2011 Fall Instructs

[Guest]

Jeimer Candelario continues to impress. I think Jeimer will end up skipping Mesa and going to Boise in 2012 but AZ Phil suggests Candelario could skip short season altogether and go to Peoria next April:

 

The Cub Reporter[/url]"]A 17-year old switch-hitting corner infielder who was born in New York City and raised in the Dominican Republic, Candelario has had an impressive Instructs so far, hitting 298/366/459 while playing mostly 3B and occasionally 1B (as he did today).

 

Signed by the Cubs for a reported $500K bonus during the International Signing Period in 2010, Candelario had a smashing pro debut, hitting 337/443/478 for DSL Cubs #2 during the 2011 regular season (he ended up tied for second in the league in both walks and RBI, and was 4th in OPS, 5th in doubles, 6th in OBP, and 7th in batting average), and while it’s not likely, it’s also not totally out of the realm of possibility that he could open the 2012 season at Peoria.

 

Candelario is an advanced hitter, especially from the left side. He has a large frame that could eventually translate to plus-HR power as he fills out. He already has plus bat speed from the left-side, with solid gap power. The only question is if he has the glove to play 3B, or if he might have to move to another corner (1B, LF, or RF) somewhere down the line.

 

The biggest international signee this year, Mark Malave tried his hand at third base:

 

A 6’3 wide-body who received a reported $1.6M signing bonus at the start of the International Signing Period this past July (and who probably would have been a highly-sought after HS recruit as an offensive tackle had he grown up in the U. S.), Malave will likely get playing time at C-1B-3B over the next few years while the Cubs figure out if he can remain a catcher and/or if he has the bat needed to play corner infield. He has raw power and a good eye at the plate right now (although inability to make consistent contact is an issue), and even if he remains a catcher, having the versatility to play 1B & 3B will come in handy on days he is not catching.

 

Vogelbach's double was an oppo field line drive. Austin Reed and Starling Peralta had strong outings.

[Outshined_One]

Well hell, the Cubs skipped Castro from the AZ League to Daytona. If Candelario really is that good and ends up in Peoria, then I think we're going to be in for a show next season.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Where would Candelario rank in the players younger than 20 inside the organization? With his strong K:BB and contact skills he sounds alot like the kind of guys the Cubs seem to do alright with lately. They're saying some power potential and then switch hitting to top it off? Who's the big name superstar comparison someone would say just to get some kind of reaction? Juan Pierre?

[Guest]

Well hell, the Cubs skipped Castro from the AZ League to Daytona. If Candelario really is that good and ends up in Peoria, then I think we're going to be in for a show next season.

 

Heck, I'd say skipping 2 levels while also making your stateside debut is even more impressive than Castro skipping from Mesa to Daytona. In recent years, only 2 Latin American guys have skipped Mesa from the DSL - Arismendy Alcantara and Willson Contreras and they jumped to Boise.

[Rob]

Where would Candelario rank in the players younger than 20 inside the organization? With his strong K:BB and contact skills he sounds alot like the kind of guys the Cubs seem to do alright with lately. They're saying some power potential and then switch hitting to top it off? Who's the big name superstar comparison someone would say just to get some kind of reaction? Juan Pierre?

 

Chipper Jones? Don't know if he's got that kind of power though.

[toonsterwu]

Where would Candelario rank in the players younger than 20 inside the organization? With his strong K:BB and contact skills he sounds alot like the kind of guys the Cubs seem to do alright with lately. They're saying some power potential and then switch hitting to top it off? Who's the big name superstar comparison someone would say just to get some kind of reaction? Juan Pierre?

 

Probably solid top 7 in regards to guys 20 and under, perhaps top 5. To be honest, outside of the "known" factor, I'm not sure there's a significant difference between Javier Baez's upside and Jeimer Candelario's upside, unless one thinks Baez has a shot to stick at short (just to be clear, I think Baez's upside is probably higher as he seems to have a higher power ceiling, just not sure it's significantly higher). Marco Hernandez, for me, is still ahead due to position and a year stateside seeing what he can do.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Where would Candelario rank in the players younger than 20 inside the organization? With his strong K:BB and contact skills he sounds alot like the kind of guys the Cubs seem to do alright with lately. They're saying some power potential and then switch hitting to top it off? Who's the big name superstar comparison someone would say just to get some kind of reaction? Juan Pierre?

 

Probably solid top 7 in regards to guys 20 and under, perhaps top 5. To be honest, outside of the "known" factor, I'm not sure there's a significant difference between Javier Baez's upside and Jeimer Candelario's upside, unless one thinks Baez has a shot to stick at short (just to be clear, I think Baez's upside is probably higher as he seems to have a higher power ceiling, just not sure it's significantly higher). Marco Hernandez, for me, is still ahead due to position and a year stateside seeing what he can do.

 

Probably Baez's athleticism, as they're sticking with him at SS until he bombs there (which will probably happen). He's more likely to end up a MIF than Candelario.

[toonsterwu]

Sure, which is why I added if you think he can stick at short. But viewing them as corner talents, though, and it's actually a closer comparison based on what we know right now. Baez has more present power, and may have more future power, but Candelario should develop power. Candelario has a better approach . Now, whether or not Candelario can handle third would be a critical factor.

 

I'm not saying I have Candelario ahead of Baez (I don't - still have Baez Top 6, with Candelario borderline top 20), not saying that I think Candelario's upside is better (I don't). I just think that it's far closer than what is generally acknowledged when discussing these two players.

[Shilzzz]

really? Candelerio is nothing more than a maybe top 20? everything i've read makes him seem like really a top 5 talent in a down system.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

really? Candelerio is nothing more than a maybe top 20? everything i've read makes him seem like really a top 5 talent in a down system.

 

Yeah he's not in my top 20 either, unless it's barely. Just sounds interesting...it's still just the DSL and instruction leagues...

[Rob]

really? Candelerio is nothing more than a maybe top 20? everything i've read makes him seem like really a top 5 talent in a down system.

 

There's almost no spread at all between ~6-30. Most of the guys that fall in that range are gonna be pretty comparable to Candelario. Good tools, but haven't faced any advanced enough pitching for us to know what we've really got. Marco Hernandez, Gioskar Amaya, Dan Vogelbach, Shawon Dunston Jr., Mark Malave, etc... any one of those guys could rocket up the list with a good full season debut. (not to say they'll all get to full season ball this year).

[toonsterwu]

really? Candelerio is nothing more than a maybe top 20? everything i've read makes him seem like really a top 5 talent in a down system.

 

I have him roughly 16-20 right now. I'm not putting him ahead of Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt, Matt Szczur, Javier Baez, Marco Hernandez, and Dae-Eun Rhee. I could see a case for him at 7, I guess, but much as I am fascinated by Jeimer, he still has to grow into that hoped for power potential. But that's me.

[Little Slide Rooter]

really? Candelerio is nothing more than a maybe top 20? everything i've read makes him seem like really a top 5 talent in a down system.

 

There's almost no spread at all between ~6-30. Most of the guys that fall in that range are gonna be pretty comparable to Candelario. Good tools, but haven't faced any advanced enough pitching for us to know what we've really got. Marco Hernandez, Gioskar Amaya, Dan Vogelbach, Shawon Dunston Jr., Mark Malave, etc... any one of those guys could rocket up the list with a good full season debut. (not to say they'll all get to full season ball this year).

 

Basically, what it comes down to is that our upper levels are pretty weak and the strength in our farm system is in all of the lower level high ceiling guys we have, none of whom we really know just what to expect from.

[Guest]

Today at Instructs: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/10/14/jurica-slugs-giants-victory-indian-school-park

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I haven't kept careful track, but I bet Zeke DeVoss is doing really well the whole time. That guy is going to be useful one day...

 

Dunston Jr. OTOH has been pretty meh from what I remember reading.

[Guest]

Saturday at Instructs: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/10/15/big-cubs-comeback-leaves-rockies-fit-be-tied

 

Maples pitched well in 1 inning out of the pen. Zych was rocked.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Good to see Trey Martin have a nice day going 2-4 with 2 RBIs.

[Guest]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/10/17/cubs-2011-arizona-instructional-league-final-stats

 

Final instructs stats.

 

Candelario had an .820 OPS and Vogelbach a .132 IsoD.

 

Tayler Scott snuck under the radar with some nice pitching stats.

[Guest]

Awesome comment from AZ Phil: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/10/17/cubs-2011-arizona-instructional-league-final-stats#comment-190099

 

Some of the most interesting snippets:

 

17-year old switch-hitting 3B-1B Jeimer Candelario is an advanced hitter for his age. He has one of the those classic sweet lefty swings that produces line-drives from line-to line. He is OK RH, too, but it's more of a punch (NOT slap) swing. He has a large frame that could mean he will develop some significant HR power (probably more from the left side) down the line as he fills out and matures. I don't know if he can remain at 3B long-term, though. He might have to move to 1B, LF, or RF at some point.

 

Candelario loves to talk on the field (he speaks very good English), and I don't think a pitch goes by where you don't hear him shout something to the pitcher or to the other players. Despite being only 17, he seems to fancy himself a coach on the field.

 

1B Dan Vogelbach has awesome power (especially for an 18-year old), but he also will take outside pitches the other way and smoke a line-drive into the left-center alley. He is a VERY patient & choosy hitter who is not afraid to hit with two strikes. As a result, he might get called-out on strikes a bit more than the average hitter. A lot of the scouts and rival managers, coaches, and players talk about his "bad body," but he just keeps smiling, brushes it off, and just does his thing. Although he is certainly not fast, he is an aggressive base-runner who will take the extra-base if the opportunity presents itself. He is a special kid. If you told me he was John Kruk's son, I would believe it.

 

22-year old Cuban defector LHP Frank Del Valle had an outstanding Instructs, and looks to be ready to make a big move in 2012. While I suspect he will begin the 2012 season as a rotation starter at Daytona, I certainly would not be surprised if he finished the year at Tennessee.

 

Del Valle throws a low 90's fastball with movement, a plus-breaking ball, and a change, and he shows tremendous poise on the mound. He also has a nifty pick-off move that keeps base-runners from wanting to run on him.

 

20-year old 6'4 RHP Jose Arias was the #1 Cubs starter in the DSL in 2011, and he showed why at Instructs. He pounds the strike zone with a 94 MPH fastball and a solid breaking ball, and racks up the punch-outs. Arias was the Starling Peralta of this year's Instructs, and could follow a similar path as Peralta in 2011. (BTW, Peralta looked OK at 2011 Instructs, too, although his control was a bit off).