Boise should be fun to watch this year!

[Quakers]

According to an article on the cubs site.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120330&content_id=27766904&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

Javier Baez, the Cubs' No. 1 pick in 2011, signed late and saw minimal playing time last year at Class A Boise. He did get extra work in Arizona during the instructional league, and the Cubs had not decided where he'll open. Baez, drafted out of high school, will stay in Arizona for extended spring training and most likely play in Boise.

 

First baseman Dan Vogelbach may not have an athletic looking body, but he'll surprise people with his speed and agility. The left-handed hitter, who was the Cubs' second-round pick in 2011, has legitimate power but also a good eye. He's also expected to be launching balls at Boise.

 

Right-hander Dillon Maples had considered playing baseball and football at North Carolina but decided to pursue baseball when the Cubs selected him in the 14th round. He'll stay in extended spring training, and the team has yet to decide where he'll pitch. Boise?

 

Dunston, an outfielder, is the son of the former Cubs shortstop of the same name, and decided to postpone college after he was taken in the 11th round. A pleasant young man with the same bright smile as his dad, Dunston is super fast and expected to play at Boise.

 

Lockhart, a shortstop, is the son of former Major League infielder Keith Lockhart, who is now an area scout for the Cubs. Daniel was selected in the 10th round out of Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Ga. Watch him for a few games and you'll see he comes from a great gene pool. He'll also be at Boise.

 

Gretzky, a first baseman and son of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, is rehabbing from a shoulder injury, and will be in extended spring training with an assignment to be determined at a later date. Boise?

 

Also on a list showing the destinations of the top Cubs prospects: Jeimer Candelario and Gioskar Amaya will be at Boise too. Woo!

[Quakers]

Woo

 

The first series for Boise this year is at Salem. Should be a nice way to start my summer. 5 straight games of Boise baseball.

 

Boise will be in Eugene later in July, but with the price of gas,...I am not certain that I will want to drive that far.

[craig]

Yes, you could be loaded.

 

Of course, it's March now. some of these guys might get promoted from XST to Peoria over the next ten weeks before they ever get to Boise. But this could be the best prospect-heavy Boise team since the Cubs affiliated there.

 

May not be so strong in pitchers. Maples may be wilder than wild, or may be in Mesa, or may be in injury rehab, who knows.

 

The short-season pitching doesn't look at all strong, at present.

[toonsterwu]

The pitching isn't bad. There's some raw upside, particularly when you add in the rehab group. And considering it's Boise, there's a good chance that some of the picks in this summer's draft may end up there.

[davell]

I hate to temper your expectations, but I havr a feeling EXST is an indoctrination into the "Cubs Way" and we'll see Baez, Vogelbach, and maybe Candelario all moved up before the season starts.

[Quakers]

The pitching isn't bad. There's some raw upside, particularly when you add in the rehab group. And considering it's Boise, there's a good chance that some of the picks in this summer's draft may end up there.

 

The best Boise pitching prospects tend to be from June's draft and/or international players that were in Mesa last year.

[Quakers]

I hate to temper your expectations, but I havr a feeling EXST is an indoctrination into the "Cubs Way" and we'll see Baez, Vogelbach, and maybe Candelario all moved up before the season starts.

 

You must live near Peoria :wink:

 

It will be interesting to see how the new management changes the philosophy of how to place players at each level. Is it better to keep them at one place? Or is it better to move them mid-season when warranted? Is it better to challenge players, or better to give them a taste of success?

[Quakers]

Billy Buckner will be the hitting coach for Boise.

 

That could be interesting.

[Guest]

I could easily see someone like Baez making it to Peoria in May (as craig suggested).

 

Also, a college pick in the first round (one of the SP or Zunino) surely would make it to Boise this season.