2011 Cubs picks and signings thread

[Guest]

I want Dillon Howard.

 

Boras corp? No thanks.

 

 

His signability could be an interesting puzzle for scouts to figure out, though, as he is being advised by the Boras Corporation, which has a documented history of steering high-school clients to college before entering professional baseball. In addition, Howard would be eligible to re-enter the draft as a college sophomore, due to his age, if he chooses to honor his scholarship to Arkansas. If those factors aren’t enough for Howard to ponder, his stature as one of the top high-school prospects ever raised and developed in Arkansas may put added pressure on him to play for the extremely-popular state school, and potentially even lead that program to its first-ever College World Series title. Projected Draft Position: Late First Round/Sandwich Round

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=193297

 

Well, the Cubs need more high ceiling guys. Baez should be a relatively easy sign (as 1st rounders go) so they should and need to be willing to go after some tough signs. I'd rather a guy like Howard or Bell than a Purke who has a high price tag and questions on whether he'll recover.

[Men in Blue]

Raisin,

 

What are your thoughts on Andrew Susac?

[Rob]

I like Purke, but I'm gonna be angry if we use a 2nd round pick on him and he doesn't sign pretty easy. There's just too many guys who still have big ceilings and should be signable... and don't look like they need shoulder surgery.

 

I'd be willing to spend on Bell or Norris though.

 

Edit:

 

Also, definitely liking the Baez pick more with everything I read. Then again, given my mancrush on Junior Lake that still persists, that shouldn't be so surprising.

[tfarks]

I'd like to see Dillon Howard as well. Norris is definitely intriguing but the erratic radar gun readings likely mean TJS soon. Thats a big risk for 3.9 million, not knowing how he will respond to that.

[Guest]

Raisin,

 

What are your thoughts on Andrew Susac?

 

I like Susac. Like his bat. He would be good value in round 2. I just see better options out there right now. And don't forget, Susac isn't exactly an easy sign with his leverage as a sophomore.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The downside is a questionable makeup. He's known to have something of a temper and the Cubs haven't had too much success in that area (see Carlos Zambrano, Milton Bradley) but the Cubs knew this going in and thought it was worth the gamble

 

Read more: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-den/2011/06/cubs-select-javier-baez-ss-arlington-country-day-hs-fl.html#ixzz1ObJmYsL7

 

The Cubs have had fantastic success with Carlos Zambrano.

[Guest]

I'd like to see Dillon Howard as well. Norris is definitely intriguing but the erratic radar gun readings likely mean TJS soon. Thats a big risk for 3.9 million, not knowing how he will respond to that.

 

Actually, eratic velocity readings on prep arms are common and don't necessarily mean injury. It could easily be a kid being inconsistent with mechanics, dead arm (it's a young arm), etc. but that's a big risk given his bonus demands.

[craig]

I've seen comments in two directions on Baez:

 

One common view is that he's OK for SS now, but when he gets bigger as expected he'll probably need to move.

 

Another evaluation has been that his frame is basically maxed out, so that he shouldn't grow into much more power than he has now.

 

Either of those could end up being right, of course.

 

Case 1: He's going to physically outgrow SS. In that case, their should be some power projection left. That could be nice.

 

Case 2: He's as big as he's going to get, so it's foolish to project any future power growth. If so, then if he's currently fit for SS, then perhaps he'll be able to stay at SS (or 2B). That could also be nice, if he's a good pure hitter and already has pretty good power (for a middle infielder.)

[SouthSideRyan]

The downside is a questionable makeup. He's known to have something of a temper and the Cubs haven't had too much success in that area (see Carlos Zambrano, Milton Bradley) but the Cubs knew this going in and thought it was worth the gamble

 

Read more: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-den/2011/06/cubs-select-javier-baez-ss-arlington-country-day-hs-fl.html#ixzz1ObJmYsL7

 

The Cubs have had fantastic success with Carlos Zambrano.

 

They have yet to turn him into a white guy.

[jersey cubs fan]

Case 2: He's as big as he's going to get, so it's foolish to project any future power growth. If so, then if he's currently fit for SS, then perhaps he'll be able to stay at SS (or 2B). That could also be nice, if he's a good pure hitter and already has pretty good power (for a middle infielder.)

 

There's a big difference between what is power from SS and what is power from 2B though.

[tfarks]

I'd like to see Dillon Howard as well. Norris is definitely intriguing but the erratic radar gun readings likely mean TJS soon. Thats a big risk for 3.9 million, not knowing how he will respond to that.

 

Actually, eratic velocity readings on prep arms are common and don't necessarily mean injury. It could easily be a kid being inconsistent with mechanics, dead arm (it's a young arm), etc. but that's a big risk given his bonus demands.

 

It could definitely only be that. But since he fell, I've lost a little confidence in that explanation. Albeit his monetary demands and college commitment play a big part as well (ie Bell). If they saw changes in his delivery that resulted in inconsistent velo, it could be him favoring his elbow (UCL) some. I'm not saying I wouldn't take a chance, I would. But I would instantly send him to talk to Curt Schilling about caring for his arm and hope he doesn't lose that mid 90's fastball that makes him so valuable.

[tfarks]

The downside is a questionable makeup. He's known to have something of a temper and the Cubs haven't had too much success in that area (see Carlos Zambrano, Milton Bradley) but the Cubs knew this going in and thought it was worth the gamble

 

Read more: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-den/2011/06/cubs-select-javier-baez-ss-arlington-country-day-hs-fl.html#ixzz1ObJmYsL7

 

The Cubs have had fantastic success with Carlos Zambrano.

 

They have yet to turn him into a white guy.

 

Hahahaha.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cubs on deck.

[jersey cubs fan]

And the selection is.........

 

Daniel Vogelbach

 

HS 1B, who is short and fat.

[Guest]

and huge power.

 

Hopefully he's a Prince clone.

[Rob]

Wow. That's completely non-Wilken. He must really LOVE the bat.

[Tryptamine]

Don't mind that pick at all. The farm certainly could use some power.

[davell]

Probably has the most power of anyone in our system. Like the pick for sure.

[Bruno7481]

This dude is huge...

[Guest]

I like it, too. Hopefully some of the big overslot guys stay on the board and we can nab them in future rounds.

[Guest]

Yes, this brings our number of legitimate 1B prospects in the system up to....one.

[pitchcs]

Just watched video......wow. Dude is really big (sorta fat) and slow.

 

Matt Stairs?

[toonsterwu]

Half wonder if they were waiting on someone to fall ... but this move also makes me wonder how much overslotting power Wilken will be allowed to pursue. Not bad, as it gets some legit power in there and he does have some things Wilken looks for - quick wrists, good bat speed.

[jersey cubs fan]

Just watched video......wow. Dude is really big (sorta fat) and slow.

 

Matt Stairs?

 

What an ugly video. I'm pretty sure this guy is in my softball league. Very stiff swing.

 

I like the concept of an actual corner bat though. Any idea of signability?

[Tryptamine]

Yes, this brings our number of legitimate 1B prospects in the system up to....one.

 

No love for sudden superstar Justin Bour? :D