Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-24-12

[toonsterwu]

Wells has given up 24 hits in 17 innings.

 

Maybe he's been really unlucky, or maybe he's serving up a lot of whackable strikes.

 

He's given up 18 runs in 17 innings.

 

Minor league pitchers sometimes get deceptively low ERA's because so many of the runs they allow get ignored as unearned. You know, get two outs, walk the bases loaded, have a fielder make an error, then give up five more hits before getting an out. Some terrible pitching, but it helps your ERA because they all list as unearned.

 

Not saying Wells has been like that, but it's a given that ERA's tend to be deceptively low for groundball pitchers because groundballs cause a lot more errors than flies.

 

I'd had a lot of hopes for him entering this season, but 18 runs allowed in 17 April innings in cold Midwest League may involve more than just bad luck.

 

To be honest, I'm not too worried about those numbers for Wells early. I'm more curious about whether or not he is executing the plan they are asking him, if he is aggressively throwing first-pitch strikes, how deep he is working, how his stuff is showing, if he is more efficient than last year. Now, the switch with Burke, if permanent, may make it harder to get a good read on some things with Wells, if Burke continues to go 6. But while the runs are troubling (although only 13 earned, granted, that isn't a good thing either), it's good to see that his sinker is showing well (increased GO/AO ratio in the early going, GB rate is higher in the early going). It's good to see that his K rate is slightly up and his BB rate is significantly down. It sounds like the breaking ball is better than last year (granted, SSS on every comment above, but the same goes for SSS on the negative stuff).

 

I'm not trying to undersell "performance" numbers, as they matter, but all in all, I'm actually quite pleased with Wells in the early going.

[Rizzo Smash]

The Cubs are sending Gerado Concepion to low A to debut tomorrow per Ben Badler's twitter.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Wells has given up 24 hits in 17 innings.

 

Maybe he's been really unlucky, or maybe he's serving up a lot of whackable strikes.

 

He's given up 18 runs in 17 innings.

 

Minor league pitchers sometimes get deceptively low ERA's because so many of the runs they allow get ignored as unearned. You know, get two outs, walk the bases loaded, have a fielder make an error, then give up five more hits before getting an out. Some terrible pitching, but it helps your ERA because they all list as unearned.

 

Not saying Wells has been like that, but it's a given that ERA's tend to be deceptively low for groundball pitchers because groundballs cause a lot more errors than flies.

 

I'd had a lot of hopes for him entering this season, but 18 runs allowed in 17 April innings in cold Midwest League may involve more than just bad luck.

 

This is why him being (arguably) the most complete SP prospect in the system is a problem. IMO, his upside isn't GREAT so much as his age/size/projectability/stuff/mechanics package is as strong and arguably stronger than anyone currently making an impact in the system. Not a bad prospect at all, but not someone you realistically see becoming a future elite.

 

Again, for him that's great but for the Cubs there should be more than one type of guy like him.

Edited April 24, 2012 by PriortoTheoIhadWood

[Guest]

According to the Peoria Cubs twitter, Concepcion has been added to the roster and will start Wednesday.

 

@BenBadler: Cubs are sending Cuban LHP Gerardo Concepcion to Low-A to debut tomorrow. Reports from Arizona were consistent with our pre-signing reports.

[Guest]

I'm planning on going to Peoria/Kane County next Friday, am I right in assuming that today's Peoria starter(Burke/Wells) would be scheduled for that day as of right now?

[BeerHere]

Simpson with another poor start:

4ip

5H

6BB

2K

2ER

[chattbaseball]

I'm planning on going to Peoria/Kane County next Friday, am I right in assuming that today's Peoria starter(Burke/Wells) would be scheduled for that day as of right now?

 

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter.

[davell]

Simpson with another poor start:

4ip

5H

6BB

2K

2ER

I know some here still think he's got a shot. But I'm sticking my fork in him.

[BeerHere]

Simpson with another poor start:

4ip

5H

6BB

2K

2ER

I know some here still think he's got a shot. But I'm sticking my fork in him.

:lol:

[Guest]

I'm planning on going to Peoria/Kane County next Friday, am I right in assuming that today's Peoria starter(Burke/Wells) would be scheduled for that day as of right now?

 

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter.

 

Wouldn't Sunday be Wells/Burke then? Either way that's good news.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Simpson with another poor start:

4ip

5H

6BB

2K

2ER

 

That sucks. In the early going this year looks like a good old fashioned injury bust.

[chattbaseball]

I'm planning on going to Peoria/Kane County next Friday, am I right in assuming that today's Peoria starter(Burke/Wells) would be scheduled for that day as of right now?

 

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter.

 

Wouldn't Sunday be Wells/Burke then? Either way that's good news.

 

Yes, I misread what you said. I skimmed over it and thought you were going to their next outing. Anyways, they'll rotate as the starter each time.

[toonsterwu]

I'm planning on going to Peoria/Kane County next Friday, am I right in assuming that today's Peoria starter(Burke/Wells) would be scheduled for that day as of right now?

 

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter.

 

Hey, out of curiosity, if you know, and if you think it's fine to share (that is, if it's some private conversation, no need to let us know)

 

a) Does Kyler realize how intrigued Cub-dom is with his potential? It isn't just here - seems like other sites are intrigued

 

b) For lack of a better way to phrase it, how confident is Kyler that he can be a starter and move fast (relatively) as a starter, since everyone knows 6 years comes up.

 

c) Does Kyler get a feel, in the early-going, of how higher up might feel about his long-term role/potential?

[woodchip2153]

How did the Cubs acquire Burke? Was it in the Walker trade?

[toonsterwu]

Simpson with another poor start:

4ip

5H

6BB

2K

2ER

 

That sucks. In the early going this year looks like a good old fashioned injury bust.

 

If he's really throwing the slop up there that's been reported, mid-80's heat, it might be time to simply shut him down or move him to the pen, or try something different. This FO doesn't have anything invested in him, other than being a leftover asset from another era. Heck, sending him to Peoria to piggyback isn't the worst thing.

[davell]

Barrett trade.

[toonsterwu]

How did the Cubs acquire Burke? Was it in the Walker trade?

 

No, that was Ceda. I believe it was the Michael Barrett trade.

[woodchip2153]

thanks

[toonsterwu]

Wells has given up 24 hits in 17 innings.

 

Maybe he's been really unlucky, or maybe he's serving up a lot of whackable strikes.

 

He's given up 18 runs in 17 innings.

 

Minor league pitchers sometimes get deceptively low ERA's because so many of the runs they allow get ignored as unearned. You know, get two outs, walk the bases loaded, have a fielder make an error, then give up five more hits before getting an out. Some terrible pitching, but it helps your ERA because they all list as unearned.

 

Not saying Wells has been like that, but it's a given that ERA's tend to be deceptively low for groundball pitchers because groundballs cause a lot more errors than flies.

 

I'd had a lot of hopes for him entering this season, but 18 runs allowed in 17 April innings in cold Midwest League may involve more than just bad luck.

 

This is why him being (arguably) the most complete SP prospect in the system is a problem. IMO, his upside isn't GREAT so much as his age/size/projectability/stuff/mechanics package is as strong and arguably stronger than anyone currently making an impact in the system. Not a bad prospect at all, but not someone you realistically see becoming a future elite.

 

Again, for him that's great but for the Cubs there should be more than one type of guy like him.

 

This is more tangential, but I still believe that Wells "upside"/"ultimate ceiling" (taking a phrase you used the other day) is a tick better than given credit for. Yes, a positive outcome, the most likely one, is that he becomes a mid-rotation innings eating arm. But the breaking ball has flashed good potential before, and if he can get that consistent, then he's got two above average to plus pitches to work with.

 

A long way to go, but I feel like, the general populace somewhat undersells his ceiling. But very few guys reach their ceilings.

[BeerHere]

Final line for Simpson:

4.1ip

8h

5er

7BB

2k

 

Szczur with a good night Single, double, walk, 1run, 1rbi avg up to .225

[Guancous]

Final line for Simpson:

4.1ip

8h

5er

7BB

2k

 

I never give up on 1st rounders until they turn 26 but I'm hoping for a 7th inning arm at this point.

[Guest]

Paul Hoilman had a walk off grand slam for Peoria, that's fun.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Final line for Simpson:

4.1ip

8h

5er

7BB

2k

 

I never give up on 1st rounders until they turn 26 but I'm hoping for a 7th inning arm at this point.

 

Kinda agree with this...privilege of being a first rounder.

[TruffleShuffle]

Final line for Simpson:

4.1ip

8h

5er

7BB

2k

 

I never give up on 1st rounders until they turn 26 but I'm hoping for a 7th inning arm at this point.

 

what if the first rounder should have been picked like 3 rounds later?

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Final line for Simpson:

4.1ip

8h

5er

7BB

2k

 

I never give up on 1st rounders until they turn 26 but I'm hoping for a 7th inning arm at this point.

 

what if the first rounder should have been picked like 3 rounds later?

 

Based on the arbitrary pre-draft rankings that come draft day more than one team seemed to be willing to ignore if we believe THOSE rumors are true? Not much.