Spring Training Rosters and Injuries, per Arizona Phil.

[craig]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/210688#comment-210688

 

Cal mentioned this Arizona Phil article from yesterday, in which he made reference to the Cubs having apparently signed a 23-year-old Cuban pitcher of some possible interest.

 

In the link, Phil lists the pitcher/catcher assignments for AAA and AA in camp. As always, the listings are somewhat questionable; many of the guys will end up moving down one or more levels; and many others will be released. The lists are helpful, just to get a reminder of what kind of personnel are available for the high minors other than guys who will get demoted from the Cubs. The list is not thrilling, IMO.

 

More importantly, the list gives info on who's injured, as well as who isn't. There are usually some surprise injuries, or at least injuries that I hadn't known about. That is true as usual this spring, although overall I'm rather pleased that there aren't more injuries or more noteworthy injuries. Granted, these are just the AA/AAA groups, so many of the younger and perhaps more exciting arms might be injured, but we'd not know from these lists.

 

Anyway, anybody on "limited activity" is injured to some degree. And the list is pleasantly short. Those Phil lists are:

Chang-Yong Lim (Limited Activity Only - TJS Rehab)


Marcos Mateo (Limited Activity Only - TJS Rehab)


Marcelo Carreno (Limited Activity Only)


Hunter Cervenka (Limited Activity Only)
*

Dayan Diaz (Limited Activity Only)


Andrew McKirahan (Limited Activity Only)


Brett Wallach (Limited Activity Only)

 

Hadn't know that Carreno or Cervenka or Diaz were hurt. I'd figured that Wallach had been released, and just forgot about McKirahan.

 

Some noteworthies who are NOT on the "limited activity" list, all guys who have had arm issues in recent past or who ended up the year not pitching:

David Cales


Carlos Gutierrez
 (1st round pick we got from the Twins)

Kyle Hendricks
*

Zac Rosscup


Dontrelle Willis


Zach Cates
*

Gerardo Concepcion
*

J. Morris


Ben Wells


 

Seeing Wells on the list, without any obvious "limited activity" is fun.

 

One noteworthy name that is NOT on the list is Jose Rosario, which I think is bad news. Pretty much anybody who pitched significantly in Peoria last year is on the AA/AAA rosters (Jensen, Reed, Wells, Concepcion...). So if Rosario was healthy and fine, I'd have expected him to be in the same group with wells and Reed and Concepcion, if not even higher. So pretty safe to assume that something isn't completely right with him yet.

 

I thought this might be a nice thread to start. In due time we'll get similar lists, including "limited activity", for the lower levels.

 

Overall I was more pleased than disappointed. Seems to me I can recall some very disappointing reads a decade ago, where Justin Jones and Billy Petrick might show up unexpectedly limited, or Sisco or Ryu, or whatever. Last year Maples. So this list isn't bad. We'll see when the lower minors list comes out.

[davell]

Couple of comments about placement: Don't think this means anything on Rosario personally. Was hurt, even if healthy, I could see him in Kane County to start. Wells seems different to me, since he's likely to be fast tracked a bit, if he in fact does need to be added to the 40 man at some point in 2013. I think the rumblings on Paniagua being held back in EXST are looking realistic now, or else he likely would have been in Tennessee's initial list. I could see them taking it really slow this spring with him, then putting him in Daytona or Tennessee for the 2nd half. Fascinating placement of Johnson, in my mind. To me, this says Daytona is the low end of where he'll be starting the year off, when it seemed like the absolute high end, before this came out. They must be extremely pleased with him. Rivero at Tennesse is surprising. One because he's signed, two, because the reports sound as if he could contribute soon. Guess they don't want to push him, ala Paniagua.

[toonsterwu]

Honestly, that placement makes me think that Pierce Johnson is going to start in Tennessee, which, honestly, for a college arm, isn't something that should be surprising. That might mean his breaking ball is showing as well as some suggested (which could mean that almost everyone, including the pubs, (except uh, Rob?), might have under-ranked him a tiny bit.

 

For some reason, I thought we released Matt Spencer late last year.

 

At first glance, nothing else really stands out on placements right now. Oh wait ... our catching depth stinks, but we knew that.

 

Oh, and I sorta agree with craig. Not seeing Rosario working with that grouping is a bit bothersome. Maybe he's just sidelined for a bit and will join them, but it is a troubling sign.

[Sammy Sofa]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/210688#comment-210688

 

Cal mentioned this Arizona Phil article from yesterday, in which he made reference to the Cubs having apparently signed a 23-year-old Cuban pitcher of some possible interest.

 

In the link, Phil lists the pitcher/catcher assignments for AAA and AA in camp. As always, the listings are somewhat questionable; many of the guys will end up moving down one or more levels; and many others will be released. The lists are helpful, just to get a reminder of what kind of personnel are available for the high minors other than guys who will get demoted from the Cubs. The list is not thrilling, IMO.

 

More importantly, the list gives info on who's injured, as well as who isn't. There are usually some surprise injuries, or at least injuries that I hadn't known about. That is true as usual this spring, although overall I'm rather pleased that there aren't more injuries or more noteworthy injuries. Granted, these are just the AA/AAA groups, so many of the younger and perhaps more exciting arms might be injured, but we'd not know from these lists.

 

Anyway, anybody on "limited activity" is injured to some degree. And the list is pleasantly short. Those Phil lists are:

Chang-Yong Lim (Limited Activity Only - TJS Rehab)


Marcos Mateo (Limited Activity Only - TJS Rehab)


Marcelo Carreno (Limited Activity Only)


Hunter Cervenka (Limited Activity Only)
*

Dayan Diaz (Limited Activity Only)


Andrew McKirahan (Limited Activity Only)


Brett Wallach (Limited Activity Only)

 

Hadn't know that Carreno or Cervenka or Diaz were hurt. I'd figured that Wallach had been released, and just forgot about McKirahan.

 

Some noteworthies who are NOT on the "limited activity" list, all guys who have had arm issues in recent past or who ended up the year not pitching:

David Cales


Carlos Gutierrez
 (1st round pick we got from the Twins)

Kyle Hendricks
*

Zac Rosscup


Dontrelle Willis


Zach Cates
*

Gerardo Concepcion
*

J. Morris


Ben Wells


 

Seeing Wells on the list, without any obvious "limited activity" is fun.

 

One noteworthy name that is NOT on the list is Jose Rosario, which I think is bad news. Pretty much anybody who pitched significantly in Peoria last year is on the AA/AAA rosters (Jensen, Reed, Wells, Concepcion...). So if Rosario was healthy and fine, I'd have expected him to be in the same group with wells and Reed and Concepcion, if not even higher. So pretty safe to assume that something isn't completely right with him yet.

 

I thought this might be a nice thread to start. In due time we'll get similar lists, including "limited activity", for the lower levels.

 

Overall I was more pleased than disappointed. Seems to me I can recall some very disappointing reads a decade ago, where Justin Jones and Billy Petrick might show up unexpectedly limited, or Sisco or Ryu, or whatever. Last year Maples. So this list isn't bad. We'll see when the lower minors list comes out.

 

Nothing to add except thanks for the post/thread. Really helpful.

[Guest]

Couple of comments about placement: Don't think this means anything on Rosario personally. Was hurt, even if healthy, I could see him in Kane County to start. Wells seems different to me, since he's likely to be fast tracked a bit, if he in fact does need to be added to the 40 man at some point in 2013. I think the rumblings on Paniagua being held back in EXST are looking realistic now, or else he likely would have been in Tennessee's initial list. I could see them taking it really slow this spring with him, then putting him in Daytona or Tennessee for the 2nd half. Fascinating placement of Johnson, in my mind. To me, this says Daytona is the low end of where he'll be starting the year off, when it seemed like the absolute high end, before this came out. They must be extremely pleased with him. Rivero at Tennesse is surprising. One because he's signed, two, because the reports sound as if he could contribute soon. Guess they don't want to push him, ala Paniagua.

 

No, I took Rosario's omission the same way craig did. If Concepcion is at AA right now, a healthy Rosario has no reason to not even get a chance at the same level.

 

Paniagua probably will start at Kane County given the initial rosters. Consider most of the arms likely for KC aren't at AA camp (Jose Arias, Carlos Martinez, Justin Amlung, Tayler Scott, James Pugliese, Dillon Maples). If he does start at extended, the only way he double jumps to Daytona or triple jumps to Tennessee is he is injured and if he's earmarked for those rosters, he'd probably be one of those "limited activity" guys at AA.

[craig]

Honestly, that placement makes me think that Pierce Johnson is going to start in Tennessee, which, honestly, for a college arm, isn't something that should be surprising. That might mean his breaking ball is showing as well as some suggested (which could mean that almost everyone, including the pubs, (except uh, Rob?), might have under-ranked him a tiny bit. .....

 

I expect Johnson is a lock to start at Daytona. His good show in instrux and now in camp has him likely bumped past Kane. But he's only got 11 innings in short season, so Daytona will already be a pretty major skip. If he does great there, I could imagine Tennessee later, whether that be May or July.

 

I don't imagine many rotation locks. Johnson and Jensen at Daytona. Kirk and Loosen at Tennessee.

 

Paniagua, could be EXT, Kane, or Daytona. Wells, who knows if he'll be healthy enough. I assume Reed will start at Kane, but Daytona isn't impossible. Scott is obviously a lock. Underwood, Blackburn, Maples, who knows which if any might make it? Arias, we'll see if he's healthy enough to open the season.

 

But so many guys, nothing would surprise me. Burke, Daytona rotation, Tennessee rotation, or move to relief? Concepcion, will he be EXST, or make a full season, and if so starting? Will this new Cuban start or relieve, and will he be advanced enough for stay at XST to work with him, or will he start right out at Kane or Daytona?

[craig]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/03122013/2013-cubs-minor-league-camp-rosters-312

 

AzPhil's roster report, from yesterday. He now includes down through the A-ball groups, and both pitchers and hitters. Many guys have moved down since last week (including Pierce Johnson down from Iowa group to Daytona). So many are within a level of where they'll end up.

 

As always, the "limited/rehab/inactive" list is most interesting. It's little longer than the one last week. Noteworthy additions are of course Rosario, Maples, and actually the new Cuban, Armando Rivero. Phil's injury listing may not be very complete, of course. While it's great that Josh Conway is progressing well enough to participate in some of the camp drills, we certainly know he isn't close to healthy and isn't even remotely close to pitching in a real game. So perhaps there are others like that, too. Phil also mentions that he hasn't seen Paniagua or Torreyes. Visa problems, maybe? Who knows.

*McKirihan, who Phil listed as "inactive" last week, is not listed that way now.

*For you long-term Antigua fans, phil lists him as down with the Daytona group.

*As expected Rosario is injured.

 

LIMITED ACTIVITY/REHAB GROUP (10):

Marcelo Carreno, P (TENNESSEE)

* Hunter Cervenka, P (TENNESSEE

Dayan Diaz, P (TENNESSEE)

Chang-Yong Lim, P (IOWA)

* Alberto Mineo, C (KANE COUNTY)

Dillon Maples, P (KANE COUNTY)

Armando Rivero, P (TENNESSEE)

Jose Rosario, P (DAYTONA)

Casey Weathers, P (IOWA)

Brad Zapenas, INF (KANE COUNTY)

 

INACTIVE (4):

Carlos Escobar, C (ankle/foot injury)

Marcos Mateo, P (TJS rehab)

Amaury Paulino, P (TJS rehab)

[Guest]

Rivero is probably listed as inactive because his paperwork might not yet be approved or something along those lines.

 

Craig, thanks for posting that.

[CubsInNC]

Don't know that it really matters much. But AZPhil lists Rohan as whereabouts unknown. But, he's in Mesa. Guessing rehabbing, but I have no idea from what.

[Guest]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/03192013/2013-cubs-minor-league-camp-rosters-updated-319#comments

 

Soooo... Don't know if this means anything at this point, but Baez assigned to Tennessee... Guessing it doesn't.

 

Kane County isn't looking near as exciting as I had hoped.

 

 

Also, where the [expletive] is Paniagua? Starting to get worried.

Edited March 20, 2013 by David

[davell]

That means nothing. Alcantara is in Iowa currently. JCP is still unaccounted for. Thats the biggest thing I'm taking from the early list. But I would guess VISA issues will be problematic for him, based on his unknown past.

[Guest]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/03192013/2013-cubs-minor-league-camp-rosters-updated-319#comments

 

Soooo... Don't know if this means anything at this point, but Baez assigned to Tennessee... Guessing it doesn't.

 

Kane County isn't looking near as exciting as I had hoped.

 

 

Also, where the [expletive] is Paniagua? Starting to get worried.

 

Almora's injury will hurt Kane County's "excitement "a lot. The infield will still be fantastic - Vogelbach will return to KC and team up with Amaya, Candelario and Hernandez.

 

As davell said, I assume Alcantara and Baez will bump down.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/03192013/2013-cubs-minor-league-camp-rosters-updated-319#comments

 

Soooo... Don't know if this means anything at this point, but Baez assigned to Tennessee... Guessing it doesn't.

 

Kane County isn't looking near as exciting as I had hoped.

 

 

Also, where the [expletive] is Paniagua? Starting to get worried.

 

Almost everyone is going to move down a spot once cuts start coming down and the real season begins.

[Guest]

http://www.thecubreporter.com/03192013/2013-cubs-minor-league-camp-rosters-updated-319#comments

 

Soooo... Don't know if this means anything at this point, but Baez assigned to Tennessee... Guessing it doesn't.

 

Kane County isn't looking near as exciting as I had hoped.

 

 

Also, where the [expletive] is Paniagua? Starting to get worried.

 

Almost everyone is going to move down a spot once cuts start coming down and the real season begins.

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say "almost everyone."

[davell]

Of note, neither Jose Rosario or Josh Conway have limited activity next to their names. Oversight? Or on track, I wonder?

[craig]

Of note, neither Jose Rosario or Josh Conway have limited activity next to their names. Oversight? Or on track, I wonder?

 

nice catch, Dave. Conway hadn't been listed on Phil's previous report, either.

 

Not sure what that means. Maybe they're healthy enough to do bunting drills or practice covering 1B, who knows. I'm guessing the odds are like 0% that Conway is going to be pitching for serious right now. But maybe he's advanced enough to be allowed to throw from the mound already?

[Guest]

Daytona News-Journal on the likelihood of Baez and Soler starting the season in Daytona.

[CubsWin]

Of note, neither Jose Rosario or Josh Conway have limited activity next to their names. Oversight? Or on track, I wonder?

I noticed that, too. I'm going oversight at this point. Obviously it's a wait and see situation.

 

In other news, AZ Phil reports that Stephen Bruno has not been behind the plate at all this spring, not even in bullpen sessions. Looks that experiment is done, at least for the time being.

 

Also noticed that Jose Dore was playing 1B in his first game since being acquired from the Padres. He played 1B exclusively last season in just 9 games at 3 different levels. But in his previous 2 seasons, he played only corner OF spots.

[toonsterwu]

If Bruno stays in the infield, as it seems, he looks to have a good shot to break with Daytona, playing some sort of super-util type of role. I guess the push down effect could move him to Peoria, but I doubt it (it'd be hard for him to get regular PT (or someone else would find it tough), unless you moved him to a semi-regular OF role). The push down effect may slide DeVoss/Torreyes back to A+, but Bruno's ability to play multiple spots should still make him a good fit for finding a role in Daytona to start the year.

[Guest]

If Bruno stays in the infield, as it seems, he looks to have a good shot to break with Daytona, playing some sort of super-util type of role. I guess the push down effect could move him to Peoria, but I doubt it (it'd be hard for him to get regular PT (or someone else would find it tough), unless you moved him to a semi-regular OF role). The push down effect may slide DeVoss/Torreyes back to A+, but Bruno's ability to play multiple spots should still make him a good fit for finding a role in Daytona to start the year.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping he stays at Daytona - it would be best for him and for the infielders at Kane County.

[craig]

If Bruno stays in the infield, as it seems, he looks to have a good shot to break with Daytona, playing some sort of super-util type of role. I guess the push down effect could move him to Peoria, but I doubt it (it'd be hard for him to get regular PT (or someone else would find it tough), unless you moved him to a semi-regular OF role). The push down effect may slide DeVoss/Torreyes back to A+, but Bruno's ability to play multiple spots should still make him a good fit for finding a role in Daytona to start the year.

 

2B clutter. Torreyes, Bruno, Saunders, Amaya, DeVoss, that's 5 second-basemen who all belong in full-season A-ball. Add in Baez and Alcantara, who can't both play SS for Daytona at the same time, and who are both serious prospects to play 2B beside Castro someday.

 

Thoughts:

1. DeVoss to OF.

*He's not nearly in class with the other guys defensively at 2B, and Daytona is thin in outfielders. I imagine his 2B days are probably over.

 

2. Move some guy(s) to AA? Who?

*Torreyes, Alcantara, and Saunders all could. I think that's rushing each one and could be counterproductive developmentally. But, maybe it's developmentally better to play regularly than to to sit.

*I'd least mind moving Saunders. He's the oldest and the weakest prospect. Challenging him with a "prove it or lose it" might work. If he still hits in AA, then you know you've got something. And if he can't, then nothing is lost.

*Torreyes might be best qualified as a hitter. If he did go AA and post a serious OBP at AA, his reputation and status could grow fast. (Not a lot of 20-year-olds in AA with .350+ OBP.....) But he's a significant prospect, and I don't want his development compromised.

*Alcantara is the most raw, both as hitter and fielder. But if they want him and Baez to both play SS, rushing him to AA may be unfortunate but perhaps necessary.

 

3. Move guys to 3B?

*Any 2B ought to be movable to 3B, whether or not they have the arm or the power to play 3B in the majors. Bruno, Saunders, Alcantara, Torreyes, I can see any or all of them getting some 3B time.

*Some of these guys might make it as utility major leaguers rather than starters. Getting experience at 3b could help prepare them.

*If playing 3B gets them on the field so they can get their AB's, that's worthwhile.

*I'm imagining Bruno being especially likely to play 3B?

*Baez or Alcantara. Both certainly have big-time 3B arms. With Castro at SS, getting some practice at 3b may be more than just necessary way to both play at once, it may be a very helpful training for one or both.

 

4. Move to OF?

*Maybe not just DeVoss. Could Bruno play a lot in OF?

 

5. Hold somebody at Kane.

*Bruno's bat may be qualified for Daytona, but since Kane would still be a normal promotion, putting him at Kane might be the least insulting. One or several from the Baez/Alcantara/Torreyes/Saunders class might get promoted to AA later on, so starting at Kane based on Daytona clutter might set up for a promotion to Daytona later.

*Saunders could perhaps go to Kane also. 32nd rounders kinda go where they can fit, and defer to the top prospects.

*Amaya is pretty much the man at 2b for Kane, with Marco at SS. So if Bruno or Saunders do stay at Kane due to the Daytona clutter, they will still need to play utility/outfield.

 

6. Amaya is perhaps emerging as the best of the 5 second base prospects, given the size and power advantage that he has relative to Torreyes. I think he's pretty much locked in as the every-day 2B at Kane.

[craig]

Other interesting note from Phil's list is that Underwood and Blackburn are both with short-season group.

[Guest]

Craig, I can't see how moving Alcantara to AA would be rushing him.

[toonsterwu]

Yeah, I'm with Raisin. I think Alcantara should start the year at AA. If he's even remotely in consideration to start in A+, I'll be disappointed. I think he did enough offensively last year to get the bump up, and defensively, while, Daytona's field isn't the best anyways, and I think he can still work on things in AA.

 

Kane County and Iowa should be the easy ones as it relates to starting MI. Iowa is Watkiins and ... well, someone at short. Kane should be Amaya/Hernandez.

 

Tennessee would be tough. I don't think Torreyes deserves to go up, but maybe he does enough to convince them. Personally, I think the sink or swim guy should be Zeke DeVoss. Move him up to AA and see how he does. I don't love the idea of moving DeVoss to the OF in Daytona - Chen is a similar player who likely has CF to start Daytona in 2013, and DeVoss doesn't make a ton of sense on the corner. If Torreyes and Bruno are at Daytona (as I would have it), there's need for DeVoss as a util 2nd/OF guy. I like DeVoss enough to think that sucks for him, but Torreyes is a bit more intriguing. At short, I'd have Alcantara as the main option.

 

Daytona, for me, would have Baez at short and Torreyes as the main 2nd baseman. Bruno played 3rd at UVA, and he probably could handle corner OF (I actually think he got some spot time in the OF in Boise, but am too lazy to check), so he could rove around and get "regular" starts, including giving Baez a day off at short (or Torreyes could go to short with Bruno at 2nd). The other competitor at 3rd for Daytona would probably be Dustin Geiger, who may be a better fit at 1st/corner OF. A lot of movable, semi-versatile guys could start at Daytona.

 

As for Saunders, well ... this isn't fair to him, but in my mind, he should fill gaps wherever there is a need, unless he proves something. That might mean starting at Peoria and waiting for a spot.

[jumbo]

Tennessee would be tough. I don't think Torreyes deserves to go up, but maybe he does enough to convince them.

Torreyes did really well from June on last year. His awful start just kept his overall numbers down. I think he, out of the group listed originally, is easily the right choice for Tennessee.

 

Personally, I think the sink or swim guy should be Zeke DeVoss. Move him up to AA and see how he does.

I'd be stunned if DeVoss skipped Daytona. He wasn't all that great at Peoria last year to the point that I wouldn't hesitate to send him back unless a better prospect needed to start there.