Random Cubs Musings: Minor League Edition

[Clem Fandango]

Awesome! Thanks for the info, guys.

[Guest]

Didn't know where else to ask this. This might be a bit of an inconvenient request, but can somebody make (or if it's already made somewhere even better) a documented list of each league and how the league tends to favor hitters or batters? For example (these are just arbitrary):

 

Southern League - Hitters

International League - Neutral

PCL - Hitters

 

etc. etc. Is that a thing anywhere? I thought it would be nice to have a documented reference sheet to know park factors for each league so those who do not know the minors like the back of their hands can look at numbers and assume they are being inflated or deflated by said park factors. That way people don't say "Player A has a .950 OPS out of nowhere, he's really breaking out!" while those who know recognize that he's putting those numbers up in an extreme hitters league and know those numbers are to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

Does that make sense? I think that would be useful. I recognize that this already exists for singular parks factors, as do others, but I haven't been able to track down a generalized chart. If it exists already that's great, but I can't find it.

 

this has runs per game: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/season-preview/2013/2614870.html

 

i've always thought of the PCL, texas league and california league as the three most favorable leagues for hitters. the international league, eastern league and southern league are probably a little pitcher-friendly. FSL is definitely a pitchers league. i think the NWL and NYP leagues are definitely pitcher friendly, although boise plays in probably the most favorable offensive environment in the NWL.

 

I haven't looked at this season but prior to last season, the NWL was actually more favorable to hitters.

[Guest]

Also on the DSL conversation, 2B Dalfis Ortiz, C Antonio Valerio, and RHP Jose Zapata were the only Cubs to make the DSL NL All-Star team.

[TruffleShuffle]

I haven't looked at this season but prior to last season, the NWL was actually more favorable to hitters.

 

really? last year and this year the hitting numbers were pretty bad. i would think that all the coastal cities play as pitchers parks.

[Guest]

@CSNMooney A look at Almora/Soler and “The Core," with signals Kris Bryant could go straight to Daytona: http://bit.ly/19i0hG7

 

Bryant is hitting .294 with four homers, 12 RBI and a .990 OPS through 14 games with Boise. There are signals he could skip Class-A Kane County and go directly to advanced Class-A Daytona.

“He’s played really well over the last couple weeks,” said general manager Jed Hoyer, who on Friday declined to say where Bryant could be heading next. “That’s something that we’ll probably be discussing in the next week or so.”

 

Jorge Soler – who has been sidelined since mid-June with a stress fracture in his left tibia – will be examined on Monday in Chicago. That will give the Cubs a better feel for if the $30 million Cuban outfielder can return to Daytona this season and/or play in the Arizona Fall League.

 

Albert Almora is also viewed as a strong candidate to play in the Arizona Fall League. The sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft broke his hamate bone in spring training and went on the disabled list this week with a groin injury. In between, the 19-year-old outfielder has hit .329 with an .842 OPS in 61 games at Kane County.

[Warpticon]

What are the rules for qualifying to play in the AFL again? Was it one guy below AA?

[Guest]

What are the rules for qualifying to play in the AFL again? Was it one guy below AA?

 

I've read somewhere (not sure where, can't remember now) that it might have been bumped to two this season.

[Guest]

What are the rules for qualifying to play in the AFL again? Was it one guy below AA?

 

I've read somewhere (not sure where, can't remember now) that it might have been bumped to two this season.

 

Roster size is established at 35 players per team.

Each Major League organization is required to provide seven players subject to the following eligibility requirements:

* All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible provided they are on Double-A rosters no later than Aug 15;

* Each organization is permitted to send two Class A Advanced-level players in addition to the current allowance of two "A-exempt" players (who are under contract as of Aug. 15).

[Guest]

What are the rules for qualifying to play in the AFL again? Was it one guy below AA?

 

I've read somewhere (not sure where, can't remember now) that it might have been bumped to two this season.

 

Roster size is established at 35 players per team.

Each Major League organization is required to provide seven players subject to the following eligibility requirements:

* All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible provided they are on Double-A rosters no later than Aug 15;

* Each organization is permitted to send two Class A Advanced-level players in addition to the current allowance of two "A-exempt" players (who are under contract as of Aug. 15).

 

Thanks. The old cut-off date was August 1st so that was bumped up too. It'll be interesting to see if Almora comes off the DL and gets promoted by Thursday.

[Guest]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

[rawaction]

I really wouldn't mind Almora NOT playing in the AFL. Sure he missed some time, but he's not necessarily a guy that needs the work to hone his craft. Won't be learning a new position. Soler definitely could use the work though, given his injury came later in the year.

[Guest]

I really wouldn't mind Almora NOT playing in the AFL. Sure he missed some time, but he's not necessarily a guy that needs the work to hone his craft. Won't be learning a new position. Soler definitely could use the work though, given his injury came later in the year.

 

Almora has only played in 6 more games than Soler. He'll be at Instructs otherwise, they'd basically be deciding between Instructs or challenging him against more advanced pitching. Also might want Soler and he to play together because they're familiar with each other (and Almora is bilingual).

[davell]

My guess is Almora, Soler, Alcantara, Villanueva, Zych, Rosscup, and Neil Ramirez, if he's the PTBNL and he's healthy.

[rawaction]

I really wouldn't mind Almora NOT playing in the AFL. Sure he missed some time, but he's not necessarily a guy that needs the work to hone his craft. Won't be learning a new position. Soler definitely could use the work though, given his injury came later in the year.

 

Almora has only played in 6 more games than Soler. He'll be at Instructs otherwise, they'd basically be deciding between Instructs or challenging him against more advanced pitching. Also might want Soler and he to play together because they're familiar with each other (and Almora is bilingual).

 

Yeah I know the games played aren't much different, but Almora is much younger. He's much more familiar with playing baseball in the United States. He doesn't need the reps to get comfortable in the OF. Even his BB rate has improved. That's not to say he doesn't need work on things, but there's plenty of time for him and he has time more on his side than Soler. His game is also closer to where it should be at this point of his development. I won't complain if he goes to the AFL, but it doesn't really seem necessary for a kid that hasn't even seen high A yet.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Bryant's wOBA is .438, and that's with the platinum sombrero debut.

[davell]

Things can really start to happen next year, if things go the way we think they will. Javy could see some time in the majors next year, Bryant and Soler could conceivably begin 2014 in AA, Alcantara likely starts in Iowa, with a major league audition later in the year and its plausible that Almora sees AA by midseason as well. I know the entire group won't work out, but I kind of see each of ty hem getting a chance here, before any are dealt.

[rawaction]

Things can really start to happen next year, if things go the way we think they will. Javy could see some time in the majors next year, Bryant and Soler could conceivably begin 2014 in AA, Alcantara likely starts in Iowa, with a major league audition later in the year and its plausible that Almora sees AA by midseason as well. I know the entire group won't work out, but I kind of see each of ty hem getting a chance here, before any are dealt.

I'm hoping one of these guys goes Mike Trout and is elite right away. Likely would have to be Baez or Bryant. I think all these guys are locks to at least get a shot at the majors at some point. It all depends on how they handle it.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's the strangest thing. A lot of our talented minor leaguers seem to be improving as the year goes on.

[davell]

It's the strangest thing. A lot of our talented minor leaguers seem to be improving as the year goes on.

Post of the year.

[Gilby]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

 

I want to say it's there for advanced draft picks who are playing in lower levels to get used to pro ball and they're almost ready for High-A/AA when the season ends?

 

 

My guess is Almora, Soler, Alcantara, Villanueva, Zych, Rosscup, and Neil Ramirez, if he's the PTBNL and he's healthy.

 

No Baez? Considering he could make an impact in the majors as soon as next season, I want him facing as much high level pitching as possible before then.

[rawaction]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

 

I want to say it's there for advanced draft picks who are playing in lower levels to get used to pro ball and they're almost ready for High-A/AA when the season ends?

 

 

My guess is Almora, Soler, Alcantara, Villanueva, Zych, Rosscup, and Neil Ramirez, if he's the PTBNL and he's healthy.

 

No Baez? Considering he could make an impact in the majors as soon as next season, I want him facing as much high level pitching as possible before then.

He went last year and got hurt there. He's faced plenty of high level pitching so far in AA. Will get plenty of work in spring training and AAA next year. He's had a full year also, and I don't think u want to risk burning the kid out.

[Guest]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

 

I want to say it's there for advanced draft picks who are playing in lower levels to get used to pro ball and they're almost ready for High-A/AA when the season ends?

 

 

My guess is Almora, Soler, Alcantara, Villanueva, Zych, Rosscup, and Neil Ramirez, if he's the PTBNL and he's healthy.

 

No Baez? Considering he could make an impact in the majors as soon as next season, I want him facing as much high level pitching as possible before then.

He went last year and got hurt there. He's faced plenty of high level pitching so far in AA. Will get plenty of work in spring training and AAA next year. He's had a full year also, and I don't think u want to risk burning the kid out.

 

I don't get what the part in bold has to do with anything.

 

 

Anyway, I want him there too. I guess the not wanting him to burn out argument is valid, but I think the value of the experience (especially now that he's more advanced than last year) outweighs that. What would he be doing if he didn't go?

[Guest]

He could go to fall instructs (September) and play in a winter league or just work out at home.

[Guest]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

 

I want to say it's there for advanced draft picks who are playing in lower levels to get used to pro ball and they're almost ready for High-A/AA when the season ends?

 

If that's the case, wouldn't Bryant qualify (without taking one of our 2 slots for guys at advanced A)?

 

Conceivably, if that's the case, all of Bryant, Soler, Almora (if he gets to A+ before the 15th), and Baez would seem to be able to go...unless I'm missing something.

 

Even if they could, I'd doubt they would, but yeah.

[Gilby]

What exactly is the A-exempt thing about?

 

I want to say it's there for advanced draft picks who are playing in lower levels to get used to pro ball and they're almost ready for High-A/AA when the season ends?

 

If that's the case, wouldn't Bryant qualify (without taking one of our 2 slots for guys at advanced A)?

 

Conceivably, if that's the case, all of Bryant, Soler, Almora (if he gets to A+ before the 15th), and Baez would seem to be able to go...unless I'm missing something.

 

Even if they could, I'd doubt they would, but yeah.

 

Yeah, the way I read it, Bryant, Soler, and Almora could all go together, as well as AA and AAA players, obviously. I could be missing something as well though.