Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-11-12

[toonsterwu]

I hope Soto can get it going, so we can trade him for something solid. I'm pretty sold on giving Castillo the starting gig next year.

 

Wasn't there talk of a deal with TB centered around Jeff Niemann or Wade Davis at one point in the offseason? I'd take it if we could get a decent prospect as well.

 

I'd rather go for guys a few ticks down the chain age wise. Davis is going to be 27 this year (albeit, late). Niemann is 29. Unless the FO somehow thinks that either guy is going to take significant steps forward, I'd rather get a package of youngsters, even if the risk is higher.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Any reports on McNutt's stuff this year? Last year he was working on mechanics doing the Josh Beckett (going from arms over head during windup to not doing that...or it could be the other way around, I forget)...Like CR said just happy to see he's getting K's and not giving up hits.

 

I was surprised to find that I liked McNutt on the mound...more athletic than I thought. I thought he was overrated going into last year, but I saw hints of why you might have come away impressed with him if you saw him in 2010.

[chattbaseball]

And Tennessee is facing one of the best prospects in baseball, James Paxton. They got 1 in the 1st thanks to 3 consecutive singles by Watkins (bunt), Ha (bunt) and Ridling, followed by a sac fly by Bour.

 

Rebel Ridling is one of the most underrated players in the Cubs system.

[sneakypower]

5 K in 22 PA, wtf Ronald?

[SouthSideRyan]

I hope Soto can get it going, so we can trade him for something solid. I'm pretty sold on giving Castillo the starting gig next year.

 

Wasn't there talk of a deal with TB centered around Jeff Niemann or Wade Davis at one point in the offseason? I'd take it if we could get a decent prospect as well.

 

I swear you try to trade for Wade Davis every week, and I have no idea why.

[davell]

5 K in 22 PA, wtf Ronald?

Yeah, I've noticed that too. Not going to get concerned until we're 100 at bats in or so. Same with Hernandez' slow start.

[toonsterwu]

And Tennessee is facing one of the best prospects in baseball, James Paxton. They got 1 in the 1st thanks to 3 consecutive singles by Watkins (bunt), Ha (bunt) and Ridling, followed by a sac fly by Bour.

 

Rebel Ridling is one of the most underrated players in the Cubs system.

 

Agreed. It's a tough spot for Rebel. He really should be in AAA, not because of his age, but more because he did fairly well in AA last year. With Rizzo at first, and the stogap OF's like Sappelt and Campana needing time, though, he got bumped down. He's a bit more athletic than I thought he was, and, if he develops, could be a possible corner backup (more 1st/LF, but in an emergency, I wouldn't have an issue with him in RF). Ideally, he's at first, but Justin Bour really can't play another position besides 1st/DH.

 

He's not a stud prospect by any means, outside of a killer name, but he's got a chance to be in the bigs at some point. He gets a bit overlooked now with Rizzo ahead of him and the youngsters in XST. For some reason, I get the feeling that Bour seems to get more love from Cubs fans than Rebel.