Minor League Musings

[Illiterate Scholar]

Brett pointed this out in his article but in the Cubs' press release of Ballesteros winning the org's minor league POY, he's listed as 19 years old. That's in all likelihood just a typo right? Or is it possible his listed birthday is wrong?

[Bertz]

He was new to 3B so being something that would prorate to like -5 over a full season doesn't feel very concerning.

Those middle infield numbers though, yikes.  SSS of course.

 

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

He was new to 3B so being something that would prorate to like -5 over a full season doesn't feel very concerning.

Those middle infield numbers though, yikes.  SSS of course.

 

Certainly...less than ideal. Hoping it's one of those small sample fluctuations. Like he had a few bad games, but they'd smooth out. 

Does ZiPS use OAA or UZR? Or do we even know? (I don't hopefully someone else does)

[Bertz]

Just now, 1908_Cubs said:

Certainly...less than ideal. Hoping it's one of those small sample fluctuations. Like he had a few bad games, but they'd smooth out. 

Does ZiPS use OAA or UZR? Or do we even know? (I don't hopefully someone else does)

I believe it's something proprietary Dan whipped up but similar to pre-Statcast UZR.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think the broader point isn't a baseless one, but we're getting beyond 'false precision' to 'borderline useless' if we're quoting defensive run values for minor league samples of 20-60 games that are spread across multiple levels.

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I believe it's something proprietary Dan whipped up but similar to pre-Statcast UZR.

That makes sense. So probably something to monitor in the grand scheme, but nothing to stress about, either. 

Appreciate the answer.

[Tryptamine]

30 minutes ago, Bertz said:

He was new to 3B so being something that would prorate to like -5 over a full season doesn't feel very concerning.

Those middle infield numbers though, yikes.  SSS of course.

 

SSS withstanding, I expected as much at SS, but if 2B is also off the table then his chances of being a trade chip jump quite a bit.

[CubinNY]

On 10/29/2024 at 2:47 PM, Tryptamine said:

SSS withstanding, I expected as much at SS, but if 2B is also off the table then his chances of being a trade chip jump quite a bit.

I don't put any stock in the horsefeathers. But don't you think if the Cubs know he's defensively challenged other teams will know it too? It seems it would depress his value as a trade opportunity. Also and for horsefeathers sake, let's give the guy a minute to improve. 

[Tryptamine]

Just now, CubinNY said:

I don't put any stock in the horsefeathers. But don't you think if the Cubs know he's defensively challenged other teams will know it too? It seems it would depress his value as a trade opportunity. Also and for horsefeathers sake, let's give the guy a minute to improve. 

Other teams don't have an above average 3B already at the position.

[CubinNY]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Other teams don't have an above average 3B already at the position.

wat? 

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, CubinNY said:

wat? 

If Shaw is looking more 3B than 2B/SS, he's currently blocked by Paredes. So then him being a bad 2B/SS doesn't matter to other teams who have needs at 3B. 

[CubinNY]

16 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

If Shaw is looking more 3B than 2B/SS, he's currently blocked by Paredes. So then him being a bad 2B/SS doesn't matter to other teams who have needs at 3B. 

I don't think those data say anything. I also don't think Paredes will be blocking anyone. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

 

[Post Count Padder]

Riley Thompson, Cam Sanders and Cole Roederer added onto the pile of Cubs prospects I thought would be something.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

4 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

 

 

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2024/11/07/injury-rehab-shape-nico-hoerner-winter-return-clear-cubs-goal-dominate-injury-update-ben-brown-cade-horton-jordan-wicks

Quote

Their top pitching prospect, right-hander Cade Horton, made just nine starts because of a strain of the subscapularis in his right shoulder that wiped out the rest of his season. Before the injury, he had seemed likely to debut this year. He’s now on track to start a throwing progression this offseason.

 

[Jason Ross]

Shaw took part in the Premier 12 Tournament tonight. 

He finished 4-5 with a 3 run (walk off, mercy rule). He had 7 RBI, a tournament record. Now up to 6-7 and on base eight times.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Overall, the Cubs’ farm is 2nd in 90th EV, 24th in Contact %, 14th in Chase % and 4th in Barrel %. BA combined and weighted all of those to rank the Cubs’ farm 11th overall. Detroit is 1st in the combined weighting.
 

Quote

Last year, the Cubs led the league in 90th percentile exit velocity, and in 2024, they find themselves just off the top spot. This demonstrates both the year-over-year stickiness of the metric and the fact that the Cubs appear to prioritize quality of contact.

 

[mul21]

11 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

 

He may not have a cannon, but he's quick (feet and release) and the footwork is good enough that I don't see a reason from that clip to think he can't play 3rd.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yeah Madrigal showed pretty clearly that we overrate how much a strong arm matters to being a solid defensive 3B.  If Shaw can catch the ball I think he'll be fine at either 2B or 3B.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[17 Seconds]

shaw just had to do the trump thing

Edited November 15, 2024 by 17 Seconds

[Jason Ross]

This helps to put a little context on the kind of performance Shaw is having.