Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-12-10

[sandbergcubs]

im pretty sure brett jackson is going to AA and valdez is going to Daytona

[TruffleShuffle]

3 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 2 k for cashner so far. the las vegas offense includes players like brian dopirak, washed-up prospect jeremy reed and fatso brett wallace (who's a good hitter despite being fat).

[davell]

im pretty sure brett jackson is going to AA and valdez is going to Daytona

 

I hope that's the case actually.

[davell]

Cashner is at 89 pitches thru 6. 5 hits allowed, 1 run, 1 walk, and 6 K's.

[RammyFanny]

Cashner is at 89 pitches thru 6. 5 hits allowed, 1 run, 1 walk, and 6 K's.

 

Final line.

[Guest]

Outstanding start, especially considering he was pitching in Vegas.

[toonsterwu]

Outstanding start, especially considering he was pitching in Vegas.

 

and the Blue Jays have a solid offensive squad there. Real impressed, and he got through 6 with 89 pitches.

[toonsterwu]

im pretty sure brett jackson is going to AA and valdez is going to Daytona

 

That'd be interesting news.

 

Hey, what's your take on some of the struggling Daytona guys down there this year, like Burke and LeMahieu?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I mean what manager in any league would be dumb enough to send their best starting pitcher to the bullpen?

Jay Jackson has proven he has the control needed for Lou, but he is not striking out enough guys as a starter to be considered dominant (although he has limited the base hits nicely). I say there is very little risk involved with this little experiment. If his velocity doesn't increase enough in the pen, he will likely be moved back to the rotation where he will be a solid 3rd or 4th starter. If his velocity sits around 94-96, then he can kick off his major league career in a few weeks!

 

Im torn on this. I understand that it would likely be at least 2 years before a rotation spot opening up for him. Z and Demp are likely our 1 and 2 starters for at least the next 2 years, assuming our next manager isnt a complete imbecile and returns Z to the rotation. Wells will likely be our 3 or 4 for a few years to come. Silvas probably our 5 next year, unless we trade him an then hes gone. Gorz could be a 4 for a few years, and as Ive said before, Im a believer in him, at least as a back of the rotation starter. However, he could also be traded, although the return would be far from spectacular, most likely a middle reliever or a few prospects. This leaves limited opportunites for starters on the big league club, and Cashner likely has 1st dibs when a spot open up, and the next one between Jackson, Coleman, and Diamond. Maybe Jacksons best shot at the bigs could be as a reliever to start. Hed be far from the first guy to start his big league career as a reliever and go on to a successful career as a stater. I just hope he doesnt get rocked and lose confidence, but from what Ive heard about him, hes not the type of guy who would let it get to him.

 

If he makes another relief appearence for Iowa, then they're probably prepping him up for a call up. Otherwise, it makes no sense to use him in Iowas pen. Its not like they're opening a spot for someone else, and even if they were, just move JR Mathes whose been mediocre minor league pitcher since he entered the organization in the late 1980's.

[Guest]

On Jay Jackson:

 

RH Jay Jackson, normally a starter, pitched an inning in relief to get some extra work in due to Monday's rainout.

 

http://iowa.cubs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100512&content_id=9995032&vkey=pr_t451&fext=.jsp&sid=t451

[ctcf]

On Jay Jackson:

 

RH Jay Jackson, normally a starter, pitched an inning in relief to get some extra work in due to Monday's rainout.

 

http://iowa.cubs.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100512&content_id=9995032&vkey=pr_t451&fext=.jsp&sid=t451

 

 

Hooray!

[Guest]

Sandberg should have started him then. He was on normal starter's rest, there's no reason to mess with Jackson just so a goof like Mathes can get bombed in under 4 innings.

[jersey cubs fan]

Sandberg should have started him then. He was on normal starter's rest, there's no reason to mess with Jackson just so a goof like Mathes can get bombed in under 4 innings.

 

Is it really messing with him? I don't see the big deal.

[Guest]

Sandberg should have started him then. He was on normal starter's rest, there's no reason to mess with Jackson just so a goof like Mathes can get bombed in under 4 innings.

 

Is it really messing with him? I don't see the big deal.

 

Ultimately it's not a huge problem, but it's a dumb decision to make. The rainout forces you to choose between keeping Jackson or Mathes on normal rest, you don't pick Mathes. And it's probably not a good idea to pitch Jackson that day since now it's going to be even longer between starts.

[Wrigley Rat]

I mean what manager in any league would be dumb enough to send their best starting pitcher to the bullpen?

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter.

What are you talking about?

Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response:

(1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!".

(2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45).

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification.

[SouthSideRyan]

I mean what manager in any league would be dumb enough to send their best starting pitcher to the bullpen?

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter.

What are you talking about?

Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response:

(1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!".

(2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45).

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification.

 

Do you feel Zambrano's 7.45 ERA as a SP was likely to stay that way?

Edited May 13, 2010 by SouthSideRyan

[Keener98]

I mean what manager in any league would be dumb enough to send their best starting pitcher to the bullpen?

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter.

What are you talking about?

Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response:

(1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!".

(2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45).

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification.

 

How has Zambrano done a better job in the bullpen? Hes pitched in 7 2/3 innnings for the Cubs since going to the bullpen almost 3 weeks ago. 2 of those innings were in blowouts so Zambrano has pitched in 5 meaningful innings in almost 3 weeks. Zambrano is too good to be used for 7 innings in 3 weeks plain and simple.

 

Regarding your "ERA as a RP vs ERA as a SP", its completely ridiculous to even mention it as the sample size is so damn small its not worth wasting my time over. You know as well as I do, Zambrano's ERA as a starter is highly skewed because of his 1st 1 1/3 innings of the season. Outside of those 1st 1 1/3 innings Z hadn't allowed over 3 runs in any of his next 3 starts before being moved to the pen.

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification

[Wrigley Rat]

I mean what manager in any league would be dumb enough to send their best starting pitcher to the bullpen?

Nice. I'm happy that Zambrano is helping the team - not sure he would be as a starter.

What are you talking about?

Not sure where the confusion is, but here is my response:

(1) If you misunderstood me: I felt that West Side Rooter was taking a small jab at Lou Piniella regarding putting Zambrano in the bullpen (all the while commenting on the Jay Jackson situation), so I responded to that by saying "Nice!".

(2) If you disagree with me: I feel that Zambrano has done a better job in the bullpen for the Cubs than he did as a starter (ERA as a RP: 3.52. ERA as a SP: 7.45).

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification.

 

How has Zambrano done a better job in the bullpen? Hes pitched in 7 2/3 innnings for the Cubs since going to the bullpen almost 3 weeks ago. 2 of those innings were in blowouts so Zambrano has pitched in 5 meaningful innings in almost 3 weeks. Zambrano is too good to be used for 7 innings in 3 weeks plain and simple.

 

Regarding your "ERA as a RP vs ERA as a SP", its completely ridiculous to even mention it as the sample size is so damn small its not worth wasting my time over. You know as well as I do, Zambrano's ERA as a starter is highly skewed because of his 1st 1 1/3 innings of the season. Outside of those 1st 1 1/3 innings Z hadn't allowed over 3 runs in any of his next 3 starts before being moved to the pen.

 

Please let me know if you need more clarification

No need to clarify - There are two sides to every disagreement. However, I have chosen to take the "ridiculous" side that has statistical evidence over the side filled with excuses. Sample size or not, one bad outing or not, Zambrano's success in the bullpen has been better than his struggles, this year, as a starter, thusfar. I have no desire to continue this conversation. I encourage differing opinions from mine and have enjoyed reading your perspective.

[Rob]

Small sample size alerts all over the place, but...

 

12.1 H/9, 12.1 K/9, 4.66 BB/9

12.9 H/9, 7.04 K/9, 2.34 BB/9

 

Let's not pretend Carlos has figured it out in the bullpen or something. He's walked a few less guys, but he's giving up more hits and striking out a lot fewer.

 

ERA is a shitty stat anyways.

[Guest]

Bruce Miles[/url]"]Pitcher Andrew Cashner, the No. 1 pick in 2008, made his first start last night for Class AAA Iowa. He picked up the victory, pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run. He walked one and struck out six, throwing 89 pitches.

 

“Really good,” Oneri said. “The changeup was outstanding and so was hit breaking ball. He pitched to contact and threw a lot of strikes. He threw 96-97 (mph), I think the reports said, and I couldn’t be any happier.”