Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 6-3-15

[sontensei]

I really think Baez or Alcantara get traded in the next 2 months. I just can't see Schwarber being a passable defensive catcher. There just isn't enough space for Baez, Bryant, Schwarber, Soler and Alcantara.

 

maybe but people said the same thing about Bryant at 3B sure he isnt the best, but was mike piazza's D that good really at C?

 

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

[toonsterwu]

Kinda excited to see what Williams can do at AA. Does anyone have a good summary of how his stuff plays?

 

Reports seem to suggest that it's roughly similar to what he showed in college, a guy whose fastball tops out in the low 90's, but has some action to it. Breaking balls are average, maybe a tick. If he's locating, it can work enough.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I really think Baez or Alcantara get traded in the next 2 months. I just can't see Schwarber being a passable defensive catcher. There just isn't enough space for Baez, Bryant, Schwarber, Soler and Alcantara.

 

Look, if Baez even comes close to his ceiling, you absolutely make room for him. Writing him off as a pro or rooting for increased trade value seems like the popular thing to do lately, but I still have hope. I don't want to go meatbally (because I still have hope for him, too), but perhaps it will be Castro we don't have room for?

[Gmoney08]

I really think Baez or Alcantara get traded in the next 2 months. I just can't see Schwarber being a passable defensive catcher. There just isn't enough space for Baez, Bryant, Schwarber, Soler and Alcantara.

 

Look, if Baez even comes close to his ceiling, you absolutely make room for him. Writing him off as a pro or rooting for increased trade value seems like the popular thing to do lately, but I still have hope. I don't want to go meatbally (because I still have hope for him, too), but perhaps it will be Castro we don't have room for?

 

Plus he definitely looks to be adjusting. They are tangible adjustments as well where it is clear he has made changes (shorter stride, more closed stance, and crowding the plate).

 

The adjustments are huge but even without the change in the swing.. Baez of wild, erratic violent swing Javy was likely to adjust an impact bat at some point. He always has started slow to horrendous when going up a level & eventually figures stuff out.

 

Not to say the erratic swing mechanics version of Baez was definitely going to become a star but I certainly think he would have improved.

 

Add in the significant work of shortening his string & erasing tons of added movement and I admit I am downright excited to see what he can do.

 

I want to give Baez every shot to perform. He has too much potential for me to write-off. He could legit be a 3rd Superstar bat to add to the lineup.

[Little Slide Rooter]

@IowaCubs: IF Varonex Cuevas added to Iowa roster ... http://t.co/s5dvkheBEv via @MiLB

 

Sounds like someone who would frequent the Mos Eisley Cantina.

[CubsWin]

I really think Baez or Alcantara get traded in the next 2 months. I just can't see Schwarber being a passable defensive catcher. There just isn't enough space for Baez, Bryant, Schwarber, Soler and Alcantara.

 

Look, if Baez even comes close to his ceiling, you absolutely make room for him. Writing him off as a pro or rooting for increased trade value seems like the popular thing to do lately, but I still have hope. I don't want to go meatbally (because I still have hope for him, too), but perhaps it will be Castro we don't have room for?

 

Plus he definitely looks to be adjusting. They are tangible adjustments as well where it is clear he has made changes (shorter stride, more closed stance, and crowding the plate).

 

The adjustments are huge but even without the change in the swing.. Baez of wild, erratic violent swing Javy was likely to adjust an impact bat at some point. He always has started slow to horrendous when going up a level & eventually figures stuff out.

 

Not to say the erratic swing mechanics version of Baez was definitely going to become a star but I certainly think he would have improved.

 

Add in the significant work of shortening his string & erasing tons of added movement and I admit I am downright excited to see what he can do.

 

I want to give Baez every shot to perform. He has too much potential for me to write-off. He could legit be a 3rd Superstar bat to add to the lineup.

Straight from the Pevey's mouth...

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150603&content_id=128267264&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

"He was quiet at the plate, he had quiet feet and good hitters have quiet feet," said Pevey, who said it was the best performance he's seen out of Baez this year. "His swing was short and compact and he hit a home run to center field. Then just absolutely torched one to left-center that went 460, 470 feet. It was a show to behold."

 

"[The second homer] he got rid of his leg kick because the guy was quick to the plate and he had to get his foot down in a hurry. He doesn't do it all the time. Unfortunately, that's something he needs to do more of to get that foot down to keep up to the fastball. We looked at the video right after the game was over, and it was amazing he can generate that much power without picking up the leg. He just picked his foot up and put it down."

[Clem Fandango]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

[CubsWin]

Straight from the Pevey's mouth...

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150603&content_id=128267264&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

"He was quiet at the plate, he had quiet feet and good hitters have quiet feet," said Pevey, who said it was the best performance he's seen out of Baez this year. "His swing was short and compact and he hit a home run to center field. Then just absolutely torched one to left-center that went 460, 470 feet. It was a show to behold."

 

"[The second homer] he got rid of his leg kick because the guy was quick to the plate and he had to get his foot down in a hurry. He doesn't do it all the time. Unfortunately, that's something he needs to do more of to get that foot down to keep up to the fastball. We looked at the video right after the game was over, and it was amazing he can generate that much power without picking up the leg. He just picked his foot up and put it down."

And if you haven't seen the video of Baez's 2nd HR from last night, check it out on the link above. The difference between that swing and the one he brought north last year is stark.

[chopsx9]

@IowaCubs: IF Varonex Cuevas added to Iowa roster ... http://t.co/s5dvkheBEv via @MiLB

 

Sounds like someone who would frequent the Mos Eisley Cantina.

 

Him and my prom date.

[Little Slide Rooter]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

 

But doesn't the same go for pretty every relevant player between 1990-2005 not named Greg Maddux?

 

Unless, of course he's referring to the other kind of PEDmonster, in which case the list is narrowed to Mel Hall.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

 

But doesn't the same go for pretty every relevant player between 1990-2005 not named Greg Maddux?

 

Unless, of course he's referring to the other kind of PEDmonster, in which case the list is narrowed to Mel Hall.

 

Did every relevant player not named Greg Maddux have back acne, too? Because Mike Piazza did, so PEDmonster he is!!!!

[Little Slide Rooter]

Villanueva with a HR. Giving his age, level, and position, I have to think that he'd be a top 3 prospect in more than just a few farm systems.

[rawaction]

Villanueva with a HR. Giving his age, level, and position, I have to think that he'd be a top 3 prospect in more than just a few farm systems.

 

Despite not being anywhere near a top 100 prospect?

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Villanueva with a HR. Giving his age, level, and position, I have to think that he'd be a top 3 prospect in more than just a few farm systems.

 

Despite not being anywhere near a top 100 prospect?

 

He meant actual farming.

[sontensei]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

 

But doesn't the same go for pretty every relevant player between 1990-2005 not named Greg Maddux?

 

Unless, of course he's referring to the other kind of PEDmonster, in which case the list is narrowed to Mel Hall.

 

Did every relevant player not named Greg Maddux have back acne, too? Because Mike Piazza did, so PEDmonster he is!!!!

 

you guys forget griffey jr prolly the best non cheater hitter of that era

[OleMissCub]

i honsetly don't even know who the [expletive] he is

10th round pick last year. He's about 37 years old.

 

23 years old to be more precise

[Splendid Splinter]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

 

But doesn't the same go for pretty every relevant player between 1990-2005 not named Greg Maddux?

 

Unless, of course he's referring to the other kind of PEDmonster, in which case the list is narrowed to Mel Hall.

 

Did every relevant player not named Greg Maddux have back acne, too? Because Mike Piazza did, so PEDmonster he is!!!!

 

you guys forget griffey jr prolly the best non cheater hitter of that era

 

Bonds still holds that title pre 98. Frank Thomas is better if you don't want to count Bonds. Edgar Martinez (at least I don't remember any roid rumors attached to him) is another if we're just talking about "hitter".

[Sammy Sofa]

23% CS rate, -5 Rtot/yr, but piazza was a superstar (albeit PEDmonster)

 

This thing where people assume Piazza took PED's is tiresome.

 

But doesn't the same go for pretty every relevant player between 1990-2005 not named Greg Maddux?

 

Unless, of course he's referring to the other kind of PEDmonster, in which case the list is narrowed to Mel Hall.

 

Did every relevant player not named Greg Maddux have back acne, too? Because Mike Piazza did, so PEDmonster he is!!!!

 

you guys forget griffey jr prolly the best non cheater hitter of that era

 

For the love of [expletive], say one thing that isn't terrible. I triple-dipple-dog-dare you.

[sontensei]

"For the love of [expletive], say one thing that isn't terrible. I triple-dipple-dog-dare you."

 

triple dog dare lmao. thats old school. are you fckn kidding me name me another modern era guy who without a doubt didnt juice up who was as great a hitter as griffey 630 hr's almost 2800 hits. your kidding right? he did have alot of injuries and STILL put up those numbers, can you imagine if he PED'ed he would have surpassed bonds.

[Sammy Sofa]

name me another modern era guy who without a doubt didnt juice up

 

Nah. That's really boring. PED's are swell.

[Sammy Sofa]

Griffey was a [expletive] dork and should be shunned for depriving us of more dongs.

[Guest]

Who says Griffey didn't juice?

 

I bet 95%+ of big leaguers in that era used PEDs.

[CubsWin]

In other more pertinent news...

 

Baez got on base three times. Single, walk and HBP. His OBP is over .400.

 

Alcantara also got on base 3 times. Two singles and a walk. His OBP is now .350.

 

Edwards settled down after a rough AAA debut. He gave up a single and a double allowing a run, but didn't walk anyone and struck out 3 in 2 IP.

 

Villanueva continued his hot hitting with a single, HR and 4 RBI. He's now hitting .295/.350/.519 as a 23-year-old in AAA. He does turn 24 in a couple weeks though he's still age appropriate for his level.

 

The two 2014 IFA signing that I'm most interested in are LHP Wander Cabrera and rail-thin SS Yeiler Peguero. Cabrera pitched in his first game this season. He was a little wild giving up 3 walks in 3 innings, but he struck out 5 and allowed just 2 hits. Peguero is off to a hot start. So far he's walked 6 times without a strike out. His utterly meaningless slash line is .429/.600/.643.

[OleMissCub]

Who says Griffey didn't juice?

 

I bet 95%+ of big leaguers in that era used PEDs.

 

He definitely juiced.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc6MMqNnBa0/UvbfUxPKn4I/AAAAAAAACNI/TXM9oZeA0hM/s1600/griffeyjr-89ud-simpsons.jpg

[Little Slide Rooter]

Villanueva with a HR. Giving his age, level, and position, I have to think that he'd be a top 3 prospect in more than just a few farm systems.

 

Despite not being anywhere near a top 100 prospect?

 

I meant in several teams' farm systems. Not overall.