Random Cubs Musings: Minor League Edition

[weis21]

Man, Alcantara as a Zobrist type is pretty enticing

This is basically what I'm dreaming for. The ability to play all three outfield spots and up the middle in the infield. Super sub.

 

 

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[jumbo]

There was some chatter in another thread about the potential lineup that would include Schwarber, Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, et al. It made me wonder when everyone expects some of these guys to come up to the majors. Alcantara seems like he'll be up this year, before September, that is. Bryant will likely not be up until post-arb deadline 2015. Expecting Schwarber before 2016 would be unlikely, especially if he's at C instead of OF. Not really considering the rotating pen guys here...Also not really trying to predict September callups, but when a player will be up "for good"

 

2014

Alcantara

Hendricks

Wada

Lopez

Vizcaino

 

2015

Bryant

Baez

Johnson

Edwards

Rivero

 

2016

Schwarber

Soler

Bruno

Black

Pineyro

Almora?

 

2017

Almora

[Guest]

2014

Ramirez

Olt

Schlitter

Wada

Alcantara (maybe)

Vizcaino (maybe)

Rivero (double maybe)

 

If Wada is going to pitch for the Cubs, he'll need to be on the MLB roster before September. Alcantara could be promoted, but he's also very young and not without things to work on at AAA. Vizcaino and Rivero will probably be ready, but at the current rate I'm not sure if they'll have the opportunity with the way the pen is constructed at the moment plus Parker at Iowa.

 

2015

All maybes from 2014

Baez

Bryant

Hendricks

Soler (doubtful)

Bruno (doubtful)

 

A half dozen guys, 3 top 100 players and a former top 100 SP prospect back as a reliever. WAVES

 

2016 (incomplete)

Soler

Edwards

Johnson

Bruno

Pineyro*

Black*

Schwarber (maybe)

 

I asterisk Pineyro and Black because of the high level of doubt they'll be MLB regulars

 

These lists will end up shorter and less impressive in magnitude in practice(especially 2016), but even then it underscores the difference from the last few years.

 

2011

Uh, Campana?

Rizzo (in San Diego)

 

2012

Castillo

Clevenger

Dolis?

Rusin?

 

2013

Lake

Parker

Grimm (in Texas)

[Andy]

Not that it matters much (and not that we developed him much), but Rizzo could be counted in 2012.

[Guest]

You missed Rizzo on your past callups, though I understand why.

 

The future lists also don't include any return we get for Hammel and Shark.

[sneakypower]

i strongly think Soler will still be up next year, and Alcantara needs to come up with Olt going down, right about now

 

we'll surely see Hendrick this year, too, probably in early August

[Guest]

Updated for Rizzo.

 

i strongly think Soler will still be up next year, and Alcantara needs to come up with Olt going down, right about now

 

we'll surely see Hendrick this year, too, probably in early August

 

Soler is the one guy I felt could significantly change his timetable from those lists. What I put reflects what's happened with him so far, but he could change it in a hurry if he can get back in the lineup and hit like he has in that limited time at AA.

 

I very much doubt we see Hendricks before September, if at all. The return on Hammel and if Shark gets traded will probably determine which of those two it is.

[KingCubsFan]

Updated for Rizzo.

 

i strongly think Soler will still be up next year, and Alcantara needs to come up with Olt going down, right about now

 

we'll surely see Hendrick this year, too, probably in early August

 

Soler is the one guy I felt could significantly change his timetable from those lists. What I put reflects what's happened with him so far, but he could change it in a hurry if he can get back in the lineup and hit like he has in that limited time at AA.

 

I very much doubt we see Hendricks before September, if at all. The return on Hammel and if Shark gets traded will probably determine which of those two it is.

Plus he doesn't have the same service time considerations as the others.

[Guest]

Alcantara needs to come up with Olt going down, right about now

From a fan perspective and from a win-now perspective I certainly agree with this. But Alcantara still has to work on his command of the strike zone and he would be better served in his development to do it in Iowa.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Can I put 2/3rds of those guys in "never"?

[Guest]

No, you may not.

[wekim81]

Arodys can't pitch every other day much less back to back days. He ain't comin up this year

[Guest]

Arodys can't pitch every other day much less back to back days. He ain't comin up this year

 

Since coming up to AA and his first outing on 5/7, he has 12 appearances. In the same time frame, the only Cub with more appearances is Schlitter. I don't think they'll institute him as the 8th or 9th inning guy this year, but if there's opportunity(and currently there is not) I don't think workload will be what keeps him in the minors.

[sneakypower]

Alcantara still has to work on his command of the strike zone and he would be better served in his development to do it in Iowa.

outsize-zone swing%

april: 15.7%

may: 11.7%

june: 7.5%

 

and it's coincided with 1-1/2 months of .900 OPS

 

COME ON DOWN!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Rod_Roddy_TPIR.jpg

[imb]

Gonna be funny in a couple years when alcantara is the most valuable of our vaunted prospect group

[wekim81]

Arodys can't pitch every other day much less back to back days. He ain't comin up this year

 

Since coming up to AA and his first outing on 5/7, he has 12 appearances. In the same time frame, the only Cub with more appearances is Schlitter. I don't think they'll institute him as the 8th or 9th inning guy this year, but if there's opportunity(and currently there is not) I don't think workload will be what keeps him in the minors.

That's all well and good but only once (and that was Saturday and Monday) have they even had him pitch on one days rest.

 

Still clearly taking it easy on him and pretty much the only way I see him getting to the bigs this yr is a few mop up sept innings.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Man, Alcantara as a Zobrist type is pretty enticing

 

Zobrist minus 100 points of OBP

[Guest]

Man, Alcantara as a Zobrist type is pretty enticing

 

Zobrist minus 100 points of OBP

 

You're in a fun mood today.

[Guest]

Arodys can't pitch every other day much less back to back days. He ain't comin up this year

 

Since coming up to AA and his first outing on 5/7, he has 12 appearances. In the same time frame, the only Cub with more appearances is Schlitter. I don't think they'll institute him as the 8th or 9th inning guy this year, but if there's opportunity(and currently there is not) I don't think workload will be what keeps him in the minors.

That's all well and good but only once (and that was Saturday and Monday) have they even had him pitch on one days rest.

 

Still clearly taking it easy on him and pretty much the only way I see him getting to the bigs this yr is a few mop up sept innings.

 

My point is that being able to pitch on back to back days is not a limiting factor. Unless you're entrenched in an 8th or 9th inning role, that isn't a frequent or even infrequent need. Vizcaino could have the same usage patterns in MLB as he does now in AA and it wouldn't impact the MLB pen.

[weis21]

Gonna be funny in a couple years when alcantara is the most valuable of our vaunted prospect group

I hope so. It'll make the value of these bad boys go through the roof!

 

https://secure.milbauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=10894

[Warpticon]

I still can't get over that signature.

[weis21]

It's probably (sadly) the best thing I own.

[Guest]

@CEdwardsSBS: Back in AZ throwing#feelsgoodman

[Sammy Sofa]

Gonna be funny in a couple years when alcantara is the most valuable of our vaunted prospect group

 

http://37.media.tumblr.com/0db3ef6d35f697f5774108b3679e74cd/tumblr_n6zgfxL5r31s5mqjuo2_500.gif

[CubsWin]

Man, Alcantara as a Zobrist type is pretty enticing

 

Zobrist minus 100 points of OBP

Quite possibly true. Over 4 minor league seasons, Zobrist never had less than a .400 OBP. Of course, he was 23 while playing in short season, Low-A ball, and Alcantara is 22 and playing his first season in AAA, but whatever.