Minor League Discussion & Boxes 8-27-10

[Outshined_One]

Box Scores

 

Iowa won 9-8 Box Score

 

CF S. Fuld 2/5, 2B (14)

3B M. Smith 2/5, R, K

RF B. Snyder 2/4, BB, 2 R, RBI, HR (22), K

DH J. Dubois 1/5, R, 3 RBI, HR (14), 2 K

1B B. LaHair 3/5, 2 R, RBI, HR (20)

2B B. Scales 1/4, 2 R, 2 K, HBP, SB (6)

C R. Chirinos 4/5, R, 3 RBI, HR (3)

LF T. Wright 0/3, RBI, K, E (4, throw)

SS M. Camp 0/4

SP J. Jackson 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5/2 K/BB, 5-6 GO-FO

RP HW Chen 2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, HR, 5-1 GO-FO

RP J. Gray 1 scoreless, 1 H, 2-1 GO-FO

 

Tennessee won 5-2 Box Score

 

CF T. Campana 0/2

RF B. Jackson 1/3, BB, 2B (11)

LF B. Guyer 2/4, R, 2B (33), E (3, fielding)

3B R. Canzler 1/4, R, 2B (26)

DH M. Spencer 0/4

2B M. Spencer 2/4, RBI, 3B (10)

SS M. Gonzalez 1/3, 2 RBI, K

SP R. Dolis 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4/3 K/BB, HR, 9-3 GO-FO

RP E. Caridad 1.1 scoreless, 1 H, 3/0 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO

RP B. Parker 1.2 scoreless, 0 H, 2/1 K/BB, 2-1 GO-FO

 

Daytona lost 5-1 in the 11th Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 0/3, BB, 2 K

2B DJ LeMahieu 1/4, 2 K

3B R. Flaherty 2/4, R, 2B (33), K, E (24, throw)

DH R. Ridling 0/4, K

RF K. Burke 1/4, RBI, K

C M. Brenly 0/4, K, 2 PB (9)

1B J. Opitz 0/4, 2 K

LF G. Rohan 1/4

CF E. Crawford 0/4, SB (2)

SP A. Cabrera 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 10/2 K/BB, 4-5 GO-FO

RP D. Patton .2 perfect, 1/0 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO

RP C. Lambert 2 perfect, 2/0 K/BB, 1-2 GO-FO

RP M. Perconte 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3/1 K/BB, WP, 1-1 GO-FO

RP A. Maestri .1 perfect, 1/0 K/BB

 

Peoria won 3-1 Box Score

 

SS HJ Lee 2/3, BB, SB (32), E (33, fielding)

2B L. Watkins 0/4, R, K

DH DJ Fitzgerald 2/4, R, 2 RBI, HR (6)

1B J. Bour 1/4, K

3B M. Cerda 0/2, BB, K

RF JH Ha 1/3, R, RBI, HR (7), K

LF N. Perez 0/3

CF A. Giansanti 0/3

SP C. Silva 2.2 scoreless, 2 H, 1/0 K/BB, 6-1 GO-FO

RP R. Lopez 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1/1 K/BB, HR, HBP, 8-2 GO-FO

RP R. Morla 1.2 perfect, 3/0 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

 

Boise won 3-2 Box Score

 

SS E. Soto 1/4, 2 K, SB (5)

2B P. LePage 0/3, BB, R, K

1B R. Jones 1/4, R, RBI, 2B (16), K

C M. Gibbs 1/4, R, 3 K

LF J. Morelli 2/4, RBI, 2B (13)

DH C. Huseby 1/4, K

3B D. Harrington 0/4, RBI, K

CF KM Na 0/2, BB, K

SP C. Greathouse 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 9/0 K/BB, WP, 3-1 GO-FO

RP E. Rice 1.2 perfect, 2/0 K/BB, 3-0 GO-FO

RP A. Kurcz 2 scoreless, 2 H, 6/1 K/BB

 

AZL Cubs lost 8-7 Box Score

 

DH V. Bieneme 4/5, 2 R, 2 RBI

SS W. Darvill 2/5, SB (12), 2 E (9, fielding, throw)

2B PC Chen 3/4, BB, R, 3 RBI, 2B (4), SB (9)

1B/C C. Noble 1/3, 2 BB, R, 2B (7)

C C. Romero 1/3, R, K

PH/3B D. Geiger 0/2, K

SP H. Mayora .1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0-1 GO-FO

RP A. Reed 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3/1 K/BB, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO

RP J. Zeller 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2/0 K/BB, 2 WP, 5-2 GO-FO

RP B. Shafer 2 scoreless, 1 H, HBP, 2-4 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 3-2 Box Score (DSL Cubs 1 leads best of 3 playoff series 1-0)

 

SS M. Hernandez 1/3, BB

CF O. Zapata 0/3, BB

2B G. Amaya 0/2, BB, HBP, CS (1), PO (1B)

RF D. Arcila 1/2, BB

RP R. Diplan .2 scoreless, 1 H, 2/1 K/BB

 

OVERALL: 5-2

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: RHP Jay Jackson (10-8, 4.27 ERA, 141.1 IP, 106 K, 41 BB)

Tennessee: RHP Rafael Dolis (4-3, 3.92 ERA, 43.2 IP, 37 K, 22 BB; overall: 8-8, 3.30 ERA, 114.2 IP, 85 K, 52 BB)

Daytona: RHP Alberto Cabrera (6-5, 3.83 ERA, 80 IP, 74 K, 24 BB; overall: 6-9, 4.70 ERA, 120.2 IP, 109 K, 47 BB)

Peoria: RHP Carlos Silva (rehab) & RHP Robinson Lopez (3-8, 4.28 ERA, 94.2 IP, 72 K, 47 BB)

Boise: LHP Cam Greathouse (2-2, 3.10 ERA, 29 IP, 30 K, 11 BB; overall: 3-2, 2.65 ERA, 34 IP, 36 K, 11 BB)

AZL Cubs: RHP Austin Reed (3-1, 2.03 ERA, 31 IP, 31 K, 10 BB)

DSL Cubs 1: RHP Starling Peralta (1-4, 3.76 ERA, 67 IP, 67 K, 19 BB)

 

Just a guess on the DSL Cubs but Peralta has been their ace.

[CubsWin]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

[imb]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

 

by virtue of his closer proximity to the majors, lake wins by default

[Guest]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

 

by virtue of his closer proximity to the majors, lake wins by default

 

Also, Lake is doing it in the biggest pitcher's league in the minors.

[CubsWin]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

 

by virtue of his closer proximity to the majors, lake wins by default

 

Also, Lake is doing it in the biggest pitcher's league in the minors.

I jokingly meant the event, the HR or the walk, which one was more exciting. Home runs are the most exciting thing in baseball just about and walks are the most boring, but when Junior Lake walks, it's something to get excited about.

 

And, yes, Lake is by far the more exciting prospect.

[Guest]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

 

by virtue of his closer proximity to the majors, lake wins by default

 

Also, Lake is doing it in the biggest pitcher's league in the minors.

I jokingly meant the event, the HR or the walk, which one was more exciting. Home runs are the most exciting thing in baseball just about and walks are the most boring, but when Junior Lake walks, it's something to get excited about.

 

And, yes, Lake is by far the more exciting prospect.

 

I'd be even more excited if Ha walked. He's allergic to them.

[Guest]

Arizona Phil on Luis Liria, Austin Reed and Dallas Beeler:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]RAISIN: Luis Liria has a low-90's fastball, a curve, and a plus-change-up (his best pitch). He has to establish his fastball in a game before he can use his change, however, so sometimes he gets into problems (walks) because he can't spot his fastball or throw his curve for strikes before he has a chance to bring-out his change. He is probably going to need to make it as a starting pitcher.

 

Austin Reed is a tall dude with long legs and a thick lower body, sort of reminds me (physically) of Mark Prior. He throws two fastballs (one he'll pound in the strike zone and another one that acts like a sweeping cutter), and a decent slow curve and an OK straight change-up. His big problem is that he doesn't always repeat his delivery from outing-to-outing, and so sometimes it takes him a few ABs to get to the right slot and release point. He played 3B a lot in HS, and probably just needs to concentrate on pitching.

 

From what I have seen of the 2010 draft picks, I would say Reed is absolutely the #1 starting pitcher prospect, but might need some time to develop. Aaron Kurcz is a definite closer prospect and could move VERY fast through the system. And Dallas Beeler (2009 TJS) is better (and much more-polished) than I thought he would be, considering he was a 41st round pick and didn't pitch much in 2010. He has three quality pitches, and throws all of them for strikes.

[CubsWin]

Jae-Hoon Ha hit his 7th HR of the season as a 19 year old in Low A and Junior Lake has gotten his 32nd walk in 356 ABs as a 20 year old in High A (Last year he walked 18 times in 463 at bats). I don't know which one I'm more excited about...

 

by virtue of his closer proximity to the majors, lake wins by default

 

Also, Lake is doing it in the biggest pitcher's league in the minors.

I jokingly meant the event, the HR or the walk, which one was more exciting. Home runs are the most exciting thing in baseball just about and walks are the most boring, but when Junior Lake walks, it's something to get excited about.

 

And, yes, Lake is by far the more exciting prospect.

 

I'd be even more excited if Ha walked. He's allergic to them.

I sneezed when I read that.

 

Robinson Chirinos has done it again. 3-run HR in the 2nd in Omaha. Just call this guy up already.

[Guest]

And Alberto Cabrera had his best pro start of his career today in a tangle with Detroit's Jake Turner: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K.

 

If anyone cares about the big league squad, Carlos Silva went 2.1 scoreless.

[CubsWin]

Arizona Phil on Luis Liria, Austin Reed and Dallas Beeler:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]RAISIN: Luis Liria has a low-90's fastball, a curve, and a plus-change-up (his best pitch). He has to establish his fastball in a game before he can use his change, however, so sometimes he gets into problems (walks) because he can't spot his fastball or throw his curve for strikes before he has a chance to bring-out his change. He is probably going to need to make it as a starting pitcher.

 

Austin Reed is a tall dude with long legs and a thick lower body, sort of reminds me (physically) of Mark Prior. He throws two fastballs (one he'll pound in the strike zone and another one that acts like a sweeping cutter), and a decent slow curve and an OK straight change-up. His big problem is that he doesn't always repeat his delivery from outing-to-outing, and so sometimes it takes him a few ABs to get to the right slot and release point. He played 3B a lot in HS, and probably just needs to concentrate on pitching.

 

From what I have seen of the 2010 draft picks, I would say Reed is absolutely the #1 starting pitcher prospect, but might need some time to develop. Aaron Kurcz is a definite closer prospect and could move VERY fast through the system. And Dallas Beeler (2009 TJS) is better (and much more-polished) than I thought he would be, considering he was a 41st round pick and didn't pitch much in 2010. He has three quality pitches, and throws all of them for strikes.

Wow, is that an awesome report. AZ Phil isn't prone to being overly positive, is he? From what I know he is a greatly respected source.

[Outshined_One]

Wow, is that an awesome report. AZ Phil isn't prone to being overly positive, is he? From what I know he is a greatly respected source.

 

He's not a scout by trade, so take what he says with a grain of salt. Still, he's been a useful source of information and tends to have a good read on pitchers.

[CubsWin]

JayJax with a good night so far. 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 K/2 BB. 65 Pitches, 40 of them strikes. 4 GO/6 FO.

 

Good pitching night all around. Dolis's peripherals weren't all that great, but he allowed 2 runs in 6 innings. That's a quality start. Cabrera's night has already been mentioned. His best effort yet. Roberto Lopez went 3.2 allowing 1 run (earned), 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

 

Here's hoping Austin Reed and Cam Greathouse can keep this going.

[TruffleShuffle]

jay jackson's ERA in the 6th/7th innings has to be about 35.

[CubsWin]

Chirinos is sick. 4-for-5 with a HR and 3 RBI so far.

 

Both Reed and Greathouse have started off well.

[Outshined_One]

jay jackson's ERA in the 6th/7th innings has to be about 35.

 

FIP by inning according to Minor League Splits:

 

1st - 3.66

2nd - 4.71

3rd - 3.53

4th - 4.28

5th - 7.04

6th - 6.38

7th - 6.66

8th - 2.35

9th - 4.16

[muntjack]

Yet it's Cashner in the pen.

 

BTW, I am secure aboard the Chirinos bandwagon. I know he's moved slowly, but he has been good for a few years and what he's doing now is nothing short of incredible. A Pujolsesque 38/44 K/BB? While hitting for power? And playing great defense? Ridiculous.

[TruffleShuffle]

jay jackson's ERA in the 6th/7th innings has to be about 35.

 

FIP by inning according to Minor League Splits:

 

1st - 3.66

2nd - 4.71

3rd - 3.53

4th - 4.28

5th - 7.04

6th - 6.38

7th - 6.66

8th - 2.35

9th - 4.16

 

yeah that's pretty much how it's seemed this year, he starts off okay and then falls apart in the middle innings. i'm not sure if it's reasonable to blame this on the 2-3 weeks that he was relieving, but i'm going to do it anyway.

 

bad luck on balls in play aside, very good start for greathouse (9 k/0 bb)

[Outshined_One]

Yet it's Cashner in the pen.

 

He started out the year in dominating fashion, moved to the pen briefly, moved back, struggled pretty badly...then he just kind of leveled off at slightly above average. It's hard to tell whether Jackson's struggles would have happened regardless of his move to the pen, especially considering last season he pitched 127 innings and this season he might end up over the 175 IP mark, depending on Iowa's playoff status and whether the Cubs ship him off to the AFL. His body might not be used to pitching this much.

 

He's had an odd year. His control has improved substantially, but the Ks are way down and the HRs are way the hell up. His numbers adjusted for park and luck suggest he's been the victim of bandboxes and bad luck...but those adjusted numbers are still pretty underwhelming.

[TruffleShuffle]

2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 6 k for kurcz. boise's opponent has struck out 17 times in 8 innings but still has 8 hits (8 for 15 when putting the ball in play). kurcz has 41 K's in 24 IP... he's this year's jeff beliveau.

[CubsWin]

2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 6 k for kurcz. boise's opponent has struck out 17 times in 8 innings but still has 8 hits (8 for 15 when putting the ball in play). kurcz has 41 K's in 24 IP... he's this year's jeff beliveau.

Except younger and better.

[Outshined_One]

2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 6 k for kurcz. boise's opponent has struck out 17 times in 8 innings but still has 8 hits (8 for 15 when putting the ball in play). kurcz has 41 K's in 24 IP... he's this year's jeff beliveau.

Except younger and better.

 

It seems weird saying this, but I like him better than anyone currently on Boise's roster. That fastball/curve combination is flat-out devastating. I could see the Cubs trying him out as a starter if the control problems have been ironed out, but if he stays in relief, he has the ability to make his stay in the minors a short one.

[TruffleShuffle]

2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 6 k for kurcz. boise's opponent has struck out 17 times in 8 innings but still has 8 hits (8 for 15 when putting the ball in play). kurcz has 41 K's in 24 IP... he's this year's jeff beliveau.

Except younger and better.

 

younger yes, better... who knows? i don't know what beliveau hits on the radar gun but he's pitched 60 1/3 innings, struck out 92 (13.72 K/9 IP) and allowed 26 walks (3.88 BB/9 IP). he's been unlucky on balls in play and his hit rate is still very good. nobody talks about him but he's got to be doing something right to miss so many bats.

[toonsterwu]

2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 6 k for kurcz. boise's opponent has struck out 17 times in 8 innings but still has 8 hits (8 for 15 when putting the ball in play). kurcz has 41 K's in 24 IP... he's this year's jeff beliveau.

Except younger and better.

 

younger yes, better... who knows? i don't know what beliveau hits on the radar gun but he's pitched 60 1/3 innings, struck out 92 (13.72 K/9 IP) and allowed 26 walks (3.88 BB/9 IP). he's been unlucky on balls in play and his hit rate is still very good. nobody talks about him but he's got to be doing something right to miss so many bats.

 

Hard to compare the two ... Beliveau is a low 90's guy, IIRC, with a nasty curve, which probably accounts for the missed bats. Kurcz probably has a better chance of being a late inning arm with his fb being able to hit the mid-90's, and a solid breaking ball.

[toonsterwu]

Arizona Phil on Luis Liria, Austin Reed and Dallas Beeler:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]RAISIN: Luis Liria has a low-90's fastball, a curve, and a plus-change-up (his best pitch). He has to establish his fastball in a game before he can use his change, however, so sometimes he gets into problems (walks) because he can't spot his fastball or throw his curve for strikes before he has a chance to bring-out his change. He is probably going to need to make it as a starting pitcher.

 

Austin Reed is a tall dude with long legs and a thick lower body, sort of reminds me (physically) of Mark Prior. He throws two fastballs (one he'll pound in the strike zone and another one that acts like a sweeping cutter), and a decent slow curve and an OK straight change-up. His big problem is that he doesn't always repeat his delivery from outing-to-outing, and so sometimes it takes him a few ABs to get to the right slot and release point. He played 3B a lot in HS, and probably just needs to concentrate on pitching.

 

From what I have seen of the 2010 draft picks, I would say Reed is absolutely the #1 starting pitcher prospect, but might need some time to develop. Aaron Kurcz is a definite closer prospect and could move VERY fast through the system. And Dallas Beeler (2009 TJS) is better (and much more-polished) than I thought he would be, considering he was a 41st round pick and didn't pitch much in 2010. He has three quality pitches, and throws all of them for strikes.

Wow, is that an awesome report. AZ Phil isn't prone to being overly positive, is he? From what I know he is a greatly respected source.

 

That actually doesn't sound that positive to me, personally. The reports on Reed's mechanics jibes with pre-draft reports. Liria's great changeup has been known, but AzPhil makes it sound like his fastball can be inconsistent, and inconsistent fb's can lead to problems.