2012 stolen base leader Tony Campana designated for assignme

[Guest]

Badler on Leal:

 

The Diamondbacks signed Leal when he was 16 from trainer Robert Valera for $75,000 after the 2011 season and he made his debut last year in the Dominican Summer League. When Leal signed, he stood out for his size, delivery, ability to throw strikes and spin a breaking ball. He progressed quickly and in some ways became a different pitcher than scouts had expected. He threw from almost straight over the top when he signed, but he's since dropped down to a lower slot and gotten more life on his fastball, which was 85-88 mph when he signed but now sits around 88-89. Leal's best pitch is his mid-to-high 70s breaking ball, an advanced pitch for his age with a chance to be plus. He didn't have a changeup when he signed, but he's developed feel for that pitch as well, giving him the potential for three average or better pitches if his velocity continues to climb. He pitches inside, moves the ball around the zone and throws plenty of strikes, as he walked just 1.4 batters per nine innings last year. He did start to gain weight a little too quickly at one point, so he will have to stay on top of his conditioning.

[UMFan83]

I was going to make fun of the fact that Campana in 1800 major and minor league PAs has never hit a ball fair over the fence but I just noticed had a HR in AAA last year. Was this a legit home run or an inside the park variety like his ML homer?

[BCVM22]

Over the fence.

[CubsWin]

Here's BA's write up on the trade. It is interesting to note that they wouldn't have normally commented on such a minor deal "but due to the unique nature of the 17-year-old righties acquired, we decided to break format and cover the transaction in Trade Central."

 

The Deal

Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and the rest of the Cubs braintrust have emphasized the organization's need for pitching in its scouting and player-development pipeline. Chicago added two more arms in a trade with the Diamondbacks, acquiring Dominican Summer League righthanders Jesus Castillo and Erick Leal in a deal that shipped speedy outfielder Tony Campana to Arizona.

 

Campana had been designated for assignment, but due to the unique nature of the 17-year-old righties acquired, we decided to break format and cover the transaction in Trade Central.

 

Cubs Acquire

Jesus Castillo, rhp

Age: 17. Born: Aug. 27, 1995 in San Feliz, Venezuela.

Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 1655.

Bats: R. Throws: R

 

Castillo was Arizona's most expensive international amateur signing in 2011, when he signed for $250,000 from Oswaldo Camacho's program on his 16th birthday. With his August birthday, he was one of the youngest signings in 2011 and pitched the entire DSL season at age 16. Castillo is from Valencia but has also lived in Spain. He used to play soccer, and his athleticism is evident in his smooth delivery, which he repeats well for his age. He has a long, loose arm stroke, a long stride and gets good extension out front. He threw in the mid-80s when he signed, but he now touches the low 90s and has a good changeup for his age, though his breaking ball is still a work in progress. Castillo did post a 5.40 ERA last year, but if he were born a week later, he wouldn't have even been eligible to sign until July 2, 2012, so he's an intriguing arm for the Cubs to take a flier on.

 

Erick Leal, rhp

Age: 17. Born: March 17, 1995 in Carabobo, Venezuela.

Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 180.

Bats: R. Throws: R.

 

The Diamondbacks signed a 16-year-old Leal from trainer Robert Valera for $75,000 after the 2011 season, and he made his debut last year in the DSL. When Leal signed, he stood out for his size, delivery, ability to throw strikes and spin a breaking ball. He progressed quickly and in some ways became a different pitcher than scouts had expected. He threw from almost straight over the top when he signed, but he's since dropped down to a lower slot and gotten more life on his fastball, which was 85-88 mph when he signed but now sits around 88-89. Leal's best pitch is his mid-to-high 70s breaking ball, an advanced pitch for his age with a chance to be plus. He didn't have a changeup when he signed, but he's developed feel for that pitch as well, giving him the potential for three average or better pitches if his velocity continues to climb. He pitches inside, moves the ball around the zone and throws plenty of strikes, and he walked just 1.4 batters per nine innings last year. He did start to gain weight a little too quickly at one point, so he will have to stay on top of his conditioning.

 

Diamondbacks Acquire

Tony Campana, of

Age: 26. Bats: L. Remaining Commitment: Under club control for five more seasons, 2013-17 ($483,000 salary in 2012).

 

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Campana lacks any trace of power, but his speed and glove in center make him a suitable part-timer or reserve. He has swiped 54 bases in 59 attempts in the big leagues and should be able to help another diminutive center fielder, D-backs rookie Adam Eaton, patrol the vast outfields of the National League West. —John Manuel

[Sammy Sofa]

The only way this could get any better is if Campana has a hot streak a la Fuld and the meatballs go insane twice over over this move.

[The Other One]

Badler is doing his international signing reviews from last year:

 

Castillo is from Valencia (though he also briefly lived in Spain)

 

 

Richard Daley is from Chicago (though he also briefly lived in Illinois).

[Guest]

Badler is doing his international signing reviews from last year:

 

Castillo is from Valencia (though he also briefly lived in Spain)

 

 

Richard Daley is from Chicago (though he also briefly lived in Illinois).

 

Valencia, Venezuela.

[Post Count Padder]

Wow, we got actual, living, breathing prospects, let alone ones with potential, for Tony Campana? This is wonderful, even if neither guy amounts to anything.

[Cubswin11]

Video of Leal, via PSD

 

[MWV]

From the same youtube account, video of Castillo:

 

[Guest]

I think the Cubs fleeced Arizona, but I think some people here seriously underestimate Campana's value. He can't hit a lick or get on base, but he's a plus defender and a plus-plus base stealer. In the right situation he has value.

[seanimal]

no

[Rob]

I think the Cubs fleeced Arizona, but I think some people here seriously underestimate Campana's value. He can't hit a lick or get on base, but he's a plus defender and a plus-plus base stealer. In the right situation he has value.

 

He's got some value as a high-leverage base runner, but he gives back all of it on offense. And I think you're a bit too quick to label him a plus defender.

 

If I were the GM of an AL team in the playoffs with a healthy and durable pitching staff, I'd love to have Campana for October. But with roster construction what it is these days, there's no use for him the rest of the season.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

no

 

Yes.

[Guest]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

 

I don't get this, other than in the generic "we don't need any players at all because we're rebuilding."

 

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

[seanimal]

no

 

Yes.

 

no

 

i mean, maybe, if we're not talking about a major league baseball team during the 80% of the season that they're limited to 25 players

 

when you steal bases at a ratio of 3 for every 5 that you touch by virtue of a baseball bat, it is because no one was paying attention to you or likely even forgot you existed because you are terrible and forgettable and too minuscule to be seen in one's peripheral vision

Edited February 19, 2013 by seanimal

[davell]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

 

I don't get this, other than in the generic "we don't need any players at all because we're rebuilding."

 

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

So, you'd keep him on our 25 man roster over Sappelt? You've got Jackson in AAA too, waiting to be called up. Campana has one very nice tool and was squeezed out here. Plenty of value received for a 25th guy that wasn't even a fit to be our 25th guy.

[Guest]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

 

I don't get this, other than in the generic "we don't need any players at all because we're rebuilding."

 

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

So, you'd keep him on our 25 man roster over Sappelt? You've got Jackson in AAA too, waiting to be called up. Campana has one very nice tool and was squeezed out here. Plenty of value received for a 25th guy that wasn't even a fit to be our 25th guy.

I don't think he said any of those things.

[seanimal]

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

 

well those turds have swallowed up such a large share of low-SLG players that they likely can find one of the 500-something players that can SLG better than tiny tim

[seanimal]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

 

I don't get this, other than in the generic "we don't need any players at all because we're rebuilding."

 

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

So, you'd keep him on our 25 man roster over Sappelt? You've got Jackson in AAA too, waiting to be called up. Campana has one very nice tool and was squeezed out here. Plenty of value received for a 25th guy that wasn't even a fit to be our 25th guy.

I don't think he said any of those things.

 

i think maybe his point might have been that we were the 2nd-worst team in baseball and the large-bodied version of that nerdy kid from the little giants still wasn't worthy of the 25-man roster

[seanimal]

tony campana walks up to the batter's box

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2010/05/24/sb3LHbLC.jpg

[Hairyducked Idiot]

As a 24th or 25th guy, Campana might have a little value, but not to a rebuilding team. This is essentially turning nothing into something.

 

I don't get this, other than in the generic "we don't need any players at all because we're rebuilding."

 

If he has a small amount of value, then I don't see why a bad team wouldn't benefit from his stolen bases even more because of their lack of SLG.

So, you'd keep him on our 25 man roster over Sappelt? You've got Jackson in AAA too, waiting to be called up. Campana has one very nice tool and was squeezed out here. Plenty of value received for a 25th guy that wasn't even a fit to be our 25th guy.

 

No. He has little value to the Cubs on the 25-man roster because we have at least five, and maybe six, better outfielders. That has nothing to do with us being a "rebuilding" team.

[Sammy Sofa]

Keep it down, Sloth.

[roadster]

no

 

Yes.

 

no

 

i mean, maybe, if we're not talking about a major league baseball team during the 80% of the season that they're limited to 25 players

 

when you steal bases at a ratio of 3 for every 5 that you touch by virtue of a baseball bat, it is because no one was paying attention to you or likely even forgot you existed because you are terrible and forgettable and too minuscule to be seen in one's peripheral vision

 

isn't this called runner's indifference and does not count as a SB but fielder's choice?