2010 Cubs Picks & Signings Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1.16 Hayden Simpson, RHP, Southern Arkansas - $1.06m bonus (Video)

 

After an incredibly successful career with Southern Arkansas, Simpson found himself thrust into the limelight when the Cubs took him #16 overall in the MLB Draft, shocking many scouts and prognosticators. Simpson offers four pitches in his arsenal which could grade out as average to plus. Simpson's fastball works primarily in the low to mid 90s, touching 96/97 with some movement. His 12-to-6 curveball and slider are both effective out pitches which receive good marks. His average changeup is still a work in progress. Simpson's short stature (generously listed at 6', 175 lbs) and unorthodox mechanics draw comparisons with Tim Lincecum, although Lincecum features a much better repertoire. There is some concern that Simpson might not have the durability to maintain his stuff deep into the season, as his stuff tailed off a bit deep into this past season. As a starter, Simpson has the ceiling of a solid #3 starter. Even if he moves to relief, Simpson has a good enough arsenal to be an effective setup man.

 

2.65 Reggie Golden, CF, Wetumpka HS (AL) - $720,000 bonus (

)

 

Offensively, think Mike Cameron. Golden has very good power and bat speed at the plate, which he couples with an aggressive approach. While this approach results in tape measure home runs, it also results in Golden having issues making contact. Golden is prone to strikeouts and he likely won't hit for a high batting average. His approach is raw, but his pitch recognition skills should develop with time. Defensively, Golden could play adequately in CF with some speed, but his likely destination will be RF, where his above average arm will be an asset.

 

3.97 Micah Gibbs, C, Louisiana St - $350,000 bonus

 

Gibbs is one of the top defensive catchers in the draft. He handles pitching staffs incredibly well, using his above average footwork to augment his receiving skills. While his arm is average, he has a quick release and is accurate. As good as he is behind the dish, Gibbs fell in the draft in large part because of questions about his bat. He's a switch-hitter with a bat that's roughly average and power that's fringe-average. He doesn't have the kind of bat speed or projection to make scouts think his bat will improve much from where it is now. However, his defense should get him to the majors as a starter, even if he only hits .250 with 8-10 HRs.

 

4.130 Hunter Ackerman, LHP, Louisburg College (NC) - $216,000 bonus

 

The top JC talent in North Carolina, Ackerman offers the package of a 4/5 starter or a quality middle reliever. Ackerman's fastball works in the high 80s with a good amount of sink, generating plenty of ground balls. His changeup is his second best pitch and should be a workable pitch against right handed hitters. His curveball is presently below average, but could end up being slightly above average with coaching and repetition.

 

5.160 Matthew Szczur, OF, Villanova - $100,000 bonus (additional $500,000 bonus if he declines to attend the NFL combine and makes a written commitment to baseball before Feb. 10, 2011)

 

Also a wide receiver at Villanova who could get some attention in the NFL draft, Szczur's greatest asset is his speed, which some scouts have graded as 80 on the 20-80 scale. Szczur will likely stick in CF, which should help downplay his below average arm. At the plate, Szczur offers a patient approach that should allow him to hit for average, although his power leaves much to be desired. His work ethic is off the charts and scouts love his makeup, which was best exemplified when he took some time off from baseball to donate his bone marrow to a 1 year old girl with leukemia.

 

6.190 Ivan De Jesus, CF, Cuperyville School (PR)

7.220 Benjamin Wells, RHP, Bryant HS (AR) - $530,000 bonus

 

A late bloomer, Wells was throwing in the high 80s early in the spring and completely off of many people's radars. However, as the season progressed, Wells' fastball was at 90-94, which he mixed in with a slider and splitter. There was some concern about Wells because he didn't have very many outings where he stood out, but when he did, he flashed a potential power arsenal with an intriguing upside.

 

8.250 Cameron Greathouse, LHP, Gulf Coast CC (FL) (Video (You may want to mute it)) - $125,000 bonus

 

A two-way player at Gulf Coast CC, Greathouse has some upside as an OF, but his future is on the mound. As a pitcher, he features a curveball that touches 80 mph to go with a high-80s fastball that could improve once Greathouse focuses full-time on pitching. His mechanics are some cause for concern.

 

9.280 Kevin Rhoderick, RHP, Oregon State - $110,000 bonus

 

One of the top-tier relief pitchers in the draft, Rhoderick features a fastball-slider-changeup combo that generates a lot of swings and misses. His fastball works mostly 88-91 with movement and can touch 93, but flattens out the harder he throws it. His slider and change both profile well as he develops. Rhoderick's main problem has been his stubbornness. He has a reputation for not listening to coaches and attempting to throw as hard as possible. He could be a potential setup man, but needs his head in the right place in order to get there.

 

10.310 Aaron Kurcz, RHP, JC of Southern Nevada (

,

) - $125,000 bonus

 

Listed at 6', 175 pounds, Kurcz became the closer on Bryce Harper's JC team after transferring from Air Force. Kurcz will likely stay in relief as a professional. Kurcz offers two potential above average to plus pitches in his fastball and curveball. He primarily works low 90s with his fastball and reportedly can touch 97 on the gun. His curveball can be slurvy, but it has nice action when it's working. While Kurcz struggles with his control and command, he likely will be able to minimize those problems as a relief pitcher.

 

11.340 Eric Jokisch, LHP, Northwestern - $125,000 bonus

 

One of the top LHPs in the Cape Cod League last summer, Jokisch profiles as a useful 4/5 or a left-handed reliever. Jokisch has four pitches, the best of which is a circle change which could develop into a plus pitch. His fastball works primarily in the high 80s, although he touches 91/92 on occasion. His curveball has been a mixed bag, although it could be useful. He recently added a cutter to his repertoire, which could become an out pitch as he develops it.

 

12.370 Austin Reed, RHP, Rancho Cucamonga (CA) HS - $150,000 bonus

 

The brother of 3rd round draft pick Addison Reed, Austin Reed offers good upside and projection in his 6'4, 210 pound frame. Currently, his fastball sits in the high 80s and touches 90. He gets good sink on his fastball and complements it well with a slider and change. He could conceivably add velocity to his fastball and improve on his secondary stuff as he matures, but he's still a ways away.

 

13.400 Pierre LePage, 2B, Connecticut (

)

 

LePage is a gritty second baseman who gets the most out of his somewhat limited tools. A high-contact hitter, LePage struck out only twice in over 200 ABs during the course of the regular season. LePage doesn't offer much in the way of power, but he has above average speed and good instincts on the basepaths. Defensively, he's roughly average at 2B and should stick there long-term.

 

14.430 Colin Richardson, RHP, Winter Haven (FL) HS - $100,000 bonus

 

A 6'1, 185 pound pitcher, Richardson currently has a three pitch arsenal in his fastball, curveball, and changeup. His fastball currently hovers around 90-91 and tops out around 92, although Cubs scouts think he still has some room to add velocity as he matures. His curve and change could be average or better pitches. He also is attempting to develop a cutter, which might end up being a workable pitch down the line.

 

15.460 Elliot Soto, SS, Creighton

 

One of the best defensive shortstops in the draft, Soto gets high marks for his range, glove, and arm. Soto's bat, on the other hand, is a substantial liability. Even when he's on base, his speed is not good enough to make him a viable threat to steal bases.

 

16.490 Ryan Hartman, RHP, Mount Zion (IL) HS - $125,000 bonus

 

A two sport athlete in high school, Hartman vaulted himself up draft boards this season following a slow start to the season. Hartman features a fastball that sits 90-91 and a very good curveball that's around 76-78 with good bite. Hartman is also quite projectable at 6'3, 175 pounds.

 

17.520 Steven Brooks, OF, Wake Forest

18.550 Brooks Pinckard, RHP, Baylor

19.580 Dustin Fitzgerald, RHP, Hill (TX) JC - $110,000 bonus (

)

 

6'4, 225 pound frame with a fb that works 88-92, with a workable slider and developing changeup, which could allow him to be a starter as a pro.

 

20.610 Ryan Cuneo, 1B, Delaware

 

A senior who shined on the Cape Cod League last season, Cuneo saw his stock drop this season following some struggles. A left handed hitter with some pop, Cuneo could find himself as a useful bat off the bench in the majors.

 

21.640 Cody Cox, RHP, Grassfield HS, Chesapeake (VA)

22.670 Jeff Vigurs, C, Bryant (R.I.)

 

Vigurs profiles primarily as a defensive catcher with a strong arm and good footwork behind the plate. As a hitter, he is a left-handed hitter with a disciplined approach who uses all fields, although his bat is considered to be a drawback.

 

23.700 Matt Loosen, RHP, Jacksonville

 

Loosen features an average fastball that works in the high 80s and touches 90. His offspeed stuff is fringe-average, although he could become a workable reliever down the road.

 

24.730 Dustin Geiger, OF, Merritt Island (FL) HS - $150,000 bonus

 

Geiger was a two-way player in high school, where he played 3B and pitched. Due to his average athleticism and good arm, he could stick at 3B, but he seems ticketed to the OF. At the plate, he's fairly raw and unpolished. His bat and power will likely be average in the future, but he could become a good prospect with time and patience.

 

25.760 Eric Rice, RHP, Palm Beach (FL) CC

26.790 Danny Muno, SS, Fresno State

27.820 Bryan Harper, LHP, JC of Southern Nevada

28.850 Joe Zeller, RHP, The Master's (CA)

 

A former second baseman with some athleticism, Zeller reportedly can get his fastball into the mid-90s, although it is very flat. His offspeed stuff is not particularly noteworthy.

 

29.880 Casey Harman, LHP, Clemson - $150,000 bonus

 

Clemson's Friday starter, Harman profiles as a back end of the rotation starter. Harman's best pitch is a two seam fastball with good sink that works in the mid to high 80s. His offspeed pitches are not particularly noteworthy, but he mixes them in well when he commands his fastball.

 

30.910 Karsten Strieby, 1B, Arizona Western JC

31.940 Benito Santiago, 1B, Lon Morris

32.970 Brent Ebinger, LHP, Lambuth (Tenn.) (

)

33.1000 Matt Stites, RHP, Jefferson CC

34.1030 Dustin Harrington, 3B, East Carolina

 

Harrington was poised to have a monster year 25 games into the season before the East Carolina team gave him the boot for academic reasons. A SS at ECU, Harrington profiles better at 2B or 3B as a professional. Compared to last season, he hit for higher average and showed more power, although in a system with a large number of high quality 2B and 3B prospects ahead of him, Harrington will have a lot of work to do in separating himself from the pack.

 

35.1060 Chris Anderson, RHP, Centennial HS

36.1090 Tyler Bremer, RHP, Yavapai (AZ) JC

37.1120 Chad Noble, C, Northwestern

 

Noble passed up a $125,000 from the Mets last season after they drafted him. A four years starter at Northwestern, defense is his calling card, with an arm that has allowed him to throw out over 45% of would-be basestealers over the past season, despite early season injury issues. His bat isn't particularly noteworthy, as he didn't hit for much power in his career, although he could hit for average as a professional.

 

38.1150 Jeremy Fitzgerald, RHP, Patrick Henry (VA) CC

39.1180 Casey Lucchese, RHP, Dunbar

40.1210 Brian Smith, LHP, St. Mary's Catholic SS (ON) - $75,000 bonus

 

A work in progress, Smith features a fastball that sits in the high 80s, occasionally touching 90 with a change and curve that both could profile as above average. Like Ben Wells, Smith flew under the radar with mediocre stuff until his stuff improved markedly in late season appearances.

 

41.1240 Dallas Beeler, RHP, Oral Roberts - $150,000 bonus

42.1270 Trey Nielsen, RHP, Skyline (UT) HS

43.1300 Danny Winkler, RHP, Parkland JC

44.1330 Jake Rogers, 1B, St. Petersburg JC

45.1360 Devon Austin, C, Coeur d'Alene (ID) HS

46.1390 Jerad Eickhoff, RHP, Olney Central (IL) JC

47.1420 Clayton Crum, RHP, Klein (TX) HS

48.1450 Eric Paulson, 3B, Fremd (IL) HS

49.1480 Bryce Shafer, RHP, Valparaiso

 

A short pitcher with a solid fastball and workable breaking ball, Shafer's future will likely be in middle relief.

 

50.1510 Eric Jagielo, SS, Downers Grove North (IL) HS

 

Undrafted Free Agents

 

IF Anthony Giansanti, Siena (Siena Profile)

IF Jake McAloose, Old Dominion (Old Dominion Profile)

IF Doug Cherry, University of Washington (Washington Profile)

[Keener98]

Terrible, just absolutely terrible. The guy wasn't even projected to go before the 4th round and Tim [expletive] Wilkin drafts him with the 16th pick over some of the best hitters in the draft.

 

Unreal

[Guancous]

Maybe the Cubs plan on opening the pursestrings for Stetson Allie in the 2nd round? Perhaps Wilken saw something special?

 

Maybe the Cubs will draft Golden Tate in the 5th round.

[Guest]

Player                        ERA   W-L   APP  GS  CG SHO/CBO SV    IP   H   R  ER  BB  SO  2B  3B  HR   AB B/Avg   WP HBP  BK  

Hayden Simpson, SAU........  1.81  13-1    15  15   6   3/3    0  99.1  73  25  20  35 131   8   1   2  364  .201    4   5   1

[toonsterwu]

I'm just stunned right now. Reading about his stuff, I guess it compares relatively well to some of the college arms in that area, but I really hope that this is an attempt to go cheap early and open the strings later.

[Wrigley Rat]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2050 - Hayden Simpson, rhp, Southern Arkansas - "He's putting together about as good of a college career as you can. I think he's 28-1 or 29-1 in college now. I'm not sure what year he lost a game, I know it wasn't this one. I haven't seen him a second time, but I saw his first start of the year and. . . they left him in a little longer than you'd like to see—I think he threw 115 pitches in his first start—but he was sitting 92-94 and touching 96 for the first couple innings. It fell off a little bit but he can spin a curveball too. He's not a big guy—I would say he's about 5-11, 175—but he's got a good arm and his numbers are backing it up. His delivery gets out of whack every once in a while and he struggles throwing strikes, but he can usually put it back together. His stuff is just overpowering at that level. I think he's striking out 13 or 14 per nine and guys aren't making solid contact off of him at all. I think he's a bullpen guy. That first outing, he fell back down to 90-92 late in the game. He never dipped below 90 on my gun and he reached back a couple times when he saw the finish line. I know his second start of the year, his velocity did fall a little bit—I think he was 88-93, working much more with an average fastball, so I'm interested to see him when I get back in there a second time and see how he's holding up over the course of the year. I heard last year he finished the season as strong as he started it, but it seems this year there's a little bit more variation in the velocity."

[Guest]

Hayden Simpson is a hard-throwing small-college right-handed starting pitcher from Southern Arkansas. Simpson originally came to Southern Arkansas from Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Arkansas, a small southwestern Arkansas town near the borders of Oklahoma and Texas. He was a fairly unknown prospect coming out of high school due to his smaller frame, and he wasn’t carrying the type of stuff he has today. He went undrafted in the 2007 draft, heading to pitch at Southern Arkansas. After a pair of decent years, he really took a big step forward this spring, showing advanced stuff and pitchability, as well as successful numbers of a good Division 2 team. Scouts think he has the natural stuff to be a number three starter or setup man, but a few scouts can’t get past his size, which is generously listed at six feet. He’s still skinny and short, but he has enough raw stuff to influence a game. His fastball is a plus pitch, sitting 92-94, touching 96, and that’s not just in short bursts. He holds his velocity fairly well throughout games, and he’s able to reach back for something more late in a game. He also throws in an above-average curveball with some good velocity behind it, as well as a fringe-average changeup, so the biggest concern behind his size is his ability to get pro left-handed hitters out, though Simpson has shown enough in college to think he can handle them just fine. He’s expected to be picked in the fourth to seventh round range, where he should be signable for slot or average money.

[bannor10]

Why reach for a guy in the first when you could draft him in the 2nd or 3rd...Colvin is turning out better than people expected so he could be fine...I'm just dont understand the reach

[Wrigley Rat]

Why reach for a guy in the first when you could draft him in the 2nd or 3rd...Colvin is turning out better than people expected so he could be fine...I'm just dont understand the reach

I'm not defending the selection - I'm right there with you, but when Colvin was drafted they said there were whispers that he would be taken by another club before they selected again and they wanted to make sure they got him. Maybe the same case here? I'm gonna hope.

[THISisTHEyear09]

Tim F***ing Wilken has to stun the f***ing whole world by wasting our 16th pick and picking a troll that couldnt get a DI offer. Un [expletive] real. Passed on some of the drafts best talents Sale, Cox, O'Connor. Jesus, this club is [expletive] screwed up top to bottom. not even in callis' TOP 150!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D> Cransick said he wouldnt know Homer Simpson from Hayden Simpson \:D/ Edited June 8, 2010 by THISisTHEyear09

[XZero771679666304]

The only explanation I can think of is that Wilken & co. had info that another team was in on him, but that's a stretch. Like others, the pick itself doesn't bother me, just the need to use a first round pick, especially when we're light on hitters and some of the best hitters in the draft were right there.

[Guest]

Inside the Ivy retweeting someone saying that Simpson is closer to 5-8 than 6 foot.

[utkcub]

Keith Law:

I haven't heard anyone mention Simposon as a potential first-rounder this entire spring -- one club I know had him in the 4th-5th rounds -- and I can't imagine he wouldn't have made it to day two had the Cubs not taken him. He's 90-92 with a decent curve and average or better command and control.

wow that sounds promising, huuuuuuge risk wilken for a first rounder

[J.R.]

What the hell.

[jiml60]

Even with a new owner, there's no end to the disappointment this front office heaps on us fans.

[Guest]

wow...

 

this really makes me wonder if the front office is under budgetary restrictions at this point.

[YearofDaCubs]

What happened to the promise of putting money towards building up the farm? This is horrible.

[UK1679666180]

wow...

 

this really makes me wonder if the front office is under budgetary restrictions at this point.

 

You never know but if that was the case, there are players rated higher by most (O'Connor) that would likely sign at slot.

 

Time will tell with these next picks and with new ownership, who knows what type of budget they've been put under?

 

Of course if it was monetary, they could've pulled what the Dodgers are likely doing and not sign their 1st rounder and get the comp. pick next year, which would be wiser than drafting and signing a reach at this point.

[Guest]

wow...

 

this really makes me wonder if the front office is under budgetary restrictions at this point.

 

You never know but if that was the case, there are players rated higher by most (O'Connor) that would likely sign at slot.

 

Time will tell with these next picks and with new ownership, who knows what type of budget they've been put under?

 

Of course if it was monetary, they could've pulled what the Dodgers are likely doing and not sign their 1st rounder and get the comp. pick next year, which would be wiser than drafting and signing a reach at this point.

That's a lousy thing to do to a kid with promise unless you absolutely know he has no intentions to sign anywhere.

 

The Giants strategy of not investing in first rounders was potentially better to sign some cheap type A guy and give away your first round pick in return for cheap major league production.

[UMFan83]

I trust Wilken based on the previous drafts, but he's really putting his reputation on the line with me here.

[J.R.]

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/cubs-select-surprise-pitcher-simpson-in-first-round.html

 

The Cubs stunned the experts -- and the player himself -- by selecting right-handed pitcher Hayden Simpson of Southern Arkansas with the 16th pick in the draft Monday night.

 

Simpson, 6-feet and 175 pounds, was 35-2 for the Division II school, including 13-1 with a 1.81 ERA in 15 starts this season. He struck out 131 in 99 1/3 innings.

 

However, he was the 191st pitcher listed in a Baseball America Preview, which said he had a "low-90s fastball and hard breaking stuff," and MLB.com did not even have a draft report available for him (as they did for other first-rounders) when the Cubs selected.

 

"I feel Hayden is a potential starter who has four average-to-plus pitches and is very athletic with a good feel for pitching," said scouting director Tim Wilken. "He's very athletic and someone I thought could be a starter in the major leagues eventually."

[weis21]

Is athleticism really that important for a pitcher, though?

 

http://static.eluniversal.com/2010/04/27/g_carlos%20silva(6718231).jpg.550.0.thumb

[davell]

I'm with Tim. I'm wondering if the Cubs are under a HUGE budget restraint right now. If not, this is Wilken screaming I AM SMARTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE at the top of his lungs. It's like when Oakland reaches 3-4 rounds to draft a speed guy in the NFL or something. Nothing can convince me this guy wouldn't have been there in the 2nd round at the very least.

 

That said, there are definitely some damn good guys left out there for some reason and if we get 1 or 2 of them, I'll be much more apt to let this pick pass without too much bitching about it.

 

I'm HOPING beyond hope we can get Allie or Cole with our 2nd rounder. I think Cole has struggled recently, maybe he falls a bit and we can overslot him?

 

I'd be great if we somehow got Eibner in the 2nd as well, same with Austin Wilson, who's going to be a very tough sign.

 

Cabrera, LaMarre, and Jarrett Parker would be solid picks for the 2nd round too actually, as far as hitters go. Hell, I'd take Brandon Workman at this point, Ryan Stanek would be great also. Just throw us a damn bone and make up for this crap somehow.

[weis21]

Simpson highlights via mlb.com

[98navigator]

This quote is slightly different than the earlier one posted:

 

"I feel Hayden is potentially a major league starter," Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken said. "He has four above-average to plus-pitches. He's a very athletic pitcher, and he has a good feel for pitching. We had really good reports and very good coverage on Simpson."

 

Wilken compared the delivery of Simpson, 6 foot and 175 pounds, to the San Francisco Giant's Tim Lincecum and the Houston Astros' Roy Oswalt.

 

"I'm so thrilled right now, and I'm extremely excited to be a Chicago Cub," said Simpson, who was 35-2 in his career at the Division II school. "This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm ready to get started."

 

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