Cubs Sign 19 year old Cuban LHP Gerardo Concepcion

[ScrubMD]

That's a dumb plan, because the Cubs are one of the teams interested in the other guys.

 

.

 

But we also have enough available money that if Theo and Jed want one or both enough, they can afford to overpay, perhaps more so than the other suiters. Even if it was something like 8/80, while its a high risk it's not high enough that it would hurt us in the long run.

 

8/80 couldn't hurt us in the long run?

[C.C.]

he's just upset concepcion doesn't have red hair and nice toes

 

Fair enough.

[C.C.]

It's sad that we all get excited over this. This off season has sucked pee-pee.

 

It'd be a big deal for any team. High profile Cuban pitching talent hasn't really crapped the bed...not that I can remember.

 

High profile?

[davell]

So, with this being a major league deal and with him being at Spring Training now, my guess is we'll see him begin his season at Daytona, instead of Peoria.

[Guest]

It's sad that we all get excited over this. This off season has sucked pee-pee.

 

It'd be a big deal for any team. High profile Cuban pitching talent hasn't really crapped the bed...not that I can remember.

 

High profile?

 

Yes this is a high profile IFA signing, unlike those other Cubans we signed last month who are just guys.

[Named After Maddux]

I love this deal. I think the key take away point is we added a quality prospect at a need "position" (Wilken said the area we needed to improve the most was young left-handed pitching). The price hasn't been officially announced and if it is as high as mentioned then I appreciate Ricketts spending the money to add a prospect in the last open off season for IFA. Regardless of the exact price it appears to be a quality addition to our farm.

[Little Slide Rooter]

That's a dumb plan, because the Cubs are one of the teams interested in the other guys.

 

.

 

But we also have enough available money that if Theo and Jed want one or both enough, they can afford to overpay, perhaps more so than the other suiters. Even if it was something like 8/80, while its a high risk it's not high enough that it would hurt us in the long run.

 

8/80 couldn't hurt us in the long run?

 

Hurt? Ok, maybe. Cripple? No.

[Guest]

For those who haven't ventured over there yet, craig posted this in the Minor League forum.

 

Cubs have signed Concepcion, to a massive contract. I can't vouch for any of the accuracy, but there are rumors of $7M and major-league contract. They scout him very differently and much more favorably than the Yankee blog mentioned earlier, as pitching comfortably 91-93, touching well above that, and being 6'3".

 

If their scouting is vindicated, he could be a high-ceiling guy with more than back-of-rotation potential.

 

Awesome, awesome, awesome.

 

Super exciting.

 

I like.

[mookie]

Oh boy! Soler time!

 

I was at work when I was made aware of this by a buddy. I jumped and shouted. I am absolutely loving the crap out of this off season.

[Rob]

It's sad that we all get excited over this. This off season has sucked pee-pee.

 

It'd be a big deal for any team. High profile Cuban pitching talent hasn't really crapped the bed...not that I can remember.

 

High profile?

 

He's either the most high profile of the low profile Cubans, or the most low profile of the high profile Cubans.

 

For $7 mil, I'd lean towards the latter.

[sneakypower]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

[KingCubsFan]

It's sad that we all get excited over this. This off season has sucked pee-pee.

 

It'd be a big deal for any team. High profile Cuban pitching talent hasn't really crapped the bed...not that I can remember.

Ariel Prieto?

[ctcf]

Regardless of the complications the major league deal brings, the Cubs system desperately needs pitching and this is a solid step towards fixing that need. Good times.

[abuck1220]

I'm happy we got him. The contract feels a touch high though.

 

i don't think any of us have to pitch in. i'll have to confirm that though.

[Guest]

Not sure about the comfortably 91-93, that doesn't match other reports. Then again, Goldstein rating him the 6th rated prospect in the Cubs system doesn't match with a back of rotation ceiling.

 

@Ben Badler International scouts not sure how Concepcion could command $7MM. Finesse lefty, lots of 86-90 on the gun lately.

 

Yes. Fantastic polish for age, not crazy stuff. RT @MathewPrzybylo: @Kevin_Goldstein most scouts view Concepcion as end of rotation guy?

 

@Kevin_Goldstein $7 million for Gerardo Concepcion is just wacky. Shows inflation of pre new-CBA dynamics.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Gerardo Concepcion, lhp

 

Concepcion, 19, was the rookie of the year in Cuba in 2010-11, when he posted a 3.36 ERA in 101 2/3 innings pitching for the Industriales. While his ERA ranked 11th in the league, he averaged just 4.7 strikeouts per nine innings with 53 strikeouts and 43 walks, though he was facing much older competition in Cuba. He defected last June in the Netherlands at the World Port Tournament, though he didn't pitch there.

 

Concepcion is a slender 6-foot-2 with long arms, sloped shoulders and an athletic, wiry build that could have some projection remaining. He has advanced feel for pitching for his age and has shown the ability to pitch with his fastball to both sides of the plate, though he doesn't have the stuff to miss many bats. At times his fastball ranges from 88-92 mph, though some scouts have said they've seen him dip to 86-90 mph at times.

 

Concepcion has had success in Cuba by being able to change speeds to keep hitters off balance. Some scouts like Concepcion's mid-70s curveball, which shows good depth at times, but others say it gets loopy. He throws slightly across his body, which provides him with a little deception, but it's a concern for some scouts who think his mechanics hamper his ability to get to the front side of his delivery and show consistency with his breaking ball. Concepcion also throws a changeup (some scouts have called it a splitter), though like many young pitchers it's still a work in progress.

 

While some scouts view Concepcion's upside as a No. 5 starter, others see a bit more, though with his present stuff it's hard to project more than a back-end starter for now. Concepcion, who became a free agent earlier this month, would likely begin his career at one of the Class A levels.

[KingCubsFan]

Generally, I would think an 18 year-old 6'2" lefty who has plus control, touches 92, and has the makings of a plus breaking ball would have a ceiling higher than a 4th or 5th starter. It will be interesting to see the radar readings this year.

[Guest]

Generally, I would think an 18 year-old 6'2" lefty who has plus control, touches 92, and has the makings of a plus breaking ball would have a ceiling higher than a 4th or 5th starter. It will be interesting to see the radar readings this year.

 

Agreed.

[toonsterwu]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

 

Not really ... there's a lot of concerns about Szczur's ceiling now, as much as there are concerns about his current ability, and if he liked Concepcion's upside enough, that makes some sense. Don't know if I'd agree with the placement, but there's a case for it.

 

Notably, he would likely have him behind Maples. Really dislike the MLB aspect to the deal, but understand it somewhat.

Edited February 3, 2012 by toonsterwu

[Rob]

Generally, I would think an 18 year-old 6'2" lefty who has plus control, touches 92, and has the makings of a plus breaking ball would have a ceiling higher than a 4th or 5th starter. It will be interesting to see the radar readings this year.

 

Agreed.

 

Yup.

[SouthSideRyan]

[Clem Fandango]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

 

They redid the Top 10 recently...

 

1. Brett Jackson, OF

2. Javier Baez, SS

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Matt Szczur, OF

5. Trey McNutt, RHP

6. Dillon Maples, RHP

7. Welington Castillo, C

8. Rafael Dolis, RHP

9. Junior Lake, SS

10. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612879.html

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Generally, I would think an 18 year-old 6'2" lefty who has plus control, touches 92, and has the makings of a plus breaking ball would have a ceiling higher than a 4th or 5th starter. It will be interesting to see the radar readings this year.

 

Exactly...especially when 18 and 6'2 are being combined with words and phrases like wiry and long arms.

 

This is a really fun offseason and it's only the beginning...Can't wait 'til they flip some of these prospects for Justin Upton/David Price/Felix Hernandez one of these days.

[MSG T]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

 

They redid the Top 10 recently...

 

1. Brett Jackson, OF

2. Javier Baez, SS

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Matt Szczur, OF

5. Trey McNutt, RHP

6. Dillon Maples, RHP

7. Welington Castillo, C

8. Rafael Dolis, RHP

9. Junior Lake, SS

10. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612879.html

 

 

OK, so I'm confused. With the current top 10 being what it is, and Goldstein saying Concepcion would land at 6 with a ceiling as a fifth starter, what is Maples projected at? They have to be around the same age, and if GC is now higher on the list, wouldn't that suggest a higher ceiling? Or are they saying Maples might have the higher ceiling, but GC is currently more polished but with a lower ceiling? Just seems kind of odd given the (relative) buildup of Maples prior to the draft.

[Tedward]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

 

They redid the Top 10 recently...

 

1. Brett Jackson, OF

2. Javier Baez, SS

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Matt Szczur, OF

5. Trey McNutt, RHP

6. Dillon Maples, RHP

7. Welington Castillo, C

8. Rafael Dolis, RHP

9. Junior Lake, SS

10. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612879.html

 

 

OK, so I'm confused. With the current top 10 being what it is, and Goldstein saying Concepcion would land at 6 with a ceiling as a fifth starter, what is Maples projected at? They have to be around the same age, and if GC is now higher on the list, wouldn't that suggest a higher ceiling? Or are they saying Maples might have the higher ceiling, but GC is currently more polished but with a lower ceiling? Just seems kind of odd given the (relative) buildup of Maples prior to the draft.

 

I believe part of the confusion may be related to the list above being from Baseball America......Goldstein writes for Baseball Prospectus (he had Maples at #4 overall on his list).

[Little Slide Rooter]

pre-trades, Goldstein ranked Szczur 5th amongst our prospects

 

safely assuming Rizzo's in our top 5 now, this has to mean he prefers Concepcion to Szczur, which is pretty wild

 

They redid the Top 10 recently...

 

1. Brett Jackson, OF

2. Javier Baez, SS

3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4. Matt Szczur, OF

5. Trey McNutt, RHP

6. Dillon Maples, RHP

7. Welington Castillo, C

8. Rafael Dolis, RHP

9. Junior Lake, SS

10. Josh Vitters, 3B/1B

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2012/2612879.html

 

 

OK, so I'm confused. With the current top 10 being what it is, and Goldstein saying Concepcion would land at 6 with a ceiling as a fifth starter, what is Maples projected at? They have to be around the same age, and if GC is now higher on the list, wouldn't that suggest a higher ceiling? Or are they saying Maples might have the higher ceiling, but GC is currently more polished but with a lower ceiling? Just seems kind of odd given the (relative) buildup of Maples prior to the draft.

 

I believe part of the confusion may be related to the list above being from Baseball America......Goldstein writes for Baseball Prospectus (he had Maples at #4 overall on his list).

 

Looking at that list, 6 looks like the perfect spot, maybe 7. After that, we have a lot of intriguing guys, but nobody particularly inspiring. Lake and Vitters cold both be viewed as better though.