Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-14-10

[TruffleShuffle]

Final Line for Cashner: 6IP 2H 2ER 0BB 10K.

 

I really wish they hadn't brought him out for the 7th. No reason for him to be throwing 90 pitches even if he has a no no going.

 

He has to get used to at least that pitch count and he was stretched out that far (he only threw 8 pitches more than the previous outing). I don't see the problem although his line definitely doesn't look as pretty.

 

when guys are in the minors i'm most concerned about K rates, BB rates and H/9 IP, and cashner's totals this year are tremendous on all accounts. his ERA may be 4.35 on the season, but that's not exactly indicative of how he's pitched: 10.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 20 K.

[toonsterwu]

Cashner is absolutely dealing. 5IP 0H 0BB 9k 71 Pitches. Jake Optiz also showing power that I didn't know existed. 2-2 2B and HR. I think Cashner has only gone to a two ball count a handful of times tonight.

 

Opitz always had some pop. I was very intrigued with him coming out, as a 2nd baseman with solid pop. He needs AB's, though. Here's hoping he gets them in AA. Good thing he's played a few different positions (corner OF, 2nd, 3rd, 1st).

[Little Slide Rooter]

Meanwhile Starlins 2-5 with a double and 2 RBI in the midst of the Smokes 13-2 thrashing of the Lookouts.

[toonsterwu]

Truffle, without knowing stuff, I think Antigua's start is fine. He's going up against, arguably, on paper, the most talented team in Low A. He's not going to be a big strikeout guy. The fact that he worked 5 and showed control ... it's not great, but I'm fine with it.

[TruffleShuffle]

Truffle, without knowing stuff, I think Antigua's start is fine. He's going up against, arguably, on paper, the most talented team in Low A. He's not going to be a big strikeout guy. The fact that he worked 5 and showed control ... it's not great, but I'm fine with it.

 

yeah it's not horrible but he had 68 K's in 68 IP last year. control has never been his problem; he only walked 19 in those 68 IP. it's not a horrible outing but like i said, i care more about the peripherals among the minor league guys, and his just weren't that good tonight. not a huge deal though.

 

great outing for huseby tonight: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP. i was hoping we were done with that chris huseby.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

What is everybody's thoughts on Guyer? He seems to be a player with a lot of tools but had a bad half year last year. @ 23 he has some pop and a lot of speed, could he turn out to be a solid player?

[toonsterwu]

What is everybody's thoughts on Guyer? He seems to be a player with a lot of tools but had a bad half year last year. @ 23 he has some pop and a lot of speed, could he turn out to be a solid player?

 

He needs to show power, otherwise he's not as intriguing as he looked after Low A. If he shows power, I could see him be somewhat of a Eric Byrnes type.

[CubColtPacer]

Final Line for Cashner: 6IP 2H 2ER 0BB 10K.

 

I really wish they hadn't brought him out for the 7th. No reason for him to be throwing 90 pitches even if he has a no no going.

 

He has to get used to at least that pitch count and he was stretched out that far (he only threw 8 pitches more than the previous outing). I don't see the problem although his line definitely doesn't look as pretty.

 

when guys are in the minors i'm most concerned about K rates, BB rates and H/9 IP, and cashner's totals this year are tremendous on all accounts. his ERA may be 4.35 on the season, but that's not exactly indicative of how he's pitched: 10.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 20 K.

 

Definitely. I'm not worried about that ERA at all.

 

Jackson adds another hit.

 

I see Guyer as a guy who could succeed eventually at the major league level but will probably never be interesting enough to be given much of a chance. He'll just get lost in the shuffle unless he catches a break or has a monster season somewhere.

[toonsterwu]

Very pleased with Jay Jackson's outing. 5 ip, 73 pitches, 2 h, 1 bb, 4 K's, 1 solo homer. 5:5 go/fo.

[TruffleShuffle]

Very pleased with Jay Jackson's outing. 5 ip, 73 pitches, 2 h, 1 bb, 4 K's, 1 solo homer. 5:5 go/fo.

 

agreed. his command still needs a little work, but by next season i think he can be a solid middle of the rotation starter.

[Guest]

If someone could ever convince Guyer the season starts before June, he'd be a nice reserve OF.

[craig]

Very pleased with Jay Jackson's outing. 5 ip, 73 pitches, 2 h, 1 bb, 4 K's, 1 solo homer. 5:5 go/fo.

 

agreed. his command still needs a little work, but by next season i think he can be a solid middle of the rotation starter.

 

I wonder if he might not be a good guy to trade. I'm always cautious when prospect pitchers give up so many HR's.

[davell]

I nominate today as the best day we've had from our system, to date...... :D

 

Gotta wonder what, if anything, Cashner is doing differently, to miss all the bats so far. I know he's always had the power stuff, but he hadn't ever put together 2 straight outings like this before, at least not to my recollection.......

 

Really glad to see Brett Jackson doing well in Daytona. I'd love to see him earn an early promotion. Hopefully, Vitters gets it going soon. But, I'm just going to focus on the positive tonight. Jay Jackson had a nice outing too. I really see him and Cashner on the major league club by midseason. Castro too, for that matter.

[Guest]

If Guyer can be decent in CF, he'd be a solid #4 outfielder.

[CubsWin]

This is what BA had to say about Cashner in their Prospects Blog after his first start. I wonder what they're going to say now.

4. Andrew Cashner, rhp, Double-A Tennessee (Cubs)

 

Forget the final line—Cashner gave up three runs in 4 1/3 innings thanks to a three-run homer from the Braves' Cody Johnson—because what Cashner did to open the season was simply electric. Cashner struck out the first seven hitters he faced and 10 of his first 12, finishing his night with 10 strikeouts and two walks. Sure, it's just one game, but that's an outstanding sign for Cashner, who has an terrific arm but averaged just 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings last year.

His start certainly is encouraging.

[CubbieBum]

Man I can't wait for a another two or three years to see what these guys can do in the majors. I think it is inevitable we trade away some of them but I really hope we hold on to a majority because they are great. I don't want to see us trade away these guys for above average vets just try and extend our window another year or two. I am all for letting some of the vets walk and let our farm guys replace them. Especially in the rotation.

[Guest]

Any BP subscribers want to share Goldstein's Cashner comments from today?

[TruffleShuffle]

Any BP subscribers want to share Goldstein's Cashner comments from today?

 

Nothing Is Wrong Here

 

Andrew Cashner, rhp, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee)

 

Wednesday's stats: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 10 K

 

A first-round pick in 2008, Cashner rose to prominence as a closer in college, but his fastball/slider combination and surprisingly solid change-up had the Cubs wanting to see if he can start, and after stretching his arm out last year, the reigns are off and the results are stunning, as after two outings, opposing hitting are 5-for-37 with 20 strikeouts. The Cubs are getting ready to make an opening in their rotation for Ted Lilly (who pitched will at Triple-A last night), and by the end of the year, they mgiht be doing the same for Cashner.

 

reins, not reigns! and he misspelled might.

 

by the way, the first entry was about madison bumgartner, who apparently is not hitting 90 with his fastball any more and has allowed 21 hits in 7 innings. yikes.

 

another note from the article:

 

Recovering From A Slow Start

 

Brett Jackson, of, Cubs (High-A Daytona)

 

Wednesday's stats: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 R, BB

 

Jackson had early first-round tools going into the draft, but fell to the end of the round, leaving many to believe the Cubs got a steal after his explosive pro debut. After beginning the year in an 0-for-11 funk, Jackson has turned it all around, going 8-for-15 in his last four games while adding five walks. He has a big league approach, above-average speed and raw power, and can play an excellent center field; and teams once again are wondering why he lasted 31 picks in the draft.

[Guest]

Thanks.

 

5 for 37 with 20 K's. Think about that for a second.

[TruffleShuffle]

Thanks.

 

5 for 37 with 20 K's. Think about that for a second.

 

yeah, pretty crazy.

 

what's really nice about a guy like cashner is that there's almost no doubt that he has a big-league arm. the biggest question is whether he can stay a starter or will have to shift to the pen. so it almost seems like the downside is that he turns into a really good closer or setup man, which is still a valuable commodity.

[17 Seconds]

I really dont see why bringing up Cashner would be the worst thing in the world. What we really need is that 8th inning guy. Im not saying that hes it, but if he can be, hes a lot more valuable there than as an ace in AA. And its not like it will ruin him as a starter for ever. Just ask Adam Wainwright.

 

it would be so typical of the cubs to interrupt his development right when he's starting to dominate as a starter

[illiniguy]

I really dont see why bringing up Cashner would be the worst thing in the world. What we really need is that 8th inning guy. Im not saying that hes it, but if he can be, hes a lot more valuable there than as an ace in AA. And its not like it will ruin him as a starter for ever. Just ask Adam Wainwright.

 

it would be so typical of the cubs to interrupt his development right when he's starting to dominate as a starter

I am very afraid of that. Jim needs to tell Lou no way he's not coming up until it's time for him to start.