Minor League Discussion & Boxes 6-22-10

[Little Slide Rooter]

Giovany Soto

[Guest]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]2010 34th round pick Dustin Harrington and 2009 19th round pick Sergio Burruel had three hits a piece for the Cubs, and both Aaron Kurcz and Dustin Fitzgerald had impressive (albeit brief) pro debuts, as both of the 2010 Cub draft picks threw 1-2-3 innings with two strikeouts. Kurcz throws a fastball in the mid-90's, and was the closer for College of Southern Nevada this past season where he was a teammate of overall #1 draft pick Bryce Harper (and Cubs 27th round draft pick Bryan Harper). And at 6'4 225, Dustin Fitzgerald looks a lot like Thomas Diamond.

 

AA Tennessee LHP Casey Lambert got the start for the AZL Cubs in what is supposed to be his final rehab outing before leaving Mesa for (presumably) Tennessee, and threw two shutout innings (20 pitches - 14 strikes), allowing a lead-off single in the top of the 1st before striking out the side, and then allowing another lead-off single in the top of the 2nd before retiring the side on three fly outs, one of which ended up being a 7-4 FC at 2nd base after Melvin Camarena just missed a diving catch try in short LF.

[Guest]

Knoxville News-Sentinel[/url]"]He (Cabrera) has got a great arm," Dancy said. "When he throws that slider right, it's a hard breaker. It's 88-90 (mph) and hard to lay off of."

 

The 6-foot-4 Cabrera has a mid-90s fastball capable of splintering bats. It is his control - 24 walks in 36 2/3 innings - and lack of experience that has led to his 0-3 record and 5.89 earned-run average.

 

"I think his youth kicked in when he first got here," Dancy said. "Now he feels like he belongs."

 

If the North Division first-half champion Smokies are to repeat, Cabrera must do his part.

 

"I think I can do that," Cabrera said. "I felt good today and pitched more like I can. I've worked on my mechanics."

 

Said Dancy: "He's a big part of the puzzle."