2011 Cubs picks and signings thread

[craig]

Some notes from Wilken on Gretzky and brief notes on the Canadien catcher and LHP. Wilken clearly sees Gretzky as a talented and significant prospect, with 3B/corner-OF possibilities and with the potential to be a good power hitter.

 

I've wanted some guys with the potential to become middle-of-the-order hitters. Obviously it's never likely with a 7th rounder. But while there has been some criticism in past that Wilken goes too much for up-the-middle athletes who lack power or middle-of-the-order potential, it seems that four of the first nine picks were guys who were drafted because they might possibly end up being middle-of-the-order type power hitters. Baez might perhaps stay at SS, although a lot of people don't seem to think so, but he's got the middle-of-the-order bat potential. Obviously Vogelbach is a corner guy picked for his power bat. Gretzky is obviously a corner and obviously picked for his bat/power potential; and of course the same applies for Schlecht at #9

 

Dunston (11) may be a true CF but might also be envisioned as a power-hitting guy eventually; Trey Martin (13) Brad Zimmer (23) and Weeks (29) are power corner prospects; and obviously Hoilman(19) and Shoulders (25) were picked purely for their power and are totally 1B only guys.

 

So that's a lot of the 2nd-day guys who are picked with power in mind and are likely corner prospects. Including Dunston and Baez, that's 9 teenage power-potential corner prospects taken in the first two days.

 

Quote: http://bbf.createaforum.com/general-discussion/2011-draft-52/475/

 

Reply #497

Time and again, four times in all, the Chicago Cubs choral association broke into O Canada inside their draft room in Mesa, Ariz. After taking Trevor Gretzky in the seventh round, the Cubs chose Toronto catcher Justin Marra of the Ontario Blue Jays in the seventh, right-hander Ethan Elias of Entwistle, Alta., in the 22nd and lefty Sheldon McDonald of Spruce Grove, Alta., in the 33rd.

 

The big name on the Cubs draft board was the same name on the wall at the Hockey Hall of Fame: Gretzky.

 

“A lot of people said last year ‘you’ll never sign this guy, he’s going to San Diego State University, he’s a quarterback.’ I think we have a chance,” said Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken.

...

“He’s really talented, a good low ball hitter,” said Wilken, the former Jays scouting director. “He’s a lot taller than Wayne, about 6-foot-4 1/2, 180. He’ll probably wind up being 210 pounds.”

 

Wilken said Gretzky was a “step above an average runner” and while Gretzky was a DH and played first base in high school, he took ground balls at third during the workout.

 

“I wouldn’t hold him to a position, he could play third, first or right, we’ll let him tell us with his actions where he’s best suited.”

 

Gretzky hit “five or six balls out” of the minor league complex which is “not a 330 cookie-cutter field, it’s 370 down the line, he hit a couple over a 20-foot screen atop the fence,” Wilken said.

....

 

Wilken compared Marra to former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Mike LaValliere and described McDonald as “feisty.”

[Guest]

BA quick analysis: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/news/2011/2611929.html

 

NL CENTRAL

 

Chicago Cubs: For most of the spring scouts debated which Florida high school shortstop was better—Francisco Lindor or Javier Baez. Lindor was the consensus choice, but Baez had supporters and wasn't far behind. The two wound up going back-to-back with Lindor going eighth-overall to the Indians and Baez ninth-overall to the Cubs. The Cubs got some big tools with the next few picks—Florida high school first baseman Dan Vogelbach (second round) has some of the best power in the class and shows a good feel for hitting as well. Miami outfielder Zeke DeVoss (third) was one of college baseball's fastest runners and Louisville righthander Tony Zych (fourth) has an impressive fastball that touched 99 mph this season. The Cubs will likely have to go over slot to sign 11th-round outfielder Shawon Dunston Jr. and 14th-round righthander Dillon Maples.

 

Draft chat: http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1307631585

 

Lane (Skokie, IL): Im a big Cubs fan and wanted to know how signable Garrett Schlecht is.

 

Jim Callis: I think he'll sign. I cover the Midwest states for the draft, and he has the best combination of ability and signability among Illinois prep prospects this year.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): As always, thanks for the chat. I was wondering what your opinon was on the Cubs' draft. There seems to be far more HS kids and kids with signabilty questions than in Tim Wilken's previous Cubs drafts.

 

Jim Callis: Tim isn't afraid to take on some risk to get some upside. Javier Baez had the best bat speed in the entire draft, and there were a number of clubs on him from 11-20. Dan Vogelbach doesn't have a classic build, but he has more power than almost anyone in the draft. I thought they stole Tony Zych in the fourth round. The Cubs have a deep farm system steadily producing talent, so they can afford to be patient with the high school kids.

 

Tman (Camden): what are your thoughts and beliefs on why Nicky delmonico and dillon maples both dropping as far as they did, especially Maples? is this strictly on signability or is there something else in play on these guys? thanks for the chat as always!!!

 

Jim Callis: Strictly signability on Maples, who has a prestigious academic scholarship to attend North Carolina. On Delmonico, he had back issues and didn't have a great senior year, and when he slid his signability became more in question. Think there's a better chance he signs than Maples does . . . This just in from Nathan Rode. I'm confusing Maples with another UNC recruit about the academic scholarship. But my main point remains, if he went that low, he's not very signable.

[Guest]

Only one Cubs draftee is still playing in the Super Regionals - 17th rounder John Andreoli (OF, UConn).

 

UConn will be playing South Carolina on Saturday at 5 pm CT (ESPN2HD), Sunday at 6 pm CT (ESPNUHD) and Monday, if necessary.

[Guest]

Only one Cubs draftee is still playing in the Super Regionals - 17th rounder John Andreoli (OF, UConn).

 

UConn will be playing South Carolina on Saturday at 5 pm CT (ESPN2HD), Sunday at 6 pm CT (ESPNUHD) and Monday, if necessary.

 

Didn't the Cubs draft two players from Florida State?

[davell]

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20110608/HSSPORTS/106080323/Pitchers-Grim-Jensen-chosen-by-Marlins-Cubs?odyssey=nav%7Chead

 

Sounds like Jensen COULD be persuaded anyway.

[Guest]

Only one Cubs draftee is still playing in the Super Regionals - 17th rounder John Andreoli (OF, UConn).

 

UConn will be playing South Carolina on Saturday at 5 pm CT (ESPN2HD), Sunday at 6 pm CT (ESPNUHD) and Monday, if necessary.

 

Didn't the Cubs draft two players from Florida State?

 

I totally blanked that FSU advanced too.

 

16th rounder C Rafael Lopez and 27th rounder OF Taiwan Easterling will be playing against Texas A&M on Saturday at 3:30 pm CT (ESPNUHD), Sunday at 3 pm CT (ESPNUHD) and Monday, if necessary.

[thefranchise]

Taiwan Easterling may have some potential since he hasn't played baseball much in college. He was the Mississippi's top high school player at one point I think. He does have one more year of football left though. Also, I love his name considering it's the country where I was born.

[toonsterwu]

Taiwan Easterling may have some potential since he hasn't played baseball much in college. He was the Mississippi's top high school player at one point I think. He does have one more year of football left though. Also, I love his name considering it's the country where I was born.

 

Same here ...

 

Easterling does have some NFL potential, though, and I thought I had heard that football was his first love. That said, he's more a depth/slot return man option, and draft wise, more of a mid-late round type value, unless he really blows up his senior year and gets better football workout numbers than people are expecting right now.

[davell]

Shoulders has enrolled at UCF and said that unless the Cubs change their position quite a bit, he'll be going to school in the fall.

[toonsterwu]

That's not that surprising, considering he thought he would go much higher. That said, there is a long time to go before it actually matters. He's not exactly high on my priority preference list, though.

[Scotti]

BTW, thanks for everyone who kept this topic going. Made for a nice, smooth recap of the Cubs draft.

 

I've said this before but I'm glad you're more active here.

 

Thanks.

[Outshined_One]

Sounds like Jacquez is signable, which is good news.

 

Link

 

Jacquez still doesn't know what the future holds. He did say he will likely sign if he gets his money. But he could go to Texas, where he has always wanted to be, dominate the Big 12 and become an even more sought-after prospect. Or he could fall in the eyes of scouts.

 

It's a lot of ifs that Jacquez will deal with in the coming weeks. But for now, Jacquez will enjoy the moment with his family for a few days before heading to California after an emotion-filled draft.

 

"It was a crazy few days, a lot of emotions," Jacquez said. "I'm going to let it all sink in and enjoy it for a bit before getting back to work on that dream."

[series65cubsfan]

Taiwan Easterling may have some potential since he hasn't played baseball much in college. He was the Mississippi's top high school player at one point I think. He does have one more year of football left though. Also, I love his name considering it's the country where I was born.

 

Same here ...

 

Easterling does have some NFL potential, though, and I thought I had heard that football was his first love. That said, he's more a depth/slot return man option, and draft wise, more of a mid-late round type value, unless he really blows up his senior year and gets better football workout numbers than people are expecting right now.

 

 

Just as a side note, I spent grades 2 - 12 in Taiwan. Graduated and came to the mainland.

[thefranchise]

Taiwan Easterling may have some potential since he hasn't played baseball much in college. He was the Mississippi's top high school player at one point I think. He does have one more year of football left though. Also, I love his name considering it's the country where I was born.

 

Same here ...

 

Easterling does have some NFL potential, though, and I thought I had heard that football was his first love. That said, he's more a depth/slot return man option, and draft wise, more of a mid-late round type value, unless he really blows up his senior year and gets better football workout numbers than people are expecting right now.

 

 

Just as a side note, I spent grades 2 - 12 in Taiwan. Graduated and came to the mainland.

 

That's like the opposite of me almost. I finished first grade in Taiwan and moved to the states and have been here ever since.

[toonsterwu]

came stateside when i was ... 2.

[series65cubsfan]

LOL do you remember your Mandarin or Taiwanese (which really is Fukinese, but still)

[toonsterwu]

taiwanese has always been iffy. mandarin i'm fine speaking. writing is a bit problematic, but speaking is fine. folks are both teachers in some respects.

[Proven Veteran]

Taiwan Easterling may have some potential since he hasn't played baseball much in college. He was the Mississippi's top high school player at one point I think. He does have one more year of football left though. Also, I love his name considering it's the country where I was born.

 

Same here ...

 

Easterling does have some NFL potential, though, and I thought I had heard that football was his first love. That said, he's more a depth/slot return man option, and draft wise, more of a mid-late round type value, unless he really blows up his senior year and gets better football workout numbers than people are expecting right now.

 

 

Just as a side note, I spent grades 2 - 12 in Taiwan. Graduated and came to the mainland.

 

Wouldn't that mean China?

[thefranchise]

I still can speak Mandarin. Reading and writing are a definite no

[craig]

Very curious quote from Wilken, IMO.

 

"Tom came out and told us we'll be more active on the amateur side," Wilken said Wednesday. "When you feel you have a shot to sign players, it changes the strategy in how you pick. It was like Christmas Day for scouts."

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20203006&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

...

 

A bleacher bums poster posted the following, based on comments by randy bush in a pregame radio interview:

http://bbf.createaforum.com/general-discussion/2011-draft-52/525/

Reply #549 Interesting interview with Randy Bush. According to him, Ricketts was in the draft room the entire time, and kept telling the staff to draft the best player available, regardless of signability issues.

 

Seems to confirm/reinforce what Wilken said. Pretty exciting and encouraging.

 

I also think that Ricketts having enough interest to sit in for all three days is encouraging. I imagine that as a fan it would be fun, and as a boss trying to get to understand the process and to get to see a bunch of his important employees in action also smart. The three days of draft and the half-week of organizational meetings in October are perhaps the best opportunities to see a lot of the personnel in action.

 

We'll see how that encouragement plays out in terms of actual signings. But I'm pretty encouraged. Really encouraged.

[davell]

Definitely getting excited......Hope we see lots of these guys signed and it'd be nice to see some solid IFA action too. And I can't help it, but damn, I'm kind of optimistic it COULD.

[davearm2]

I also think that Ricketts having enough interest to sit in for all three days is encouraging. I imagine that as a fan it would be fun, and as a boss trying to get to understand the process and to get to see a bunch of his important employees in action also smart. The three days of draft and the half-week of organizational meetings in October are perhaps the best opportunities to see a lot of the personnel in action.

 

We'll see how that encouragement plays out in terms of actual signings. But I'm pretty encouraged. Really encouraged.

Well said craig. The best kind of owner would be one that is involved enough to be first-hand informed about how his key personnel operate, but hands-off enough to let them do their jobs. Nice to see the Ricketts' brand of Management by Wandering Around extends beyond Undercover Boss.

[Guest]

According to his Twitter, 18th round RHP James Pugliese signed and is in Mesa.

[Sammy Sofa]

Very curious quote from Wilken, IMO.

 

"Tom came out and told us we'll be more active on the amateur side," Wilken said Wednesday. "When you feel you have a shot to sign players, it changes the strategy in how you pick. It was like Christmas Day for scouts."

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110608&content_id=20203006&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

...

 

A bleacher bums poster posted the following, based on comments by randy bush in a pregame radio interview:

http://bbf.createaforum.com/general-discussion/2011-draft-52/525/

Reply #549 Interesting interview with Randy Bush. According to him, Ricketts was in the draft room the entire time, and kept telling the staff to draft the best player available, regardless of signability issues.

 

Seems to confirm/reinforce what Wilken said. Pretty exciting and encouraging.

 

I also think that Ricketts having enough interest to sit in for all three days is encouraging. I imagine that as a fan it would be fun, and as a boss trying to get to understand the process and to get to see a bunch of his important employees in action also smart. The three days of draft and the half-week of organizational meetings in October are perhaps the best opportunities to see a lot of the personnel in action.

 

We'll see how that encouragement plays out in terms of actual signings. But I'm pretty encouraged. Really encouraged.

 

Nice. Thanks for the links.

[craig]

According to his Twitter, 18th round RHP James Pugliese signed and is in Mesa.

 

18.Pugliese, James Mercer County CC RHP R/R 6'03" 195 1992-08-12 18 J1

 

Pugleise is 18, so who knows what projection remains for him in terms of adding strength and velocity.

 

http://www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2011/06/mercers_james_pugliese_leads_t.html

 

Pugliese... had a very good freshman year at Mercer. In 65⅔ innings for Matt Wolski’s Vikings, he allowed just 34 hits and 11 earned runs. He struck out 77 and walked 25. He won six of his eight decisions.

There was a stretch near the end of the season where Pugliese pitched 40⅓ innings and allowed just 16 hits and three earned runs.

“At the beginning of the season we were all working a couple of innings each game to see where we fit,’’ Pugliese said. “Once I became a full-time starter it just all started to come together for me.’’

 

Pugliese has been to two pre-draft workouts, one at Yankee Stadium and one at Citi Field, where he got to show off his fastball, which touched 93 miles per hour and is consistently around 89 to 90; a hard slider; a change; and a knuckleball he has just started to use. “I didn’t throw the knuckleball in college,’’ he said, “but I used it at the workouts and it was pretty good.’’

 

Quote:

The most interesting juco prospect in New Jersey is righthander James Pugilese. There's effort to his delivery and his arm action raises concerns, but he has a 90-92 mph fastball and average breaking ball to go with a projectable 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. In 57 innings, he struck out 71 while walking 23 and allowing just 30 hits.