2014 Fall Instructs

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Carrie Muskat[/url]"]The regular season may be winding down, but for 60 plus players, there’s more work to do as the Cubs three-week instructional league gets underway on Monday in Mesa, Ariz. The Cubs are changing the format this year, and will spend more time on drills and instruction than games, which won’t begin until Oct. 6. Camp ends Oct. 11. Among the players participating are first-round Draft pick Kyle Schwarber; catcher Victor Caratini, acquired from the Braves in the Bonifacio/Russell deal; Billy McKinney, acquired from the A’s in the Samardzija/Hammel deal; and Jonathan Martinez, acquired in the Darwin Barney trade.

 

Besides Schwarber, here are the other Cubs Draft picks scheduled to participate:

 

Jake Stinnett

Mark Zagunis

Carson Sands

Justin Steele

James Norwood

Tommy Thorpe

James Farris

Ryan Williams

Tanner Griggs

Kevonte Mitchell

Chesny Young

Jeremy Null

Jason Voster

Michael Knighton

Austyn Willis

Charles White

Zach Hedges

Jordan Minch

[Guest]

Looks like they're using it as 'Cubs Way' indoctrination, so the draftees and trade acquisitions all go with a couple exceptions. Wonder if there's something specific they'll be working with McKinney on.

[Vinestal]

Carrie Muskat[/url]"]The regular season may be winding down, but for 60 plus players, there’s more work to do as the Cubs three-week instructional league gets underway on Monday in Mesa, Ariz. The Cubs are changing the format this year, and will spend more time on drills and instruction than games, which won’t begin until Oct. 6. Camp ends Oct. 11. Among the players participating are first-round Draft pick Kyle Schwarber; catcher Victor Caratini, acquired from the Braves in the Bonifacio/Russell deal; Billy McKinney, acquired from the A’s in the Samardzija/Hammel deal; and Jonathan Martinez, acquired in the Darwin Barney trade.

 

Besides Schwarber, here are the other Cubs Draft picks scheduled to participate:

 

Jake Stinnett

Mark Zagunis

Carson Sands

Justin Steele

James Norwood

Tommy Thorpe

James Farris

Ryan Williams

Tanner Griggs

Kevonte Mitchell

Chesny Young

Jeremy Null

Jason Voster

Michael Knighton

Austyn Willis

Charles White

Zach Hedges

Jordan Minch

Charcer Burks also mentioned on twitter he was headed to AZ a couple days ago, gotta figure that's why though I don't see him on the list.

[Guest]

That list is soley 2014 draftees. I'm sure there are quite a few 2013 draftees like Burks and some IFAs at Instructs too.

[rawaction]

Looks like they're using it as 'Cubs Way' indoctrination, so the draftees and trade acquisitions all go with a couple exceptions. Wonder if there's something specific they'll be working with McKinney on.

 

Playing CF defensively?

[Bear Cub]

Has a compete roster been released yet?

[Vinestal]

Rosters and observations: http://www.thecubreporter.com/09252014/2014-cubs-arizona-instructional-league

 

My favorite part:

Gioskar Amaya (ex-2B) looked very good behind the plate. He got a rash of [expletive] from some of his teammates whenever he made a nice throw or blocked a ball in the dirt. They kept calling him "Yadier."

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Rosters and observations: http://www.thecubreporter.com/09252014/2014-cubs-arizona-instructional-league

 

My favorite part:

Gioskar Amaya (ex-2B) looked very good behind the plate. He got a rash of [expletive] from some of his teammates whenever he made a nice throw or blocked a ball in the dirt. They kept calling him "Yadier."

 

Rash or raft?

[jumbo]

Rosters and observations: http://www.thecubreporter.com/09252014/2014-cubs-arizona-instructional-league

 

My favorite part:

Gioskar Amaya (ex-2B) looked very good behind the plate. He got a rash of [expletive] from some of his teammates whenever he made a nice throw or blocked a ball in the dirt. They kept calling him "Yadier."

 

Rash or raft?

 

Ration

[toonsterwu]

Amaya behind the plate is a fascinating move. Has the size, skillset to wonder about defensive potential there, although admittedly, had never pondered it until reading about it now. Wonder if it's "permanent" or more to build up his range of options (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but off the top, I seem tor recall Bruno dabbling at catcher at instructs last year ... ?). He probably could have stayed at 2nd for another year, but long run, he was going to run into the Cubs logjam of middle infield options ahead him. Add in Bruno likely slotting ahead of him in the pecking order, and this does create some options for him. Could be a Clevenger/Chirinos type move as he has the ability, and his bat would be mildly intriguing behind the dish (I still think he has a bit more pop, but at a certain point ... if it doesn't materialize ... hard to expect it ... that said, it's not like offensive standards, particularly for catchers, are that high).

 

Of course, there are some catching options behind him that I'm somewhat intrigued with, so it's not like this move jumps him to the had of the list. I imagine if this is a long-term move, he'd probably go onto some extended/Eugene type track, maybe South Bend, for next year. Anyhow, an intriguing move, to say the least.

[craig]

Amaya behind the plate is a fascinating move. Has the size, skillset to wonder about defensive potential there, although admittedly, had never pondered it until reading about it now. Wonder if it's "permanent" or more to build up his range of options (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but off the top, I seem tor recall Bruno dabbling at catcher at instructs last year ... ?). He probably could have stayed at 2nd for another year, but long run, he was going to run into the Cubs logjam of middle infield options ahead him. Add in Bruno likely slotting ahead of him in the pecking order, and this does create some options for him. Could be a Clevenger/Chirinos type move as he has the ability, and his bat would be mildly intriguing behind the dish (I still think he has a bit more pop, but at a certain point ... if it doesn't materialize ... hard to expect it ... that said, it's not like offensive standards, particularly for catchers, are that high).

 

Of course, there are some catching options behind him that I'm somewhat intrigued with, so it's not like this move jumps him to the had of the list. I imagine if this is a long-term move, he'd probably go onto some extended/Eugene type track, maybe South Bend, for next year. Anyhow, an intriguing move, to say the least.

 

Agree, Amaya at catcher would be interesting, especially if he apparently shows good aptitude. I don't think Bruno did. Amaya's chances at catcher could be a lot better than as a pretty much one-position 2B-only guy. It also seems to fit my perception of his defensive talents: quick hands, well-coordinated, smart, but not rangy. Obviously range doesn't matter at C, the other parts do. On the other hand, he's never been scouted as having a rocket arm, so that's a strike against.

 

With Schwarber, Zagunis, and Caratini, plus Contreras, that's kind of a big schlew of developmental catchers. But as you say, Amaya wouldn't start higher than Eugene or at best South Bend. So I don't think he'd be blocked or anything, at least at first.

[SouthSideRyan]

Rosters and observations: http://www.thecubreporter.com/09252014/2014-cubs-arizona-instructional-league

 

My favorite part:

Gioskar Amaya (ex-2B) looked very good behind the plate. He got a rash of [expletive] from some of his teammates whenever he made a nice throw or blocked a ball in the dirt. They kept calling him "Yadier."

 

Trade him and anyone who called him that.

[ctcf]

With Schwarber, Zagunis, and Caratini, plus Contreras, that's kind of a big schlew of developmental catchers. But as you say, Amaya wouldn't start higher than Eugene or at best South Bend. So I don't think he'd be blocked or anything, at least at first.

 

Do you mean slew?

[craig]

..Do you mean slew?

 

:) Yes!

[Guest]

Today in Instructs: http://www.thecubreporter.com/09302014/who-needs-pitchers-new-way-speed-game-and-cut-payroll

[Guest]

Monday at Instructs: http://www.thecubreporter.com/10062014/schwarber-zagunis-star-riverview-park

 

Kevin Encarnacion played RF for Team Johnson, his first game action since suffering a near career-ending shoulder injury and 3rd degree burns in a car crash in the Dominican Republic last December. He (understandably) looked rusty both in the field and at the plate, committing an error on a ground single to right (he bobbled the ball, allowing a baserunner to advance from 2nd to 3rd), and he went 0-3 at the plate with two strikeouts (both swinging) and a weak infield pop out. Probably because of the injuries he sustained in the car crash, Encarnacion is now hitting only left-handed (he previously had been a switch-hitter). In his one AB batting LH against a LH pitcher (Jordan Minch), Encarnacion struck out on three pitches.

 

Tuesday at Instructs: http://www.thecubreporter.com/10072014/schwarber-just-keeps-rakin-riverview-park