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Random Cubs Musings: Minor League Edition

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XZero771679666304 Knoxville Smokies

XZero771679666304

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I'm not lamenting the Soler signing, but there's still that uncomfortable feeling of realizing we are locked in to paying *at least* $30 million for a guy who is still in Daytona.

 

Sure, it's gamble, but over nine years it's not some kind of onerous financial burden even if he flames out.

 

And if the FO had passed and he received a similar contract from someone else and then became a productive player, we'd all be lamenting that.

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Soler's injury is a stress fracture of the tibia

 

@CSNMooney: Cubs say Jorge Soler has a stress fracture (tibia) and will be in a walking boot for the next 4-to-6 weeks.

 

@CSNMooney: Soler obviously out for Futures Game but Cubs don't want to call it a season-ending injury yet.

 

*sob*

 

Well, that has to cement Soler as the Cubs' A-ball representative for the AFL.

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. Edited by David
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Here's something I don't think we had heard:

 

“He is working at-bats,” Epstein said. “For a guy who hasn’t played baseball in a couple of years except for a short time last year, he fit right in. He started out hot, then he got cold and we made some slight swing adjustments with his (weight balance) load to affect his bat path and not make it quite as steep.

 

“He took to it right away. That is a good sign. He showed the ability to make adjustments and take them right into the game. He shows a knack for getting his pitch and then not missing it.

 

“He’s starting to learn how to elevate the ball. That’s a big thing for him. He hit the ball really hard early in the season, but it was usually on the ground or on a line. As he gets repetitions he is learning how to elevate the ball to hit for tremendous power. He did a nice job on the bases and in the outfield.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-jorge-soler-chicago-cubs-shin-fracture-20130627,0,3343139.story

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OK, I think it just moved...

 

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/06/paul-blackburn-has-all-the-tools-to-be-an-impact-starter-in-the-majors/

 

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/files/2013/06/blackburn.jpg

 

Well some of that projectability is turning into reality. Blackburn has added 30 pounds of muscle without losing any of his flexibility, athleticism, or feel for pitching. Along with the muscle, he has added those few ticks to his fastball, something we were hoping for back when he was just a skinny high school kid.

 

I've been hesitant to rank Blackburn because I've lacked a whole lot of first hand information since that day, but a conversation with Cubs minor league pitching coordinator Derek Johnson began to change my mind.

 

It wasn't so much anything Johnson said, but it seemed to me that even with his laid back drawl, he couldn't disguise the excitement in his voice. He described Blackburn as an exception to the general rule in that he was a kid with a great arm who could throw hard - but who already had naturally advanced pitching skills. My personal interpretation? He thinks the kid is special.

 

Had I waited until after that conversation to make my list, I would have ranked Blackburn much higher and, as of today because of his great performance so far, I'd slot him in behind Pierce Johnson as the Cubs 2nd best pitching prospect and 7th best prospect overall.

 

There were some reports of Blackburn hitting increased velocity in Arizona and then we heard he hit 94 in his first start. Cubs Den reader Casey attended his last start and told me he regularly hit 95 mph.

 

Think about that and then go back and read that original pre-draft report. It almost seems unfair to add a big fastball to that profile.

 

If true, I like Blackburn more than anyone, Pierce included.

Hairyducked Idiot All-Star

Hairyducked Idiot

Old-Timey Member
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I usually take these fan-driven velocity reports with a huge grain of salt and an eyeroll, but given:

 

a) His results back it up this year

b) He was projectable as adding that sort of velocity and is working with Derek Johnson now

c) I really want to believe it

 

I'll go ahead and believe it. That probably makes him the most interesting pitching prospect in the system.

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I usually take these fan-driven velocity reports with a huge grain of salt and an eyeroll, but given:

 

a) His results back it up this year

b) He was projectable as adding that sort of velocity and is working with Derek Johnson now

c) I really want to believe it

 

I'll go ahead and believe it. That probably makes him the most interesting pitching prospect in the system.

 

I guess Kyle is no longer concerned about Blackburn's velocity reports from last season.

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest

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Guests
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So last year, Javy got to Peoria on May 28th and spent 57 games mashing there (.432 wOBA) before getting the call to Daytona on August 4th.

 

Almora, under somewhat different circumstances, got to KC on May 22nd and is at 38 games (.409 wOBA).

 

You'd have to think Almora gets the call in the next 3-4 weeks, right?

wekim81 College Ball

wekim81

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
So last year, Javy got to Peoria on May 28th and spent 57 games mashing there (.432 wOBA) before getting the call to Daytona on August 4th.

 

Almora, under somewhat different circumstances, got to KC on May 22nd and is at 38 games (.409 wOBA).

 

You'd have to think Almora gets the call in the next 3-4 weeks, right?

This is the same timeframe I’ve been thinking for a few weeks now. August 1st (ish)

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Yeah, I'm expecting an early August promotion barring a massive slump.
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Not sure if this is the appropriate spot but sounds like the Cubs are close to signing Kris Bryant

 

‏@JonHeymanCBS 7m

#cubs close to record deal with No. 2 overall pick Kris Bryant, 3B from U of San Diego. http://cbsprt.co/12iaN7v

I would hope so, the deadline is approaching in less than 48 hours.

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Sahadev Sharma ‏@sahadevsharma 6m

After talking to people, get feeling that as long as Bryant performs as expected @ Boise, he'll move up this yr. Question is: KC or Daytona?

 

Sahadev Sharma ‏@sahadevsharma 2m

Big reason Bryant may not head to Kane County is Candelario's at 3B there. He's young & won't be moved up, both guys need to play everyday

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Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisBA 12m

Bryant. @chicagochiguy: Coming into their professional careers who did you have rated higher - Braun or Bryant? #Brewers #Cubs #mlbdraft

imb MVP

imb

Old-Timey Member
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It's too bad he didn't play in the SEC. They could have sent him straight to Des Moines.

 

Hahahahahaha

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Bruce Miles speculating on Twitter that they want to send Jackson to Tennessee to reset and have some success. Going to ask when they get to the park today.

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