2011 Arizona Fall League

[Guest]

long time listener, first time caller!

 

i've followed the forum for more than 4 or 5 years, and i love your talk on the minor leagues. i may actually have relevant comments at some point, but i really just wanted to say thank you for all of your insights and information.

 

i've enjoyed raisin, outshined, tim, toonster, craig, and so many others. thank you! :D

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2708943#

 

Why don't the smilies work for me?

Go to the user control panel / board preferences / posting preferences (or something like that). There's an option to enable/disable smilies there.

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2709086#

When I go to the posting screen, I see smilies. What are you seeing?

[CUBZ99]

I watched the AFL Rising Stars game this weekend and was surprised at how big Lake was. I thought he looked pretty impressive at the plate, and had a great first AB against Hulzten, who was really dealing. He worked the count to his advantage and it looked like he was called out on strikes on ball 4. Second AB he showed he could hit to the opposite field on his 2b.

 

In the field he looked like there was some work to do. Early in the game he showed terrific range on a ball and then proceeded to make a bonehead throw. I would be interested to know what the pro scouts think, but based on his range, he shouldn't have any problem sticking at SS.

 

Overall, I was impressed and have officially jumped on the bandwagon.

 

Interestingly, McNutt came in for one batter and completely overpowered him. Seemed to have used 2 different off speed pitches and was hitting mid-90's. For some reason, he was removed immediately after striking the only batter he faced out.

[BeerHere]

long time listener, first time caller!

 

i've followed the forum for more than 4 or 5 years, and i love your talk on the minor leagues. i may actually have relevant comments at some point, but i really just wanted to say thank you for all of your insights and information.

 

i've enjoyed raisin, outshined, tim, toonster, craig, and so many others. thank you! :D

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2708943#

 

Why don't the smilies work for me?

Go to the user control panel / board preferences / posting preferences (or something like that). There's an option to enable/disable smilies there.

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2709086#

When I go to the posting screen, I see smilies. What are you seeing?

I see pure text: "p osting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2709086#"

[BeerHere]

long time listener, first time caller!

 

i've followed the forum for more than 4 or 5 years, and i love your talk on the minor leagues. i may actually have relevant comments at some point, but i really just wanted to say thank you for all of your insights and information.

 

i've enjoyed raisin, outshined, tim, toonster, craig, and so many others. thank you! :D

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2708943#

 

Why don't the smilies work for me?

Go to the user control panel / board preferences / posting preferences (or something like that). There's an option to enable/disable smilies there.

posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=2709086#

When I go to the posting screen, I see smilies. What are you seeing?

From the posting screen, I can select the smileys but they appear as just text. I don't want to derail the thread though. Not a big deal.

[UK1679666180]

I watched the AFL Rising Stars game this weekend and was surprised at how big Lake was. I thought he looked pretty impressive at the plate, and had a great first AB against Hulzten, who was really dealing. He worked the count to his advantage and it looked like he was called out on strikes on ball 4. Second AB he showed he could hit to the opposite field on his 2b.

 

In the field he looked like there was some work to do. Early in the game he showed terrific range on a ball and then proceeded to make a bonehead throw. I would be interested to know what the pro scouts think, but based on his range, he shouldn't have any problem sticking at SS.

 

Overall, I was impressed and have officially jumped on the bandwagon.

 

Interestingly, McNutt came in for one batter and completely overpowered him. Seemed to have used 2 different off speed pitches and was hitting mid-90's. For some reason, he was removed immediately after striking the only batter he faced out.

 

He's athletic enough to stick at SS, his instincts have never stood out nor hurt him. It depends on how well and how long he can maintain his athletic ability. He has tools for 3B long-term with his strength and bat speed.

[Guest]

I watched the AFL Rising Stars game this weekend and was surprised at how big Lake was. I thought he looked pretty impressive at the plate, and had a great first AB against Hulzten, who was really dealing. He worked the count to his advantage and it looked like he was called out on strikes on ball 4. Second AB he showed he could hit to the opposite field on his 2b.

 

In the field he looked like there was some work to do. Early in the game he showed terrific range on a ball and then proceeded to make a bonehead throw. I would be interested to know what the pro scouts think, but based on his range, he shouldn't have any problem sticking at SS.

 

Overall, I was impressed and have officially jumped on the bandwagon.

 

Interestingly, McNutt came in for one batter and completely overpowered him. Seemed to have used 2 different off speed pitches and was hitting mid-90's. For some reason, he was removed immediately after striking the only batter he faced out.

 

He's athletic enough to stick at SS, his instincts have never stood out nor hurt him. It depends on how well and how long he can maintain his athletic ability. He has tools for 3B long-term with his strength and bat speed.

Who plays 3B in the majors first, Lake or Vitters?

[UK1679666180]

I watched the AFL Rising Stars game this weekend and was surprised at how big Lake was. I thought he looked pretty impressive at the plate, and had a great first AB against Hulzten, who was really dealing. He worked the count to his advantage and it looked like he was called out on strikes on ball 4. Second AB he showed he could hit to the opposite field on his 2b.

 

In the field he looked like there was some work to do. Early in the game he showed terrific range on a ball and then proceeded to make a bonehead throw. I would be interested to know what the pro scouts think, but based on his range, he shouldn't have any problem sticking at SS.

 

Overall, I was impressed and have officially jumped on the bandwagon.

 

Interestingly, McNutt came in for one batter and completely overpowered him. Seemed to have used 2 different off speed pitches and was hitting mid-90's. For some reason, he was removed immediately after striking the only batter he faced out.

 

He's athletic enough to stick at SS, his instincts have never stood out nor hurt him. It depends on how well and how long he can maintain his athletic ability. He has tools for 3B long-term with his strength and bat speed.

Who plays 3B in the majors first, Lake or Vitters?

 

I'd go with lake. I haven't seen Vitters in a couple of years but it would've been a position where his bat would be a great asset to justify sticking him to there while another impact bats resided at 1B/LF, Vitters likely won't have the impact bat nor with the Cubs have impact players at 1B/LF when he is ready. Defensively, I thought Vitters was below avg. in range and instincts with avg arm strength.

[davell]

3 years from now, my prediction is Vitters is a starting LFer for a small market team and Lake is a super sub DeRosa like guy for us.

[Little Slide Rooter]

3 years from now, my prediction is Vitters is a starting LFer for a small market team and Lake is a super sub DeRosa like guy for us.

 

Are we talking -06-'08 DeRosa or the rest of his career?

[davell]

3 years from now, my prediction is Vitters is a starting LFer for a small market team and Lake is a super sub DeRosa like guy for us.

 

Are we talking -06-'08 DeRosa or the rest of his career?

He'll have those years, but not until he's in his late 20's, is my guess. For a few years, I'd expect more of a ,255/.300/.425 line.

[javy knows my name]

Everything I hear about Lake indicates a total boom-or-bust guy. People aren't high on him because it's likely he'll be on an MLB roster. They're high on him because if his pitch selection and contact ability improve, and he figures out how to field his position adequately (sound familiar?), he's a potential superstar.

 

DeRosa just doesn't seem close to his two most likely outcomes.

[sneakypower]

i'll never understand the superstar thing

 

if his pitch selection and contact ability improve enough to approaching "just dreadful" levels, he can be José Hernández plus some steals; if not, he can become Ronny Cedeno

[imb]

Everything I hear about Lake indicates a total boom-or-bust guy. People aren't high on him because it's likely he'll be on an MLB roster. They're high on him because if his pitch selection and contact ability improve, and he figures out how to field his position adequately (sound familiar?), he's a potential superstar.

 

DeRosa just doesn't seem close to his two most likely outcomes.

 

Im assuming the derosa comment was because he could play 2B/3B/LF/RF in a pinch.

[Guest]

Everything I hear about Lake indicates a total boom-or-bust guy. People aren't high on him because it's likely he'll be on an MLB roster. They're high on him because if his pitch selection and contact ability improve, and he figures out how to field his position adequately (sound familiar?), he's a potential superstar.

 

DeRosa just doesn't seem close to his two most likely outcomes.

 

Im assuming the derosa comment was because he could play 2B/3B/LF/RF in a pinch.

DeRosa can only dream about being as fast as Lake.

[imb]

and lake can only dream of having a beard like derosa. i think the comparison was more based on utility than hitter profile.

[SouthSideRyan]

But Lake's Dominican.

[javy knows my name]

Everything I hear about Lake indicates a total boom-or-bust guy. People aren't high on him because it's likely he'll be on an MLB roster. They're high on him because if his pitch selection and contact ability improve, and he figures out how to field his position adequately (sound familiar?), he's a potential superstar.

 

DeRosa just doesn't seem close to his two most likely outcomes.

 

Im assuming the derosa comment was because he could play 2B/3B/LF/RF in a pinch.

 

Fair enough. I just heard solid utility player and I don't see that as a likely outcome.

[Guest]

and lake can only dream of having a beard like derosa. i think the comparison was more based on utility than hitter profile.

I'm a bit confused, then. You could take pretty much any SS with a bit of pop and compare them with DeRosa, then. In addition to playing 2B, 3B, LF & Rf, Lake would also be able to play a credible SS and should be able to cover CF based on his speed.

[imb]

and lake can only dream of having a beard like derosa. i think the comparison was more based on utility than hitter profile.

I'm a bit confused, then. You could take pretty much any SS with a bit of pop and compare them with DeRosa, then. In addition to playing 2B, 3B, LF & Rf, Lake would also be able to play a credible SS and should be able to cover CF based on his speed.

 

Yeah, but how many actually do that? And how many of those types have we had on the cubs, recently? This is such a weird thing for me to nitpick, but I'm just saying that I took the comment as him looking into the future and seeing Lake's role on the team being a guy that fills in at different positions.

 

I'm sure you could stick castro in LF and he wouldn't soriano himself, but the cubs don't do that. It might just be that it ends up being Lake's role, though.

[CubsWin]

and lake can only dream of having a beard like derosa. i think the comparison was more based on utility than hitter profile.

I'm a bit confused, then. You could take pretty much any SS with a bit of pop and compare them with DeRosa, then. In addition to playing 2B, 3B, LF & Rf, Lake would also be able to play a credible SS and should be able to cover CF based on his speed.

 

Yeah, but how many actually do that? And how many of those types have we had on the cubs, recently? This is such a weird thing for me to nitpick, but I'm just saying that I took the comment as him looking into the future and seeing Lake's role on the team being a guy that fills in at different positions.

 

I'm sure you could stick castro in LF and he wouldn't soriano himself, but the cubs don't do that. It might just be that it ends up being Lake's role, though.

What the Cubs do and don't do is a very fluid concept right now.

[Vinestal]

Via Twitter:

 

@CarrieMuskat

#Cubs prospect Josh Vitters went 3-for-4, including solo HR, to help Mesa beat Salt River, 8-4, in AZ Fall League

[Vinestal]

(11/9): Jeff Beliveau: 0R, 0H, BB, K in 1 IP;Andrew Cashner: 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K in 1 IP(W);Chris Carpenter: 0R, 1H, 0BB, K in 1IP

[imb]

and lake can only dream of having a beard like derosa. i think the comparison was more based on utility than hitter profile.

I'm a bit confused, then. You could take pretty much any SS with a bit of pop and compare them with DeRosa, then. In addition to playing 2B, 3B, LF & Rf, Lake would also be able to play a credible SS and should be able to cover CF based on his speed.

 

Yeah, but how many actually do that? And how many of those types have we had on the cubs, recently? This is such a weird thing for me to nitpick, but I'm just saying that I took the comment as him looking into the future and seeing Lake's role on the team being a guy that fills in at different positions.

 

I'm sure you could stick castro in LF and he wouldn't soriano himself, but the cubs don't do that. It might just be that it ends up being Lake's role, though.

What the Cubs do and don't do is a very fluid concept right now.

 

i am 100 percent certain castro will not play in LF this season.

[Guest]

Apologies, haven't posted updates since the weekend:

 

11/5: AFL East Rising Stars lost 11-2 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 1/3, R, 2B (1), 2 K, E (1, throw)

RP C. Carpenter 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-0 GO-FO

RP T. McNutt 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

[Guest]

11/7: Mesa PPD - Rain

 

11/8: Mesa lost 13-3 Box Score

 

SS J. Lake 0/3, BB, 2 K

3B DJ LeMahieu 2/4, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB (12)

SP T. McNutt 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-1 GO-FO, 22-12 pitches-strikes

RP M. Hatley 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-0 GO-FO, 12-8 pitches-strikes