2011 Arizona Fall League

[Guest]

I can't say I ever expected Josh Vitters to see any kind of significant time at 1B. His bat doesn't profile like a 1B bat really, even with power. 1B are usually one of the more patient bats on the team, and very rarely as contact oriented as Vitters is. So I have to say I'm surprised he's opening up the AFL there...I think he's a 3B or LF all the way in the long run...

 

LeMahieu hitting 4th is funny. I'm still a huge fan of the game and I'm hoping for a strong AFL from him. I want him battling Barney for the 2B job next year.

 

When are Cashner/McNutt hitting the mound?

 

Cashner will probably throw out of the pen Thursday. McNutt will start Friday.

[Rob]

Vitters with a 3 run HR already. I'm already dreaming of what a monster AFL could do for his prospect status.

[BeerHere]

Where are you getting the AFL boxscores? milb.com has nothing.

[Rob]

Where are you getting the AFL boxscores? milb.com has nothing.

 

No boxscore. Just some sparse info on twitter.

[Rob]

Another HR for Vitters. This time a 2 run shot.

 

2 HR, 5 RBI so far in the opener. Keith Law is ripping Vitters because both HR came on first pitch fastballs, but I think the time to complain about his approach is probably when he's making weak contact or striking out... not when he's mashing.

[Guest]

Box scores and Gamecast for the AFL are available via MLB.com, not MiLB.com. I don't have a direct link but you guys can Google "Arizona Fall League" and the first hit should get you to MLB's AFL page.

[Guest]

Another HR for Vitters. This time a 2 run shot.

 

2 HR, 5 RBI so far in the opener. Keith Law is ripping Vitters because both HR came on first pitch fastballs, but I think the time to complain about his approach is probably when he's making weak contact or striking out... not when he's mashing.

Law should be ripping on the pitcher for throwing first pitch fastballs to a hitter with the approach of Vitters.

[Guest]

10/4: Mesa lost 12-8 Box Score

 

3B DJ LeMahieu 0/2, 2 R, 2 BB, K, HBP

1B J. Vitters 2/4, 2 R, 2 HR (2), 5 RBI, SB (1)

DH J. Lake 0/3, R, BB, K, SB (1)

RP M. Hatley 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-1 GO-FO, 23-13 pitches-strikes

[SouthSideRyan]

Another HR for Vitters. This time a 2 run shot.

 

2 HR, 5 RBI so far in the opener. Keith Law is ripping Vitters because both HR came on first pitch fastballs, but I think the time to complain about his approach is probably when he's making weak contact or striking out... not when he's mashing.

 

His approach kind of reminds me of Juan Pierre's

[BeerHere]

Box scores and Gamecast for the AFL are available via MLB.com, not MiLB.com. I don't have a direct link but you guys can Google "Arizona Fall League" and the first hit should get you to MLB's AFL page.

Here's the link to the AFL scoreboard: http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=l_sco&lid=119

[Guest]

Box scores and Gamecast for the AFL are available via MLB.com, not MiLB.com. I don't have a direct link but you guys can Google "Arizona Fall League" and the first hit should get you to MLB's AFL page.

Here's the link to the AFL scoreboard: http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=l_sco&lid=119

 

Thanks. I was having problems navigating the Internet on my phone yesterday.

 

Chris Carpenter is scheduled to pitch out of the pen today.

[Guest]

Kevin Goldstein[/url]"]Josh Vitters, 1B, Cubs (Solar Sox): 2-for-4, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 5 RBI, SB. The progress is incremental, but it is in the right direction, and the swing is still awfully pretty.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Kevin Goldstein[/url]"]Josh Vitters, 1B, Cubs (Solar Sox): 2-for-4, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 5 RBI, SB. The progress is incremental, but it is in the right direction, and the swing is still awfully pretty.

 

I for one am excited for Vitters 2012. IMO he's a prime breakout candidate next year, especially once he reaches the friendly confines of the PCL.

 

It should also be noted that LeMahieu made his presence known as usual. This time it was by walking twice and scoring twice. Probably threw in some really solid D too. Have I mentioned that I think this guy can play?

[sneakypower]

yay, Vitters' numbers will be artificially inflated and he'll still be worthless

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

yay, Vitters' numbers will be artificially inflated and he'll still be worthless

 

Yea, we've heard. Realize that he'd have to hit well in AA to get promoted...forget it...his fate is sealed.

[Guest]

Vitters certainly isn't the best prospect in baseball or anything close to it. But it's comical to me how many times I've seen people disparage him entirely as a prospect on this site today. He played this season at age 21 in AA, put up okay numbers overall and had some very strong markers for future success. He's probably the most underrated hitter in the system at this point.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Vitters certainly isn't the best prospect in baseball or anything close to it. But it's comical to me how many times I've seen people disparage him entirely as a prospect on this site today. He played this season at age 21 in AA, put up okay numbers overall and had some very strong markers for future success. He's probably the most underrated hitter in the system at this point.

 

As soon as people accept the fact that he's never going to be a guy that takes a ton of walks, the better. I keep hearing how great his swing is, and he's definitely shown flashes of greatness. I don't think he'll ever live up to his orignal potential but will end up a solid big league starter.

 

Hopefully, we can sign Aramis to a team friendly 3 years deal, and if Vitters seems ready for the big leagues at the end of 2013, trade Aramis in the following offseason or if we're not contending mid season.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Vitters certainly isn't the best prospect in baseball or anything close to it. But it's comical to me how many times I've seen people disparage him entirely as a prospect on this site today. He played this season at age 21 in AA, put up okay numbers overall and had some very strong markers for future success. He's probably the most underrated hitter in the system at this point.

 

As soon as people accept the fact that he's never going to be a guy that takes a ton of walks, the better. I keep hearing how great his swing is, and he's definitely shown flashes of greatness. I don't think he'll ever live up to his orignal potential but will end up a solid big league starter.

 

Hopefully, we can sign Aramis to a team friendly 3 years deal, and if Vitters seems ready for the big leagues at the end of 2013, trade Aramis in the following offseason or if we're not contending mid season.

 

The weird thing is that the Cubs' best hitter over the past decade...Aramis Ramirez....doesn't BB a ton either...and was known for a pretty and fast RH swing. Not that Vitters is a lock to be a high end big league hitter, but I really don't think it's as out of the picture as is often painted. I love the tools at the plate...if you've seen in his swing in game it's legit. Built for contact and you can tell there's power a'comin....I agree with the underrated hitter line. He's got my favorite skillset amongst the upper level group, along with LeMahieu (who doesn't have Vitters' power or power potential).

[sneakypower]

even with his bat, Ramirez wouldn't have been a very valuable player, at 1B

 

the comparison is laughable though, take a minute sometime to look at Ramirez's MiLB numbers

[Cubs Fan Dan]

even with his bat, Ramirez wouldn't have been a very valuable player, at 1B

the comparison is laughable though, take a minute sometime to look at Ramirez's MiLB numbers

 

That is debateable, he averaged around 30 HR's and 100 RBI's and a .900+ OPS over a 5 year span from age 26-30. That is valuable at any position.

[Guest]

10/5: Mesa lost 10-5 Box Score

 

3B DJ LeMahieu 1/4, RBI, 2 K

1B J. Vitters 0/4, 2 K

SS J. Lake 3/4, 2 R, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, SB (2), E (1, throw)

RP C. Carpenter 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4-1 GO-FO, 17-12 pitches-strikes

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

even with his bat, Ramirez wouldn't have been a very valuable player, at 1B

 

the comparison is laughable though, take a minute sometime to look at Ramirez's MiLB numbers

 

Vitters played 1B yesterday. That does not = Vitters is a 1B forever.

 

I'm not making a direct comparison to them. I'm saying Ramirez isn't much of a walker, but is a high contact hitter with a fairly textbook swing that generates a ton of hard contact. Vitters has similar talents/potential skills, but hasn't put it together yet. I realize that by his age Ramirez had over 600+ PAs and was a much faster riser as a prospect. You'll notice in those 500 PAs Ramirez sucked pretty bad.

 

The Cubs' other best hitter...Castro...same thing. High contact, fast swing that generates a ton of hard contact , doesn't K much and doesn't walk much. '08/'10 Geo is like that...to a much lesser degree Barney is another guy with a textbook swing that generates alot of contact without many K's or BBs.

 

Vitters fits a profile that the Cubs have actually been pretty successful at developing, and has the pedigree of a top 5 draft pick who was not considered a reach by any means. That'd be enough to keep him somewhat interesting, but tracking this season this year was interesting itself. He had a couple of really hot streaks (one that was like 2-3 weeks in May/June) that were stopped by an injury and then a HBP in the head or hand. I think he's capable of opening up hot next year if/when he starts off in AA.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

10/5: Mesa lost 10-5 Box Score

 

3B DJ LeMahieu 1/4, RBI, 2 K

1B J. Vitters 0/4, 2 K

SS J. Lake 3/4, 2 R, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, SB (2), E (1, throw)

RP C. Carpenter 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4-1 GO-FO, 17-12 pitches-strikes

 

Good to see Carpenter doing well. I think he could be a key 'pen arm next year if he's not used in a trade this offseason. He's really got the potential for electric stuff out of the pen.

[Guest]

Carpenter hit 100 today.

[Guest]

10/6: Mesa lost 8-7 Box Score

 

1B J. Vitters 2/4, 2 RBI

DH DJ LeMahie 1/5, R, SB (1)

3B J. Lake 0/5, K, E (2, fielding)

 

McNutt is expected to start tomorrow and Cashner should come out of the pen on Saturday.