Minor League Discussion & Boxes 8-28-11

[Guest]

I'd given him a full year or two at SS to work out the problems on defense. I don't know what his specific problems are or how bad they are though. But, I don't think it's a good idea to look at errors alone as an indication he can't handle short. I hate to sound like Bare Claw, but let's give him some time to develop before moving him around.

[toonsterwu]

I'm not sure that they need to really try him at 2nd if they feel he's better at 3rd. I'm not against it, but there's enough up the middle guys that they should be able to stopgap 2nd base with someone from the system, and maybe Castro slides that way. If they feel he's better suited at 3rd, then I'd move him there after short.

 

I wouldn't make the decision based on who else is in the system. His greatest value to the team may end up being via trade, and if he can handle 2B that may be the right decision to make. A good hitting 2B has more cache than a similar hitting 3B.

 

I wouldn't make the decision based on who else is in the system as well. My point was, and it might've not come out as I intended, if they feel he's better at 3rd, then move him that way and don't bother with working him at 2nd simply because. Get him settled into one spot, rather than shifting him around.

[toonsterwu]

I'd given him a full year or two at SS to work out the problems on defense. I don't know what his specific problems are or how bad they are though. But, I don't think it's a good idea to look at errors alone as an indication he can't handle short. I hate to sound like Bare Claw, but let's give him some time to develop before moving him around.

 

I'm fine with giving him another year or two at short, and I don't really care about the errors. Here's the thing, though - if they feel his future is at another position, I'd move him earlier and settle him in. Furthermore, he'll likely work his way up the ladder (hopefully) with a good shortstop prospect - either Marco Hernandez (although I think a lot of us are hoping he gets jumped to full-season to start 2012) or Carlos Penalver. Who knows, maybe Daniel Sanchez can turn it around and add to that mix as well.

 

I think you give him 2012 at shortstop, but begin to work him at other positions, and if they feel he has to definitely move, I'd hope by 2013 that they have him working primarily at another position.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm not sure that they need to really try him at 2nd if they feel he's better at 3rd. I'm not against it, but there's enough up the middle guys that they should be able to stopgap 2nd base with someone from the system, and maybe Castro slides that way. If they feel he's better suited at 3rd, then I'd move him there after short.

 

I wouldn't make the decision based on who else is in the system. His greatest value to the team may end up being via trade, and if he can handle 2B that may be the right decision to make. A good hitting 2B has more cache than a similar hitting 3B.

 

I wouldn't make the decision based on who else is in the system as well. My point was, and it might've not come out as I intended, if they feel he's better at 3rd, then move him that way and don't bother with working him at 2nd simply because. Get him settled into one spot, rather than shifting him around.

 

And my point is there can be value in letting the guy show he can handle 2nd and 3rd. He's got a long way to go before he'll be ready, so there's no rush to lock him into a position. Even if they feel 3B will be his best postiion in the long run, it's not like they have a great track record of predicting what guys will be. I'd rather give him time at more premium positions and use 3B as a fallback down the road.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I'm not sure that they need to really try him at 2nd if they feel he's better at 3rd. I'm not against it, but there's enough up the middle guys that they should be able to stopgap 2nd base with someone from the system, and maybe Castro slides that way. If they feel he's better suited at 3rd, then I'd move him there after short.

 

I dont think they feel much defensively yet because he was drafted for his bat. 2B would just be the next position where the Cubs could get the most bang for their buck.

 

He should remain at SS for a little bit anyway. Now is not the time to move him or even

make plans to.

[Quakers]

Well, I have better news to report today.

 

As has been posted. Boise won 9 - 2.

 

So I have some apologies to post.

 

1) I reported that Golden couldn't get a hit if his life depended upon it. Not true, when he does hit, it can go a country mile. I do not think I have ever seen a ball leave the park as fast as the one he hit last night.

 

2) I reported that Hoilman had problems hitting breaking pitches over the outside part of the plate. Yesterday he finally connected with one and came within inches of an opposite field homerun. He settled for a double. Later in the game the pitches were inside again and he pulled it for a monster two run homerun.

 

3) I reported that DeVoss was fast, but not superfast. Well he pinch hit for Chen late in the game and hit it deep into the left center gap for a double. (He has not shown power yet, but I think he will develop some as he matures). So with runners at 2nd and 3rd, Zapenas hit a deep fly ball to center. Devoss tagged up from second and scored easily on the sac fly. True - the center fielder caught the ball running in the deepest part of center running away from the field of play. True - Salem appealed the play and Devoss was called out for leaving too early. But still... he was safe by a long shot. IMHO he did not leave early.

 

Pitching; Wells looked good. Not overpowering, but he easily kept a potent line-up at bay. My only disappointment was that he was taken out after just 5 2/3 innings. Burke look effective in relief, but he did struggle a bit to get the last out.

 

Hitting; Chen looked good. He showed decent speed with a stolen base and a triple down the right field line. Mighty mite Zapata surprised me with a long homerun to right center. Darvill has looked good at the plate this series.

 

Defense; Chen looked good in center. IMO he is more than capable of playiing there. Darvill continues to have issues at short. Very inconsistent play. Contreras has issues at third as well. Zapenas committed an error at second, but on the whole I thought his defense was good. Cuneo is good at first.

 

It was fun to be able to see Boise again. I hope that a few readers have found my notes to be interesting.

[StarlinOnYou]

I like the reports on Baez.

 

He's going to end up at 3B more than likely -- most realized that when he was drafted anyway. But, it made sense to try him at shortstop first. I don't really see what people are so outraged about.

 

The bat is for real and that is all that matters.

 

I like how he is cocky and edgy. We need more of that. Brett Jackson is the same way.

[Guest]

Well, I have better news to report today.

 

As has been posted. Boise won 9 - 2.

 

So I have some apologies to post.

 

1) I reported that Golden couldn't get a hit if his life depended upon it. Not true, when he does hit, it can go a country mile. I do not think I have ever seen a ball leave the park as fast as the one he hit last night.

 

2) I reported that Hoilman had problems hitting breaking pitches over the outside part of the plate. Yesterday he finally connected with one and came within inches of an opposite field homerun. He settled for a double. Later in the game the pitches were inside again and he pulled it for a monster two run homerun.

 

3) I reported that DeVoss was fast, but not superfast. Well he pinch hit for Chen late in the game and hit it deep into the left center gap for a double. (He has not shown power yet, but I think he will develop some as he matures). So with runners at 2nd and 3rd, Zapenas hit a deep fly ball to center. Devoss tagged up from second and scored easily on the sac fly. True - the center fielder caught the ball running in the deepest part of center running away from the field of play. True - Salem appealed the play and Devoss was called out for leaving too early. But still... he was safe by a long shot. IMHO he did not leave early.

 

Pitching; Wells looked good. Not overpowering, but he easily kept a potent line-up at bay. My only disappointment was that he was taken out after just 5 2/3 innings. Burke look effective in relief, but he did struggle a bit to get the last out.

 

Hitting; Chen looked good. He showed decent speed with a stolen base and a triple down the right field line. Mighty mite Zapata surprised me with a long homerun to right center. Darvill has looked good at the plate this series.

 

Defense; Chen looked good in center. IMO he is more than capable of playiing there. Darvill continues to have issues at short. Very inconsistent play. Contreras has issues at third as well. Zapenas committed an error at second, but on the whole I thought his defense was good. Cuneo is good at first.

 

It was fun to be able to see Boise again. I hope that a few readers have found my notes to be interesting.

 

Thanks! Great reports all series.

 

Any radar readings on Wells or Burke?

[WeGotWood98]

Thanks Quakers.

[Quakers]

Well, I have better news to report today.

 

As has been posted. Boise won 9 - 2.

 

So I have some apologies to post.

 

1) I reported that Golden couldn't get a hit if his life depended upon it. Not true, when he does hit, it can go a country mile. I do not think I have ever seen a ball leave the park as fast as the one he hit last night.

 

2) I reported that Hoilman had problems hitting breaking pitches over the outside part of the plate. Yesterday he finally connected with one and came within inches of an opposite field homerun. He settled for a double. Later in the game the pitches were inside again and he pulled it for a monster two run homerun.

 

3) I reported that DeVoss was fast, but not superfast. Well he pinch hit for Chen late in the game and hit it deep into the left center gap for a double. (He has not shown power yet, but I think he will develop some as he matures). So with runners at 2nd and 3rd, Zapenas hit a deep fly ball to center. Devoss tagged up from second and scored easily on the sac fly. True - the center fielder caught the ball running in the deepest part of center running away from the field of play. True - Salem appealed the play and Devoss was called out for leaving too early. But still... he was safe by a long shot. IMHO he did not leave early.

 

Pitching; Wells looked good. Not overpowering, but he easily kept a potent line-up at bay. My only disappointment was that he was taken out after just 5 2/3 innings. Burke look effective in relief, but he did struggle a bit to get the last out.

 

Hitting; Chen looked good. He showed decent speed with a stolen base and a triple down the right field line. Mighty mite Zapata surprised me with a long homerun to right center. Darvill has looked good at the plate this series.

 

Defense; Chen looked good in center. IMO he is more than capable of playiing there. Darvill continues to have issues at short. Very inconsistent play. Contreras has issues at third as well. Zapenas committed an error at second, but on the whole I thought his defense was good. Cuneo is good at first.

 

It was fun to be able to see Boise again. I hope that a few readers have found my notes to be interesting.

 

Thanks! Great reports all series.

 

Any radar readings on Wells or Burke?

 

Sorry nope. I would say that Rosario and Sandoval throw harder, but I cannot back that up.