Brett Jackson/Flaherty to AAA; Ha to AA

[idakepps]

It seems to me that Szczur and Flaherty were the only ones ready for this string of promotions right now.

 

I'm not sure Jackson and Ha are exactly rushed with these promotions though. There were certainly things they could both work on at the level they were at, but they won't be woefully overmatched at the next level either. And it does help the CF dilemma that was caused by Szczur moving up, and he absolutely needed to move up. I'm hoping Flaherty will get to come up to the big leagues in September, and don't really care which level of AA and AAA he plays before that.

 

Given their ages and performance I think you could have made the case to just bump Szczur up to AA and leave Ha in A. Or like others have suggested bump Crawford up instead of Ha. I think Szczur is being treated with kid gloves, probably because if he bombs or doesn't look fit to be put on the 40 man this fall it looks worse on people in charge. Seems like there have been a number of other very aggressive low minors promotions this season (DeValle, Lira, Silva).

[Little Slide Rooter]

Kevin Goldstein was fielding questions on Twtter about these moves the other night and he does not have a high opinion of Flaherty. Thinks his ceiling is a backup. I know Flaherty doesn't have age on his side (though he's not that old) but he has still posted solid numbers. Has he been playing in hitters' leagues/is he not very projectable or is Goldstein just underrating him?

I'm not sure how experts view him, but I have rated him highly in the past. He has power that you can't teach, and is now more versatile than most other prospects. I picture him as a left-handed Mark DeRosa type who will have a chance in the majors at the corner spots and 2B. I think he may have some solid years where he hits for average and power, but won't be an everyday regular in the majors for his entire career. I expect solid numbers out of him in Iowa this year, and if he's back there next year, he will have a huge first half. I think (in the extremely unlikely event) if the Cubs go with a youth movement next year, he will be on the team and play all over the field.

 

Unless you have a farm system like the Rays or Royals, youth movement is code for hopefully we'll contend in 3-5 years, which is unaccaptable for a team with the resources the Cubs have.

[Guest]

It seems to me that Szczur and Flaherty were the only ones ready for this string of promotions right now.

 

I'm not sure Jackson and Ha are exactly rushed with these promotions though. There were certainly things they could both work on at the level they were at, but they won't be woefully overmatched at the next level either. And it does help the CF dilemma that was caused by Szczur moving up, and he absolutely needed to move up. I'm hoping Flaherty will get to come up to the big leagues in September, and don't really care which level of AA and AAA he plays before that.

 

Given their ages and performance I think you could have made the case to just bump Szczur up to AA and leave Ha in A. Or like others have suggested bump Crawford up instead of Ha. I think Szczur is being treated with kid gloves, probably because if he bombs or doesn't look fit to be put on the 40 man this fall it looks worse on people in charge. Seems like there have been a number of other very aggressive low minors promotions this season (DeValle, Lira, Silva).

 

To be honest, I don't think Del Valle and Liria were promoted aggressively. Liria barely missed breaking camp with Peoria and Arizona Phil had said on a few occasions that he belonged in Peoria. As a 21-year old Cuban defector, Del Valle should be able to hack it at Peoria if he's any sort of prospect. His time in Mesa felt like a tune up you'd see a college draftee get before heading up to full season ball.

 

The Silva promotion was perplexing given his severe lack of patience but I'm guessing they felt a former Cuban national team guy could handle Daytona while Brett Jackson was hurt.