Minor League Musings

[Regular Show]

BA’s best tools: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-leaguers-with-major-league-tools/

 

Best control in the SL: Duncan Robinson

Best defensive SS in the SL: Zack Short

Best defensive C in the MWL: Miguel Amaya

Best defensive 1B in the MWL: Jared Young

 

Wait, I thought Jared Young was a 2B? Maybe he plays there and acts as a utility guy?

[craig]

Young's played almost exclusively 1B.

[We Got The Whole 9]

FWIW Davenport has Short at +5 DRS this season

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Young's played almost exclusively 1B.

 

But he can definitely play 2B and possibly corner OF.

[Regular Show]

Young's played almost exclusively 1B.

 

But he can definitely play 2B and possibly corner OF.

 

Yeah, he was drafted as a 2B and I know he can play there. Not surprised he's good at 1B when he's capable of playing harder positions defensively.

[Hrubes20]

FWIW Davenport has Short at +5 DRS this season

 

I saw that and was shocked a bit. I've seen multiple games of Short and would have classified it as average defense at SS. But then again, that was just the eye test and I'm obviously not a scout.

[davell]

Matt Swarmer was a 19th-rounder in 2016 out of Kutztown (a small PA school which has given us John Mobley, Andre Reed, Ryan Vogelsong, and my high-school chem teacher, end of list) who fits an archetype targeted by the Cubs many times in recent drafts: deceptive college arms. Swarmer’s delivery, which is similar to that of Josh Collmenter’s, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat. His three-pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, tilting low-80s slider, and firm changeup. All are fringey on their own but play up because of hitters’ discomfort with Swarmer’s delivery. Pitchers like this are best suited for spot starts or long relief, which is exactly what the Cubs are trying to cultivate with the high volume of college pitching they’ve selected in recent years as a way of creating depth behind their fairly shallow big-league staff.

[Regular Show]

Matt Swarmer was a 19th-rounder in 2016 out of Kutztown (a small PA school which has given us John Mobley, Andre Reed, Ryan Vogelsong, and my high-school chem teacher, end of list) who fits an archetype targeted by the Cubs many times in recent drafts: deceptive college arms. Swarmer’s delivery, which is similar to that of Josh Collmenter’s, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat. His three-pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, tilting low-80s slider, and firm changeup. All are fringey on their own but play up because of hitters’ discomfort with Swarmer’s delivery. Pitchers like this are best suited for spot starts or long relief, which is exactly what the Cubs are trying to cultivate with the high volume of college pitching they’ve selected in recent years as a way of creating depth behind their fairly shallow big-league staff.

 

You should probably attribute that to Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs. It looks like your scouting report right now lol.

 

I like Matt Swarmer and think he could become a useful reliever.

[davell]

Matt Swarmer was a 19th-rounder in 2016 out of Kutztown (a small PA school which has given us John Mobley, Andre Reed, Ryan Vogelsong, and my high-school chem teacher, end of list) who fits an archetype targeted by the Cubs many times in recent drafts: deceptive college arms. Swarmer’s delivery, which is similar to that of Josh Collmenter’s, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat. His three-pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, tilting low-80s slider, and firm changeup. All are fringey on their own but play up because of hitters’ discomfort with Swarmer’s delivery. Pitchers like this are best suited for spot starts or long relief, which is exactly what the Cubs are trying to cultivate with the high volume of college pitching they’ve selected in recent years as a way of creating depth behind their fairly shallow big-league staff.

 

You should probably attribute that to Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs. It looks like your scouting report right now lol.

 

I like Matt Swarmer and think he could become a useful reliever.

 

Oops,yeah lol.

[Tim]

Our top 9 prospects according to...Jim Bowden:

 

Top 9 Prospects: 1. Miguel Amaya, C; 2. Alex Lange, RHP; 3. Nico Hoerner, SS; 4. Brailyn Marquez, LHP; 5. Adbert Alzolay, RHP; 6. Justin Steele, LHP; 7. Aramis Ademan, SS; 8. Brendon Little, LHP; 9. Duane Underwood Jr., RHP.

 

 

He also ranks our system 19th. Which is somehow four better than the team set to dominate the division for years.

 

 

https://theathletic.com/483010/2018/08/22/bowden-grading-the-farm-systems-of-all-30-mlb-teams-after-the-trade-deadline/

[PackLandVA]

Just one man's opinion, but I like that there's some some pitching in there - 6 out of 9.

[Cubswin11]

Just one man's opinion, but I like that there's some some pitching in there - 6 out of 9.

Nice

[Brian]

Anybody interesting on the Beloit Snappers (A's) or Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)? Probably going to go to a game in Beloit next weekend.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Anybody interesting on the Beloit Snappers (A's) or Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)? Probably going to go to a game in Beloit next weekend.

 

Akil Baddoo on the Kernels and Lazaro Armenteros on the Snappers

 

Nick Allen and Austin Beck for Beloit too. And Trevor Larnach for Cedar Rapids.

[Regular Show]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

This is encouraging news.

[javy knows my name]

I love that they're trying to Arrieta one of Webster or Hultzen right now. What was Webster's deal? I remember him as a top prospect for Dodgers who was rumored in big trades (which also included Eovaldi, IIRC) years back. Injuries or ineffectiveness?

[Cubswin11]

I love that they're trying to Arrieta one of Webster or Hultzen right now. What was Webster's deal? I remember him as a top prospect for Dodgers who was rumored in big trades (which also included Eovaldi, IIRC) years back. Injuries or ineffectiveness?

I think they’re more trying to Morrow them. Don’t think they will be starters ever, but potentially good relievers

[Hrubes20]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

This is encouraging news.

 

Nice! I had visions of him sitting 82-84 and fooling teenagers in the AZL with breaking stuff.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

 

 

 

[imb]

i would absolutely trade ian happ for walker buehler

[Regular Show]

i would absolutely trade ian happ for walker buehler

 

I would too, in theory, but I just don't trust anyone with the first name of "Walker".

[Cubswin11]

Excellent season by him

 

 

[davell]

i would absolutely trade ian happ for walker buehler

 

I absolutely would too. But, the Cubs didn't make the wrong call at draft time. Buehler had TJS and came back throwing 4-5 MPH harder than before. He was considered a back end starter, at the time of the draft.

[Regular Show]

Excellent season by him

 

 

 

Yeah, he had a great year, but Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen said his body went backwards this season and looks a little soft. If true, I really want him to commit to losing a little weight and improve his conditioning. He's still really young so he has time to improve his body/get stronger.

 

Just to avoid confusion, I don't mean stronger as in he'll be capable of throwing harder (he already throws plenty hard). I mean he'll be able to maintain his velocity and have better endurance over 100+ IP.

[Regular Show]

From the latest chat on Fangraphs:

 

Lanny: Who will be the GM of the Orioles next year ?

 

Kiley McDaniel: Sounds like the Duke

 

Dang, I didn't know they'd hire our very own Duke Silver to be their next GM.

 

Good luck bro.