2011 Cubs picks and signings thread

[Guest]

We"re up to 10 signings. BA confirms the signings of Pugliese (18) and Zapenas (42) and adds these other signings:

 

19th rounder Paul Hoilman, 1B, East Tennessee St

20th rounder Ben Klafczynski, OF, Kent St

32nd rounder Peter Levitt, RHP, Mt. Olive (NC)

33rd rounder Sheldon McDonald, LHP, British Columbia

36th rounder Travis Garcia, U, Martin Methodist (TN)

38th rounder Casey Lucchese, RHP, College of Charleston

40th rounder Patrick Francescom, RHP, Trevecca Nazarene (TN)

44th rounder Kenny Socorro, SS, Marshall

 

No bonus info but BA doesn't release bonuses unless they are six figures and I can't imagine any of these guys beside Pugliese has a chance at that type of money.

[craig]

We"re up to 10 signings. BA confirms the signings of Pugliese (18) and Zapenas (42) and adds these other signings:

 

19th rounder Paul Hoilman, 1B, East Tennessee St

20th rounder Ben Klafczynski, OF, Kent St

32nd rounder Peter Levitt, RHP, Mt. Olive (NC)

33rd rounder Sheldon McDonald, LHP, British Columbia

36th rounder Travis Garcia, U, Martin Methodist (TN)

38th rounder Casey Lucchese, RHP, College of Charleston

40th rounder Patrick Francescom, RHP, Trevecca Nazarene (TN)

44th rounder Kenny Socorro, SS, Marshall

 

No bonus info but BA doesn't release bonuses unless they are six figures and I can't imagine any of these guys beside Pugliese has a chance at that type of money.

 

Those are basically the 22-year-olds, mosty roster fillers. Only three 22-year-olds remain unsigned, the two Florida State guys who can't and Steven Maxwell of TCU. I wonder what his situation is.

[Guest]

We"re up to 10 signings. BA confirms the signings of Pugliese (18) and Zapenas (42) and adds these other signings:

 

19th rounder Paul Hoilman, 1B, East Tennessee St

20th rounder Ben Klafczynski, OF, Kent St

32nd rounder Peter Levitt, RHP, Mt. Olive (NC)

33rd rounder Sheldon McDonald, LHP, British Columbia

36th rounder Travis Garcia, U, Martin Methodist (TN)

38th rounder Casey Lucchese, RHP, College of Charleston

40th rounder Patrick Francescom, RHP, Trevecca Nazarene (TN)

44th rounder Kenny Socorro, SS, Marshall

 

No bonus info but BA doesn't release bonuses unless they are six figures and I can't imagine any of these guys beside Pugliese has a chance at that type of money.

 

Those are basically the 22-year-olds, mosty roster fillers. Only three 22-year-olds remain unsigned, the two Florida State guys who can't and Steven Maxwell of TCU. I wonder what his situation is.

 

Well, Maxwell is a 5th year senior so he really has no other options.

[BearClaw]

Just got back from business in Texas a few days ago but was able to attend the Austin regional. I was happy to see we drafted a player I felt was the best hitter, actually the best player on the field that weekend as Kent State nearly shocked the mighty Texas Longhorns.

 

I googled a bit and saw this on Perfect Game about him.

 

"scouts say he is a different player this season because he finally learned to apply his vast assortment of tools in a positive way. Klafczynski has a big right-field arm, and impressive speed and power."

 

Their chat also said they were surprised he lasted till the 20th round. I was impressed with what I saw against tough competition, and will follow what he does. Seeing a player in person makes a huge difference in forming an opinion and calling them a "filler", etc.

 

I have a scout buddy I put a call into for more info. I will ask him about a few players we drafted. What I do know is that college senior signs are usually solid students with great makeup!

[craig]

Just got back from business in Texas a few days ago but was able to attend the Austin regional. I was happy to see we drafted a player I felt was the best hitter, actually the best player on the field that weekend as Kent State nearly shocked the mighty Texas Longhorns.

 

I googled a bit and saw this on Perfect Game about him.

 

"scouts say he is a different player this season because he finally learned to apply his vast assortment of tools in a positive way. Klafczynski has a big right-field arm, and impressive speed and power."

 

Their chat also said they were surprised he lasted till the 20th round. I was impressed with what I saw against tough competition, and will follow what he does. Seeing a player in person makes a huge difference in forming an opinion and calling them a "filler", etc.

 

I have a scout buddy I put a call into for more info. I will ask him about a few players we drafted. What I do know is that college senior signs are usually solid students with great makeup!

 

Thanks, Claw. I think you make a good point that "filler" is a vague and general term, and may not apply. "Filler" is probably more appropriate for a 42nd rounder like Zapenas than for a 20th rounder like Klafczynski. Given how many real and meaningful prospects they drafted later than round 20, it stands to reason that if he doesn't have some big-league potential, they'd not have spent a pick on him that high. Likewise I think that Hoilman, 19th round, is more than just filler. When a guy is that big and has that kind of power and has put up the kinds of numbers he did in college, there's at least a chance that he'll make it work in the pros, too.

 

Cal, the fact that Maxwell is a 5th year senior, and will turn 24 before the summer is done, is why I'm puzzled that he hasn't signed yet and makes me curious to see what his story is. Is he injured? Is he going to seminary or medical school instead of pro baseball? Is he in some kind of rehab? It seems odd that a guy who was a weekend starter for quite some time at a power like TCU, and was pitcher of the year in his non-trivial conference, is sitting around in the 37th round and not signing right away at his age. There's got to be some story involved with him. I'll be interested to hear what it is once somebody digs it up.

[Outshined_One]

Just got back from business in Texas a few days ago but was able to attend the Austin regional. I was happy to see we drafted a player I felt was the best hitter, actually the best player on the field that weekend as Kent State nearly shocked the mighty Texas Longhorns.

 

I googled a bit and saw this on Perfect Game about him.

 

"scouts say he is a different player this season because he finally learned to apply his vast assortment of tools in a positive way. Klafczynski has a big right-field arm, and impressive speed and power."

 

Their chat also said they were surprised he lasted till the 20th round. I was impressed with what I saw against tough competition, and will follow what he does. Seeing a player in person makes a huge difference in forming an opinion and calling them a "filler", etc.

 

I have a scout buddy I put a call into for more info. I will ask him about a few players we drafted. What I do know is that college senior signs are usually solid students with great makeup!

 

Thanks for the information! Welcome aboard!

[Rob]

I was really hoping we wouldn't sign Klafczynski. It's gonna be a pain in the butt learning to spell that...

[imb]

I just now figured out that Dirkx isn't named that because there was already a dirk in the system when he server transferred

[BearClaw]

no info Edited June 14, 2011 by BearClaw

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If you weren't promising to do another player next, I'd accuse you of being Mrs. Klafczynski

[toonsterwu]

The fact that Wilken is held, by most indications, in such high regard by Ricketts makes things interesting, at least for me. I wonder if Ricketts will do his best to keep Wilken around, but it isn't the best idea to force a scouting director on a new GM. That does make me wonder if Wilken may get a bump to some sort of A.GM type role, like Rizzo did back in the day.

 

Just random thoughts, but I am curious how it plays out.

[Rob]

The fact that Wilken is held, by most indications, in such high regard by Ricketts makes things interesting, at least for me. I wonder if Ricketts will do his best to keep Wilken around, but it isn't the best idea to force a scouting director on a new GM. That does make me wonder if Wilken may get a bump to some sort of A.GM type role, like Rizzo did back in the day.

 

Just random thoughts, but I am curious how it plays out.

 

They could try something like that.

 

They also might just bump Wilken all the way up to GM... which I'd be less happy about.

[Guest]

Sounds like Ricky Jacquez is actually open to signing: http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_18236011

 

"I expected it to be sooner, so I was getting nervous and stressful," said Jacquez. "But I knew this could happen because of the price I set. Still, when the Cubs picked me it felt awesome, a dream come true."

 

Jacquez, at only 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds and still in high school, posed plenty of concerns. That likely caused Jacquez -- despite his 94 mph fastball, excellent hammer curve, 1.25 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 72 innings -- to slip so late in the draft.

 

"It's going to be hard for a scout to insist high six figures or $1 million to keep a player who's 5-9 in shoes," Callis, the executive editor of Baseball America, said. "There's a reason you don't see a lot of short pitchers in the Major Leagues."

 

Jacquez spoke with the Cubs representatives on Wednesday morning and they were willing to negotiate, Jacquez said, based on some parameters. The Cubs want to see Jacquez pitch against some of the best prospects in the California Collegiate League. They would also like Jacquez to increase his velocity and keep the ball down in the zone with more frequency.

 

"I'm really excited about that," said Jacquez, who also received several calls from the Boston Red Sox. "That's all I can ask for. They're willing to work with me if I can achieve certain things. It's up to me now."

Callis said it's not uncommon for players to prove themselves during the negotiating period, which ends at 10 p.m. MDT on Aug. 15 for players with college eligibility.

 

"Ricky made it pretty clear about his commitment to Texas and his price," Callis said. "But if a team really believes in you, it will pay you. It doesn't matter where you're drafted."

 

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.

[davell]

I get the notion that Shoulders is a fallback if Vogelbach won't sign and Jacquez is a fallback if we can't get Maples most likely.

 

By the way, I've seen this asked here by someone else and have also seen it mentioned on other sites, but I'm still not clear if it's actually the case or not: Can we sign Maples to a 5 year deal, because he's walking on to kick at UNC?

[toonsterwu]

The fact that Wilken is held, by most indications, in such high regard by Ricketts makes things interesting, at least for me. I wonder if Ricketts will do his best to keep Wilken around, but it isn't the best idea to force a scouting director on a new GM. That does make me wonder if Wilken may get a bump to some sort of A.GM type role, like Rizzo did back in the day.

 

Just random thoughts, but I am curious how it plays out.

 

They could try something like that.

 

They also might just bump Wilken all the way up to GM... which I'd be less happy about.

 

Not impossible, but the jump to GM would probably be unlikely because there's so much he hasn't been actively involved with in a long time (I believe he held some other front office role in Tampa as well, not clear off the top).

 

I do like the rumors of Cherington and Hale. I still sort of like Quade, but he's been disappointing, even when accounting for the talent deficiency.

 

I half wonder if, since Hendry seems to have a good relationship with Ricketts as well, if Hendry may get the bump to some sort of President role.

[davell]

The fact that Wilken is held, by most indications, in such high regard by Ricketts makes things interesting, at least for me. I wonder if Ricketts will do his best to keep Wilken around, but it isn't the best idea to force a scouting director on a new GM. That does make me wonder if Wilken may get a bump to some sort of A.GM type role, like Rizzo did back in the day.

 

Just random thoughts, but I am curious how it plays out.

 

They could try something like that.

 

They also might just bump Wilken all the way up to GM... which I'd be less happy about.

 

Not impossible, but the jump to GM would probably be unlikely because there's so much he hasn't been actively involved with in a long time (I believe he held some other front office role in Tampa as well, not clear off the top).

 

I do like the rumors of Cherington and Hale. I still sort of like Quade, but he's been disappointing, even when accounting for the talent deficiency.

 

I half wonder if, since Hendry seems to have a good relationship with Ricketts as well, if Hendry may get the bump to some sort of President role.

 

:lol: I just asked the same damn thing over in a different section. He's given the Cubs 16 years, I find it hard to believe they can him......

[jersey cubs fan]

I half wonder if, since Hendry seems to have a good relationship with Ricketts as well, if Hendry may get the bump to some sort of President role.

 

God that would be horrible.

[jersey cubs fan]

He's given the Cubs 16 years, I find it hard to believe they can him......

 

I wouldn't say he's given them anything. They've paid him a hell of a lot of money to run this team poorly.

[stuy119]

If we can sign Baez, Vogelbach, Maples, & Zych this is a great draft.

 

Really hope we can sign Maples. He really looks the part in his scouting video.

 

Does Maples qualify as a 2-sport guy where you can spread out the bonus? Or does he have to have a scholarship offer for football too? How does that work?

 

If he plays football and baseball, he has to be on a football scholarship or pay his own way. You can't play football and get a baseball scholarship. This happened with Taiwan Easterling (another draftee) with FSU football the past few years, and was an issue with Kyle(?) Long (who ended up at UVA).

[Outshined_One]

UDFA signing: RHP Nick Johnson from U of Cincinnati

 

Link

[stuy119]

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.

 

From what I've heard from people close to our football program, Easterling is going to sign and is done with football. We might not even have room for him to keep a scholarship, and he's reportedly met with Jimbo Fisher about moving on.

 

I'll keep this updated as I hear more.

[craig]

Sounds like Ricky Jacquez is actually open to signing: http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_18236011

 

..."... I knew this could happen because of the price I set. Still, when the Cubs picked me it felt awesome, a dream come true."

 

....That likely caused Jacquez -- despite his 94 mph fastball, excellent hammer curve, 1.25 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 72 innings -- to slip so late in the draft.

.....

....The Cubs want to see Jacquez pitch against some of the best prospects in the California Collegiate League. They would also like Jacquez to increase his velocity and keep the ball down in the zone with more frequency.

 

...Jacquez still doesn't know what the future holds. He did say he will likely sign if he gets his money. B....

 

Thanks, cal. Sounds like both sides have some interest.

 

I suspect most superslot prospects in the draft can say they'll likely sign if they get their money. But when "their money" is set so high that nobody drafts you until the 39th round, it may be that there isn't much belief that you're actual potential justifies your money.

 

The curious thing here was the bit about how the Cubs want him to increase his velocity. Even though reports keep talking about 94 and 96 and velocities like that. Are the Cubs expecting him to throw 99-101? I suspect this suggests that he doesn't really often throw these Wow velocities, and the 94's and 96's aren't really any more valuable than Kirk's 95's and 96's from HS.

 

But we'll see as always. Encouraging read for sure, though. If he really looks as good this summer as some of these gaga scouting reports, and as fast, maybe the Cubs will pay and be glad they did.

[NCCubFan]

I was really hoping we wouldn't sign Klafczynski. It's gonna be a pain in the butt learning to spell that...

Could be worse. Imagine Harry trying to pronounce it.

[davearm2]

Sounds like Ricky Jacquez is actually open to signing: http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_18236011

 

..."... I knew this could happen because of the price I set. Still, when the Cubs picked me it felt awesome, a dream come true."

 

....That likely caused Jacquez -- despite his 94 mph fastball, excellent hammer curve, 1.25 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 72 innings -- to slip so late in the draft.

.....

....The Cubs want to see Jacquez pitch against some of the best prospects in the California Collegiate League. They would also like Jacquez to increase his velocity and keep the ball down in the zone with more frequency.

 

...Jacquez still doesn't know what the future holds. He did say he will likely sign if he gets his money. B....

 

Thanks, cal. Sounds like both sides have some interest.

 

I suspect most superslot prospects in the draft can say they'll likely sign if they get their money. But when "their money" is set so high that nobody drafts you until the 39th round, it may be that there isn't much belief that you're actual potential justifies your money.

 

The curious thing here was the bit about how the Cubs want him to increase his velocity. Even though reports keep talking about 94 and 96 and velocities like that. Are the Cubs expecting him to throw 99-101? I suspect this suggests that he doesn't really often throw these Wow velocities, and the 94's and 96's aren't really any more valuable than Kirk's 95's and 96's from HS.

 

But we'll see as always. Encouraging read for sure, though. If he really looks as good this summer as some of these gaga scouting reports, and as fast, maybe the Cubs will pay and be glad they did.

Not to derail, but this obsession with velocity is really kind of interesting to me. Yovani Gallardo struck out 10 in tonight's Cub game, and topped out at 93 or 94 or whatever. Zambrano is making $18M throwing in the same neighborhood (on his best day). And so on. What does Halladay throw? What does Sabathia throw? It ain't upper 90s.

[Guest]

Bruce Miles[/url]"]--When asked if owner Tom Ricketts was frustrated, Hendry said: "Tom's a terrific guy. We're all frustrated. We don't want to portray ourselves as anything but that. We got off to a bad start, and we certainly didn't overcome it. We're not here to make excuses with the injuries. They're part of it. It's something you've got to find a way to fight through it and survive and then get better.

 

"Tom's been outstanding with us. He was down at the draft for a couple of days. I was there for like five days with the scouts. That went very well. I thought Tom really had a good perspective on how good Tim Wilken and his staff are. They took a lot of guys in the draft that we think are going to be future big-league players. He has every right to be frustrated. We all are. There's only one thing you can do about it, and that's fight your way out of it."