Minor League Discussion & Boxes 8-12-2009

[Outshined_One]

Box Score

 

Iowa won 5-4 Box Score

 

CF M. Camp 0/4, R, K, HBP

SS A. Blanco 3/5, R, 2B (10)

LF M. Hoffpauir 1/4, K

RF B. Snyder 0/2, RBI

PH M. Craig 0/0, BB, RBI

C C. Robinson 4/4, R, 3 RBI, HR (2)

1B B. Scales 0/4, 2 K

3B N. Spears 0/3, BB

2B D. Barney 0/4

SP C. Fossum 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 7/1 K/BB, WP, 5-5 GO-FO

RP J. Stevens 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1/0 K/BB, 3-1 GO-FO

RP B. Parker 1.1 scoreless, 1 H, 2-2 GO-FO

 

Tennessee lost 4-3 Box Score

 

2B J. Mota 1/4

CF J. Adduci 0/4

3B M. Smith 0/4, 2 K

1B B. Lalli 2/4, 2 R

RF D. Deeds 2/4, R, 2B (17)

LF R. Canzler 1/3

PH T. Colvin 0/1

C W. Castillo 0/3, BB, RBI

SS S. Castro 1/3, BB, 2 RBI

LF T. Wright 0/2, K

SP J. Papelbon 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3/1 K/BB, 2 HR, 7-8 GO-FO

RP D. Sasser 1.1 scoreless, 1 H, 3-1 GO-FO

 

Daytona lost 6-0 Box Score

 

LF T. Campana 1/4, K, SB (48)

CF B. Guyer 1/4, 2B (15)

DH J. Opitz 1/3, BB

3B J. Vitters 0/4, 3 K

SS M. Gonzalez 0/4

SP R. Dolis 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1/1 K/BB, 4-8 GO-FO

RP H. Williamson 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1/2 K/BB, WP, 3-2 GO-FO

RP J. Pina 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3/2 K/BB, WP

RP L. Sommer 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2/0 K/BB, HR, 0-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria won 11-1 Box Score

 

CF B. Jackson 3/4, BB, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (4)

3B R. Flaherty 1/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, 2B (19)

PH/3B D. Macias 0/1

DH R. Ridling 2/4, 2 R, RBI, HR (14)

PH/DH D. Rundle 1/1

RF K. Burke 1/4, BB, R, RBI, 2 K

SS DJ LeMahieu 3/5, K, CS (2)

1B J. Rosa 1/4, R, RBI, 2B (11), E (6, throw)

LF N. Perez 1/3, BB, R

C M. Brenly 2/3, RBI, 2 R

2B J. Lake 0/4, K, E (33, fielding)

SP T. Lilly 5 scoreless, 2 H, 2/1 K/BB, 6-6 GO-FO

RP A. Bibens-Dirkx 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4/1 K/BB, 2-6 GO-FO

 

Boise lost 6-2 Box Score

 

SS HJ Lee 0/3, 3 E (19, fielding, fielding, pickoff)

2B L. Watkins 1/3, BB, RBI, SB (8), CS (4)

3B G. Rohan 0/3, BB, K, E (7, fielding)

1B J. Bour 0/4

LF D. Fitzgerald 1/4, R, K, Assist (2B)

C R. Jones 1/4, K

RF JH Ha 0/1, BB, RBI, CS (5), PO (1B)

DH G. Matheus 0/3

CF R. Davis 2/3, R, 2B (6), SB (6), E (4, throw)

SP C. Rusin 4 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4/0 K/BB, 2-4 GO-FO

 

AZL Cubs won 10-8 Box Score

 

CF F. Guzman 2/3, 2 BB, 2 R, SB (20)

2B W. Darvill 0/3, 2 BB, 2 R

RF J. Morelli 2/4, BB, 2 R, CS (4)

C S. Burruel 1/4, RBI, K, CS (1)

3B D. Kemp 1/4, R, RBI, 3B (4), 3 K, HBP

1B J. Petraitis 0/3, 2 BB, K

SS R. Bautista 0/5, 3 K, E (16, fielding)

SP L. Liria 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2/2 K/BB, HR, WP, HBP, 4-0 GO-FO

RP G. Pineda 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1/1 K/BB, 1-2 GO-FO

RP A. Spencer 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 WP, 2 HBP, 2-1 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 1 lost 4-1 Box Score

 

DSL Cubs 2 lost 4-1 Box Score

 

OVERALL: 3-5

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is Cashner up today or tomorrow? Im very curious to see how he rebounds from that nightmare outing Sunday.

[Guest]

Is Cashner up today or tomorrow? Im very curious to see how he rebounds from that nightmare outing Sunday.

 

He actually threw on Saturday but the Cubs aren't going to throw him on 3 days rest so he won't be pitching today.

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: LHP Casey Fossum (at Iowa: 3-4, 4.54 ERA, 41.2 IP, 38 K/13 BB)

Tennessee: LHP Jeremy Papelbon (at Tenn: 4-4, 3.42 ERA, 76.1 IP, 63 K/19 BB)

Daytona: RHP Rafael Dolis (2-7, 3.46 ERA, 80.2 IP, 66 K/47 BB)

Peoria: LHP Ted Lilly (rehab)

Boise: LHP Chris Rusin (at Boise: 0-1, 1.74 ERA, 10.1 IP, 12 K/3 BB)

AZL Cubs: RHP Carlos Rojas (1-3, 6.63 ERA, 19 IP, 17 K/9 BB) & RHP Adam Spencer (0-0, 3.97 ERA, 11.1 IP, 14 K/2 BB)

[Guest]

Story on Ryan Flaherty:

 

Portland Press-Herald[/url]"]After a slow start, he has hit .281 since the All-Star break to raise his average to .256. His 16 homers are tied for fourth-best in the league.

 

"I think he has surprised some people how much pop he has with that bat," said Tim Wilken, the Cubs' director of scouting. "He's got a really nice swing. He's a good low-ball hitter. If he can learn to lay off some pitches, I think the streakiness will go and there might be more pop in there."

 

"I'm really happy how he's gone through a little adversity. You learn a lot about a player on that side of the coin," said Wilken.

 

"He was in the .220s and .230s and brought himself to this point. I think it says a little something about his personality and his baseball upbringing."

 

...

 

"The jury is out on what position he'll finally fit into," said Wilken. "But with his versatility he's shown, I don't think we have to pick one at this time. I just don't want to lock him into one position. He's such a good baseball player."

 

"He's one of our top prospects period," said Wilken. "What happens sometimes when prospects get off to a rough start, they think they have to get five hits in one at-bat," Wilken said. "They're trying to make up for lost time and it (turns into) a snowball."

[Little Slide Rooter]

Portland Press-Herald[/url]"]After a slow start, he has hit .281 since the All-Star break to raise his average to .256. His 16 homers are tied for fourth-best in the league.

 

"I think he has surprised some people how much pop he has with that bat," said Tim Wilken, the Cubs' director of scouting. "He's got a really nice swing. He's a good low-ball hitter. If he can learn to lay off some pitches, I think the streakiness will go and there might be more pop in there."

 

"I'm really happy how he's gone through a little adversity. You learn a lot about a player on that side of the coin," said Wilken.

 

"He was in the .220s and .230s and brought himself to this point. I think it says a little something about his personality and his baseball upbringing."

 

...

 

"The jury is out on what position he'll finally fit into," said Wilken. "But with his versatility he's shown, I don't think we have to pick one at this time. I just don't want to lock him into one position. He's such a good baseball player."

 

"He's one of our top prospects period," said Wilken. "What happens sometimes when prospects get off to a rough start, they think they have to get five hits in one at-bat," Wilken said. "They're trying to make up for lost time and it (turns into) a snowball."

 

Who dat?

[Guest]

Who dat?

 

Ryan Flaherty.

[toonsterwu]

He has got it going of late, and Pevey noting his swing issues does make the slow start more understandable. I imagine he'll head to Daytona to ply his stuff next year as a MI, sharing time with LeMahieu, although I guess I wouldn't totally rule out a jump to Tennessee.

[Wrigley Rat]

- Oswaldo Martinez has been returned from the Mexican League and has been assigned to Daytona's roster.

- Andres Blanco was assigned to Iowa (and has either accepted the assignment or is there on a "rehab" stint - he was out of options).

- Matt Matulia was placed back on the DL for Iowa (he is their player-coach and his role is to be activated and deactivated when needed).

[Eric Clipperton]

Who is Ryan Buchter? Was just looking through some stats and his look reasonable at Peoria but I have no idea where he came from- appears he was with the Nationals last year? When have we traded with them, I've got nothing.

[JeffH]

Who is Ryan Buchter? Was just looking through some stats and his look reasonable at Peoria but I have no idea where he came from- appears he was with the Nationals last year? When have we traded with them, I've got nothing.

 

We traded RHP Matt Avery for him.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-11-03-1259179122_x.htm

[Little Slide Rooter]

Andres Blanco was 3-5 with a double, so hes already outproduced Aaron Miles since hes been back.

[toonsterwu]

Who is Ryan Buchter? Was just looking through some stats and his look reasonable at Peoria but I have no idea where he came from- appears he was with the Nationals last year? When have we traded with them, I've got nothing.

 

I like Buchter. Solid breaking ball by most accounts, looks like a potential LOOGY type. We have enough LOOGY options in the system that we should be able to not spend much on middle relief. Considering we gave up Matt Avery for him, it's a plus, although I'm curious how his stuff plays in the upper levels. That said, with Daytona out of it, I think they'll keep some guys in Peoria that might, in years past, have gotten a bump.

[imb]

will flaherty stick at 2B? got to think he'll at least be a cheap bench option for the cubs in a few years if he can

[Guest]

Lilly: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As much as I didn't like the Jackson pick, he's done a real good job in his debut. 3 for 4 with 2 HR and BB tonight. His Peoria line is now .328/.390/.586/.976 (~65 PAs) if I calculated right.

[Outshined_One]

Who is Ryan Buchter? Was just looking through some stats and his look reasonable at Peoria but I have no idea where he came from- appears he was with the Nationals last year? When have we traded with them, I've got nothing.

 

I like Buchter. Solid breaking ball by most accounts, looks like a potential LOOGY type. We have enough LOOGY options in the system that we should be able to not spend much on middle relief. Considering we gave up Matt Avery for him, it's a plus, although I'm curious how his stuff plays in the upper levels. That said, with Daytona out of it, I think they'll keep some guys in Peoria that might, in years past, have gotten a bump.

 

I saw him when I went to the game on Monday. He did a pretty good job of hiding the ball and had some decent stuff. Don't know how he'll fare at higher levels, but it was easy to see why he's posted the numbers he has in Peoria.

[Outshined_One]

will flaherty stick at 2B? got to think he'll at least be a cheap bench option for the cubs in a few years if he can

 

Defensively, I don't see why he can't stick at 2B/3B or even play SS in a pinch when needed. He could be a very good super-sub or even a halfway decent starter at those positions.

[utkcub]

C. Robinson tonight:

4/4 -- 1 HR -- 3 RBI

 

Vitters tonight:

0/4 -- 3 K

 

Castro tonight:

1/3 -- 2 RBI -- 1 BB -- 0 K

 

B. Jackson tonight:

3/4 -- 2 HR -- 4 RBI -- 3 R -- 1 BB -- 0 K (biggest night of his short career)

 

LaMahieu tonight:

3/5 -- 1 K

[toonsterwu]

will flaherty stick at 2B? got to think he'll at least be a cheap bench option for the cubs in a few years if he can

 

Defensively, I don't see why he can't stick at 2B/3B or even play SS in a pinch when needed. He could be a very good super-sub or even a halfway decent starter at those positions.

 

You know, I've really gone full circle on his season. I still think, as of now, that Flaherty is a top 10 Cubs prospect, although certainly 8-10 is a huge grab bag of possibilities. Some statistical bad luck, overall good peripherals, and the most important part was hearing that he had to fix his swing (which I guess is sort of disappointing considering he was supposed to be advanced). I wasn't a huge fan of Flaherty last year, but surprisingly, I find myself coming around this year. A lot of people are on the LeMahieu train right now, but Flaherty still holds more power, and DJ has to change his approach to generate that (there's a part of me that thinks a Matt Murton-ish on LeMahieu, although I like DJ a bit better than I ever liked Matt, I think). Certainly, a fair point is the age difference, but I'm coming around on his campaign. While I expect him in Daytona to start 2010, it wouldn't completely stun me if they bumped him to 2nd base and put him next to Castro at Tennessee. Now, with Tony Thomas/Nate Samson needing spots (not that those two should block anyone, but they are capable options for Tennessee, enough to perhaps warrant a "slow play" of Flaherty), I think Tennessee is a slim shot for Flaherty to start 2010 at, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Whats going on with Vitters? Hes been in Daytona for 70 games and hes just not getting it. If that hand injuries whats bothering him, theres no reason not to shut him down until it gets better.

[Guest]

Whats going on with Vitters? Hes been in Daytona for 70 games and hes just not getting it. If that hand injuries whats bothering him, theres no reason not to shut him down until it gets better.

 

26 games, not 70.

[TruffleShuffle]

Whats going on with Vitters? Hes been in Daytona for 70 games and hes just not getting it. If that hand injuries whats bothering him, theres no reason not to shut him down until it gets better.

 

26 games, not 70.

 

26, 70, same thing basically.

[imb]

am i crazy, or is brett jackson being really impressive?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Whats going on with Vitters? Hes been in Daytona for 70 games and hes just not getting it. If that hand injuries whats bothering him, theres no reason not to shut him down until it gets better.

 

26 games, not 70.

 

26, 70, same thing basically.

 

yeah, I was looking at his Peoria line there. Still, I would have expected to see at least some progress by now.