Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-12-12

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores

 

Iowa lost 4-3 Box Score

 

RF A. Amezaga 2/4, R, HR (1), 3 RBI, OF assist at third base

1B A. Rizzo 0/4

SS L. Valbuena 2/4

3B J. Vitters 0/4, K

CF D. Sappelt 1/4, SB (2)

LF J. Mota 2/3, 2B (1), K

SP F. De La Cruz 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 6-3 GO-FO, 70-34 pitches-strikes

RP F. Batista 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3-2 GO-FO

 

Smokies lost 9-2 Box Score

 

3B J. Lake 1/3, BB

SS L. Watkins 0/3, RBI, K

CF JH Ha 0/3, R, BB

1B J. Bour 2/4, RBI

DH M. Cerda 0/3, R, BB, 2 K

RF M. Burgess 2/4, 2B (5)

SP N. Struck 5.2 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 5-7 GO-FO, 95-55 pitches-strikes

RP A. Cabrera 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO

RP K. Rhoderick 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO

 

Daytona won 4-0 Box Score

 

2B R. Silva 2/4, R, RBI, 2 K

3B A. Alcantara 2/4, 2 R, RBI, SB (8)

LF N. Perez 0/4, 2 K

DH R. Jones 2/3, 2 2B (8), RBI, BB

SS R. Torreyes 0/3

SP E. Jokisch 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 7-3 GO-FO

RP S. Weismann 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0-2 GO-FO

RP T. Zych 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria won 2-1 Box Score

 

2B Z. DeVoss 0/1, R, 3 BB

CF T. Easterling 1/4, R, 2B (1), SB (7)

C R. Lopez 0/2, 2 BB

1B P. Hoilman 0/4, 2 K - 24-game hitting streak snapped

3B W. Darvill 1/3, RBI, BB, SB (4)

RF O. Zapata 1/3

SS M. Hernandez 2/3, E (7, fielding)

SP PJ Francescon 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 13-4 GO-FO

RP YL Wang 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-2 GO-FO

 

OVERALL: 2-2

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: RHP Casey Coleman (4.39 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 26.2 IP, 21 K, 15 BB)

Tennessee: RHP Nick Struck (3.53 ERA, 4.22 FIP, 32.2 IP, 27 K, 15 BB)

Daytona: Eric Jokisch (3.93 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 36.2 IP, 32 K, 14 BB)

Peoria: PJ Francescon (2.38 ERA, 4.02 FIP, 34 IP, 31 K, 7 BB)

[pitchcs]

Coleman was called up for Marmol.

[CubsWin]

Jokisch killing it thru 6. 4 hits, scoreless, 5 Ks, 0 BB.

 

Is Arismendy Alcantara coming on line as a bonifide prospect? It's still too early in the season, but so far he's just a handful of walks away from being the talk of Daytona. Very good defense at a premium position, hits for decent average consistently, is currently slugging .475 (this has got to regress as the season goes on) and has stolen 7 bases without getting thrown out once in just 33 games. Add in that he's doing this at High-A as a 20 year old and it gets even more interesting.

 

His defense and average are pretty well established. If he can walk a few more times a month and maintain some of the power and base stealing, is he not a legit prospect?

[Little Slide Rooter]

What is Jokisches ceiling? Anything? He's been good this year. Some

Very nice relief pitching from Cabrera, Rhoderick, Harris, and Weisman between Tenn and Daytona. Another bad day from Struck though.

 

Refresh my memory: Ty'Relle Harris is the one who was hit by a car shortly after being demoted and missed the rest of the season, no? Seems to have recovered quite well.

[toonsterwu]

Jokisch killing it thru 6. 4 hits, scoreless, 5 Ks, 0 BB.

 

Is Arismendy Alcantara coming on line as a bonifide prospect? It's still too early in the season, but so far he's just a handful of walks away from being the talk of Daytona. Very good defense at a premium position, hits for decent average consistently, is currently slugging .475 (this has got to regress as the season goes on) and has stolen 7 bases without getting thrown out once in just 33 games. Add in that he's doing this at High-A as a 20 year old and it gets even more interesting.

 

His defense and average are pretty well established. If he can walk a few more times a month and maintain some of the power and base stealing, is he not a legit prospect?

 

If he maintains this level of performance for an extended period, while showing improved discipline/approach, then I'll buy it as more than just a hot streak.

 

His development reminds me a bit of Marwin Gonzalez - toolsy, talented athletic kids who needed time to develop some offense.

 

Talent wise, he might be the most talented shortstop, in terms of defense, in the system. There's a decent case for it (although to be fair, he's a work in progress defensively ... the errors have been piling up like crap this year).

[toonsterwu]

What is Jokisches ceiling? Anything? He's been good this year. Some

Very nice relief pitching from Cabrera, Rhoderick, Harris, and Weisman between Tenn and Daytona. Another bad day from Struck though.

 

Refresh my memory: Ty'Relle Harris is the one who was hit by a car shortly after being demoted and missed the rest of the season, no? Seems to have recovered quite well.

 

Jokisch's ceiling is probably an end of the rotation lefty.

 

"Another" bad day for Struck? By my count, it's his 2nd bad start this season. Rest have been decent to solid.

[toonsterwu]

Very nice to see Marco and Taiwan hitting ... would love to see them slide Marco up in the order a bit.

[Guest]

What is Jokisches ceiling? Anything? He's been good this year. Some

Very nice relief pitching from Cabrera, Rhoderick, Harris, and Weisman between Tenn and Daytona. Another bad day from Struck though.

 

Refresh my memory: Ty'Relle Harris is the one who was hit by a car shortly after being demoted and missed the rest of the season, no? Seems to have recovered quite well.

 

Yes, that is Harris.

[Guest]

Coleman was called up for Marmol.

 

Frankie de la Cruz is getting the start today.

[El Duderino]

Brett Jackson is not in the lineup

[CubsWin]

Jokisch killing it thru 6. 4 hits, scoreless, 5 Ks, 0 BB.

 

Is Arismendy Alcantara coming on line as a bonifide prospect? It's still too early in the season, but so far he's just a handful of walks away from being the talk of Daytona. Very good defense at a premium position, hits for decent average consistently, is currently slugging .475 (this has got to regress as the season goes on) and has stolen 7 bases without getting thrown out once in just 33 games. Add in that he's doing this at High-A as a 20 year old and it gets even more interesting.

 

His defense and average are pretty well established. If he can walk a few more times a month and maintain some of the power and base stealing, is he not a legit prospect?

 

If he maintains this level of performance for an extended period, while showing improved discipline/approach, then I'll buy it as more than just a hot streak.

 

His development reminds me a bit of Marwin Gonzalez - toolsy, talented athletic kids who needed time to develop some offense.

 

Talent wise, he might be the most talented shortstop, in terms of defense, in the system. There's a decent case for it (although to be fair, he's a work in progress defensively ... the errors have been piling up like crap this year).

Okay, so we're on the same page. He's got to keep this up for another couple months with improved discipline and we can put him into the possible breakout list. I think he can regress a little with the SLG and the stolen bases and still be a candidate for a breakout prospect. I'm always looking for that guy. McNutt, Whitenack, and...who will it be this year? That's the most intriguing part about player development for me. The guy who most people don't see coming.

 

BTW, after tonight, Alcantara's OPS is .799 and he's stolen 8 bases without being caught.

[davell]

I'm assuming we would have heard something if Brett was hurt, right?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Brett Jackson is not in the lineup

 

I was noticing that as well. 2nd night in a row.

[El Duderino]

Brett Jackson is not in the lineup

 

I was noticing that as well. 2nd night in a row.

 

that I did not know...

[Little Slide Rooter]

I wonder if we see a pen of Bowden-Batista-Rhoderick-Beliveau-Dolis-Russell-Cabrera in the not too distant future.

[toonsterwu]

I wonder if we see a pen of Bowden-Batista-Rhoderick-Beliveau-Dolis-Russell-Cabrera in the not too distant future.

 

I'd cringe if that's our pen. Much as I love following our prospects, I seriously hope that is not our entire pen at some point in the near future.

[CubsWin]

His development reminds me a bit of Marwin Gonzalez - toolsy, talented athletic kids who needed time to develop some offense.

I can see that a bit. The good news on that comparison is that Alcantara has always had a better bat than Gonzalez and Marwin's development took a big jump forward when he was 22 at AA. If Arismendy has a similar jump forward at the same age, he's gonna be pretty good.

[toonsterwu]

Jokisch killing it thru 6. 4 hits, scoreless, 5 Ks, 0 BB.

 

Is Arismendy Alcantara coming on line as a bonifide prospect? It's still too early in the season, but so far he's just a handful of walks away from being the talk of Daytona. Very good defense at a premium position, hits for decent average consistently, is currently slugging .475 (this has got to regress as the season goes on) and has stolen 7 bases without getting thrown out once in just 33 games. Add in that he's doing this at High-A as a 20 year old and it gets even more interesting.

 

His defense and average are pretty well established. If he can walk a few more times a month and maintain some of the power and base stealing, is he not a legit prospect?

 

If he maintains this level of performance for an extended period, while showing improved discipline/approach, then I'll buy it as more than just a hot streak.

 

His development reminds me a bit of Marwin Gonzalez - toolsy, talented athletic kids who needed time to develop some offense.

 

Talent wise, he might be the most talented shortstop, in terms of defense, in the system. There's a decent case for it (although to be fair, he's a work in progress defensively ... the errors have been piling up like crap this year).

Okay, so we're on the same page. He's got to keep this up for another couple months with improved discipline and we can put him into the possible breakout list. I think he can regress a little with the SLG and the stolen bases and still be a candidate for a breakout prospect. I'm always looking for that guy. McNutt, Whitenack, and...who will it be this year? That's the most intriguing part about player development for me. The guy who most people don't see coming.

 

BTW, after tonight, Alcantara's OPS is .799 and he's stolen 8 bases without being caught.

 

His SLG could collapse and as long as he's showing improved discipline/approach, I'd be fine with whatever season he had.

 

Right now, I still say the only real "breakout" on this season has been Rubi Silva (and that's a pretty fringy breakout, partly because he was always thought to have the tools to do well offensively). That said, as I was discussing on Sickels site with someone, the system hasn't had many breakouts ... but it also hasn't had many big disappointments.

[CubsWin]

Coleman was called up for Marmol.

 

Frankie de la Cruz is getting the start today.

And promptly sucking. 3 hits, 3 earned, 3 walks, 0 Ks in just 1 inning.

[El Duderino]

but seriously, what's the deal with brett jackson missing two games?

[davell]

I guess I'm waiting for Torreyes to go on a 20 for 40 type streak. He's not K'ing, so I doubt he's overmatched. He's my guy, so I'm going to go down swinging with him.

[davell]

but seriously, what's the deal with brett jackson missing two games?

My honest guess is with him struggling recently, we're giving him a few days off to clear his head a bit.

[El Duderino]

according icubs twitter, brett has a minor back issue. expected to be back tomorrow.

[CubsWin]

Jokisch killing it thru 6. 4 hits, scoreless, 5 Ks, 0 BB.

 

Is Arismendy Alcantara coming on line as a bonifide prospect? It's still too early in the season, but so far he's just a handful of walks away from being the talk of Daytona. Very good defense at a premium position, hits for decent average consistently, is currently slugging .475 (this has got to regress as the season goes on) and has stolen 7 bases without getting thrown out once in just 33 games. Add in that he's doing this at High-A as a 20 year old and it gets even more interesting.

 

His defense and average are pretty well established. If he can walk a few more times a month and maintain some of the power and base stealing, is he not a legit prospect?

 

If he maintains this level of performance for an extended period, while showing improved discipline/approach, then I'll buy it as more than just a hot streak.

 

His development reminds me a bit of Marwin Gonzalez - toolsy, talented athletic kids who needed time to develop some offense.

 

Talent wise, he might be the most talented shortstop, in terms of defense, in the system. There's a decent case for it (although to be fair, he's a work in progress defensively ... the errors have been piling up like crap this year).

Okay, so we're on the same page. He's got to keep this up for another couple months with improved discipline and we can put him into the possible breakout list. I think he can regress a little with the SLG and the stolen bases and still be a candidate for a breakout prospect. I'm always looking for that guy. McNutt, Whitenack, and...who will it be this year? That's the most intriguing part about player development for me. The guy who most people don't see coming.

 

BTW, after tonight, Alcantara's OPS is .799 and he's stolen 8 bases without being caught.

 

His SLG could collapse and as long as he's showing improved discipline/approach, I'd be fine with whatever season he had.

 

Right now, I still say the only real "breakout" on this season has been Rubi Silva (and that's a pretty fringy breakout, partly because he was always thought to have the tools to do well offensively). That said, as I was discussing on Sickels site with someone, the system hasn't had many breakouts ... but it also hasn't had many big disappointments.

I'd be fine/pleased with that, too. But if his SLG fell all the way back to what it was last year (.352), it would be difficult to consider him a breakout of any kind.

 

And I agree, there hasn't been a Cub breakout prospect clearly defined as of yet. A combination of it still being early May and no one really stepping up yet. But I can't see how Silva would be considered a breakout based his performance, even if he wasn't thought to have the tools to do well. I consider Alcantara's numbers to be better on their own. When you throw in the fact that he's two years younger than Silva and doing it at the same level, Alcantara's year to date is much more impressive.

 

Maybe Nelson Perez is a breakout, but he's way too old for the league he's doing it in. His improvement in IsoD is completely out of the blue.