Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-10-12

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Score

 

Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, Peoria, Boise and AZL Cubs have the day off.

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 12-7 Box Score

 

CF Je. Baez 0/2, R, 3 BB, K, SB (19), CS (3)

SS F. Sanchez 2/4, 2 R, 2B (4), RBI

1B R. Alcala 4/4, 3 R, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB

3B M. Rico 3/5, 2 R, 3B (1), 2 RBI, SB (2)

DH J. Emeterio 2/4, R, 2B (4), RBI

SP C. Rodriguez 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 B, 5 K, HBP, 3-2 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 2 won 5-3 Box Score

 

CF R. Caro 0/5

3B M. Malave 0/4, K

SS L. Acosta 2/3, R, BB

LF R. Marcano 0/3, R, BB, 2 K

SP J. Diax 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 5-2 GO-FO

RP C. Pieters 2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, WP, 2-0 GO-FO

 

OVERALL: 2-0!

[Guest]

Man, the Cubs farm system was perfect yesterday and not a single post from the rest of you!

[Guest]

Man, the Cubs farm system was perfect yesterday and not a single post from the rest of you!

Hey, Acosta made it through four plate appearances without a k.

[wvcbxl]

Man, the Cubs farm system was perfect yesterday and not a single post from the rest of you!

Probably because the US affiliates didn't win a single game. :wink:

[Little Slide Rooter]

Hendry Saviel Mercado

 

I was hoping we'd never have to see that name again.

[scarey]

Did anyone else realize Mark Malave's middle name was Eckersley?

[iowahawkeyes89]

Is it normal for big bonus players to struggle in the DSL like Acosta and Malave have?

[Guest]

Is it normal for big bonus players to struggle in the DSL like Acosta and Malave have?

Some have in their first year and have bounced back strong in their second season, but it's not a good sign. And I think it's pitchers who generally fall into that category.

 

I don't think you can expect much from Acosta with such a putrid strikeout rate.

[craig]

Malave has blah numbers, largely because he's shown little power and has a mediocre BABIP. But he's not K'ing a ton, and his walk-rate is fine.

 

So if he added some power to his game, as often does happen with 17-year olds, he might still work out.

 

But I agree with you, Cal, if Acosta can't make contact with DSL pitching, that probably reflects a flaw that will never change. If you don't have the vision/recognition/response skills to hit DSL stuff at 17, not likely to grow into those with age.....

 

Two other bad things with Malave: My understanding is that he hasn't looked at all good as a catcher, and isn't super quick as a 3B either. So while he may become OK at one of those positions, it will probably need to be his bat that would need to carry him. Second, many of the scouting reports questioned his bat speed, and suggested that he was already pretty filled out, so he probably doesn't have tons of physical maturation left for him with which to grow into power. It may be that if he doesn't have power now, maybe it's kind of iffy that it will ever come later.

 

But, we'll see. Awfully young, so sometimes power grows even if the upper body isn't adding much weight.