Minor League Musings

[Aaron_Kennelly]

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.

 

They really liked my presentation on how Mad Men gifs would lead us to redemption.

[craig]

 

Video of Marquez from last week at South Bend. Not sure I'm really noticing the "soft" bit? I sure wouldn't have thought that from the video, if it hadn't been suggested earlier? If Marquez is "soft", then I don't know what you'd call guys like Schwarber and Justin Wilson...

 

Regardless, I hope he's got the motivation and brains to get the most out of whatever ability he's got. Important guy for the system.

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Video of Marquez from last week at South Bend. Not sure I'm really noticing the "soft" bit? I sure wouldn't have thought that from the video, if it hadn't been suggested earlier? If Marquez is "soft", then I don't know what you'd call guys like Schwarber and Justin Wilson...

 

Regardless, I hope he's got the motivation and brains to get the most out of whatever ability he's got. Important guy for the system.

 

Eric Longenhagen wrote this back in July:

 

Marquez has a 20:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio at Eugene. I saw him up to 96 last year, but he was 88-93 in extended spring training, and his body had matured and gotten somewhat soft pretty quickly. It didn’t affect his advanced fastball command, though, or his arm-side command of his breaking ball, which comprise a large chunk of Marquez’s current plan on the mound. He projects as a No. 4/5 starter with several average pitches and above-average control.

 

I don't see it either. Seems fine to me, but they've mentioned that a few times in chats/notes. I think he's our best pitching prospect outside of a healthy Adbert Alzolay.

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Video of Marquez from last week at South Bend. Not sure I'm really noticing the "soft" bit? I sure wouldn't have thought that from the video, if it hadn't been suggested earlier? If Marquez is "soft", then I don't know what you'd call guys like Schwarber and Justin Wilson...

 

*raises hand nervously*

 

I totally see it and the potential for a high maintenance frame. He’s a big dude, might push 240+ by the time he’s in his mid-late 20s. That won’t really be what holds him back as far as developing into a SP so much as the straight fastball and rudimentary offspeeds IMO

 

Umm, what? So on his milb player page he's listed as 6'4" and 185 lbs. and is 19 years old (turns 20 in January). Now, these pages aren't always up-to-date, but they aren't off by too much (usually). Let's say he is really 190 lbs. or something like that. You think he's adding 50 lbs. or more when he is in his mid-late 20's!?! I mean it is possible, but anything is possible...

 

He could grow another 5 or 6 inches and start throwing even harder and become the next Big Unit. It's possible, but not very likely. Same thing with your scenario. He isn't going to be pushing 240+ and he seems fine. Not to be mean, but are you watching it in HD? I'm watching it in 720p and his forearms are good and his lower-half isn't too thick. He doesn't seem overweight or chubby or "soft" in this particular video.

 

I'm going to mark this post and if you're still around and I'm still around and Marquez makes it all the way to the big leagues and is pitching in some form in his mid-20's... well, we will see who is right lol.

 

EDIT: My prediction is he'll be 210-215 lbs. when he reaches his mid-late 20's (which is fine).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Cory Abbott is the Cubs August pitcher of the month. Nelson Velázquez is the August position player of the month.

 

Guessing Abbott might win minor league pitcher of the year. It’s him, Swarmer or Robinson. Guessing Jared Young gets position player of the year.

[davell]

I'm not really concerned with Marquez' body. He's young, he'll get put on a nutrition plan, or if he's on one already, it'll be monitored closely. My honest guess is he'll come to ST looking chiseled.

 

He IS our best hope at a TOR type arm. But, I'd sacrifice a bit of velo for more movement personally. Granted, at his age, he's still got time to find more of either or both.

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This is pretty cool. I would have loved to have seen this when the Cubs had the highest-rated farm system a few years ago.

[Regular Show]

https://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx?draft=2018updated&type=0&pos=all&team=chc

 

Not sure if this link has been shared before. It's a link to Fangraph's THE BOARD feature with the Cubs Prospect list.

 

So the Cubs have 9 prospects with a 45+ FV rating. Gallardo almost makes it into that group with a 40+ FV. Miguel Amaya is #1 at 50 FV (which should be higher IMO). It's a good list, but I think Roederer should be higher and DJ Wilson much lower.

 

Also, Trent Giambrone isn't on the list and that's a mistake. Maybe when they update it next time.

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[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jared Young was named the Cubs Minor League Player of the Year and Matt Swarmer was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA's Year-End Reports: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/miguel-amaya-shows-all-around-potential/

 

Best Prospect: C Miguel Amaya

"We saw a lot in the first half,” senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said, "especially the way he was driving the ball through the middle of the field, to the opposite field.

 

"I think the kid’s going to hit, and hit for some power, and be a game-caller and a guy who can—I’m not going to say completely shut down the running game—but he can be a solid thrower behind the plate.”

 

Best Pitcher: RHP Keegan Thompson

 

Keep an Eye On: LHP Brailyn Márquez

"Because he’s so physical,” McLeod said. "He’s 6-foot-5, 225 (pounds). He’s lefthanded. He’s been up to like 97-98 (mph). He’ll get a lot of prospect buzz going into next year.”

[Tim]

https://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx?draft=2018updated&type=0&pos=all&team=chc

 

Not sure if this link has been shared before. It's a link to Fangraph's THE BOARD feature with the Cubs Prospect list.

 

So the Cubs have 9 prospects with a 45+ FV rating. Gallardo almost makes it into that group with a 40+ FV. Miguel Amaya is #1 at 50 FV (which should be higher IMO). It's a good list, but I think Roederer should be higher and DJ Wilson much lower.

 

Also, Trent Giambrone isn't on the list and that's a mistake. Maybe when they update it next time.

Also no Steele, Duncan Robinson or Matt Swarmer.

[Regular Show]

BA's Year-End Reports: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/miguel-amaya-shows-all-around-potential/

 

Best Prospect: C Miguel Amaya

"We saw a lot in the first half,” senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said, "especially the way he was driving the ball through the middle of the field, to the opposite field.

 

"I think the kid’s going to hit, and hit for some power, and be a game-caller and a guy who can—I’m not going to say completely shut down the running game—but he can be a solid thrower behind the plate.”

 

Best Pitcher: RHP Keegan Thompson

 

Keep an Eye On: LHP Brailyn Márquez

"Because he’s so physical,” McLeod said. "He’s 6-foot-5, 225 (pounds). He’s lefthanded. He’s been up to like 97-98 (mph). He’ll get a lot of prospect buzz going into next year.”

 

Wow, Marquez is already 225 lbs. according to McLeod.

 

If that's right, then he has a decent chance of being 240 or more when he reaches his mid-20's. I was wrong on that. I really thought he was closer to 190-195. He didn't look that big in the video or seem overweight.

 

If you're trying to picture what Marquez would look like at 240 or around there, well picture Jon Lester. He's listed as 6'4" and 240 lbs. (probably weighs more than that).

[Cubswin11]

I, for one, am exited to have lefty Bartolo in the system

[Cubswin11]

Good thread to read through

 

[davell]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty solid list, from a guy who knows someone within the org. Honestly, some of these rankings might help shed a bit of light on a few guys. I'm hoping he goes in depth as to the "whys" on some of this.....

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Yeah, I saw his list. It's not bad, and if he really does have an inside source then he probably knows more about some of these prospects than anyone here.

 

I don't like DJ Wilson and think he's way overrated. He has great tools, but he'll never turn them into real baseball skills/ability.

 

I think Christopher Morel should be higher and has the potential to blow up and become a Top-10 talent in our system.

 

His Top-10 part is very solid. Mostly agree on that. Roederer got some Benintendi comps from scouts that really liked him, which has me super excited. That's high praise...

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[imb]

what is it exactly about alzolay that people like

[CyHawk_Cub]

Super thirsty for a Cubs pitching prospect to actually come up & have an impact, I presume. He's not very big and has like 1 1/2 mlb-level pitches. I can't think of any other reason, but I have to admit my anti-pitching prospect bias.

[Regular Show]

what is it exactly about alzolay that people like

 

He's got a nice smile, enjoys long walks on the beach watching the sunset, calls his folks at least once a week, volunteers at a soup kitchen when he can, hates avocado toast...

 

Lots of things.

[davell]

Honest reasons to like Alzolay.....

 

Mid 90's FB with movement thats a plus pitch. Curve flashes plus, although its usually average. Change is improving, might be average by now. Works very fast, hard to get in a rhythm against. Seems to be a very high makeup guy.

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Honest reasons to like Alzolay.....

 

Mid 90's FB with movement thats a plus pitch. Curve flashes plus, although its usually average. Change is improving, might be average by now. Works very fast, hard to get in a rhythm against. Seems to be a very high makeup guy.

 

Yeah, I mean it's pretty easy to get a scouting report on Alzolay and find out why he's so highly regarded. There is video available. Lots of resources all over the internet.

 

Now, is TBS Playoffs Insider asking why we like Alzolay and think he's the top pitching prospect in our system?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Honest reasons to like Alzolay.....

 

Mid 90's FB with movement thats a plus pitch. Curve flashes plus, although its usually average. Change is improving, might be average by now. Works very fast, hard to get in a rhythm against. Seems to be a very high makeup guy.

 

And good command. It’s probably a #3-4 starter profile. Obviously health is a concern going forward since he lost a season to injury.

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Not the best video honestly. Definitely works at a quick pace and attacks hitters (which scouts love). Someone told me that his curveball occasionally (not often) flashes not just plus, but plus plus. Really good curveball some nights.

 

It will be important to see or read how he bounces back from missing so much time. I'm not concerned with his health. He has a good clean delivery and it looks like he doesn't overexert himself on the mound.

 

Then again every pitcher can go down in flames and get hurt. I remember reading Prior had "perfect" pitching mechanics and would never break down. You never know...