Minor League Musings

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is it me, or does a new name pop up on the I Cubs roster every day? What the hell's a Cole Brocker? Kristopher Negron? Luis Cruz? Fernando Cruz? Miguel Mejia? I'm pretty sure they're just making these guys up. Not that it matters.

[David]

[craig]

I don't like this thread title at all.

 

FUN facts:

 

Victor Caratini hit .301/.365/.451 over his last 148 regular season PAs for MB last year. He then went 7 for 11 in the playoffs with a walk and 3 doubles. .....

 

Thanks, Tom. That's pretty good.

 

I heard a Myrtle interview with Madison at the convention. Not sure I'm remembering it all exactly right. But he mentioned Caratini in a favorable way, and suggested that Caratini hit in bad luck first half, and was actually hitting the ball pretty hard pretty often for most of the season. Defense has more questions and a ways to go.

 

Madison also mentioned that Happ will be full-time 2B. Suggested that Happ's bat was Myrtle ready; but he might start out at South Bend because of his defense.

 

If Happ starts at South Bend at 2B, South Bend has the chance to have a pretty interesting roster. Some might be XST and some Myrtle, but it's possible that you might have Happ, Dewees, Eloy, and Martinez possibly all at South Bend. DJ Wilson and/or Galindo also not impossible.

 

If they do bunch their better guys there, combined with the rotation they might possibly have (DelaRosa, steel, Sands, Paulino, Alzolay, Araujo, and perhaps some from the college pitcher group (Kellogg, Twomey, Brooks....), that could be a really interesting roster.

[CubsWin]

Thanks, Tom. That's pretty good.

 

I heard a Myrtle interview with Madison at the convention. Not sure I'm remembering it all exactly right. But he mentioned Caratini in a favorable way, and suggested that Caratini hit in bad luck first half, and was actually hitting the ball pretty hard pretty often for most of the season. Defense has more questions and a ways to go.

 

Madison also mentioned that Happ will be full-time 2B. Suggested that Happ's bat was Myrtle ready; but he might start out at South Bend because of his defense.

 

If Happ starts at South Bend at 2B, South Bend has the chance to have a pretty interesting roster. Some might be XST and some Myrtle, but it's possible that you might have Happ, Dewees, Eloy, and Martinez possibly all at South Bend. DJ Wilson and/or Galindo also not impossible.

 

If they do bunch their better guys there, combined with the rotation they might possibly have (DelaRosa, steel, Sands, Paulino, Alzolay, Araujo, and perhaps some from the college pitcher group (Kellogg, Twomey, Brooks....), that could be a really interesting roster.

 

I believe it. He put up a ~.750 OPS over his last 400 regular season PAs, something like that.

 

Frandy de la Rosa was actually traded to the Rangers for a AAA pitcher, Patten.

 

South Bend should definitely be way more interesting than last year when it was basically just Torres. Kellogg, Twomey, Sands, Steele, and de la Cruz should open the season in the starting rotation. Happ at 2B with those three OFers would be an improvement from last year's group after Torres. I would give Wilson a shot at getting a taste of full season ball, most likely he is playing in SS Eugene. Galindo less so, I think he opens up in Arizona. The college group from last year - Happ, Kellogg, Dewees, Twomey - should carry expectations to move quickly - say June - to MB.

Pretty sure craig meant De La Cruz since Delarosa isn't a pitcher.

[CubsWin]

MLB.com hasn't updated their top 100 list for 2016 yet, but when they do there will be some movement among the catching position. As it currently stands, the top ranked C is Jorge Alfaro at 59. The only other C in the top 100 is Tyler Stephenson at 93.

 

MLB.com just came out with their top catching prospects list and Willson Contreras, who currently isn't ranked in the top 100, is ranked #1.

[imb]

Thanks, Tom. That's pretty good.

 

I heard a Myrtle interview with Madison at the convention. Not sure I'm remembering it all exactly right. But he mentioned Caratini in a favorable way, and suggested that Caratini hit in bad luck first half, and was actually hitting the ball pretty hard pretty often for most of the season. Defense has more questions and a ways to go.

 

Madison also mentioned that Happ will be full-time 2B. Suggested that Happ's bat was Myrtle ready; but he might start out at South Bend because of his defense.

 

If Happ starts at South Bend at 2B, South Bend has the chance to have a pretty interesting roster. Some might be XST and some Myrtle, but it's possible that you might have Happ, Dewees, Eloy, and Martinez possibly all at South Bend. DJ Wilson and/or Galindo also not impossible.

 

If they do bunch their better guys there, combined with the rotation they might possibly have (DelaRosa, steel, Sands, Paulino, Alzolay, Araujo, and perhaps some from the college pitcher group (Kellogg, Twomey, Brooks....), that could be a really interesting roster.

 

I believe it. He put up a ~.750 OPS over his last 400 regular season PAs, something like that.

 

Frandy de la Rosa was actually traded to the Rangers for a AAA pitcher, Patten.

 

South Bend should definitely be way more interesting than last year when it was basically just Torres. Kellogg, Twomey, Sands, Steele, and de la Cruz should open the season in the starting rotation. Happ at 2B with those three OFers would be an improvement from last year's group after Torres. I would give Wilson a shot at getting a taste of full season ball, most likely he is playing in SS Eugene. Galindo less so, I think he opens up in Arizona. The college group from last year - Happ, Kellogg, Dewees, Twomey - should carry expectations to move quickly - say June - to MB.

Pretty sure craig meant De La Cruz since Delarosa isn't a pitcher.

 

It's hard to tell them apart because De La Cruz is also just happy all the time, unlike most people

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I get that they're not using Pitch f/x, but I'm still extremely skeptical of the quality of the input data there. I think it would potentially be useful for comparing teammates, but even among players in the same league I'm not convinced that there's uniformity in pitch tracking implementation to make for a good data source.

[davell]

I'll put this here, I guess......The Cubs have left the Venezuelan Summer League, which then disbanded due to lack of teams. Cubs are back to 2 teams in the DSL now.

[craig]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/01/25/cubs-svp-of-player-development-and-amateur-scouting-jason-mcleod-talks-prospects/

 

McLeod on Torres, McKinney, Edwards Jr., and Johnson...Seems quietly high on Edwards, calling his fastball potentially great and stating that he could dominate - love that word tied into the ability of a Cubs prospect - in short outings and be another pitcher who can be asked to get more than three outs. Says Johnson's stuff might play up out of the pen, but not as effusive as he was about Edwards' stuff.

 

thanks, Tom. Nice little interview.

 

Yes, he sounded pretty positive on Edwards. I thought he was fairly positive on Johnson, too.

 

I thought his comments on McKinney were interesting. He talked about what a good approach, good eye, good hitter he was, but that he wouldn't have "big" power; but he talked about hitting 20 HR! Seems to me that 20HR, while not perhaps Bryant-esque "big power", is still plenty of power. How many guys hit over 20 HR's? There's only 20 guys who hit 30 HR's last year. A McKinney with 20-HR, with his contact and walks, could be an enormously valuable offensive player.

 

Other McKinney comment was that after his injury, McLeod didn't think the hard fields in Arizona would be safe for him. So sounds like he'll have a delayed and compromised spring, and presumably a compromised season as a whole.

[CubsWin]

So after graduating Bryant, Russell, Schwarber, Soler and Baez, the Cubs currently still have 4 guys in MLB's top 10 players at their position lists.

 

Willson Contreras is the #1 ranked catcher.

Ian Happ is the #3 ranked 2B.

Gleyber Torres is the #9 ranked SS.

And Jeimer Candelario is the #7 ranked 3B.

 

Not bad.

[Cubswin11]

So after graduating Bryant, Russell, Schwarber, Soler and Baez, the Cubs currently still have 4 guys in MLB's top 10 players at their position lists.

 

Willson Contreras is the #1 ranked catcher.

Ian Happ is the #3 ranked 2B.

Gleyber Torres is the #9 ranked SS.

And Jeimer Candelario is the #7 ranked 3B.

 

Not bad.

Yeah and OF comes out tomorrow, Mckinney could potentially sneak in top 10-20 (idk how deep they go on OF).

[Cubswin11]

From Law's chat today;

 

ProBeauNO: What’re your thoughts on Eddy Julio Martinez and Vlad Guerrero Jr.? Either potential impact players?

Klaw: Both, I think. I saw EJM work out, which is not the same as seeing him play in actual games, but if that guy was now entering his third spring of college, assuming he had two years of even adequate performance behind him, we’d be talking about him near the top of this draft.

 

John: What’s your view on Ian Happ’s chance at sticking at second? Does the bat play enough to be an above-average corner outfielder?

Klaw: I always had him as a 2b going back to I think his sophomore year in college. He’s absolutely agile and athletic enough. And yes, I think it’d play in RF, but that’s a much less valuable outcome.

[davell]

MLB Top 100: Torres at 28, Contreras at 50, Underwood at 77, Almora and McKinney at 86 and 88 respectively....

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/163054152/top-100-prospects-rankings

 

Happ is at 76 too. With the amount of top 100's we've seen from BP and MLB, a top 10 system rank seems certain from those 2. Sickels won't be, in fact I could see us landing outside the top half from him.

[toonsterwu]

Hey was wondering if we were going to do a community list. We could set tighter rules to move it faster (say 24 hours and we move on if there are enough votes) and allow for anyone to start and run it.

[Tim]

Yeah, its time to get that going.

[craig]

Thanks for Caratini post, Tom. I heard that interview, nice to see it spelled out exactly. Very positive about the hitting.

[David]

Motion to change thread title to minor league chit chat thread

[toonsterwu]

I was driving today, and for some reason, I kept thinking ... I wonder if Carlos Penalver could make a good option to transition to pitching. There's arm strength and athleticism to work with. Just don't see the bat developing enough that his defensive ability can carry him forward.

[CubsWin]

i don't know what criteria exactly you were using, but I definitely put:

 

Eloy Jimenez (19 all season)

Justin Steele (19, 20 in July)

Wladimir Galindo (19 all season)

 

...on that list. Carlos Sepulveda showed a solid approach in the AZL as an 18 year old last season (.350 OBP, 14% K, 9% BB). He'll 19 almost all of next season (turns 20 in late August). As of now, the fact that he's pretty much only a 2B hurts his prospect status, but the bat showed some promise last season.

[CubsWin]

I KNEW I forgot someone. Jimenez should most definitely be on that list. I like Steele enough too that I'd consider him an omission, but he will be 20 all season. Not including Jimenez is just outright sloppy.

 

Eloy Jimez RF/LF (19, 20 in November) - Top IFA in 2013, even over Torres, and potential has been compared to Jermaine Dye. Like so many listed above, offers an outstanding frame with room to get bigger. Surprisingly polished approach for a 6'4" teenaged Dominicam kid, I would think to expect more strikeouts. Was arguably Eugene's best all around hitter last year as an 18 year old, and was a candidate for full season ball last spring. He's a little heavy footed as a runner and a defender, but it's all about the bat with him anyway. His makeup has been praised both before and after signing, and is exemplified by the Cubs' willingness to give him a tough, advanced assignment at 18.

My bad on Steele's age. I read his birth year as 1996 for some reason. Now that you've remembered Eloy, at least include the "en" in his last name... :P

[David]

http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-believe-albert-almora%E2%80%99s-time-coming-after-kris-bryant-and-kyle-schwarber%E2%80%99s-fast-track

 

if there was any doubt, it looks like it's "official." almora will start this season at iowa.

 

With the Cubs locked in on Almora, Russell fell to the Oakland A’s at No. 11 in that first round. Billy Beane went for it in 2014 and mortgaged the future as the Cubs made Russell the centerpiece to the Jeff Samardzija deal. Russell replacing Starlin Castro and taking over at shortstop last summer would be a turning point for what became the hottest team in baseball.

 

“Certainly, I think Albert (is) going to have a good year,” McLeod said. “Because with the success of the other guys, we forget Albert’s 21 this year going into the (season). He’s young still – and hopefully he’s healthy – and he’ll be at Triple-A as a 21-year-old to open the season.”

 

A scout who appreciates Almora’s overall game noticed that he seemed adrift last summer at Tennessee, at least before a strong August (.917 OPS) boosted his overall numbers (.272 average with six homers, 26 doubles, 46 RBI in 106 games).

 

“We have to remember (that) he’s still understanding what it takes to be successful in the higher levels,” farm director Jaron Madison said. “Approach is big for him. I think he really started to buy into it towards the end of (last) year, getting pitches he can drive and not just put into play. And not being afraid to get to two strikes – because he never strikes out – (and) really trying to drive those balls that he should be hitting hard.

 

“Now it’s understanding where he is in his career – and how close he is. I think he’s going to take a big step forward this year.”

[CaliforniaRaisin]

McLeod interview: http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2016/02/jason-mcleod-talks-cubs-prospects-on-mlb-network-radio.php

 

Touches on Torres, Contreras, McKinney, Underwood, Cease, Steele, Sands, de la Cruz and Candelario.

 

Sounds like McKinney might not be ready for spring training because of the kneecap injury:

 

The knee, we’re taking it a little slow with him. He’s not exactly where we hoped he would be right now and that’s meaning he’s not going to show up in Spring Training and we’re just going to throw him into a game. I think by the end of Spring Training we’re hoping that he’ll be full go. But we’re going to take it a little slow with him as we start getting on those hard fields out in Arizona.”

[craig]

McLeod interview: http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2016/02/jason-mcleod-talks-cubs-prospects-on-mlb-network-radio.php

 

Touches on Torres, Contreras, McKinney, Underwood, Cease, Steele, Sands, de la Cruz and Candelario.

 

Sounds like McKinney might not be ready for spring training because of the kneecap injury:

 

The knee, we’re taking it a little slow with him. He’s not exactly where we hoped he would be right now and that’s meaning he’s not going to show up in Spring Training and we’re just going to throw him into a game. I think by the end of Spring Training we’re hoping that he’ll be full go. But we’re going to take it a little slow with him as we start getting on those hard fields out in Arizona.”

 

Thanks, Cal. That was a very detailed interview. I thought the comments on delaCruz were helpful, he said 90-95, mostly 92. That's good, and the kid perhaps projects for more future. But a mostly 92 RHP, that isn't exactly dominant or overpowering.

 

The stuff about Contreras and his personality/areas-that-needed-development was quite interesting. Having a good "clock" is really desirable, and perhaps he hasn't shown that. But I'd rather have a guy who was highly energized than a player who's kind of lethargic and can't stay focuses.

 

The Underwood bit was also interesting, having the plus or double-plus pitches at times, but maybe not being sophisticated on how to use them or to recognize what's sharp on a given day, and not having them consistently.

[Cubswin11]

If he's averaging around 92 and can crank it up to 94-95, that's pretty good velocity.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So the post on BN got me thinking about South Bend's OD roster...This team should be fun to watch all year.

 

- Six man rotation should include Kellogg, de la Cruz, Twomey, Steele, Sands, and hopefully Cease getting pushed and taking the final spot. Jose Paulino, another lefty, is another candidate for the final spot and prooooobably a little more likely than Cease. I am expcting Kellogg to make short work of this league amd get promoted to High A and hopefully/eventually AA this season.

 

- Matt Rose should get the starting 3B job and hopefully hits. He was the youngest and largest college bat they took last year, and one of the better college performers. He was one of Eugene's more impressive hitters last year, one of the few guys who consistently put the ball in the air and showed some pop.

 

- The OF to start will probably be Dewees/Martinez/Jimenez, but hopefully Dewees gets promoted at some point.

 

If things go really well we might see a couple of the teenaged prospects get a call to full season ball. DJ Wilson is probably most likely.

 

I want Cease and his surgically repaired elbow to have nothing to do with the MWL until at least May.

 

Regarding Martinez, nothing would surprise me but I suspect he'll stay in Mesa for at least a part of extended spring training to continue to get acclimated to the US. He sounds rawer than your average 21-year old.