Minor League Musings

[Cubswin11]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/joadell25/status/1052383609099886592[/tweet]

 

Jo Adell seems like an awesome kid and a great prospect. He could be ranked #1 overall in the minors after Vlad Jr., Tatis Jr. and Eloy all graduate to the big leagues next season.

 

Do any of our players/prospects hold camps? I'm pretty sure Baez holds one right?

 

schwarber runs a heavyweights style fat camp

[weis21]

Mekkes piece: http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2018/10/end-of-season-prospect-review-dakota-mekkes/

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Danny Hultzen re-signed with the Cubs. So did Chris Pieters, Gioskar Amaya, Roberto Caro and Erick Castillo.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/261805#comment-261805

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Crane Kenney: The Cubs are viewed (at least from the outside) as one of the more analytical clubs. However, it seems that their player dev isn’t on the same level as other, similar, teams such as the Yankees and Dodgers. Why is that?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: They’ve been pretty conservative with amateur talent acquisition. A lot of polished Mexican players on the international market, lots of college arms in the draft.

[Bertz]

Bill: Nico Hoerner is only player from the 2018 draft in the AFL. He was hurt mid-season so he needs at bats. How is he holding up against upper level competition?

 

Keith Law: Smart player but didn’t make much hard contact and he’s smaller than I thought. I think maybe a high-average/high OBP second baseman?

[Regular Show]

Bill: Nico Hoerner is only player from the 2018 draft in the AFL. He was hurt mid-season so he needs at bats. How is he holding up against upper level competition?

 

Keith Law: Smart player but didn’t make much hard contact and he’s smaller than I thought. I think maybe a high-average/high OBP second baseman?

 

I think Keith Law saw him early during the AFL when he was scuffling a little bit?

 

I think he's actually well-built and pretty muscular... He's not tall, but I wouldn't call him small. He's definitely not Altuve or Pedroia or Nick Madrigal.

 

I agree that he can be a high-average/high-OBP guy, but I also think he could stick at SS. He will play 2B for us because we have Baez, but I think he's capable of playing SS. He might develop power as well, but I'm less certain of that because of his approach and how he uses his hands. He adjusts to the ball in mid-air really well, but he hits line drives and doesn't really get under the ball or hit it at a high launch angle from what I've seen. Yeah, I definitely think he'll hit for a good average. Just not sure about the power right now. That's just my opinion.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

10/25:

 

SS N. Hoerner 2/4, SB (1)

SP E. Leal 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 5-3 GO-FO, 47-29 pitches-strikes

 

Nico is now at .326/.347/.457/.803 in 49 PA.

[Bertz]

Also ran into this:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-futures-game-was-black/

 

and want to say this is cool. I too have noticed seemingly more and more young black athletes are picking baseball and thriving in recent years. Last year’s draft as a banner year of sorts - a year after a black HS RH went 2 - with lots of highly relevant names, a couple first rounders, and the top ranked freshman in the nation. When’s the last time the #1 incoming freshman in the nation was a black kid?

 

I’m still looking forward to the Cubs - who play in Chicago for Jah’s sake - to land a black star (superstar would be nice). Not so secretly I thought Heyward would be that guy (in some ways yeah it worked), I partially love Stroman’s fit with the org because he’s from a black middle class family and went to Duke, but yeah I do think it would be a nice touch for the city and franchise if the Cubs kinda snuck in as a leading org for this little movement.

 

It's kind of surprising that this is happening, since some of the underlying factors that have led to lower participation rates in baseball (fewer scholarships than Basketball and Football, youth travel ball being hella expensive) are not getting any better. and actually are probably getting worse. You kind of have to assume that RBI and other similar inclusion initiatives are working, which is fantastic news. There are a lot of bad things we can say about MLB as an organization, but it's really cool that this isn't one of the things that they have horsefeathered up.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

I partially love Stroman’s fit with the org because he’s from a black middle class family and went to Duke

[Regular Show]

I horsefeathering hate Duke and can't stand their fanbase...

 

I really don't understand why he mentioned that like it's some kinda perk or bonus for acquiring Stroman.

[imb]

Jesus christ

[Regular Show]

https://www.mlb.com/news/do-the-padres-or-braves-have-better-prospects/c-299691916?tid=151437456

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/hecht74/status/1054440136111460354[/tweet]

 

Two questions about the Cubs' first-round pick! He's the only hitter from the 2018 Draft in the Arizona Fall League (and was the focus of our Cubs AFL overview. I don't think there's any question that Hoerner can move quickly. He's the type of college performer at the plate where his bat should allow him to advance rapidly. Even though he got hurt to greatly curtail his summer pro debut, he had already reached full-season ball.

 

The missed time won't help in terms of that timetable, but the fact the Cubs sent him to the AFL shows just what they think of his ability to handle a challenging assignment. Looking at previous college bats they've drafted can help. Kyle Schwarber began his first full season in Double-A, albeit after 72 games in his first summer. So did Kris Bryant and both he and Schwarber ended in Triple-A. Ian Happ started in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and earned a midseason promotion to Double-A.

 

I don't think Hoerner is quite as advanced as those guys were. If I had to guess, he'll start the year in Myrtle Beach (where Happ started) and I could see him advancing to Double-A at some point. Primarily a shortstop, he'll also likely be working on other positions -- he's started one game at second this fall -- and the Cubs will want to make sure he can handle things defensively as well as offensively as he moves up the ladder quickly.

 

Not sure where Hoerner will start next season. He's doing really well in the AFL and I think he could handle starting the year at AA.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Count me among the Evan White fan club. I'll even take a shift as the vice president or treasurer. Assuming the coach you heard was talking about his defense, yes, he is outstanding there. There's a reason why we gave him a 70 fielding grade on the Mariners' Top 30, where he's currently No. 2. That's also a reason why there's been no talk of giving him a look in the outfield, where his speed and athleticism would play very well and there'd potentially be a bit less pressure on him to be a power-hitting run-producer type. He plays first like a third baseman and that could be a tremendous asset. He also can flat-out hit and has a pretty left-handed swing. There is extra-base thump in there, but he's definitely hit over power. That could be fine at first if a big league lineup makes up for the power at other positions. I see White as a Cody Bellinger type, but with less power, or maybe a John Olerud type, but with more speed.

 

Not Cubs related, but I wanted to include this Q&A. So I'm not a big fan of Jonathan Mayo. He's okay. He makes a pretty bad blunder here when talking about 1B prospect Evan White. Says he has a "pretty left-handed swing"... umm, the dude bats righthanded. Like that's a pretty well-known fact.

 

I like Evan White and think he would be a good player under someone like Maddon because he's a plus-defender at 1B and also capable of playing the OF, sort of like Cody Bellinger. Their swings are very different and I think Cody Bellinger is by far the better hitter. I believe Cody Bellinger is the better defender as well.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://twitter.com/rosterroundup/status/1057362653058883587?s=21

[Cubswin11]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Tommy: Thoughts on Nico Hoerner’s quality AFL?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: He looks good, the same as he did in the spring. You still have to be okay with the throwing to project him at shortstop but I think he’s functional enough in that regard to be a 45 or 50 there.

 

Francis: Tell me I’m really stupid for falling in love with the Cubs AZL teams and Eugene roster. I can’t help it.

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Not stupid, I like a lot of those guys, too.

 

KW: Erick Leal has yet to give up a run in the AFL. What’s your take on him? Should the Cubs protect him on the 40-man from the Rule 5 draft?

 

Eric A Longenhagen: Jeez, I did not know that. Up/down guy for me.

[Cubswin11]

So he has his velo back, if not higher? than pre injury, is throwing a new pitch and getting results. Damn, he’s becoming incredibly intriguing.

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

KW

2:03 What's currently keeping you from hanging a 50 FV on Nico Hoerner? Would you need to see more power out of his bat to justify him inevitably moving to 2B?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:03 He might move up when we do the Cubs list

The power he's shown here in AZ has been surprising

[Hrubes20]

KW

2:03 What's currently keeping you from hanging a 50 FV on Nico Hoerner? Would you need to see more power out of his bat to justify him inevitably moving to 2B?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:03 He might move up when we do the Cubs list

The power he's shown here in AZ has been surprising

 

Also from that chat:

 

KW: Has Trent Giambrone shown you anything in the AFL to move him up your prospect list?

2:43

Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah, I kinda dig him. He’s an above average athlete with a swing I love, he can play a bunch of different positions.

[Post Count Padder]

MORE DAVID BOTE CLONES

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kieran Lovegrove is a minor league free agent and the Cubs should sign him.

 

I have more faith in him as a late inning reliever than Dillon Maples.

[Regular Show]

Kieran Lovegrove is a minor league free agent and the Cubs should sign him.

 

I have more faith in him as a late inning reliever than Dillon Maples.

 

He's mentioned in an article on fangraphs:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/sunday-notes-kieran-lovegrove-is-loquacious-and-available/

 

“My fastball is a four-seam, but something about the way I pronate makes it two-seam at times,” explained Lovegrove, who sits 95-96 and flirts with triple digits. “When it’s down, it registers as a sinker at 2,500 (RPM). I wish I knew why it does what it does, but it’s working for me right now, and that’s what matters.” -- K. Lovegrove

[Regular Show]

Lots of good stuff in the latest UMP podcast on Fangraphs. Eric and Kiley talk about a bunch of different topics. Eric gives his take on Cubs prospects Erick Leal, Trent Giambrone and Nico Hoerner.

 

Not big believers in Leal and think his stuff won't be good enough to get big-league hitters out consistently. They mention how he has a really good breaking ball.

 

They talk about Giambrone and Eric says he is a good multi-positional prospect with a good athletic swing. He likes Giambrone more than Bote last year. Says he is better defensively, but doesn't have as much power as Bote.

 

Lots of interesting stuff on Hoerner. Mentioned the divisive opinions on whether he can stick at SS because of the throwing/arm. Hoerner didn't run as well in the AFL. Eric said he was a "plus plus runner in the spring". Thinks the Cubs tweaked his swing and is showing way more power now.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/fangraphs-audio-presents-the-untitled-mcdongenhagen-project-ep-6/

Edited November 19, 2018 by Regular Show

[CubsWin]

The Cubs released their list of AAA and AA protected players. These lists posted by AZ Phil are always an interesting insight as to how the Cubs think of some lesser known "prospects" within their system. Guys who are on the AAA list can only be selected in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft.

 

There are some interesting names on the AAA list. Obvious ones who didn't make the 40-man like Trevor Clifton and Craig Brooks are expected. The list is mostly populated with guys who are solid minor leaguers that the Cubs would like to retain for depth purposes, but it's the names you don't recognize that interest me. Eury Ramos debuted his mid-90s FB in Eugene this season. I hadn't heard he had velocity like that until AZ Phil made a comment about it last spring. He's on the list as expected, but there are a few names, that I've bolded, that we haven't had reports on. It likely means they have some upside the Cubs see that the rest of us aren't privy to. Being named on the AA list is less important, but the few bolded on the AAA list are intriguing.

 

IOWA RESERVE LIST

Luis Ayala, OF

Alberto Baldonado, LHP (signed 2019 minor league contract on 11/20)

Corey Black, RHP (signed 2019 minor league contract on 11/5)

Andres Bonalde, LHP

Craig Brooks, RHP

Charcer Burks, OF

Roberto Caro, OF (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Trevor Clifton, RHP

Scott Effross, RHP

Emilio Ferrebus, RHP

Johnny Field, OF (Article XX-D player - outrighted to AAA Iowa 11/20)

Wladimir Galindo, INF

Jacob Hannemann, OF (Article XX-D player)

Zach Hedges, RHP

P. J. Higgins, C-INF

Danny Hultzen, LHP (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Ryan Lawlor, LHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Erick Leal, RHP (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Vimael Machin, INF

Brad Markey, RHP

Ivan Medina, RHP

Jordan Minch, LHP

Kevonte Mitchell, OF

Erling Moreno, RHP

Rafael Narea, INF

Eugenio Palma, LHP

Yeiler Peguero, INF

Jhonny Pereda, C

Eury Ramos, RHP

Ian Rice, C-1B

Manuel Rondon, LHP

Jake Stinnett, RHP

Jerry Vasto, LHP (Article XX-D player - outrighted to AAA Iowa 11/20)

Chesny Young, INF

Rob Zastryzny, LHP (Article XX-D player)

 

In addition to the 35 players listed above, 39 Cubs minor leaguers eligible for selection in the 2018 Rule 5 Draft were placed on either the AA Tennessee or Hi-A Myrtle Beach reserve list and so they are eligible for selection in the AAA Phase:

 

TENNESSEE RESERVE LIST (see NOTE below)

Anderson Acevedo, RHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Tyler Alamo, C-1B

Gioskar Amaya, INF (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Luis Aquino, RHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Yasiel Balaguert, 1B-OF (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Wynton Bernard, OF (Article XX-D player - signed 2019 minor league contract on 11/12)

Casey Bloomquist, RHP

James Buckelew, LHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Erick Castillo, C (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Alfredo Colorado, RHP

Yan de la Cruz, RHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Enrique de los Rios, RHP

Wander Feliz, RHP

Riger Fernandez, LHP

Hector Alonso Garcia, RHP

Robel Garcia, INF (signed 2019 minor league contract on 10/29)

David Garner, RHP

Dalton Geekie, RHP (Second-Contract Player signed for 2019)

Yapson Gomez, LHP

Eric Gonzalez, C

Jose Alejandro Gonzalez, RHP (ex-OF)

Jesse Hodges, INF

Ryan Kellogg, LHP

Junior Marte, RHP

Marcus Mastrobuoni, C

M. T. Minacci, RHP

Preston Morrison, RHP

Richard Nunez, C-1B

Pablo Ochoa, LHP

Tyler Payne, C

Henrry Pedra, INF

Chris Pieters, OF-1B (signed 2019 minor league successor contract)

Will Remillard, C

Ruben Reyes, LHP (ex-OF)

Andry Rondon, RHP

Jose Rosario, RHP (signed 2019 minor league contract on 11/13)

Franklin Tineo, C-!NF

Sucre Valdez, RHP

Ryan Williams, RHP

NOTE: 37 of the 39 players listed above were assigned to the AA Tennessee reserve list and two (A. Acevedo and Y. de la Cruz) were assigned to the Myrtle Beach reserve list, because there wasn't room for everybody on the Tennessee roster (AA roster limit is 37).

[Thunderbolt_47]

Yeah, Ramos is one hell of a ghost, he managed to stay under the radar for a while because that's the first time I hear about him. Would you have a link to AZ Phil's article? I was a little bit out of the loop last spring (... until September) because I had one hell of a lot of work, and completely missed this guy.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

13. Nico Hoerner, SS, Mesa (Cubs No. 6)

A first-round pick (No. 24 overall) in June, Hoerner has outstanding bat-to-ball skills, sneaky power (he tied for the AFL lead with four triples) and plus speed. His average arm may land him at second base, with one scout comparing him to Ian Kinsler.