. But I have to ask; what's so impressive about Jay Jackson that I'm missing? He's got an okay WHIP and okay strikeout totals to go with an okay ERA. So... what makes him valuable as something more than "okay?" Everything about him looks pedestrian to me.

[Guest]

Hernandez: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 3-4 GO-FO.

[Wrigley Rat]

Chris Weimer got an AB yesterday for Mesa. Glad to hear he is healthy again. He's not a big-time prospect, but he has a good story & I'm rooting for him.

[tspain]

"What is so good about Jay Jackson?"

 

Jackson was drafted only last year, so this is his first full season in the minors, and he is pitching it at AA, until his demotion to High A a couple days ago. And he is pitching quite well at AA also, which is why no one could believe he got demoted. Turned out it had nothing to do with his pitching, but breaking of team rules. Jay is young, has very good stuff, and is pitching at AA in his first full season in the minors. That is enough to call him very impressive in my book.

 

Pastor Tom Spain

[Guest]

Hernandez ends up at 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Second time in three outings that he took a shutout into the 6th and didn't get out of the inning.

[Guest]

I don't know where else to ask this, so I'll ask it here. I'm not hugely informed about the minors, so don't laugh at me. But I have to ask; what's so impressive about Jay Jackson that I'm missing? He's got an okay WHIP and okay strikeout totals to go with an okay ERA. So... what makes him valuable as something more than "okay?" Everything about him looks pedestrian to me.

 

Three quality offerings (FB, curve, slider), possibly a fourth in the change. Athletic pitcher who didn't pitch full time in college and yet has made great strides in the year he's been in the system.

 

He was fantastic through three levels this year and has had a solid season (too many walks though) at AA (first full pro season while only 21) despite a really poor start and a rough patch right before his demotion. He should be a 2 or 3 starter in my opinion.

[Guest]

Vitters out for the 6th consecutive game.

[Wrigley Rat]

Hernandez ends up at 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Second time in three outings that he took a shutout into the 6th and didn't get out of the inning.

I've never been all that excited about Robert Hernandez and never rated him as high as most on NSBB, but this season has been a solid one considering he was off for a long time. He has had a low WHIP and a strikeout per inning. He's been solid versus RHH, but needs to improved vs. LHH (maybe develop a new pitch or refine one he isn't currently using?). It'll be interesting to see if he goes to instructionals this fall and how he does next season in Peoria or Daytona (I hope Peoria, again). I'm not sure he's on my Top 30 list this year, but he's got to be in my "Honorable Mention" category! :)

[Wrigley Rat]

I don't know where else to ask this, so I'll ask it here. I'm not hugely informed about the minors, so don't laugh at me. But I have to ask; what's so impressive about Jay Jackson that I'm missing? He's got an okay WHIP and okay strikeout totals to go with an okay ERA. So... what makes him valuable as something more than "okay?" Everything about him looks pedestrian to me.

 

Three quality offerings (FB, curve, slider), possibly a fourth in the change. Athletic pitcher who didn't pitch full time in college and yet has made great strides in the year he's been in the system.

 

He was fantastic through three levels this year and has had a solid season (too many walks though) at AA (first full pro season while only 21) despite a really poor start and a rough patch right before his demotion. He should be a 2 or 3 starter in my opinion.

And here is what the Wiki has about him:

Scouting Info

"Jackson has the chance to have four average-or-better pitches. His two best weapons are a 90-93 mph fastball that reaches 95, and a mid-80s slider with hard bite. He also has an average 75-78 mph curveball and a feel for a changeup. He works quickly and confidently, challenging hitters by pounding the strike zone. Jackson's control is ahead of his command, and his next step will be to refine his ability to locate his pitches within the strike zone. He's not especially tall, so he has to stay on top of his pitches to work in the bottom of the zone. He may not have much projection remaining, but he's not lacking for stuff." - Baseball America, 2/09

 

"I LOVE this guy…good athlete, former philosophy major, throws hard, throws strikes, great pro debut. I think he is underrated by other sources." - John Sickels, 11/08

 

"could move fast and has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter. He's a steal." - Jim Callis, Baseball America, 10/08

 

"Good 91-93 mph fastball, slider, and changeup that allowed him to overwhelm guys. Like most young pitchers he needs to develop command but he does have decent control already." - J.J. Cooper, Baseball America, 9/08

 

"The development of both his FBs are one of the main reasons he's improved. He had a lot of good coaching on those pitches in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League...In the minors this year, he threw 90-95 with that slider that everyone raves about. He also used a curve and change. Feels his curve has caught up a lot but his slider is still his best off speed pitch...Daytona pitching coach David Rosario called his slider "overpowering." - Scout.com, 9/08

 

"He's showing above average velocity, breaking stuff and command, and people are wondering how he lasted until the 9th round. Total stud? No. But a way better prospect than where he was drafted." - Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus, 8/08

 

"He finished 9-2, 3.17 for the Paladins, mixing his low-90s fastball with a solid slider and true downer curveball to overmatch hitters...Jackson has a solid frame with room to grow and could potentially gain even more velocity on his fastball. He is also developing a changeup that could make him into a true four-pitch threat." - 6/08

 

"Regarded as the best overall athlete in the Great Lakes League last summer...His fastball routinely hit 91-92 mph and showed excellent movement. Jackson also threw a solid slider with bite and a two-plane curveball, and began developing a changeup.

UPDATE (5/15): His stuff was similar to what he showed last summer. His delivery was also free and easy, though he is in needs of developing strength in his lower half... His athleticism was apparent on both the mound and in the field, and his velocity could climb down the road, possibly to the mid-90s, as he adds strength and concentrates only on pitching." - Allan Simpson, 6/08

 

"Athletic and smooth with good sinker." - 6/08

 

"Jackson has a future on the mound despite being a short (6-foot-1) righty...his loose arm allows for some projection and lends movement to all his stuff, and his athleticism allows him to repeat his delivery well...his fastball regular sat around 90 mph and touched 93, and his solid command allowed him to throw not just strikes, but consistent quality strikes...he showed his athleticism by running a 6.6 60-yard dash on scout day." - John Manuel, 6/08

 

Minor League Accolades

9th Best Cubs Prospect, Baseball America, 1/09

2nd Best Cubs Prospect, Keith Law, 1/09

6th of Cubs Top 10 Prospects, Grade B- Prospect, John Sickels, 12/08

"Just Missed", Cubs Top Prospects, Baseball Prospectus, 11/08

Best Pro Debut, Cubs 2008 Draft (4th Overall), Baseball America, 11/08

http://cubsminors.wikispaces.com/JacksonJ Edited August 2, 2009 by Wrigley Rat

[weis21]

Vitters out for the 6th consecutive game.

Is he injured? Ill?

[toonsterwu]

I don't know where else to ask this, so I'll ask it here. I'm not hugely informed about the minors, so don't laugh at me. But I have to ask; what's so impressive about Jay Jackson that I'm missing? He's got an okay WHIP and okay strikeout totals to go with an okay ERA. So... what makes him valuable as something more than "okay?" Everything about him looks pedestrian to me.

 

There was a stretch this year where Jay was ridiculously dominant. Okay, ridiculously might be going overboard, but after his first 3 starts, when he struggled, he went on a really hot streak. His overall numbers have come down a bit as he's had a bad month. But the package is enticing - a fastball that sits in that 92-94 mph range for the most part, a wipeout slider, and improving change and curve. There's no big mechanical issues, although his recent problems seem control oriented. We'll see how he bounces back - some suspect that it was workload getting to him that caused the drop in performance. The flyball rate is a bit bothersome, but it's not that bad of an issue. That's a very enticing package.

[toonsterwu]

Vitters out for the 6th consecutive game.

Is he injured? Ill?

 

I think someone said he had an injury, but it's slipping my mind what it is right now.

[toonsterwu]

Hernandez ends up at 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Second time in three outings that he took a shutout into the 6th and didn't get out of the inning.

I've never been all that excited about Robert Hernandez and never rated him as high as most on NSBB, but this season has been a solid one considering he was off for a long time. He has had a low WHIP and a strikeout per inning. He's been solid versus RHH, but needs to improved vs. LHH (maybe develop a new pitch or refine one he isn't currently using?). It'll be interesting to see if he goes to instructionals this fall and how he does next season in Peoria or Daytona (I hope Peoria, again). I'm not sure he's on my Top 30 list this year, but he's got to be in my "Honorable Mention" category! :)

 

It is a nice fastball/changeup complement, but he should dominate Boise after the success he had at Peoria. I have no idea what to really think of him ... although I think he's probably a righty James Russell in some respects.

[Keener98]

Vitters out for the 6th consecutive game.

Is he injured? Ill?

 

Hand injury, noone seems to know to what is actually wrong with it though as its barely been talked about.

[Wrigley Rat]

Hernandez ends up at 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Second time in three outings that he took a shutout into the 6th and didn't get out of the inning.

I've never been all that excited about Robert Hernandez and never rated him as high as most on NSBB, but this season has been a solid one considering he was off for a long time. He has had a low WHIP and a strikeout per inning. He's been solid versus RHH, but needs to improved vs. LHH (maybe develop a new pitch or refine one he isn't currently using?). It'll be interesting to see if he goes to instructionals this fall and how he does next season in Peoria or Daytona (I hope Peoria, again). I'm not sure he's on my Top 30 list this year, but he's got to be in my "Honorable Mention" category! :)

 

It is a nice fastball/changeup complement, but he should dominate Boise after the success he had at Peoria. I have no idea what to really think of him ... although I think he's probably a righty James Russell in some respects.

Sounds like he could use a slider or splitter to keep hitters off-balance. I hope he turns out better than James Russell who I thought might become a LOOGY, but doesn't even seem to be on that path anymore!

[Guest]

Vitters out for the 6th consecutive game.

Is he injured? Ill?

 

Hand injury, noone seems to know to what is actually wrong with it though as its barely been talked about.

 

It's been dubbed a "minor hand injury." Missing 6 games makes me question how minor it is.

[Guest]

Hernandez ends up at 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Second time in three outings that he took a shutout into the 6th and didn't get out of the inning.

I've never been all that excited about Robert Hernandez and never rated him as high as most on NSBB, but this season has been a solid one considering he was off for a long time. He has had a low WHIP and a strikeout per inning. He's been solid versus RHH, but needs to improved vs. LHH (maybe develop a new pitch or refine one he isn't currently using?). It'll be interesting to see if he goes to instructionals this fall and how he does next season in Peoria or Daytona (I hope Peoria, again). I'm not sure he's on my Top 30 list this year, but he's got to be in my "Honorable Mention" category! :)

 

It is a nice fastball/changeup complement, but he should dominate Boise after the success he had at Peoria. I have no idea what to really think of him ... although I think he's probably a righty James Russell in some respects.

Sounds like he could use a slider or splitter to keep hitters off-balance. I hope he turns out better than James Russell who I thought might become a LOOGY, but doesn't even seem to be on that path anymore!

 

His change is impressive. And I agree that he should be doing well in Boise after 2 seasons at Peoria. He does struggle against lefties and the fly balls/HRs are an issue but his curve looked pretty good today (admittedly against short season competition).

 

I wish Hernandez would get to Daytona already (he was slated to start the season in Daytona before he sprained his ankle and missed the first 2.5 months of the season). I'm not sure what he's gaining right now in Boise.

[Guest]

Tyler Colvin had a streak of 11 straight hits snapped in the bottom of the 5th. Today, he's 3/4 with 2 singles and his 9th HR of the year. The streak has gotten his batting average at Tennessee all the way up from .244 to .289.