News from Fitch

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]2010 1st round draft pick RHP Hayden Simpson is assigned to the Peoria group, and he is cleared to participate in all drills, including throwing. (Simpson was unable to make his pro debut last season while battling mononucleoisis).

 

Reggie Golden reported to camp overweight:

 

AZ Phil, how hefty is Golden?

 

=========================================

 

QUIET MAN: Right now he looks like a younger, smaller version of Prince Fielder. He must not have worked-out much during the off-season. He really should have attended Club Colvin.

 

I had thought after seeing him in AZ Instructs that Golden would have a good chance to start the season at Peoria, but now I suspect he will be left behind at Extended Spring Training, no matter how much he hits in Minor League Camp.

 

Michael Burgess needs to lose weight, too. Despite a plus-arm, the Cubs have been working him out exclusively at 1B so far.

[davell]

Very disappointing news on Golden. Considering he's a "good character" guy, kind of surprised this happened, although it's not the end of the world for him obviously.

 

Surprising to see Burgess playing 1B, as it's pretty doubtful he's ever going to hit enough to stick.

[RammyFanny]

Very disappointing news on Golden. Considering he's a "good character" guy, kind of surprised this happened, although it's not the end of the world for him obviously.

I don't know, I thought I remember hearing that Golden had some character issues when we drafted him. Primadonna (sp?) stuff.

[craig]

Very disappointing news on Golden. Considering he's a "good character" guy, kind of surprised this happened, although it's not the end of the world for him obviously.

 

Surprising to see Burgess playing 1B, as it's pretty doubtful he's ever going to hit enough to stick.

 

Disappointing on Golden, although I hadn't heard any of your good character stuff. As Rammy said, I'd thought there was some prima donna talk, and Phil had suggested that he looked unreceptive to coaching in Instrux.

 

Hopefully you're right on the good character stuff, and this will be a good prompt spring to get him on a favorable path.

 

On Burgess, I think he'll be able to extend his minor league career if he can play some 1B, so I can see that making sense. That's probably the easiest position at which to get AB's in our farm. I guess I hadn't taken him seriously as a prospect, so that didn't surprise me that much.

[davell]

Unfortunately, I can't find where I thought I saw something that made me think "good character" on Golden. May have imagined it for all I know. At any rate, I hope he gets himself into shape soon and shows us the 5 tool talent we were hoping for when he was drafted.

[Guest]

Unfortunately, I can't find where I thought I saw something that made me think "good character" on Golden. May have imagined it for all I know. At any rate, I hope he gets himself into shape soon and shows us the 5 tool talent we were hoping for when he was drafted.

 

You could be thinking about how he played through a moderate hamstring injury during his senior year in HS.

[Outshined_One]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]2010 1st round draft pick RHP Hayden Simpson is assigned to the Peoria group, and he is cleared to participate in all drills, including throwing. (Simpson was unable to make his pro debut last season while battling mononucleoisis).

 

It'd be nice to see him start in Peoria, but my memory is that, as the Cubs trim their roster down, players tend to get bumped down as AAA and AA start filling out. If Simpson starts the season in Peoria, that'd be fantastic news.

[Guest]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]2010 1st round draft pick RHP Hayden Simpson is assigned to the Peoria group, and he is cleared to participate in all drills, including throwing. (Simpson was unable to make his pro debut last season while battling mononucleoisis).

 

It'd be nice to see him start in Peoria, but my memory is that, as the Cubs trim their roster down, players tend to get bumped down as AAA and AA start filling out. If Simpson starts the season in Peoria, that'd be fantastic news.

 

Yeah, you're right. I'm not very confident he'll break camp with Peoria.

[davell]

On the other hand, Szczur is with Tennessee right now, so if he only gets bumped to Daytona, that's still going to be a very solid start for him. I figured he was a lock for Peoria at the beginning of the season.

[Rob]

You hate to see it, but I never find myself surprised when young guys make stupid decisions. Hopefully the Cubs put on a bit of a fire and brimstone show for Golden to get him to learn a lesson.

[videographer]

Here is a photo link to some faces in spring training:

http://fourseamimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Chicago-NL-ST-2011/G0000yQ_FhBKmvM8/1/P0000BAb63kYuoF0

[Cubswin11]

Here is a photo link to some faces in spring training:

http://fourseamimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/Chicago-NL-ST-2011/G0000yQ_FhBKmvM8/1/P0000BAb63kYuoF0

Burgess is [expletive] huge

[pitchcs]

Laziness problem for Golden? Weed problem for Golden?

 

Hopefully he realizes this is a job and won't nearly come as easily to him as it was in High School.

[Northside Blues]

Surprising to see Burgess playing 1B, as it's pretty doubtful he's ever going to hit enough to stick.

 

Burgess probably has the best raw power in the system, and that includes Aramis Ramirez, Tyler Colvin and Carlos Pena. It's going to be the development of his patience that decides whether or not he sticks. He was 21 last year and split between High A and Double A, so he would have been at league to a little younger than league age last year when he managed a .822 OPS. He may not be an Eric Hosmer type prospect as a 1B, but there's certainly potential there. I don't think anyone would be surprised if he developed into legitimate MLB power bat. He's still very young, a little under a year older than Vitters and certainly more production at the same levels, not to mention both guys have rather high ceilings.

 

Edit: Accidently put younger not older.

Edited March 18, 2011 by Northside Blues

[davell]

Surprising to see Burgess playing 1B, as it's pretty doubtful he's ever going to hit enough to stick.

 

Burgess probably has the best raw power in the system, and that includes Aramis Ramirez, Tyler Colvin and Carlos Pena. It's going to be the development of his patience that decides whether or not he sticks. He was 21 last year and split between High A and Double A, so he would have been at league to a little younger than league age last year when he managed a .822 OPS. He may not be an Eric Hosmer type prospect as a 1B, but there's certainly potential there. I don't think anyone would be surprised if he developed into legitimate MLB power bat. He's still very young, a little under a year younger than Vitters and certainly more production at the same levels, not to mention both guys have rather high ceilings.

 

 

Actually, Burgess is about a year older than Vitters. I know he's got tons of raw power, but I figure he's a better longterm bet to stick in the OF than at 1B, at least for a major market team like us. I know he's got bigtime power, but one of his biggest questions is whether or not he's going to make contact enough the further along he gets. I was very pleased when we traded for him, so I'm definitely thinking he's got some untapped potential. I'd just rather see him in RF, especially with his plus/plus arm.

[Cubswin11]

Surprising to see Burgess playing 1B, as it's pretty doubtful he's ever going to hit enough to stick.

 

Burgess probably has the best raw power in the system, and that includes Aramis Ramirez, Tyler Colvin and Carlos Pena. It's going to be the development of his patience that decides whether or not he sticks. He was 21 last year and split between High A and Double A, so he would have been at league to a little younger than league age last year when he managed a .822 OPS. He may not be an Eric Hosmer type prospect as a 1B, but there's certainly potential there. I don't think anyone would be surprised if he developed into legitimate MLB power bat. He's still very young, a little under a year younger than Vitters and certainly more production at the same levels, not to mention both guys have rather high ceilings.

 

 

Actually, Burgess is about a year older than Vitters. I know he's got tons of raw power, but I figure he's a better longterm bet to stick in the OF than at 1B, at least for a major market team like us. I know he's got bigtime power, but one of his biggest questions is whether or not he's going to make contact enough the further along he gets. I was very pleased when we traded for him, so I'm definitely thinking he's got some untapped potential. I'd just rather see him in RF, especially with his plus/plus arm.

 

I don't see how a dude that is as big as Burgess is in that picture can play OF and not hurt you defensively. He can't be very good at running down balls in the gap or going back and having to adjust his route.

[davearm2]

I don't see how a dude that is as big as Burgess is in that picture can play OF and not hurt you defensively. He can't be very good at running down balls in the gap or going back and having to adjust his route.

I wouldn't be so quick to leap to that conclusion. Plenty of really big dudes in the NFL are fast too.

 

Burgess' body reminds me a little of Emmitt Smith -- kinda short and squat with thick legs and a little belly.

[Guest]

Burgess looked like a softer Marlon Byrd in the picture I saw. I don't see how you could come to the conclusion that he's going to kill you defensively if he's not at 1B.

[imb]

MATT SCZUR IS WHITE????

[Guest]

Today with the Peoria squad:

 

Cubs 2010 7th round draft pick RHP Ben Wells (Bryant HS – Bryant, AR) was the most impressive pitcher at Fitch Park today, following Berg to the mound on Field #2 and throwing three shutout innings for Peoria, allowing just an infield hit, a bunt single, and a walk, while striking out two, and doing it all on just 29 pitches.

 

Daytona:

 

Pitching for Daytona on Field #2, RHP Justin Bristow (2008 5th round draft pick out of East Carolina) saw his first game action since 2009 (he missed all of last season with an elbow injury), loading the bases on a double and two walks before being relieved without retiring a batter.

 

Box scores in link: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/03/22/marmol-and-berg-make-pilgrimage-fitch

[davell]

To me, the interesting thing from that boxscore is seeing Antigua and Lopez with the Peoria squad. Szczur too, since he was assigned to Tennessee earlier. At this stage, I'd think it'd be hard to head back up a level, right? Don't get me wrong, I expected to see Szczur start out in Peoria, but seeing him assigned to Tennessee had me hoping he'd start out in Daytona. As for Lopez and Antigua, I thought both would have almost definitely started out in Daytona, but in neither case does it kill either of them, because they are still young.

 

After hearing about Golden's weight issues, seeing him in EXST made sense.

[toonsterwu]

I'm fine with Lopez and Szczur in Peoria. Unless they made huge strides in the winter, both guys are fairly raw, despite their upsides. I'm fine taking it slow with them.

 

A bit surprised that Antigua is with Peoria. Not sure how the Daytona roster currently shakes out, but I thought he'd have a shot there.

[videographer]

From Your Morning Phil - 3/23/11

 

The minor-league staff is also excited about the undersized Tony Campana, who hit .319 and stole 48 bases at Double-A Tennessee last season, but also 21-year-old Rubi Silva, a Cuban defector who signed for $1 million in January. They’ll open 2011 on different ends of the organizational ladder – Campana at Triple-A Iowa, Silva at low-A Peoria. Silva has had a great spring training, proving himself to be a quick study in terms of the North American game. “He’s an interesting guy,’’ Fleita said. “He’s a left-handed hitter, 65 runner, great instincts for the game. He’s a confident kid.’’ Silva played on Cuba’s junior national team alongside highly regarded prospects Jose Iglesias, Adeiny Hechavarria and Dayan Viciedo. He played for La Habana in Cuba’s Serie Nacional for two seasons before defecting after 2009, when he led the league with 10 triples and had 16 outfield assists. Silva was a shortstop before being moved to the outfield on teams that had Iglesias and Hechavarria at shortstop and second base. He’ll play second base some this season as he and Szczur are set to be teammates with the Chiefs. “Because he has the ability to play second base, we are going to make sure we use that as an option,’’ Fleita said. “It’s hard finding second basemen who come along like that, who can run and have real good instincts.’’ Cuban catcher Yaniel Cabeza, who received a $500,000 bonus from the Cubs, is headed for a stint in extended spring training before beginning his career. “He can really catch and throw,’’ Fleita said. “He reminds me a lot of a young Yadier Molina.’’

[Guest]

Lot of good info in the comments from Phil too:

 

TOONSTER: I don't know how hard Ben Wells was throwing today, but he is defintely throwing harder now than he was at Instructs. His fastball has good movement and he throws all of his other pitches for strikes and mixes it up pretty good. He also has lost some weight, which was a bit of an issue when he reported to Instructs last Sept.

 

Justin Bristow looked very uncomfortable on the mound today. He had a lot of trouble throwing strikes. I'd be surprised if he's 100%.

 

BTW, there will be additional downward roster movement as soon as the Cubs make their final 15 cuts and the full-season minor league affiliates get down to their Opening Day roster limits. Some players will get moved down a level, and others will get released. As of today D. J. Lemahieu (2B) and Ryan Flaherty (1B-2B-3B-SS-LF) were still with the Iowa squad, Logan Watkins (2B), Jae-Hoon Ha (CF-RF), and RHP Rob Whitenack were still with Tennessee, and RHPs Aaron Kurcz, Kevin Rhoderick, and Dallas Beeler, LHP Brent Ebinger, catchers Micah Gibbs and Sergio Burruel, 2B Pierre LePage, SS Elliot Soto, INF Dustin Harrington, and RF Jesus Morelli remain with the Daytona squad. Any one of them could open the season where they are now, and if so, that would be one level higher than where each was expected to start the 2011 season. A lot will depend on who the Cubs send down to Iowa in the coming days.

 

Conversely, OF Reggie Golden (with conditioning issues) has already been demoted to Boise/Mesa (Extended Spring Training), and OF Matt Szczur and RHP Robinson Lopez and LHP Jeffry Antigua were moved down to Peoria at the start of the Minor League ST games last week. R. Lopez pitched today and had absolutely nothing, but Antigua looked good. He has a really deceptive pick-off move to 1st base, too (he nailed one today - totally froze the sucker). 2010 #1 draft pick RHP Hayden Simpson was assigned to the Peoria squad when he reported to camp, and he still is assigned to Peoria.

 

On Hayden Simpson:

 

JUMBO: I've seen him throw with other pitchers in the 10-PAC (10 Mounds - Pitch and Catch) bullpen behind the clubhouse, but I haven't seen him throw on a field yet, although I understand he has been throwing "live" BP in preparation for working in Minor League ST games. It will be interesting to see how he performs in games, since he hasn't pitched in a competitive situation for almost a year.

[craig]

Keith Law had some Cub prospect notes, 2nd hand so don't have link to original.

 

Said Jay Jackson was horrible, gunning it at 87 first inning but basically 85 afterwards, and got destroyed. Hopefully just dead arm, but Law thought so much loss hinted injury.

 

Had the usual negative eval on Lake offensively, bad/raw approach and long swing that he expects to get exposed.

 

Had some excellent info on Rusin, command of three pitches, tremendous movement on 87/88 2-seamer, and a 4-seamer that touched 91, although he noted that his command needs to be good and one pitch got hammered.