Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-18-12

[Outshined_One]

Box Scores

 

Iowa lost 6-4 Box Score

 

Tennessee lost Game 1 of their DH 2-1 Box Score

 

Tennessee won Game 2 of their DH 2-0 Box Score

 

Peoria lost 5-2 Box Score

 

OVERALL: 1-3

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: RHP Jay Jackson (1-0, 4.66 ERA, 9.2 IP, 6 K, 4 BB)

Tennessee (game one): RHP Dallas Beeler (0-0, 1.64 ERA, 11 IP, 4 K, 1 BB)

Tennessee (game two): RHP Dae-Eun Rhee (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 12 IP, 9 K, 2 BB)

Peoria: RHP Jose Rosario (1-0, 5.23 ERA, 10.1 IP, 4 K, 5 BB)

[toonsterwu]

So far, so good for Beeler (albeit, only through 2). Here's hoping he can develop his secondary stuff a bit more this season. He sure can get guys to pound balls into the dirt - a few more swing and misses would really go a long way for him.

[toonsterwu]

Painful to watch the AA and A+ lineups at times. They sure aren't helping Beeler ... he's pitched a heck of a game so far, but it's only 1-0, and a man on 2nd.

[ctcf]

Painful to watch the AA and A+ lineups at times. They sure aren't helping Beeler ... he's pitched a heck of a game so far, but it's only 1-0, and a man on 2nd.

 

I'd imagine he's done for the night after 78 pitches. Pretty encouraging game, all things considered.

 

5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

 

Currently sporting a 1.13 ERA

[Guest]

Wow - nice to see some strikeouts out of Beeler.

[toonsterwu]

Beeler's done. Gave up 9 hits, but only 2 were XBH's. 5.2 ip, 9 h, 1 bb, 1 unearned, 5 K's, 90 pitches, 8:1 GO/FO.

[toonsterwu]

Tough loss in Game 1. We had 2 men on with 1 out, but couldn't drive anyone in. Prince tripled off Rhoderick, and Gennett gave Huntsville the victory. Here's hoping for better in Game 2.

[ctcf]

Don't look now but:

 

Ryan Searle: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Doins are being done down in Iowa. Rizzo punked and opposing pitcher ejected according to Gameday.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I was trying to go as long as possible without mentioning it to avoid being accused of being over exctited about a AAAAer, but damn, Luis Valbuenas been a monster.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Don't look now but:

 

Ryan Searle: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

 

Very impressive. More importantly, any reason Rhee didn't start?

[Little Slide Rooter]

So how close is Jay Jackson to the organizational tag?

[Guest]

Don't look now but:

 

Ryan Searle: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

 

Very impressive. More importantly, any reason Rhee didn't start?

 

Teams often start a long reliever in a doubleheader since they're only 7 innings in minor league game which is why I was surprised to see Rhee listed as a probable starter for game 2 today. Rhee is slated to start tomorrow.

[Guest]

Today at Extended Spring Training, Cubs played a split squad game: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2012/04/18/cubs-play-win-and-also-tie-indian-school-park

 

Starling Peralta with 3 perfect innings. Vogelbach, Bogaerts, Contreras and Schlecht each had a double. Luis Acosta went 0/0 with a BB after coming in late at second base and Mark Malave started at third base, going 1/2 with a BB and a single.

 

In the other game, Candelario was the only Cub with an XBH (a double). Jin-Young Kim threw 2 perfect innings.

[toonsterwu]

I was trying to go as long as possible without mentioning it to avoid being accused of being over exctited about a AAAAer, but damn, Luis Valbuenas been a monster.

 

He's intriguing because he's not that old (granted, 26 isn't young either), plays a position (2nd) where our starter is pedestrian (to say the least), and has had offensive success in the PCL and IL. It sure seems like some poor luck with batted balls has hurt him in his last 2 trial runs in the majors in the last 2 years (along with a surprising lack of pop). Considering that it is a rebuilding year, giving him a look at 2nd at some point (and perhaps as the number 2 hitter?) should definitely be considered if he keeps this up. It's not as if we have better options kicking down the door for the position.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I was trying to go as long as possible without mentioning it to avoid being accused of being over exctited about a AAAAer, but damn, Luis Valbuenas been a monster.

 

He's intriguing because he's not that old (granted, 26 isn't young either), plays a position (2nd) where our starter is pedestrian (to say the least), and has had offensive success in the PCL and IL. It sure seems like some poor luck with batted balls has hurt him in his last 2 trial runs in the majors in the last 2 years (along with a surprising lack of pop). Considering that it is a rebuilding year, giving him a look at 2nd at some point (and perhaps as the number 2 hitter?) should definitely be considered if he keeps this up. It's not as if we have better options kicking down the door for the position.

 

If the current big league team doesn't get on track in the next month or so, I understand not wanting to bring up Jackson, Rizzo, and Vitters but I wouldnt be surprised to see the likes of Valbuena, Cardenas, and Sappelt by June.

[JockJones]

Nice to see BJax go a game without striking out.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

So how close is Jay Jackson to the organizational tag?

 

2-3 years ago.

 

Dallas Beeler intrigues me like he intrigues everyone. Timmers and a couple guys used to talk about him as a sinker/slider guy, but I've never read a full scouting report. Does he throw hard (guess - 88-91 with some 93s)? How good is his breaking pitch? Love that he gets ground balls, but this is his age 23 season so how optimistic should I be? Seems like a guy who might be a BOR type arm, BUT also seems like he's a notch up from the other BOR types in the system. Quick Google tells me that BA said he had the best control in the system....that's good considering he's not truly a junkballer (though he's probably close).

[Guest]

So how close is Jay Jackson to the organizational tag?

 

2-3 years ago.

 

Dallas Beeler intrigues me like he intrigues everyone. Timmers and a couple guys used to talk about him as a sinker/slider guy, but I've never read a full scouting report. Does he throw hard (guess - 88-91 with some 93s)? How good is his breaking pitch? Love that he gets ground balls, but this is his age 23 season so how optimistic should I be? Seems like a guy who might be a BOR type arm, BUT also seems like he's a notch up from the other BOR types in the system. Quick Google tells me that BA said he had the best control in the system....that's good considering he's not truly a junkballer (though he's probably close).

 

90-93. Probably has a #3 ceiling.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Today at Extended Spring Training, Cubs played a split squad game: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2012/04/18/cubs-play-win-and-also-tie-indian-school-park

 

Starling Peralta with 3 perfect innings. Vogelbach, Bogaerts, Contreras and Schlecht each had a double. Luis Acosta went 0/0 with a BB after coming in late at second base and Mark Malave started at third base, going 1/2 with a BB and a single.

 

In the other game, Candelario was the only Cub with an XBH (a double). Jin-Young Kim threw 2 perfect innings.

 

I should really use the fact that I signed up there and beg for Jeffry Baez updates in the XST game logs. I hold out hope that he's athletic/toolsy enough to back my urge to follow his prospect career after his quietly solid performance in the DSL last year.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

So how close is Jay Jackson to the organizational tag?

 

2-3 years ago.

 

Dallas Beeler intrigues me like he intrigues everyone. Timmers and a couple guys used to talk about him as a sinker/slider guy, but I've never read a full scouting report. Does he throw hard (guess - 88-91 with some 93s)? How good is his breaking pitch? Love that he gets ground balls, but this is his age 23 season so how optimistic should I be? Seems like a guy who might be a BOR type arm, BUT also seems like he's a notch up from the other BOR types in the system. Quick Google tells me that BA said he had the best control in the system....that's good considering he's not truly a junkballer (though he's probably close).

 

90-93. Probably has a #3 ceiling.

 

Jake Westbrook type ceiling? I've used that comp for Ben Wells, but in Wells' favor he's bigger and probably has the ability to throw harder if things go well.

 

Oh and I forgot about this video...much funnier with the sound off than on:

 

Edited April 19, 2012 by PriortoTheoIhadWood

[toonsterwu]

Beeler's secondary pitches are probably average, flashing some above average potential, but haven't heard anyone suggest plus potential on it. Off the top, it's a curve and a changeup, with the curve probably a tick ahead of the change-up. WIth his sinker, if he has an above average breaking ball, he's got a shot. He's your classic end of the rotation profile with a mid-rotation ceiling if all goes well. A better version of Randy Wells (and that's meant as a positive). 23 in AA and holding his own is fine, particularly when he missed time due to surgery.

 

Quick random thought - We do have several guys that are end of the rotation with mid-rotation ceilings, particularly if Whitenack shows as well as he did last year. We won't need all of them, and I wouldn't mind it if the front office became proactive in trying to package several arms to fill another void/grab a better talent. In recent years, we've seen a quantity of pitching prospects, even if they lack high ceilings, generate some decent returns.

[SouthSideRyan]

Quick random thought - We do have several guys that are end of the rotation with mid-rotation ceilings, particularly if Whitenack shows as well as he did last year. We won't need all of them, and I wouldn't mind it if the front office became proactive in trying to package several arms to fill another void/grab a better talent. In recent years, we've seen a quantity of pitching prospects, even if they lack high ceilings, generate some decent returns.

 

If the FO shares this thought process, they're going to take some time to get closer looks at what they have, and who they feel comfortable dealing..

[KingCubsFan]

Today at Extended Spring Training, Cubs played a split squad game: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2012/04/18/cubs-play-win-and-also-tie-indian-school-park

 

Starling Peralta with 3 perfect innings. Vogelbach, Bogaerts, Contreras and Schlecht each had a double. Luis Acosta went 0/0 with a BB after coming in late at second base and Mark Malave started at third base, going 1/2 with a BB and a single.

 

In the other game, Candelario was the only Cub with an XBH (a double). Jin-Young Kim threw 2 perfect innings.

I think Schlecht is a guy to keep an eye on. Good plate discipline already, and IIRC, he should have the ability to develop some power.