Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 8-5-15

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa lost 9-5 Box Score

 

Tennessee won 13-1 Box Score

 

Myrtle Beach won 3-2 (10 innings) on a Daniel Lockhart walk-of double Box Score

 

South Bend won 10-2 Box Score

 

Eugene has the day off

 

AZL Cubs won 2-1 on a walk-off error Box Score

 

DSL Cubs won 6-5 (7 innings - Completed Early: Rain) Box Score

 

VSL Cubs have the day off

[ctcf]

So we certainly know Contreras can hit (10.9 BB%, 12.7 K%, .410 OBP, .895 OPS in 385 AA PA thru last night), but I've never seen much on his defensive/catching abilities. What's the story there?

[Guest]

Jeffrey Baez and Brad Markey were the org's hitter and pitcher of the month.

 

If you're like me, you had never heard of Brad Markey before. It looks like he's an extreme control guy in the Hendricks/Williams/Null mold, 42/7 K/BB in 58.2 IP between South Bend and Myrtle Beach. The hit prevention has been great in his short A+ stint, so if that keeps up he'll be a back end option to keep an eye on.

[davell]

So we certainly know Contreras can hit (10.9 BB%, 12.7 K%, .410 OBP, .895 OPS in 385 AA PA thru last night), but I've never seen much on his defensive/catching abilities. What's the story

 

Was signed as a C, but immediately moved off by prior regime. Was moved back to C in 2012 and struggled until last year, where he started getting noticed as a solid defensive C. Nice all around receiving skills at this point and a good arm.

[ctcf]

So we certainly know Contreras can hit (10.9 BB%, 12.7 K%, .410 OBP, .895 OPS in 385 AA PA thru last night), but I've never seen much on his defensive/catching abilities. What's the story

 

Was signed as a C, but immediately moved off by prior regime. Was moved back to C in 2012 and struggled until last year, where he started getting noticed as a solid defensive C. Nice all around receiving skills at this point and a good arm.

 

Man in that case I feel like he should be getting a lot more love than he is.

[Guest]

first we had welington with 1 'l' at catcher (which is normal for spanish if they want it to sound like that)

 

now we might have willson with 2

[jersey cubs fan]

first we had welington with 1 'l' at catcher (which is normal for spanish if they want it to sound like that)

 

now we might have willson with 2

 

Sure beats the days of Jackson having 15.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Jeffrey Baez and Brad Markey were the org's hitter and pitcher of the month.

 

If you're like me, you had never heard of Brad Markey before. It looks like he's an extreme control guy in the Hendricks/Williams/Null mold, 42/7 K/BB in 58.2 IP between South Bend and Myrtle Beach. The hit prevention has been great in his short A+ stint, so if that keeps up he'll be a back end option to keep an eye on.

 

As for Jeffrey Baez, he may one day be known as the guy who forced 2 extra letters onto Javy's jersey.

[Guest]

first we had welington with 1 'l' at catcher (which is normal for spanish if they want it to sound like that)

 

now we might have willson with 2

 

Sure beats the days of Jackson having 15.

 

heyooooo

[Proven Veteran]

Jeffrey Baez and Brad Markey were the org's hitter and pitcher of the month.

 

If you're like me, you had never heard of Brad Markey before. It looks like he's an extreme control guy in the Hendricks/Williams/Null mold, 42/7 K/BB in 58.2 IP between South Bend and Myrtle Beach. The hit prevention has been great in his short A+ stint, so if that keeps up he'll be a back end option to keep an eye on.

 

As for Jeffrey Baez, he may one day be known as the guy who forced 2 extra letters onto Javy's jersey.

 

For the Iowa Cubs?

[Proven Veteran]

first we had welington with 1 'l' at catcher (which is normal for spanish if they want it to sound like that)

 

now we might have willson with 2

 

Sure beats the days of Jackson having 15.

 

We need the plus 1 button now.

[PackLandVA]

Willson Contreras is 2 for 2 with an rbi. This kid can hit.

 

Javy with a K in H first AB.

 

Montero is 0 for 2 so far.

[Vinestal]

All of the pitches Javy swung at were strikes if that matters. Almora is 2/2 with a double and a walk, he seems to be putting together some quality at bats lately and is certainly walking more.

[toonsterwu]

Did something happen to Jen-Ho Tseng? It seemed like he got delayed for a few days.

 

I can buy the idea that Clifton might have a higher ceiling than Underwood (although I think the question with Underwood isn't his ceiling, it's whether or not he can tap into the ceiling), but Underwood last year seems like he was further along than Clifton now. I haven't heard anything to suggest that Clifton's change-up is a better offering now. Of course, if Clifton's command just tightens up a tiny bit, he'll probably make a big leap forward. That said, he probably really needs to tighten it up next year and develop the change-up a bit more (or another pitch), because if he doesn't start showing signs, it's possible he gets put on a bullpen track.

 

It's fascinating to see Ryan Williams jump up and not miss a beat. Always hard to figure out which "pitchability" guy manages to survive and excel up the ladder, and a year ago, Ryan Williams wasn't on many people's minds.

 

Really hope this stretch by Jeffrey Baez is a sign of real development, as it would be nice to get a positive surprise story this late in the year from a guy with some tools to wish upon.

 

I completely missed Ryan Buchter being back in the organization.

[ctcf]

Contreras was 4-5 tonight with a double. AA OPS up to .908

 

Javy 0-4 with 2 Ks

[toonsterwu]

Oh, I know you didn't say that. I was just commenting on Clifton vs. Underwood.

 

I think Underwood's ceiling is higher than 4, but that's if a lot goes right (namely, development and consistency of his breaking ball). The pitches have flashed enough to buy into a higher ceiling, but whether or not he can achieve that and maintain his improved control is a fair question.

 

I agree with you on Clifton's ceiling as of now. Of course, once upon a time Chris Archer had nasty stuff, suspect 3rd pitch/command, and he improved.

 

___

 

In no way did I mean to suggest that Williams is anything more than org depth. Just always interesting to see which one of the pitchability guys can work their way up the ladder and maintain some level of success.

 

As for Twomey, waiting to hear on how his stuff is showing. If that fastball can get up a tick, he'd be significantly more intriguing.

[Guest]

If I had to pick a SP in the system right now that I actually like it would be Ryan Kellogg. Rare size for a lefty at 6'5" 205 or so, good offspeeds, control, command, durable, highly accomplished already, ASU coaches said he was up to 92-93 in his starts this year - a tick up from his previous seasons. Probably my favorite pitcher in college baseball the past 3 years too, so that helps.

 

Is this 92-93 thing his top velocity or working velocity? Because he's hit 93 in years past and if the ASU coaches claim he's working 92-93, they're full of crap.

[craig]

....

....– he’s up to 92-93 (mph) most games, ....

 

So, pitching on once-a-week rest in college, 3-4 fastballs per month? In-fifth-day grind, might be tougher. But, who knows. Guys can get somewhat stronger/faster at/after 21, sometimes. A little tweak, a little added strength, some steroids or supplements, it's possible.

 

Usually guys who struggle to touch 92-93 touch it with low-movement 4-seamer, the relatively ineffective fastball variant that they don't and shouldn't use much anyway. Touching 92 with 4-seam probably fits with normally working with 86-90 actual fastball that can actually get some outs.

[Guest]

Is this 92-93 thing his top velocity or working velocity? Because he's hit 93 in years past and if the ASU coaches claim he's working 92-93, they're full of crap.

 

Peak, I assume anyway.

 

Here's the exact quote:

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=11063

 

“The best thing about Ryan is that he knows who he is, and when he’s out there he’s always himself. A lot of the great pitchers know who they are and they don’t try to be anybody different,” Higelin told PG last week. “He’s throwing a little bit harder than he did in the past – he’s up to 92-93 (mph) most games, which is very good for a (6-5) left-hander – but it’s just his command, his demeanor; he’s just unbelievable.

 

He's worked 88-91 so hitting 93 isn't that crazy.

 

A guy who is 88-91 (T93) every 7th day is probably going to slip a notch as a pro atarting every 5th day. I know Kellogg has been your guy for 3 years and you thought he could be a first rounder but he is what he is, a projected back end starter.