Minor League Discussion & Boxes 7-15-13

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores

 

Iowa had the day off

 

Tennessee had the day off

 

Daytona lost 8-4 Box Score

 

Kane County won 7-4 Box Score

 

Boise won 7-4 Box Score

 

AZL Cubs lost 8-4 Box Score

 

DSL Cubs won 5-3 Box Score

 

VSL Cubs vs. VSL Tigers (game one) PPD - Rain

 

VSL Cubs at VSL Tigers (game two) PPD - Rain

 

OVERALL: 3-2

[Guest]

Probable Starters

 

Daytona: RHP Zack Cates (89 IP, 3.26 FIP, 3.84 ERA, 66 K, 33 BB)

Kane County: RHP Felix Peña (64 IP, 3.34 FIP, 3.52 ERA, 49 K, 23 BB)

Boise: TBA

AZL Cubs: RHP Erick Leal (15.2 IP, 2.43 FIP, 1.15 ERA, 17 K, 3 BB)

[Guest]

Rehabbing LHP Andrew McKirahan was promoted to Kane County.

[Guest]

Now that the Hawks trip to Canada is over, Trey Masek, Yasiel Balaguert and Carlos Penalver are all back with Boise. Looks like Trey Lang is staying in Arizona. Jesse Hodges, Orbandy Rodriguez, Ethan Elias and Kevin Brown returned to Mesa.

 

Also Carlos Martinez was activated off the Boise's DL and Eddie Orozco joins Boise on rehab.

[ctcf]

*Leal

[Quakers]

I am intrigued by Carlos Martinez.

 

What is his story?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I hadn't even heard of him until this year. We're talking about Martinez-Pumarino, right?

 

6'4'' 230 out of Cuba, turned 22 in April. Was good last year in the AZL and has been decent so far in Boise. Haven't seen any scouting reports or remember anything about his defection/signing.

[davell]

Think he was signed for 250-300k or so.

[Quakers]

Thanks

 

I will be attending the Boise Hillsboro series over the next three evenings:) Due to the seats I was able to purchase, I do not think that I will be able to peek over the shoulders of scouts and get pitch speeds. What should I be looking out for?

[Guest]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

[Guest]

Think he was signed for 250-300k or so.

 

$250k.

 

Martinez is indeed the same as Martinez-Pumarino.

 

He throws pretty hard out of the pen (94-98) with iffy secondary stuff.

[BeerHere]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

I saw a KC game a couple weeks ago. Maples started that game and I was there early enough to watch his (and others) entire warmup routine. I sat four rows up from the bullpen mound and Maples was working closely with the KC pitching coach on his mechanics, specifically stressing the motion and the strain it places on his shoulder. They were clearly working to iron out his mechanics, something I had never seen immediately prior to a start. He was listening closely and trying to incorporate the feedback though, to his credit. His results that day were very poor as he had horrible command and didn't last past the first inning. He had decent stuff , fb in the mid 90's, good breaking stuff, but he wasn't repeating his delivery and just couldn't find the zone. He very clearly needs to spend time with Derek Johnson.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Almora and Vogelbach both 2/4 with a walk.

[Guest]

Geez, Maples:

 

@BoiseHawksRadio: .@BoiseHawks 5, Hillsboro 1 (Bottom 6) - Maples throws 12 of 14 pitches for balls...loaded with no outs, Corbin Hoffner in

[Quakers]

Geez, Maples:

 

@BoiseHawksRadio: .@BoiseHawks 5, Hillsboro 1 (Bottom 6) - Maples throws 12 of 14 pitches for balls...loaded with no outs, Corbin Hoffner in

 

Maples was not close to getting a strike. His fastball was around 94.

 

Underwood was hitting 94 as well. He has not had a good start to this season, but I would not give up on him as a prospect. He just looks raw. Wait and see where he is at by season's end.

 

Penalver had a real good night. He showed superior defense at short, excellent speed on the base paths, and stroked the first solid hit (double) that I have seen him hit. He is a smart player, athletic and he seems to learn fast. I think he is a legit prospect.

 

Keep an eye on Lockhart. This guy knows what he is doing at the plate. (So far no power though.) Good defense at second as well.

 

Edit: This was my first trip to Hillsboro, so I do not know how accurate the scoreboard radar reading is, but it is a new (and very nice) facility so I am guessing the radar was good.

[davell]

No reason to be discouraged on Underwood at all. He doesn't turn 19 until the 20th of this month. Maples, on the other hand.....Ugh.

[CubsInNC]

Just waking up after last nights rain extended KC game. Will type up observations in a bit.

[jersey cubs fan]

Vogelbach, back over 800 with a 3/5 1bb/1k day.

[scarey]

Good to see Gioskar Amaya has bounced back decently. Average up to .270. I would love to see him come close to matching his IsoD from last year by the end of the season.

[Guest]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

I saw a KC game a couple weeks ago. Maples started that game and I was there early enough to watch his (and others) entire warmup routine. I sat four rows up from the bullpen mound and Maples was working closely with the KC pitching coach on his mechanics, specifically stressing the motion and the strain it places on his shoulder. They were clearly working to iron out his mechanics, something I had never seen immediately prior to a start. He was listening closely and trying to incorporate the feedback though, to his credit. His results that day were very poor as he had horrible command and didn't last past the first inning. He had decent stuff , fb in the mid 90's, good breaking stuff, but he wasn't repeating his delivery and just couldn't find the zone. He very clearly needs to spend time with Derek Johnson.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but that's where Derek Johnson is? Boise? I guess that makes sense given the age and experience of the players he's coached his whole career, I just wanted to confirm.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

I saw a KC game a couple weeks ago. Maples started that game and I was there early enough to watch his (and others) entire warmup routine. I sat four rows up from the bullpen mound and Maples was working closely with the KC pitching coach on his mechanics, specifically stressing the motion and the strain it places on his shoulder. They were clearly working to iron out his mechanics, something I had never seen immediately prior to a start. He was listening closely and trying to incorporate the feedback though, to his credit. His results that day were very poor as he had horrible command and didn't last past the first inning. He had decent stuff , fb in the mid 90's, good breaking stuff, but he wasn't repeating his delivery and just couldn't find the zone. He very clearly needs to spend time with Derek Johnson.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but that's where Derek Johnson is? Boise? I guess that makes sense given the age and experience of the players he's coached his whole career, I just wanted to confirm.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, he works with pitchers at all levels of the minor leagues.

[Guest]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

I saw a KC game a couple weeks ago. Maples started that game and I was there early enough to watch his (and others) entire warmup routine. I sat four rows up from the bullpen mound and Maples was working closely with the KC pitching coach on his mechanics, specifically stressing the motion and the strain it places on his shoulder. They were clearly working to iron out his mechanics, something I had never seen immediately prior to a start. He was listening closely and trying to incorporate the feedback though, to his credit. His results that day were very poor as he had horrible command and didn't last past the first inning. He had decent stuff , fb in the mid 90's, good breaking stuff, but he wasn't repeating his delivery and just couldn't find the zone. He very clearly needs to spend time with Derek Johnson.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but that's where Derek Johnson is? Boise? I guess that makes sense given the age and experience of the players he's coached his whole career, I just wanted to confirm.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, he works with pitchers at all levels of the minor leagues.

 

Correct - he's the pitching coordinator for all of the minors.

[Guest]

Dillon Maples demoted to Boise.

 

Michael Wager promoted to Boise.

I saw a KC game a couple weeks ago. Maples started that game and I was there early enough to watch his (and others) entire warmup routine. I sat four rows up from the bullpen mound and Maples was working closely with the KC pitching coach on his mechanics, specifically stressing the motion and the strain it places on his shoulder. They were clearly working to iron out his mechanics, something I had never seen immediately prior to a start. He was listening closely and trying to incorporate the feedback though, to his credit. His results that day were very poor as he had horrible command and didn't last past the first inning. He had decent stuff , fb in the mid 90's, good breaking stuff, but he wasn't repeating his delivery and just couldn't find the zone. He very clearly needs to spend time with Derek Johnson.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but that's where Derek Johnson is? Boise? I guess that makes sense given the age and experience of the players he's coached his whole career, I just wanted to confirm.

 

I think he's all over the place.

[CubsInNC]

Pitchers:

 

Pena: Only 1 inning due to rain that just wouldn't leave. Worked low 90s.

 

Lendy: Was the "sacrificial lamb" for the game. It was clear that no matter what he got into, he was to pitch 4 innings, as there was never anyone warming. Worked low-mid 90s, occasional 96. Was all over the place, high, low, inside/out. Not from working the zone well, more seemed a lack of control. Contreras was frequently having to reach to catch the pitches, even the warm ups. Only pitcher I saw over the series who shook off signs.

 

Dorris: Worked upper 80s, low 90s. Mostly up in the zone. For a lefty, has a horrible time holding runners at 1st. Got away with a blatant balk to pickoff 1 runner. Didn't get rattled when he had runners on.

 

Hamann: Knew nothing about him. Skinny, really skinny. A very fluid and easy 96-97mph on the FB. Worked all parts of the zone, but with more control. When he ramped it up to put the extra mph or 2 on the FB, it wasn't as controlled, but still effective. Offspeed in the mid to upper 80s, and a low 80s/79mph curve. When (if) he fills out and adds some strength, that 96, could become 98-99.

 

Position players:

 

Vogelbach: He's really a barrel chested upper body, but his lower half doesn't seem proportional. Runs straight up, which sacrifices already limited speed. Seems the type of player teammates love. Always chattering. Always paying attention, offering things he sees. Does the little things well; breaking up double plays, strategy, pitch recognition, etc. His "little things" are very advanced for low-A. The ball is always hit hard. His plate discipline and bat seem to be ready to go up as well. But I can understand not moving him.

 

Amaya: Decent at 2nd, hands were good. He got a little rushed on a double play and made a bad throw. Was glad to see his bat the last couple games. Squared up the ball well.

 

Papaccio: Better hands at SS than Marco. Throws a little wild. He and Amaya aren't on the same page yet, in terms of up the middle and double play, but it's been 6 games, too early to say Papaccio won't stick.

 

Candelario: Great hands at 3B. Great arm. Made a couple stabs, spins, and throws nailing runners at 1st, that made even the Whitecaps fans applaud. That was refreshing to see. He squared up the ball well, when he managed to make contact. I'm not positive, as I didn't record what types of pitches he hit, but I'm not positive I ever saw him make contact with a slider.

 

Contreras: put the ball in play, didn't miss much. Strong, accurate arm behind the plate.

 

Golden: Bats, they are sick. Cannot hit curveball. Straightball, hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. Needs to ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats, offer him cigar, rum. Great accurate arm in RF though. So much so, that he held one of the Whitecaps faster players to moving from 1st to 2nd on a ball hit down the line. That part's there.

 

Almora: In 3 days, I didn't see the reason for the hype, like I saw with Baez last year. His CF did look pretty natural though. I give him that. Not doubting, I know it's a very small sample. But, he didn't do much of anything this series.

 

Shoulders: Played LF in game 3. Lifted for a defensive sub in the 9th, Zapata, who isn't much of an athlete himself. Made a few good plays on balls hit to the corner. Was positioned deep, and slightly towards center, and made a great running catch on a shallow ball right at the foul line. Bat isn't as advanced as Contreras (or Escobar).

 

Escobar: Good bat. Decent behind the plate. And I know it doesn't mean anything, but looks 30, not "fresh" out of college.

 

Anything else?