2011 Arizona Fall League

[Guest]

10/29: Mesa won 8-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI, K

1B J. Vitters 3/4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI, K, PO

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO, 15-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO, 24-12 pitches-strikes

RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 12-7 pitches-strikes

At least Cashner threw strikes?

[CUBZ99]

10/29: Mesa won 8-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI, K

1B J. Vitters 3/4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI, K, PO

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO, 15-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO, 24-12 pitches-strikes

RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 12-7 pitches-strikes

 

I have to admit I have never been that high on Lake, but him and Vitters have been real impressive during the AFL. I'm still worried about Vitters patience but I hope that this is something that both players can carry forward to next year.

[Guest]

10/29: Mesa won 8-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI, K

1B J. Vitters 3/4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI, K, PO

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO, 15-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO, 24-12 pitches-strikes

RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 12-7 pitches-strikes

 

I have to admit I have never been that high on Lake, but him and Vitters have been real impressive during the AFL. I'm still worried about Vitters patience but I hope that this is something that both players can carry forward to next year.

There's still plenty of room on the bandwagon for each of them. Come on board early and get a good seat!

[Guest]

Some comments from Vitters in tomorrow's Trib.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1030-josh-vitters-cubs-chicago--20111030,0,6733728.story

 

After batting .223 with a .292 on-base percentage in 63 games with Tennessee in 2010, there apparently was plenty for Vitters to learn.

 

"I wouldn't say there was one (specific) thing," Vitters said. "I think I just matured a bit, as far as my game goes. I learned to read pitchers a little better, how to have a better mental approach during the game and before the game. Those things helped me pick up on what I needed to learn."

 

Vitters struck out only 54 times in 449 at-bats as the result of improved pitch selection.

 

"I'm an aggressive hitter, and I always have been," Vitters said. "I'm just trying to make sure it's my pitch I'm swinging at — not the pitcher's pitch."

 

Vitters is aware a new set of eyes will be evaluating him with Theo Epstein, the new Cubs' president of baseball operations, overseeing a new administration.

 

"It's kind of a big deal with the Cubs' organization with everything going on," said Vitters, who has been with the Cubs since he signed out of high school in 2007. "It's definitely a big deal. But in a sense, it doesn't affect me because I still need to get better and be good enough to play in the big leagues every day."

 

 

Also a quote from Fleita

 

But the Cubs aren't overly worried about Vitters' ability to play the outfield. He's playing positions to get more live at-bats.

 

"He will play third base in 2012," said Oneri Fleita, the Cubs' vice president of player personnel.

[Guest]

Some comments from Vitters in tomorrow's Trib.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1030-josh-vitters-cubs-chicago--20111030,0,6733728.story

 

After batting .223 with a .292 on-base percentage in 63 games with Tennessee in 2010, there apparently was plenty for Vitters to learn.

 

"I wouldn't say there was one (specific) thing," Vitters said. "I think I just matured a bit, as far as my game goes. I learned to read pitchers a little better, how to have a better mental approach during the game and before the game. Those things helped me pick up on what I needed to learn."

 

Vitters struck out only 54 times in 449 at-bats as the result of improved pitch selection.

 

"I'm an aggressive hitter, and I always have been," Vitters said. "I'm just trying to make sure it's my pitch I'm swinging at — not the pitcher's pitch."

 

Vitters is aware a new set of eyes will be evaluating him with Theo Epstein, the new Cubs' president of baseball operations, overseeing a new administration.

 

"It's kind of a big deal with the Cubs' organization with everything going on," said Vitters, who has been with the Cubs since he signed out of high school in 2007. "It's definitely a big deal. But in a sense, it doesn't affect me because I still need to get better and be good enough to play in the big leagues every day."

 

 

Also a quote from Fleita

 

But the Cubs aren't overly worried about Vitters' ability to play the outfield. He's playing positions to get more live at-bats.

 

"He will play third base in 2012," said Oneri Fleita, the Cubs' vice president of player personnel.

It's a start.

 

--- eta

 

I just noticed the quote from Fleita at the end. That's good news to me. I still have hope for him at 3B - he's easily still young enough to improve his defense to be at least passable there. There's a much, much lower bar offensively at 3B than OF or 1B these days.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Hop on the Vitters wagon while there's still seats.

 

Edit: Wow. Looked up.

Edited October 30, 2011 by KingKongvs.Godzilla

[Rob]

10/29: Mesa won 8-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI, K

1B J. Vitters 3/4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI, K, PO

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO, 15-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO, 24-12 pitches-strikes

RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 12-7 pitches-strikes

 

I have to admit I have never been that high on Lake, but him and Vitters have been real impressive during the AFL. I'm still worried about Vitters patience but I hope that this is something that both players can carry forward to next year.

There's still plenty of room on the bandwagon for each of them. Come on board early and get a good seat!

 

It'll be nice to have company.

[RammyFanny]

10/29: Mesa won 8-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI, K

1B J. Vitters 3/4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI, K, PO

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO, 15-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO, 24-12 pitches-strikes

RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 12-7 pitches-strikes

 

I have to admit I have never been that high on Lake, but him and Vitters have been real impressive during the AFL. I'm still worried about Vitters patience but I hope that this is something that both players can carry forward to next year.

There's still plenty of room on the bandwagon for each of them. Come on board early and get a good seat!

 

It'll be nice to have company.

Hey, i'm the one who's had him as my profile pic since the draft 8-)

 

And...unfortunately Jay Jackson that i've been lazy to change. But maybe he'll suprise.

[Redfoot]

Vitters has repeated the last two leagues he's played in so I'm going to wait until he performs well when given a new challenge before I'm ready to change my opinion of him.

[Guest]

Vitters has repeated the last two leagues he's played in so I'm going to wait until he performs well when given a new challenge before I'm ready to change my opinion of him.

Welcome to the forum!

 

The flip side of that argument is that he's been extremely young for those leagues and has likely been pushed to them before he was really ready.

[Guest]

btw - I love a new member whose first post is in the minor league forum. :)

[Redfoot]

Thanks!

 

That's a really good point. He was young for those leagues and the improvement he's shown this past year is encouraging. I just really want to see him continue that improvement at the next level.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I didn't realize Vitters' 2012 position was even in question.

 

The instant he move off 3b, his upside takes a significant hit, and his prospect status is based entirely on his upside.

[Guest]

I didn't realize Vitters' 2012 position was even in question.

 

The instant he move off 3b, his upside takes a significant hit, and his prospect status is based entirely on his upside.

I think you're overstating things a bit. This is a kid who currently makes great contact and hits for okay power. If that was all he was ever going to be, he'd have some prospect cache. It is true, though, that the reason I'm still hanging onto hopes for him breaking out in a big way is because of the upside.

 

But that's true for any prospect.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I didn't realize Vitters' 2012 position was even in question.

 

The instant he move off 3b, his upside takes a significant hit, and his prospect status is based entirely on his upside.

 

While I disagree that his upside is entirely based on his upside (he's got some skill), I do agree that there was never a question where he'd play in 2012. He's at 3B until it's absolutely 100% true that he's a butcher there.

[Guest]

Chris Carpenter, Trey McNutt and Junior Lake were named to the AFL Rising Stars Game.

[ctcf]

Man Lake has been tanking lately.

[Guest]

Man Lake has been tanking lately.

He walked and stole a base today. Sometimes the balls in play don't fall in for hits.

[CUBZ99]

Vitters has repeated the last two leagues he's played in so I'm going to wait until he performs well when given a new challenge before I'm ready to change my opinion of him.

Welcome to the forum!

 

The flip side of that argument is that he's been extremely young for those leagues and has likely been pushed to them before he was really ready.

 

That and he improved the second time around in both leagues. I can't wait to see how he handles Iowa, as hitter friendly as the PCL has been I could see him putting up some big numbers.

[Guest]

10/31:

 

Mesa won 3-1 Box Score

 

DH J. Lake 1/4, R, 3B (2), K, SB (14)

3B DJ LeMahieu 0/4, K

[Guest]

11/1:

 

Mesa lost 7-5 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 0/4, BB, K, SB (15)

DH J. Vitters 1/5, R, 2B (5)

3B DJ LeMahieu 1/5

SP T. McNutt 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 3 HR, 3-2 GO-FO, 53-31 pitches-strikes

RP A. Cashner 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3-0 GO-FO, 17-10 pitches-strikes

[TruffleShuffle]

Man Lake has been tanking lately.

He walked and stole a base today. Sometimes the balls in play don't fall in for hits.

 

he's hitting almost .300 despite striking out in 27.4% of his at bats. babip would not seem to be the problem here.

[Guest]

Man Lake has been tanking lately.

He walked and stole a base today. Sometimes the balls in play don't fall in for hits.

 

he's hitting almost .300 despite striking out in 27.4% of his at bats. babip would not seem to be the problem here.

lately

[Guest]

SP T. McNutt 3 IP, 3 HR

ouch

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

SP T. McNutt 3 IP, 3 HR

ouch

 

Yeah beside the Lemahieu suckage that was the first thing I noticed.

 

Lemahieu is bombing out lately wtheckaroo