2009 Instructs

[Guest]

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Starter Dae-Eun Rhee tossed three perfect innings and Dong-Yub Kim ripped an RBI double and an RBI triple, but it wasn't enough to overcome a nine-run Angels 4th, as the Halos drubbed the Cubs 10-5 in Arizona Instructional League action at Diablo Park Field #3 in Tempe this afternoon.

 

Although he did not throw his killer splitter-change today, Rhee had good movement on his fast ball and was also able to throw his breaking ball for strikes. He has struggled in his rehab the past couple of months (combined 9.35 ERA and 2.08 WHIP at Mesa and Boise in 2009 while attempting to return to action from 2008 TJS), having lots of difficulty throwing strikes and then getting hammered when he was able to find the strike zone. But he really threw the ball well today, and presuming he adds the splitter back to his bag of tricks after his arm is stronger next seaon, Rhee should be able to regain his rating as one of the Cubs top pitching prospects.

 

Fellow rehabbers RHP Tarlandus Mitchell (lingering intercostal strain) and LHP John Mincone (June 2009 shoulder surgery) followed Rhee to the mound, and they had considerably less success than their 20-year old Korean teammate.

 

Mitchell struggled from the outset this afternoon. He kept bouncing his breaking ball and saw his fastball rocked when he did get it over the plate, allowing five runs on a walk, a HBP, a single, and two triples in just 1/3 of an inning. Mitchell is only 5'8, but he can really pack a wallop with his mid-90's fastball, but only if he can throw it over the plate and mix it a bit with a breaking ball and/or change.

 

Mincone threw lots of strikes tiday, including some nice breaking balls, but the top velocity on his fastball was down 5 MPH, from 93 pre-surgery to 88 today, and he just could not put the opposing hitters away once he got to two strikes, allowing four more 4th inning runs on four hits (two singles and two doubles). . .

 

Nick Struck also made his debut:

 

LINE-UP:

1.Ping-Chieh Chen, SS-2B: (K, 3-U, 5-4 FC, F-8, P-6)

2. Ryan Flaherty, 2B-SS: 2-3 (BB, 6-3, 1B, 1B), RBI

3. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 1-4 (K, 1B, F-7, 4-3)

4. Kyler Burke, RF-CF: 1-3 (F-7, HBP, 2B, F-9), R

5a. Michael Brenly, C: 0-2 (BB, 6-3 GIDP, 4-3), R

5b. Jovan Rosa, C: 0-1 (K)

6. Brandon May, 3B 0-3 (P-4, 6-3, BB, K)

7a. Richard Jones, DH #1: 1-3 (2B, K, K), R, RBI

7b. Wes Davrvill, PH: 1-1 (1B), R

8a. D. J. Fitzgerald, LF: 1-3 (K, 2B, K)

8b. Jae-Hoon Ha, PH: 0-1 (6-3)

9. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #2: 2-4 (2B, 5-3, K, 3B), 2 RBI

10a. Runey Davis, CF: 1-1 (1B, BB,BB), R, RBI

10b. Bobby Wagner, RF: 0-1 (K)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Dae-Eun Rhee - 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 5/2 GO/FO, 29 pitches (22 strikes)

2. Tarlandus Mitchell - 0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 0/1 GO/FO, 23 pitches (nine strikes)

3. John Mincone - 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 23 pitches (18 strikes)

4. Nick Struck - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 4/3 GO/FO, 32 pitches (21 strikes)

5. Corey Martin - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 19 pitches (10 strikes)

 

ERRORS: (3)

1. Brandon May - E-5 (H+E), made nice diving stop on ground ball, then righted himself and threw the ball away at 1st base, allowing batter-runner to take 2nd base with one out in the bottom of the 4th.

2. Ping-Chieh Chen - E-6, errant throw over the head of Rebel Ridling resulting in two-base error that allowed batter to reach 2nd base and runner to score from 2nd (unearned run) with two outs in the bottom of the 4th.

3. Ping -Chieh Chen - E-6, errant throw to 1st base pulled Rebel ridling off the bag, allowing batter to reach base safely with two outs and bases empty in bottom of the 5th.

NOTE: Chen REALLY struggled at SS today, and he was moved from SS to 2B (his "natural" position) and Flaherty was moved from 2B to SS at the start of the 6th inning.

[davell]

I wonder what we had to give Struck and McNutt to get them to sign? I'm thinking that they may have gotten a fairly sizable overslot, along with Burruel.

[chattbaseball]

There will be more Americans going down there again this year AFTER Mesa instructs...

 

I figured as much. Both Vitters and Samson had rave reviews of their experience in the DR last season. Do you have an idea who might be headed down there?

 

Burke and Ridling, and I think Flaherty. Maybe two more also. I'll update soon.

[Guest]

From Monday:

 

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]On the negative side, Lee also committed a whopping 27 errors in those 68 games, but that problem has not been in evidence so far at Instructs. Just as with Starlin Castro last year, young shortstops Hak-Ju Lee and Wes Darvill (2009 5th round pick out of Langley, BC - Canada) and second-baseman Logan Watkins (2008 21st round pick out of Goddard HS - Goddard KS) have been paying attention to their coaches, as all three have played middle-infield defense with a steady hand for the past couple of weeks, showing off their talents without misplay. If anything, it's the guys with the Div-1 college experience (like Ryan Flaherty and D. J. LeMahieu) who have been shaky with the glove.

 

RHP Chris Archer got the start for the Cubs today, and fared much better than he did in his previous outing last week. Archer worked three innings this afternoon, allowing just one run on two hits (one of which was a lead-off triple to the first batter of the game), NO WALKS, and a strikeout, and all that on just 41 pitches (28 strikes).

 

2009 11th round pick LHP John Mincone (Suffolk County CC) and 20-year old Venezuelan RHP Hector Mayora (the only member of the Cubs two DSL teams who got a post-season invite to Fitch Park this year) pitched scoreless innings in relief, before the Cubs pushed across a run to take the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th, thanks to a one-out RBI single by Bour that knocked-in Ridling, who had led-off the stanza with a single.

 

Also in the link is a recap of how the Cubs rallied for the win and a recap of Chris Rusin's outing.

 

LINEUP:

1. Logan Watkins, 2B: 2-3 (4-3, 1B, 1B, 3-U SH), RBI, SB

2. Ryan Flaherty, 3B: 0-4 (1-3, 3-6-3 DP, F-8, F-9)

3. Brandon Guyer, CF: 1-4 (F-8, 1B, F-8, F-8), CS

4. Kyler Burke, RF: 0-3 (E-6, F-7, F-8, BB), R

5a. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 3-4 (1B, F-8, 1B, 1B) R

5b. Ping-Chieh Chen, PR: 0-0, R

6. Jae-Hoon Ha, DH #1: 1-3 (K, 1B, 5-3, 1-4 SH), R

7. Justin Bour, DH #2: 2-3 (5-4-3 DP, 2B, 1B, IBB), 2 RBI, PO

8a. Bobby Wagner, LF: 0-1 (BB, K), R

8b. Kyung-Min Na, LF 0-2 (F-8, FC-E5)

9a. Sergio Burruel, C: 0-1 (K, HBP)

9b. Jovan Rosa, C: 0-2 (K, K)

10a. Wes Darvill, SS 1-2 (1B, L-4)

10b. Hak-Ju Lee, SS: 2-2 (1B, 1B), RBI

 

PITCHERS:

1. Chris Archer - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 BALK, 4/4 GO/FO, 41 pitches (28 strikes)

2. Chris Rusin - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO, 35 pitches (21 strikes)

3. John Mincone - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 13 pitches (11 strikes)

4. Hector Mayora - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 16 pitches (10 strikes)

5. Eduardo Figueroa - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 21 pitches (15 strikes)

6. Steve Grife - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 14 pitches (seven strikes)

 

ERRORS: (1):

Ryan Flaherty - E-5 (throw)

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Sergio Burruel - 1-1 CS

[Guest]

Tuesday:

 

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Dae-Eun Rhee tossed three shutout innings as the Cubs took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 4th at Diablo Park Field #3 in Tempe, but the Angels came back to win this afternoon's AZ Instructional League contest by a score of 5-1.

 

Rhee's three shutout innings followed his last start on the very same field last week, when the young Korean threw three perfect innings at the Angels. Rhee, who is in the final stages of rehab from 2008 Tommy John Surgery, once again did not throw any of his killer splitter/change-ups (his strikeout pitch), instead mixing a sinking fastball with a curve, throwing both for strikes and pitching to contact. The Angels hitters did not get good wood on the ball, and Rhee was able to get seven ground outs (he had no strikeouts). Both of the hits he allowed were singles.

 

The key for Rhee in his last two starts at Diablo Park has been control, something he lacked in his rehab outings at Mesa and Boise over the last few weeks of the 2009 minor league regular season. I would presume that Rhee will add the splitter back to his repertoire next season, giving him the array of stuff needed to once again be a Top Ten Prospect. Kudos should go to Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins and pitching coaches Rick Tronerud and Jeff Fassero for getting Rhee to the point where he can once again throw strikes consistently and be successful on the mound.

 

The Angels led 3-1 after the Cubs went down in the 9th, but the game was extended an extra half-inning to allow 18-year old Taiwanese RHP Yao-Lin Wang to get his pre-scheduled inning of work. Wang was not very impressive, showing just pedestrian stuff while allowing two runs on two hits and a walk.

 

The Cubs signed not one but two Wangs out of Chinese Taipei this year (Yao-Lin and Tzu-An), and both were invited to Instructs, where they join fellow countryman 2B Ping-Chieh Chen making their U. S. debut.

 

Yao-Lin is a stocky kid, with the same body-type as Sean Gallagher and Ryan Searle, while Tzu-An is a lanky 6'6 with a body more like Chris Huseby or Toby Matchulat. Tzu-An is (supposedly) the better prospect of the two, and I would expect him to get a shot at throwing an inning or two sometime later this week.

 

Also, there's more in the link on Matt Cerda's return to the lineup after his broken hamate bone and Trey McNutt and Nick Struck's outings in relief. He played third base. Josh Vitters and Welington Castillo are prepping for the AFL at Fitch and might get a few Instructs ABs to tune up.

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1. Hak-Ju Lee, SS: 1-4 (4-3, L-8, K, 1B)

2. D. J. LeMahieu, DH #1: 2-4 (1B, 1B, 1-4-3, K), R

3. Brandon Guyer, CF: 0-4 (6-3, K, F-9, K), RBI

4. Kyler Burke, RF: 1-4 (F-7, 1B, K, P-6), PO

5. Richard Jones, DH #2: 0-3 (3-1, K, 4-3)

6a. Jae-Hoon Ha, C: 0-2 (4-3, 5-3)

6b. Brandon May, C: 0-1 (5-3)

7. Justin Bour, 1B: 0-2 (K, L-5, BB)

8. Matt Cerda, 3B: 1-3 (F-7, 3-1, 1B)

9. Ping-Chieh Chen, 2B: 1-3 (1B, 4-3, 4-3)

10. Blair Springfield, LF: 2-3 (6-4-3 DP, 2B, 1B)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Dae-Eun Rhee - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 7/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (21 strikes)

2. Trey McNutt - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1/3 GO/FO, 34 pitches (23 strikes)

3. Jose Rosario - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 13 pitches (nine strikes)

4. Nick Struck - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 2/1 GO/FO, 33 pitches (19 strikes)

5. Yao-Lin Wang - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 16 pitches (10 strikes)

 

ERRORS (2):

1. Jae-Hoon Ha - E-2 (overthrow at 2nd base on stolen base attempt, allowing runner to advance to 3rd)

2. Hak-Ju Lee - E6 (bobble allowing batter to reach base).

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Jae-Hoon Ha - 0-2 CS, E (see above)

Brandon May - 1-2 CS

[Guest]

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]Lanky 6'6 Taiwanese RHP Tzu-An Wang made his Cubs debut today, and the 18-year old really struggled, allowing three runs on four hits, while also throwing three wild pitches and committing a balk, in 1.2 IP. He was unable to finsh his second inning of work. Wang received a reported $350K signing bonus earlier this year. T. A. Wang has a similar frame as fellow lanky Cub minor league right-handers Chris Huseby and Toby Matchulat.

 

2009 3rd round pick LHP Austin Kirk (Owasso HS - Owasso, OK) worked 2.1 IP and struck out three, but he also allowed two runs on three hits (two triples and a double), as he had trouble keeping his pitches down. But when the stocky left-hander puts the ball where he wants to put it, he can be filthy.

 

AZ Phil on the catchers:

 

3B-turned-catcher Jovan Rosa had another tough day behind the plate, allowing a PB and four SB, while gunning down only one runner (and that was on a pitch-out). Rosa was also absolutely helpless to block the many wild pitches uncorked by the Cubs pitchers. Rosa needs to work on both his throwing AND his receiving (and ball blocking) skills, and he has a long way to go to that end.

 

Plus, now Rosa appears totally lost as a hitter, too, probably because his mind is jammed with all of the things he needs to learn and remember as a catcher. Hopefully Rosa will turn the corner in time for the 2010 season.

 

IF-OF Brandon May (2009 36th round pick out of U. of Alabama) also has had lots of problems (so far) learning the art of catching, and Jae-Hoon Ha has had some difficulty re-learning the position (the Cubs signed Ha as a catcher, but then immediately moved him to the OF). And youngster Sergio Burruel (2009 19th round draft pick out of Trevor Browne HS in Phoenix) is a promising power-hitting lefty swinger, but he is raw behind the plate. Same goes for "HR or Bust" lefty swinging Richard Jones (2009 9th round pick out of The Citadel), who looks more comfortable at 1B (or DH).

 

Brett Jackson made his Instructs debut after his injury. AZ Phil says DJ LeMahieu is the best pure hitter at Instructs though he doesn't have a HR swing.

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:

1a. Logan Watkins, 3B: 1-2 (BB, K, 3B), 2 R, SB

1b. Brandon May, 3B: 0-0 (BB)

2a. D. J. LeMahieu, 2B: 1-3 (FC+E4, 3-U, 1B), R, 2 RBI, SB

2b. Ping-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-1 (4-6 FC)

3. Brett Jackson, CF:0-3 (3-U, F-8, F-9, BB), RBI

4a. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 0-3 (L-6, F-8, 5-3)

4b. Richard Jones, 1B: 0-1 (K)

5. Ryan Flaherty, SS: 1-4 (2B, 1-3, 6-3, 5-3), RBI

6a. Jovan Rosa, C: 0-2 (P-4, K)

6b. Michael Brenly, C: 0-2 (F-9, 6-3)

7. Bobby Wagner, LF: 1-3 (P-5, 2B, K, BB)

8a. Wes Darvill, DH #1: 0-3 (6-3, 4-3, E-3), R

8b. Runey Davis, PH: 0-1 (K)

9. Sergio Burruel, DH #2: 1-3 (6-3, 4-3, 1B)

10. Kyung-Min Na, RF: 0-3 (1-U, 4-3, K)

 

 

 

PITCHERS:

1. Alberto Cabrera – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 4/0 GO/FO, 43 pitches (22 strikes)

2. Tarlandus Mitchell – 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 2 WP, 2/1 GO/FO, 22 pitches (12 strikes)

3. Tzu-An Wang – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 3 WP, 1 BALK, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO, 24 pitches (16 strikes)

4. Austin Kirk – 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/2 GO/FO, 36 pitches (22 strikes)

5. Jose Rosario – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 3 WP, 1/0 GO/FO, 23 pitches (10 strikes)

6. Corey Martin – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1/0 GO/FO, 24 pitches (18 strikes)

 

ERRORS: (2):

1. Rebel Ridling (E-3) – batted ball caromed off glove into RF with runner on 2nd base and two outs in the top of the 2ndnning, allowing runner at 2nd base to score an unearned run.

2. Ryan Flaherty (E-6) – overthrow at 1st base on infield single (H+E) leading off top of the 4th inning, allowing batter to advance to 2nd base.

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Jovan Rosa: 1-5 CS, 1 PB

[Guest]

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]RHP Thomas Diamond got the start for the Cubs and allowed just one run. He was in trouble in all three innings, however, squirming out of a one-out bases-loaded jam in his last inning of work by getting a pop-up and a FC grounder to end the inning.

 

RHP Rafael Dolis followed Diamond to the hill and also escaped potential damage, by getting two weak ground outs with runners on 2nd & 3rd and one out in the 4th.

 

And RHP Eduardo Figueroa worked out of trouble in the 7th, striking out the side with a runner at 3rd base.

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1. Hak-Ju Lee, SS: 0-5 (1-3, F-9, 4-6-3 DP, K, 5-3)

2. Matt Cerda, 2B-3B: 0-2 (K, 6-3, BB, BB)

3. Brandon Guyer, CF: 0-2 (5-3, F-9, BB, BB), PO

4. Justin Bour, DH-1B: 1-4 (3-U, K, 1B, K)

5a. Richard Jones, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 6-4 FC), R

5b. Jovan Rosa, PH: 1-1 (2B)

5c. Logan Watkins, PR: 0-0, R

6. Runey Davis, DH #2: 1-3 (F-7, 2B, BB, F-8), R, SB

7a. Blair Springfield, LF: 0-1 (E-4, HBP)

7b. Brett Jackson, LF: 0-2 (3-U, FC), R, RBI, SB

8a. Sergio Burruel, C: 0-2 (4-3, 4-6-3 DP)

8b. Jae-Hoon Ha, C: 0-0 (F-7 SF, BB), RBI

9a. Ping-Chieh Chen, 3B: 0-2 (L-8, P-6)

9b. Wes Darvill, 2B: 0-1, (BB, FC+E3), SB

10. Kyung-Min Na, RF: 1-3 (1B, BB, P-5, 3-1)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Thomas Diamond - 3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 2/5 GO/FO, 53 pitches (36 strikes)

2. Rafael Dolis - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/FO, 29 pitches (21 strikes)

3. Eduardo Figueroa - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 BALK, 1/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (19 strikes)

4. Hector Mayora - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 7 pitches (6 strikes)

5. Steve Grife - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB,1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 9 pitches (8 strikes)

 

ERRORS: NONE

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Sergio Burruel - 0-1 CS

 

BASERUNNING: Kyung-Min Na was thrown out 7-4 trying to stretch a single into a double wth one out in the top of the 3rd inning.

[davell]

AZ Phil made the observation in his latest update, that he would expect Rusin to start next year at Daytona and Raley to begin at Peoria.

[Guest]

As mentioned:

 

Arizona Phil at the Cub Reporter[/url]"]Raley is not overpowering (89-91 MPH sinker, with a decent breaking ball and an OK change), and while he is not as polished as fellow LHP Chris Rusin (Cubs 2009 4th round pick out of the U. of Kentucky), he does seem to understand the concept of mixing his pitches and working hitters. As things stand right now, I would expect Raley to begin the 2010 season in the Peoria Chiefs starting rotation, with Rusin probaly getting jumped to Daytona .

 

Brandon Guyer had a huge game:

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 1-4 (K, K, 4-3, 1B), R

2a. D. J. LeMahieu, 2B: 1-3 (L-4, 1B, 6-3), CS

2b. Logan Watkins, 2B: 0-0 (BB), R

3. Ryan Flaherty, 3B: 1-4 (F-7, 1B, F-8, 1-3), R

4. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 1-4 (F-9, P-6, 1B, 5-3), RBI

5. Brandon Guyer, RF: 2-4 (4-3, HR, 5-3, 1B), R, 3 RBI

6a. Michael Brenly, DH #1: 0-2 (K, 5-3)

6b. Runey Davis, PH-DH: 2-2 (1B, 1B), SB, PO

7a. Brandon May, C: 0-2 (K, K)

7b. Jae-Hoon Ha, C: 0-1 (K)

8. Blair Springfield, LF: 0-2 (K, L-9, BB)

9a. Wes Darvill, SS: 0-2 (K, 4-3)

9b. Hak-Ju Lee, SS: 1-1 (1B)

10. Ping-Chieh Chen, DH #2: 1-3 (K, 2B, F-7)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Brooks Raley - 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 6/1 GO/FO, 56 pitches (29 strikes)

2. John Mincone - 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 33 pitches (18 strikes)

3. Yao-Lin Wang - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 28 pitches (16 strikes)

4. Julio Pena - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 16 pitches (13 strikes)

5. Corey Martin - 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 1/1 GO/FO, 27 pitches (19 strikes)

 

ERRORS (1): Ryan Flaherty (E-5) - juggled ground ball allowing batter leading off the bottom of the 9th inning to reach base, and the runner moved up to 2nd base on a WP and to 3rd on a balk, before scoring the (unearned) winning run on a one-out line single to CF.

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

1. Brandon May: 1 PB

2. Jae-Hoon Ha: 0-2 CS

[davell]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

[Guest]

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]RHP Chris Archer followed Rusin with three shutout innings, allowing two hits and a walk on 43 pitches (26 strikes). while retiring the last five men he faced.

 

One of three pitchers the Cubs acquired from Cleveland for Mark DeRosa last off- season, Archer throws a 92-94 MPH fastball, a curve, and a change-up, and was 4th among Cubs minor leaguers in strikeouts in 2009 (trailing only Jay Jackson, Mitch Atkins, and Chris Carpenter). But he is at Instructs to work on his command & control (he led the Cubs minor leagues in walks in '09), and he has indeed shown some progress with his strike-throwing in his last two outings, allowing just one walk over six innings. Of course he also has only one strikeout in those six innings, but he's not down here to rack up the punch-outs. The Cubs already know he can do that. He's down here to improve his control and cut-down the number of pitches he throws per inning.

 

...

 

LeMahieu played SS at LSU, but I think it's fairly obvious that the Cubs think that the athletic LeMahieu's future is at 2B. He has spent many hours at Instructs working with minor league infield instructor Franklin Font on his DP footwork from the second-baseman's side of the bag (which requires different footwork and an altered rhythm than is the case when turning the DP from shortstop), and hopefully he will take what he has learned at Instructs into the 2010 season, where he will probably begin the year at Daytona.

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1a. Logan Watkins, DH #1: 1-3 (1B, L-9, L-1 DP)

1b. Richard Jones, PH: 1-1 (HR), R, RBI

2. D. J. LeMahieu, 2B: 1-4 (4-6-3 DP, 1B, F-9, L-8)

3. Brett Jackson, CF: 0-4 (F-8, F-8, F-8, F-7)

4. Brandon Guyer, RF: 2-3 (1B, F-8, 1B), R, CS

5. Ryan Flaherty, SS: 1-3 (F-7, 4-3, 3B), RBI

6. Michael Brenly, C-DH: 0-3 (P-3, P-6, P-8)

7. Jovan Rosa, DH-C: 0-3 (K, 6-3, K)

8. Matt Cerda, 3B: 1-3 (P-2, 1B, 4-3)

9. Justin Bour, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 4-3)

10. Kyung-Min Na, LF: 0-3 (F-9, K, L-6)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Chris Rusin - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 2/1 GO/FO, 15 pitches (12 strikes)

2. Chris Archer - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 4/5 GO/FO, 43 pitches (26 strikes)

3. Nick Struck - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 BALK, 2/2 GO/FO, 30 pitches (19 strikes)

4. Jose Rosario - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 15 pitches (7 strikes)

5. Steve Grife - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 2/1 GO/FO, 18 pitches (9 strikes)

 

ERRORS: NONE

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Michael Brenly - 0-1 CS

Jovan Rosa - 1 PB

[soonercub]

Analysis of Hak-Ju Lee. http://www.baseball-intellect.com/ I wanted to post this link to a site that does some video analysis. They just went pay, so I don't have the premium membership to summarize for you guys. Some may find it interesting.

[Keener98]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

 

With Lee and Castro in our system, I think that makes the most sense. Might as well let LeMahieu get comfortable playing 2nd base in the minors instead of being switched later on in his career because of Lee or Castro(hopefully).

[Serge]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

 

With Lee and Castro in our system, I think that makes the most sense. Might as well let LeMahieu get comfortable playing 2nd base in the minors instead of being switched later on in his career because of Lee or Castro(hopefully).

 

Also, my understanding is that Lemahieu in terms of size speed is probably not going to handle SS. I think he's supposed to be in the Derosa kind of mold, where as a big leaguer he'll be ideal at 3b, acceptable at 2b, and "only in emergencies" at SS.

[Guest]

Dae-Eun Rhee had an awful game. Brandon Guyer had a monster game.

 

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]20-year old Korean RHP Dae-Eun Rhee (July 2008 TJS rehab) got the start for the Cubs today, and surrendered three runs in the top of the 1st inning. The lead-off hitter grounded a single through the box on an 0-2 pitch, and then the #2 hitter reached base on a bunt single and the #3 hitter walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs. One run scored on a FC grounder, another on a sacrifice fly, and the third on a two-out RBI double.

 

But the Giants came right back in the top of the 2nd, scoring two more runs off Rhee. The first two batters reached base on a line single to LF and a HBP, and both runners moved up on a Wild Pitch. Rhee struck out the next hitter, but then one run scored on an infield ground out, and another on a two-out RBI single.

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1a. Logan Watkins, 2B-DH: 1-4 (3B, K, K, L-3), R

1b. Justin Bour, PH: 0-0 (BB), R

2. Ryan Flaherty, 3B: 2-4 (2B, 1-3, K, BB, 3B), 3 R, 3 RBI

3. Brett Jackson, LF: 1-3 (2B, BB, P-8, SH+E1, 4-3), 3 R, 2 RBI, SB

4. Brandon Guyer, CF: 3-4 (BB, 1B, K, HR, 2B), 2 R, 3 RBI, SB

5. Kyler Burke, RF: 0-3 (K, F-8 SF, 3-1, BB, K), RBI

6. Rebel Ridling, 1B: 1-4 (F-8, K, 2B, K), R

7. D. J. LeMahieu, SS: 1-4 (3B, 6-3, 1-3, 4-3), 2 RBI

8a. Richard Jones, DH #1: 0-2 (K, F-7)

8b. Matt Cerda, PH-2B: 0-2 (P-8, 4-3)

9. Sergio Burruel, C-DH: 1-4 (K, K, 1B, 4-3), RBI

10. Brandon May, DH-C: 1-3 (P-3, K, BB, 1B), R

 

PITCHERS:

1. Dae-Eun Rhee - 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 5/1 GO/FO, 48 pitches (31 strikes)

2. Trey McNutt - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 5/0 GO/FO, 29 pitches (20 strikes)

3. Austin Kirk - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO, 20 pitches (9 strikes)

4. Hector Mayora - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1/1 GO/FO, 23 pitches (12 strikes)

5. Julio Pena - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 12 pitches (7 strikes)

 

ERRORS: NONE

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

Sergio Burruel - 0-1 CS

Brandon May - 1-1 CS

 

OUTFIELD ASSIST:

Kyler Burke - gunned down runner (9-2) trying to score from 2nd base on a two-out single to RF in the top of the 4th.

[Guest]

Arizona Phil also listed his top pitching prospects in Instructs in the comments section:

 

Arizona Phil[/url]"]If I had to pick the best three pitching prospects at Instructs I would say:

 

1., RHP Chris Archer (92-94 MPH fastball, curve, and change), 4th in the Cubs minor leagues in 2009 in strikeouts, but #1 in walks (which is why he's here). Another red flag is that he repeated Intermediate-A with the Cubs in 2009 after being there with Cleveland in 2008 before the Cubs got him in the Mark DeRosa trade, although he is only 21. Archer has MAJOR command issues, but he has only walked one hitter in his last six innings here (although he also has no strikeouts over that span), Archer has the type of stuff that could get him to the big leagues as a starter, but I would say more likely as a one-inning reliever. But either way, he needs to throw strikes. Archer wil probably be in the Daytona starting rotation come Opening Day 2010 (D-Cubs #1 starter), but it is not inconceivable that if he continues to show improved command at Minor League Camp next March, he could skip Daytona and go straight to AA Tennessee.

 

2. RHP Dae-Eun Rhee - Still rehabbing from July 2008 TJS, the 20-year old Rhee is throwing only fastballs, curves, and change-ups at Instructs, but not his killer splitter/slider thing, which he will (presumably) start throwing again when his arm is stronger next year. Prior to the TJS, Rhee was a Cubs Top10 prospect. (He got a $700K+ signing bonus from the Cubs in 2007). But if he doesn't throw his "falls-off-the-table" splitter/slider, he's nothing special. I thought "future closer" when I first saw him at Fitch Park a couple of years ago (pre-TJS), but the Cubs think he can be a starter (once he's 100%).

 

3. LHP Chris Rusin - Cubs 2009 4th round pick out of the U. of Kentucky, Rusin is a 23-year old super-polished college lefty with the full repertoire of a starting pitcher (upper 80's two-seam fastball with movement, curve, change-up) and he can really work the edges of the plate and the horizontal & vertical strike zone. He should start the 2010 season in the Daytona rotation, but he could get to AA very quickly. He probably doesn't have an exceptionally high ceiling (MLB #4 or #5 starter), so we'll have to see how he performs at the higher levels. Hopefully he's not just another J. R. Mathes-type LHSP. He is just toying with the kids at Instructs. Way too advanced. He really should probably be pitching in the AFL.

 

LHP Austin Kirk and RHP Trey McNutt (both pitched today - see above) are definite prospects, too, and both have higher-ceilings than Rusin, although I believe both Kirk and McNutt will end up in the bullpen. I'm anxious to see how they progress next season (both will probably be at Peoria in 2010

[toonsterwu]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

 

With Lee and Castro in our system, I think that makes the most sense. Might as well let LeMahieu get comfortable playing 2nd base in the minors instead of being switched later on in his career because of Lee or Castro(hopefully).

 

Also, my understanding is that Lemahieu in terms of size speed is probably not going to handle SS. I think he's supposed to be in the Derosa kind of mold, where as a big leaguer he'll be ideal at 3b, acceptable at 2b, and "only in emergencies" at SS.

 

LeMahieu will only be ideal at 3rd if he could develop some power. While young, it just hasn't happened, but he has such a solid swing that messing with that may not make much sense. Short of it is, I think his ideal spot is at 2nd, where the power isn't as significant an issue and he can be a solid defensive asset. When we drafted him, I thought he was similar to Flaherty, but I think he's a better contact hitter while Ryan has a bit more pop than I expected.

 

If AzPhil is right and LeMahieu is fast tracked for 2nd base, maybe to Tennessee with Castro, that really puts Flaherty in a tough spot to impress. Ryan's very similar to DeRosa, and I could see a similar career path of sorts, former shortstop that becomes a supersub player that offers some pop early in his career, before maybe getting a chance to be a regular with a club later in his career.

[Guest]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

 

With Lee and Castro in our system, I think that makes the most sense. Might as well let LeMahieu get comfortable playing 2nd base in the minors instead of being switched later on in his career because of Lee or Castro(hopefully).

 

Also, my understanding is that Lemahieu in terms of size speed is probably not going to handle SS. I think he's supposed to be in the Derosa kind of mold, where as a big leaguer he'll be ideal at 3b, acceptable at 2b, and "only in emergencies" at SS.

If Castro progresses like we all hope, Lemahieu won't have a position anyway. If he hits the Cubs will have a pretty good middle infield tandem for a long time.

 

If, if, if...

[Serge]

AZ Phil remarked he thinks the Cubs see LeMahieu as a 2B longterm and he's been working there in Arizona alot. He expects him to start the year at Daytona in 2010.

 

With Lee and Castro in our system, I think that makes the most sense. Might as well let LeMahieu get comfortable playing 2nd base in the minors instead of being switched later on in his career because of Lee or Castro(hopefully).

 

Also, my understanding is that Lemahieu in terms of size speed is probably not going to handle SS. I think he's supposed to be in the Derosa kind of mold, where as a big leaguer he'll be ideal at 3b, acceptable at 2b, and "only in emergencies" at SS.

 

LeMahieu will only be ideal at 3rd if he could develop some power. While young, it just hasn't happened, but he has such a solid swing that messing with that may not make much sense. Short of it is, I think his ideal spot is at 2nd, where the power isn't as significant an issue and he can be a solid defensive asset. When we drafted him, I thought he was similar to Flaherty, but I think he's a better contact hitter while Ryan has a bit more pop than I expected.

 

If AzPhil is right and LeMahieu is fast tracked for 2nd base, maybe to Tennessee with Castro, that really puts Flaherty in a tough spot to impress. Ryan's very similar to DeRosa, and I could see a similar career path of sorts, former shortstop that becomes a supersub player that offers some pop early in his career, before maybe getting a chance to be a regular with a club later in his career.

 

I meant just defensively on the Derosa comp, I should have made that clear, since it sounds like defensively his best fit will be 3b, although he should be fine at 2b and can maybe fill in at SS in a pinch. I agree with you that he definitely needs more power if he wants to be an everyday 3b though. I think a decent comparison offensively for Lemahieu if he doesn't develop the power would be Mark Loretta(.300/.360/.400). Which that's nice for a 2b, but that is definitely not enough offense for third. Although he is a pretty big dude, so hopefully he can develop some power.

[toonsterwu]

I remember watching him at LSU last year and thinking that he could probably be a real solid 2nd baseman, despite the size.

 

He, IIRC, fell this year to the late 2nd due to expectations that he'd go back to college since his power never developed. I'm just a casual fan, but watching his swing, I feel like this might be akin to Matt Murton in that, for more power to come, he'd really have to rework his swing and his approach. Good thing is, Murton type offense at 2nd base would be fine.

[Guest]

Drew Rundle is now a pitcher:

 

Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter[/url]"]21-year old LHP (and ex-OF) Drew Rundle made his debut as a pitcher in the bottom of the 6th, and he looked like The Natural, throwing a 1-2-3 inning (L-3, Ks, F-8), and doing it on only nine pitches (six strikes).

 

Rundle was the Cubs 14th round draft pick out of Bend HS - Bend, OR in 2006, getting $500,000 ("3rd round money") to give up a chance to play college baseball at the University of Arizona. (2006 was the year the Cubs had no picks in rounds 2-3-4, and so they had extra cash available to select players with "signability" issues in lower rounds, paying "over-slot" bonuses to Jeff Samardzija, Cliff Andersen, Chris Huseby, Kevin Kreier, Nate Samson, and Rundle).

 

An athletic defender with a plus-arm, above-average speed, and occasional power, Rundle was a patient hitter who never really developed, striking out 258 times in just 941 PA, while hitting a combined 227/338/380 with 16 HR, 55 2B, 9 3B, and 21 SB (16 CS) in 278 games played over four seasons.

 

Prior to Instructs, Rundle hadn't pitched since his junior year in HS,

 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

 

LINEUP:

1. Brett Jackson, CF: 0-3 (BB, F-8, 4-3, F-8), R, SB

2. D. J. LeMahieu, SS: 1-3 (BB, 1B, 4-3, 4-3), 2 R

3. Ryan Flaherty, 2B: 0-3 (1-3 SH, 4-3, K, F-8)

4. Brandon Guyer, LF: 2-4 (1B, 1B, L-8, K), 2 R, 2 RBI, SB

5. Kyler Burke, RF: 3-3 (BB, 1B, 2B, 2B), R, PO

6a. Michael Brenly, C-DH: 1-3 (P-9, 1B, F-9), RBI

6b. Rebel Ridling, PH: 0-1 (K)

7. Justin Bour, 1B: 2-4 (1B, 1B, F-8, F-9), 3 RBI

8. Matt Cerda, 3B: 1-3 (2B, P-5, 4-3), CS

9. Jovan Rosa, DH-C: 0-3 (K, 6-3, K)

10. Richard Jones, DH #2: 0-3 (4-3, F-9, K)

 

PITCHERS:

1. Thomas Diamond - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 4 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 39 pitches (19 strikes)

2. Alberto Cabrera - 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 2/3 GO/FO, 51 pitches (29 strikes)

3. Drew Rundle - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 9 pitches (6 strikes)

4. Eduardo Figueroa - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 35 pitches (26 strikes)

5. Corey Martin - 1.0 IP - 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 5 pitches (4 strikes)

 

ERRORS:

1. D. J. LeMahieu (E-6) - bobbled ground ball at SS allowing batter to reach base

2. Matt Cerda (E-5) - overthrow at 1st base allowed batter to reach base safely

 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:

1. Michael Brenly - 0-3 CS

2. Jovan Rosa - 0-1 CS

[toonsterwu]

I am very happy to see Rundle make that transition. He didn't seem like he was going anyplace as a hitter. At the very least, it's another young lefty to add to the bunch, and he's only 21, so the age isn't that bad if he has to start low next year.

[biittner77]

I am very happy to see Rundle make that transition. He didn't seem like he was going anyplace as a hitter. At the very least, it's another young lefty to add to the bunch, and he's only 21, so the age isn't that bad if he has to start low next year.

 

It seems odd that he didn't pitch during his senior year in HS. Did he play for a team that was really stacked or was there an injury concern?

[davell]

AZ Phil said Dolis really turned some heads today. He adamantly said Dolis WILL get picked by someone if he's not added to the 40 man this offseason. He said if it were up to him, he'd add Gaub, Dolis, Castillo, and Parker. He wouldn't lose sleep over Adduci, Camp, Clevenger, Robinson, Mathes, or Papelbon.

[JeffH]

AZ Phil said Dolis really turned some heads today. He adamantly said Dolis WILL get picked by someone if he's not added to the 40 man this offseason. He said if it were up to him, he'd add Gaub, Dolis, Castillo, and Parker. He wouldn't lose sleep over Adduci, Camp, Clevenger, Robinson, Mathes, or Papelbon.

 

I'd move Clevenger to the first group. Otherwise, that's a good assessment.