Minor League Musings

[David]

that's pretty much what i assumed this was

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRHDhpJgTfQN0uqXrM6yNh28mc4Rl0kGdR2Fho0/

[Post Count Padder]

That's a shame. Still had hopes to see him get a callup this year/in September.

[David]

Prob a little more aggressive than people were expecting

[We Got The Whole 9]

He's gonna wear out the PCL

[Jaxbro]

Damn PCL schedule and no early season visit to Omaha for Iowa this year. Maybe Theo and company go the Bryant route and keep him in the minors the whole year(I can hope). Looks like a little road trip to Des Moines to see him play.

[CubInOK]

Oh cool The I-Cubs start the season in OKC. I hope Happ Schwarbers/Bryants the PCL.

[David]

http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-will-have-ian-happ-one-phone-call-away-triple-iowa

 

"Offensively, what was there not to like?" general manager Jed Hoyer said. "I feel like he hit the ball hard every at-bat for six weeks. It's always fun to see a young guy like that come in and open a lot of eyes."

 

Happ, 22, is a switch-hitter who can play second base and the outfield, skills that could help him escape from Des Moines once the need arises on the major-league level.

 

Though there are questions about Happ's defense, Theo Epstein's front office and Joe Maddon's coaching staff clearly value versatility and trust young talent, moving Addison Russell to shortstop in 2015 and elevating rookie catcher Willson Contreras last season.

 

Stay tuned to see when/if the Cubs will have a spot at Wrigley Field, but Happ looks like he will be on a fast track.

 

"Whenever you're in Triple-A, you're always a call away," Hoyer said. "Sometimes it happens quicker than you think. We never expected Addie would be up in April of that year, and he was. I feel like with Willson last year, if you had asked me in spring training – would he be up in June? – I probably would have thought it would be more like a September call-up or something like that.

 

"You never know. Things happen. When you have good players in the minor leagues, sometimes it speeds up on you a little bit."

 

They're already saying stuff like this.

[jersey cubs fan]

They're already saying stuff like this.

 

What do you mean already? When else would you talk about being prepared for potential injuries necessitating an earlier than expected call-up?

[David]

They're already saying stuff like this.

 

What do you mean already? When else would you talk about being prepared for potential injuries necessitating an earlier than expected call-up?

 

I mean when they hint at a potential actual prospect call up actually being close, there's kind of been a pattern of it happening way sooner than any of us have expected.

 

obviously, though, there's not a ton of room in the lineup for him to come up without an injury. but going into spring training i didn't think there was much of a chance happ sniffing the MLB roster before maybe september. now i think he's up in april if someone gets hurt.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's probably gonna take 2 injuries to get Happ to Chicago, because for all his charms he's not going to leapfrog Baez for playing time, and unless the one injury is a pretty long term one, calling him up to play infrequently probably isn't a great idea considering he put up a .733 OPS in AA last year.

[David]

It's probably gonna take 2 injuries to get Happ to Chicago, because for all his charms he's not going to leapfrog Baez for playing time, and unless the one injury is a pretty long term one, calling him up to play infrequently probably isn't a great idea considering he put up a .733 OPS in AA last year.

 

(i hate doing this)

 

until he plays everyday vs righties and is striking out in 30% of his ABs and literally never walking

 

(/i really hate doing this)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's probably gonna take 2 injuries to get Happ to Chicago, because for all his charms he's not going to leapfrog Baez for playing time, and unless the one injury is a pretty long term one, calling him up to play infrequently probably isn't a great idea considering he put up a .733 OPS in AA last year.

 

(i hate doing this)

 

until he plays everyday vs righties and is striking out in 30% of his ABs and literally never walking

 

(/i really hate doing this)

 

I mean, you aren't going to get an argument from me on skepticism that Baez makes the leap v. RHP. The point I'm making is that Happ had a 22% K rate and mediocre OPS at AA last year, he has even more to prove before he's playing every day in MLB, even with the platoon advantage. And if he isn't playing every day, then it makes more sense to have someone like Zagunis on the roster instead, especially if the injury isn't one opening a roster spot for months.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's probably gonna take 2 injuries to get Happ to Chicago, because for all his charms he's not going to leapfrog Baez for playing time, and unless the one injury is a pretty long term one, calling him up to play infrequently probably isn't a great idea considering he put up a .733 OPS in AA last year.

 

(i hate doing this)

 

until he plays everyday vs righties and is striking out in 30% of his ABs and literally never walking

 

(/i really hate doing this)

 

I don't care about any of those stats. How many awesome tags or swag slides are we getting?

[David]

It's probably gonna take 2 injuries to get Happ to Chicago, because for all his charms he's not going to leapfrog Baez for playing time, and unless the one injury is a pretty long term one, calling him up to play infrequently probably isn't a great idea considering he put up a .733 OPS in AA last year.

 

(i hate doing this)

 

until he plays everyday vs righties and is striking out in 30% of his ABs and literally never walking

 

(/i really hate doing this)

 

I mean, you aren't going to get an argument from me on skepticism that Baez makes the leap v. RHP. The point I'm making is that Happ had a 22% K rate and mediocre OPS at AA last year, he has even more to prove before he's playing every day in MLB, even with the platoon advantage. And if he isn't playing every day, then it makes more sense to have someone like Zagunis on the roster instead, especially if the injury isn't one opening a roster spot for months.

 

i don't disagree with the skepticism about his readiness. it's part of why i'm surprised at hoyer's comments and why i suddenly think he's much closer to mlb callup than i ever thought coming in to spring. i thought he'd be going back to AA. didn't really expect him to look as good as he has in spring, either.

 

they kind of have a history of saying stuff like that and then he's called up like tomorrow. obviously, not saying that's happening here by any means. but it sure sounds like they really like what they've been seeing from him. i can't really speak to how right/wrong they are if you take the praise at face value, and i'd obviously defer to them if they really do feel as good as they're saying.

[davell]

I think its much more likely they're just trying to enhance his trade value personally. Short of an injury that knocks someone out for a while, the most we'll see of Happ this year is him coming up and being the "9th" guy, while Javy takes a regular spot at a position.

 

And yeah, there's value that way, he'd still play plenty. But, unless Zobrist fades quick, my guess is Happ is just trade bait. Unless Heyward sucks again and winds up on the bench.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

yeah, I really feel like happ is going to end up providing value to us as the centerpiece of a trade.

[David]

happ is going to be our .850 OPS 2B when zobrist washes up you fools

[Cubswin11]

yeah, I really feel like happ is going to end up providing value to us as the centerpiece of a trade.

Nah, he's the Zobrist replacement when he leaves in 2 years and Javy fails to be a viable everyday player because he can't hit RHP.

[davell]

God, I am going to be so happy watching Javy put up an .800+ OPS this season and shut this stupid talk up.

[David]

God, I am going to be so happy watching Javy put up an .800+ OPS this season and shut this stupid talk up.

 

i would be ecstatic to see that happen but there's basically no reason to believe that

 

do i think he can? sure, he's insanely gifted. do i expect it? far from it.

 

i'd say it's something like 80ish% he more or less is what he is...great defensive player who will be reasonably productive if his matchups are chosen carefully and will hit you a few bombs. and that's a great success story compared to what he could've ended up being as of 2 years ago.

[David]

yeah, I really feel like happ is going to end up providing value to us as the centerpiece of a trade.

Nah, he's the Zobrist replacement when he leaves in 2 years and Javy fails to be a viable everyday player because he can't hit RHP.

 

zobrist is actually here 3 more years, tho i guess that's sorta like 2.5

[davell]

God, I am going to be so happy watching Javy put up an .800+ OPS this season and shut this stupid talk up.

 

i would be ecstatic to see that happen but there's basically no reason to believe that

 

do i think he can? sure, he's insanely gifted. do i expect it? far from it.

 

i'd say it's something like 80ish% he more or less is what he is...great defensive player who will be reasonably productive if his matchups are chosen carefully and will hit you a few bombs. and that's a great success story compared to what he could've ended up being as of 2 years ago.

 

I'd honestly put it at 20% that this is what he winds up being. He's far from a finished product and is taking the longer path towards becoming one, just as some of the prospect evaluators suggested. Not only am I not worried this is all he'll be(still very good) but I'm very confident he winds up much better.

 

And I think we'll leave him alone too. Learned not to horsefeathers with guys too much, after Starlin. He's going to do it unconventionally, just as he's done everything so far.

[Tim]

Javy is going to be the best of them all.

 

Then again, this is the first time I've indulged in wine for a long time. So it may be that talking.

 

However, I am very confident he will be the most fun of them all, slightly edging out Contreras and Rizzo for that title.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Javy is going to be the best of them all.

 

Then again, this is the first time I've indulged in wine for a long time. So it may be that talking.

 

However, I am very confident he will be the most fun of them all, slightly edging out Contreras and Rizzo for that title.

 

Javy might end up being the best of them, but not until Willson is for a year, and then Addi is for a year, and then Almora is for a year, oh and Schwarber is that one year he hits 78 homers.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Arizona Phil[/url]"]RHP Jordan Brink, RHP Cole Brocker, RHP Josh Conway, LHP Colton Freeman, RHP Tanner Griggs, RHP Randy McCurry, RHP Zach Rafferty, RHP Alexander Santana, RHP Nick Sarianides, RHP (ex-INF) Ho-Young Son, LHP Kyle Twomey, C Sam Tidaback, INF Munenori Kawasaki, and 1B-OF Jose Paniagua have been released. (RHP Maikel Cleto and RHP Jim Henderson were released earlier).

 

Also, Arizona Phil mentioned Jose Paulino has been moved to Myrtle Beach's bullpen in minor league camp.