Minor League Discussion & Boxes 6-9-14

[Guest]

I hate that people are getting so impatient that they can't wait for him to develop defensively. He has the tools to stay at 3B, he needs more reps. Fast tracking him to the majors at the expense of switching him from 3B to the OF makes no sense to me.

[Clem Fandango]

I hate that people are getting so impatient that they can't wait for him to develop defensively. He has the tools to stay at 3B, he needs more reps. Fast tracking him to the majors at the expense of switching him from 3B to the OF makes no sense to me.

 

I think it hinges on what the Cubs do this offseason. If they make moves to stay mediocre, then obviously they're gonna be patient with Bryant. If they make moves to attempt to compete, I think Bryant moves to the OF sooner rather than later. But I'm naturally impatient about everything, so there you go.

[Guest]

What do people think the FO will do Christian Villanueva? I assume whenever Kris Bryant is called up to Iowa, we'll at least try him at 3B. Obviously Villanueva isn't worth stalling arguably our best overall prospect, but he's not that far removed from being a fringy top-100 prospect with a major league-quality glove at 3B.

 

If Bryant keeps this up I don't see why they don't start trying him out in the OF soon, other than to delay his clock and keep him down to "work on his defense". Obviously you want to make room for Bryant at 3B if he can play it, but he's got a less than average chance at sticking there, but Villanueva's bat is nowhere near ready for MLB pitching so you don't want to call him up for the sake of making a spot for a guy who probably won't stick at 3B. I could see Villanueva being swapped with Olt to get Olt more work on his swing in the minors (with Manny who has helped him before) while giving Villanueva a cup of coffee to see what he can do (basically what Olt is doing now splitting time with Valbuena), and then bringing Bryant up to AAA to start getting reps in the OF. That way you don't sacrifice any of your 3B prospects and make the inevitable move on Bryant to the OF a reality which in turn makes Bryant a starter in 2015 sooner rather than later, which the Cubs could truly use, clock be damned.

 

I don't see Bryant sticking at 3B, but you certainly don't move him off the position even 1% because of Villanueva or Olt.

 

I agree, but my point (which I should've made more clear, admittedly) was more about moving him to fast track him to the majors vs. not wanting to mess with other inferior player development. But it seems obvious they're taking the control and cost route with Bryant. Personally I think they should just Longo him and call him up then buy out his first couple of years of FA on a big team friendly contract after he shows he's the hulk we all hope he is. Granted, that's easier said than done.

 

I don't see why a player (particularly with a bat like his) should ever be switched positions to "fast track" him to the big leagues. He can develop at 3B the same in the big leagues as he can in rookie ball. So his defensive struggles will be more visible to the meatballs in the majors... not a big deal. Donnnn't careeeeeeeeeeeeee

[ScrubMD]

"~.800" being a verrrrry loose use of "~"

 

Guys who consistenty OPS .790 in the minors aren't exactly gimmes to hit in the majors. Especially when it's a SLG-heavy OPS.

 

Between .780 and .803 every year. And he's .663 this year, so I shorted him .013 on that, which didn't seem to upset you.

 

And I said "probably a passable hitter if he plays good defense", didn't say he was a gimme to hit in the majors. But Kyle's gotta Kyle, I guess.

[Clem Fandango]

I don't see why a player (particularly with a bat like his) should ever be switched positions to "fast track" him to the big leagues. He can develop at 3B the same in the big leagues as he can in rookie ball. So his defensive struggles will be more visible to the meatballs in the majors... not a big deal. Donnnn't careeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

Fair enough

[Bryants Disco Ball]

What do people think the FO will do Christian Villanueva? I assume whenever Kris Bryant is called up to Iowa, we'll at least try him at 3B. Obviously Villanueva isn't worth stalling arguably our best overall prospect, but he's not that far removed from being a fringy top-100 prospect with a major league-quality glove at 3B.

 

If Bryant keeps this up I don't see why they don't start trying him out in the OF soon, other than to delay his clock and keep him down to "work on his defense". Obviously you want to make room for Bryant at 3B if he can play it, but he's got a less than average chance at sticking there, but Villanueva's bat is nowhere near ready for MLB pitching so you don't want to call him up for the sake of making a spot for a guy who probably won't stick at 3B. I could see Villanueva being swapped with Olt to get Olt more work on his swing in the minors (with Manny who has helped him before) while giving Villanueva a cup of coffee to see what he can do (basically what Olt is doing now splitting time with Valbuena), and then bringing Bryant up to AAA to start getting reps in the OF. That way you don't sacrifice any of your 3B prospects and make the inevitable move on Bryant to the OF a reality which in turn makes Bryant a starter in 2015 sooner rather than later, which the Cubs could truly use, clock be damned.

 

I don't see Bryant sticking at 3B, but you certainly don't move him off the position even 1% because of Villanueva or Olt.

 

I agree, but my point (which I should've made more clear, admittedly) was more about moving him to fast track him to the majors vs. not wanting to mess with other inferior player development. But it seems obvious they're taking the control and cost route with Bryant. Personally I think they should just Longo him and call him up then buy out his first couple of years of FA on a big team friendly contract after he shows he's the hulk we all hope he is. Granted, that's easier said than done.

 

Never say never, but I have a hard time believing the Cubs are going to be able to buy out his first couple years of free agency considering Boras is his agent.

[Cubfanintheknow]

I think the Cubs are going to wait on Bryant until he breaks Crash Davis' minor league home run record.

[Guest]

add a triple for Baez

[Sammy Sofa]

add a triple for Baez

 

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lugzb2tSNW1r6145qo1_400.gif

[Guest]

Tseng keeping good company with some top 100 prospects and 2013 first rounders:

 

@JGoro8: Top MWL P's I've seen in person so far this year, in order: Stewart, Shipley, Reyes, tseng, Crawford, guillon

[gscool89]

Villanueva grand slam

[Guest]

Damn it, Joey Gallo HRed to re-tie Bryant for the pro baseball lead in HRs.

[Guest]

add a triple for Baez

 

@RandyWehofer: Baez just missed a second HR, belting a triple high off the CF wall and scores on a groundout by Rafael Lopez. #Cubs lead 4-1, T5

[Guest]

relief to see javy's OPS up around .750

 

overall numbers might be pretty respectable in a couple more weeks

[MWV]

add a triple for Baez

 

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lugzb2tSNW1r6145qo1_400.gif

An eagle-eyed viewer might be able to see the wires. A pedant, might be able to see the wires.

[CubsWin]

Villanueva grand slam

Kyle's magic pixie dust strikes again.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He's OPS'ed ~.800 for 4 years and ~.650 for 2 months. He'll probably end up a passable major league hitter if his defense is good.

 

The thing about the leagues is they get harder as you move up.

 

While the pitchers are more advanced, they're not necessarily better. As discussed at one point during Javy's abysmal start, A-AA aren't so much trying to fool hitters as they are trying to burn them.

 

In AAA, you're going to see some of these only more advanced. However, for every one of those, you're going to see 3-4 junk ballers who are unlike what they're used to. They're trying to trick these cocky young prospects into chasing seemingly tantalizing garbage that big league hitters will let fall well out of the strike zone. Now keep in mind, many of these junk ballers had some level of big league success, which they achieved by fooling big league hitters. Until, of course, big league hitters figured them out and sent them packing.

 

It should go without saying that prospects are going to take longer to adjust than big league hitters. The younger the hitter, the less exposure they've had to this. So while they may have been able to handle some of the top pitching prospects, guys like Justin Germano and Rodrigo Lopez at first, may as well be Greg Maddux.

[Fro]

He's OPS'ed ~.800 for 4 years and ~.650 for 2 months. He'll probably end up a passable major league hitter if his defense is good.

 

The thing about the leagues is they get harder as you move up.

 

While the pitchers are more advanced, they're not necessarily better. As discussed at one point during Javy's abysmal start, A-AA aren't so much trying to fool hitters as they are trying to burn them.

 

In AAA, you're going to see some of these only more advanced. However, for every one of those, you're going to see 3-4 junk ballers who are unlike what they're used to. They're trying to trick these cocky young prospects into chasing seemingly tantalizing garbage that big league hitters will let fall well out of the strike zone. Now keep in mind, many of these junk ballers had some level of big league success, which they achieved by fooling big league hitters. Until, of course, big league hitters figured them out and sent them packing.

 

It should go without saying that prospects are going to take longer to adjust than big league hitters. The younger the hitter, the less exposure they've had to this. So while they may have been able to handle some of the top pitching prospects, guys like Justin Germano and Rodrigo Lopez at first, may as well be Greg Maddux.

 

I think that's a bigger issue for players like Baez who joined the system outside of HS. College players like Bryant & Schwarber see a lot of college pitchers throwing garbage pitches.

[Sammy Sofa]

add a triple for Baez

 

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lugzb2tSNW1r6145qo1_400.gif

An eagle-eyed viewer might be able to see the wires. A pedant, might be able to see the wires.

 

Excellent.

[Guest]

The Marlins brought up Miggy in 03 and put him in the OF with very little experience. His bat was ready and Hollindsworth sucked. I don't think Bryant should see Wrigley this year. But when he promoted to AAA if his bat performs well the rest of this year and next, he should be up by the ASB regardless of his glove. He can get reps at 3rd until then.

[Guest]

On Tseng:

 

@JGoro8: @sahadevsharma this is my second time seeing him. Very polished for a 19 year old. Good cmnd profile. Future solid avg CB/CH

 

@JGoro8: @sahadevsharma I think he's at KC all yr. Let him get acclimated to the country. Take it slow. No rush, really. He's still working on things

[SouthSideRyan]

The Marlins brought up Miggy in 03 and put him in the OF with very little experience. His bat was ready and Hollindsworth sucked. I don't think Bryant should see Wrigley this year. But when he promoted to AAA if his bat performs well the rest of this year and next, he should be up by the ASB regardless of his glove. He can get reps at 3rd until then.

 

Bryant will be up by next ASB barring a freak decapitation.

[Guest]

The Marlins brought up Miggy in 03 and put him in the OF with very little experience. His bat was ready and Hollindsworth sucked. I don't think Bryant should see Wrigley this year. But when he promoted to AAA if his bat performs well the rest of this year and next, he should be up by the ASB regardless of his glove. He can get reps at 3rd until then.

 

Bryant will be up by next ASB barring a freak decapitation.

I agree. I just see no reason to hold him back because of his D.

[treebird]

The Marlins brought up Miggy in 03 and put him in the OF with very little experience. His bat was ready and Hollindsworth sucked. I don't think Bryant should see Wrigley this year. But when he promoted to AAA if his bat performs well the rest of this year and next, he should be up by the ASB regardless of his glove. He can get reps at 3rd until then.

 

Bryant will be up by next ASB barring a freak decapitation.

I agree. I just see no reason to hold him back because of his D.

 

especially given the sentiment above that he can keep learning how to play 3b in the majors. as long as he hits dingers while doing so, no one will care. if he doesn't hit dingers, it won't matter what kind of defense he's playing anyway.

[Sammy Sofa]

Please call them "dongs."