Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-12-12

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores

 

Iowa won 12-11 Box Score

 

Tennessee lost game one 4-1 (7 innings) Box Score

 

Tennessee won game two 3-0 (7 innings) Box Score

 

Daytona lost 5-4 Box Score

 

Peoria lost 8-5 Box Score

 

Boise lost 12-11 Box Score

 

AZL Cubs lost 7-2 Box Score

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 6-2 Box Score

 

DSL Cubs 2 won 8-3 Box Score

 

OVERALL: 4-5

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Iowa: RHP Chris Volstad (4.44 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 50.2 IP, 41 K, 12 BB)

Tennessee (game two): LHP Zach Rosscup (at Peoria: 0.00 ERA, 0.03 FIP, 7.1 IP, 12 K, 0 BB)

Tennessee (game one): RHP Nick Struck (3.55 ERA, 4.04 FIP, 99 IP, 80 K, 33 BB)

Daytona: RHP Matt Loosen (2.84 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 73 IP, 71 K, 25 BB)

Peoria: RHP Jose Rosario (4.22 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 102.1 IP, 92 K, 32 BB)

Boise: RHP James Pugliese (3.80 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 23.2 IP, 16 K, 8 BB)

AZL Cubs: RHP Ethan Elias (3.86 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 9.1 IP, 7 K, 2 BB)

[toonsterwu]

The one thing about Rosscup starting that I somewhat don't get is why Loosen didn't get the nod. I'll be mighty curious if this is a one-off for Rosscup (seems unlikely, as they had a day off to schedule things so guys are rested). All that said, they might be curious about Rosscup with the velo reports (that said, last I recall of Rosscup last year, he was low 90's, and I'll be a bit surprised if he can hit those reported mid 90's numbers as a starter).

 

But ... Loosenv has zilch to prove in A+.

[Guest]

Daytona News-Journal[/url]"]Kevin Goldstein, who writes about prospects for Baseball Prospectus and ESPN, recently wrote the following about Alcantara: "There are some holes in his game, in particular an overly aggressive plate approach and sloppy throwing mechanics ... but he's a line-drive hitter with a quick bat, plus speed, and the tools to remain at short. Scouts see Alcantara as a good utility player, at the very least, and many give him a chance to be an everyday player, if he continues to progress."

 

One top scout for a National League team was so impressed by Alcantara that he planned to put the shortstop's name on a list of Cubs minor leaguers his organization should seek to acquire through a trade.

 

...

 

Alcantara also has fielding and throwing skills that are far better than his production, which has been hampered by 35 errors. But the infielder has shown signs of improvement, and as Harper noted, younger shortstops tend to make more errors because they rush throws or try to make a play that isn't possible.

 

...

 

Alcantara has some eye-opening talents, including the way he squares up a ball to his bat and how he gets great production from his better-than-average speed. Put him in a foot race with the rest of Daytona's players and he may not win, but put him on the bases and let him run at will and he'll steal a base far more often than he'll get caught. He's only been thrown out stealing four times, compared to his 25 successful swipes.

 

Like many a player who has come to America from the Dominican Republic, Alcantara has to improve his plate discipline. It's hard breaking old habits, and the old saying is you don't walk your way off the island.

 

He's got some work to do on cutting back his strike zone, and when he does he'll find he'll get even more of his favorite pitch to hit.

[Little Slide Rooter]

@keithlaw: New post for Insiders - an updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the minors: http://t.co/qaqouhlr

 

Any insiders? The tease doesn't get me past #1.

[squally1313]

@keithlaw: New post for Insiders - an updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the minors: http://t.co/qaqouhlr

 

Any insiders? The tease doesn't get me past #1.

 

1. Profar

2. Bundy

3. Machado

4. Myers

5. d'Arnaud

35. Baez

47. Almora

50. Soler

[Gilby]

Interesting that Law changed his mind after the futures game. He said multiple times there Bundy was his number one prospect.

 

And boy, I'm obviously biased, but I have a hard time believing there are 34 better prospects than Baez. I'd be curious where Sano and Lindor rank. Sickels had some separation between those two and Baez, and I don't quite understand it.

[apete6]

@keithlaw: New post for Insiders - an updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the minors: http://t.co/qaqouhlr

 

Any insiders? The tease doesn't get me past #1.

 

1. Profar

2. Bundy

3. Machado

4. Myers

5. d'Arnaud

35. Baez

47. Almora

50. Soler

 

Hak Ju Lee was #33, but Law is starting to question his bat.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Thanks. Interesting that Almora's ahead of Soler.

[Cubswin11]

Thanks. Interesting that Almora's ahead of Soler.

With both being so young and seemingly a decent ways away and not even playing pro ball yet I'm guessing it's because Law/scouts are a little more familiar with Almora and the fact that they seem to think he has a higher floor and is a slightly safer prospect.

[Guest]

Thanks. Interesting that Almora's ahead of Soler.

 

That's the order is rate our top 3 too.

[squally1313]

Interesting that Law changed his mind after the futures game. He said multiple times there Bundy was his number one prospect.

 

And boy, I'm obviously biased, but I have a hard time believing there are 34 better prospects than Baez. I'd be curious where Sano and Lindor rank. Sickels had some separation between those two and Baez, and I don't quite understand it.

 

Lindor was 11, Sano was 26, Hamilton was 27

[ctcf]

Well crap

 

Josh Timmers ‏@Cubsminorswrap

Rosscup, making his 1st AA appearance and 1st start of year, done after 0.1 inn. Three runs, three hits, two BB. Bases still loaded

[Vinestal]

Pics of Almora and Soler in Mesa: http://tinyurl.com/6sjoy3g

[Clem Fandango]

Pics of Almora and Soler in Mesa: http://tinyurl.com/6sjoy3g

 

I'd appreciate these more if the copyright watermark didn't cover everything up

[Vinestal]

Pics of Almora and Soler in Mesa: http://tinyurl.com/6sjoy3g

 

I'd appreciate these more if the copyright watermark didn't cover everything up

Yeah, same here kinda sucks but I understand why he does it.

[toonsterwu]

Interesting that Law changed his mind after the futures game. He said multiple times there Bundy was his number one prospect.

 

And boy, I'm obviously biased, but I have a hard time believing there are 34 better prospects than Baez. I'd be curious where Sano and Lindor rank. Sickels had some separation between those two and Baez, and I don't quite understand it.

 

There probably isn't 34 better raw talents than Baez, but from what I've seen of the list, I think it's fair where he put Baez. You could make a case of +5ish/-5ish perhaps, but while he's an exciting raw talent, there's still enough people that feel that he'll move to 3rd and there's still enough questions on how his aggressive approach plays at a higher level.

[El Duderino]

Jeimer's had a rough 3-game stretch. 1/12 with 6 K. Hopefully he bounces back tonight.

[davell]

I really am starting to wonder who Roney Alcala is. He's tearing it up.

[Rizzo Smash]

Vitters RBI single. 11 game hitting streak for him.

[Quakers]

Link to an article on Hayden Simpson.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1253725-chicago-cubs-first-round-draft-choice-hayden-simpson-moving-forward

[17 Seconds]

add a double for vitters. OPS up to .876 Edited July 13, 2012 by 17 Seconds

[Guest]

Vitters & Baez both double in their next ab's.

[Vinestal]

Baez with a double and scores

[illiniguy]

Any chance we don't cut Simpson this offseason?