Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-13-16

[CubsWin]

...Edwards' track record in the minors speaks for itself at this point. Whereas Contreras got passed over by everyone, basically for free, only a couple of winters ago - Edwards has been a prospect of significance both before and after his arrival. While he was walking 6 per 9 out of the pen he was also striking out 33% of hitters he faced and allowing a sub-.500 OPS (2015) and a .544 OPS (2016) - these are his "bad" years as a prospect. He also has a season where he led the minors in K's (IIRC), way back when Cubs fans were super excited for him as a SP prospect. Then there's the whole 3 HRs allowed in 303.2 IP as a pro, including 387 Ks and 175 hits allowed. It is a body of work worthy of significant praise.

So the fact that Contreras wasn't selected in the Rule 5 draft two years ago counts against him today but Edwards' most recent BB/9 (6.7 last year and 5.6 this year) shouldn't count against him?

 

And you're going to say this on his birthday?? How dare you!

 

Look, I'm a big fan of Carl's Jr. I think he can make a good pro and his guacamole bacon burger is top notch. I hope his performance of late means he's regained his control but it's only been 5 games since he walked 3 guys in one inning. He's always been difficult to hit, but you can't walk guys at that rate and be a valuable member of a pen in the majors.

 

Meanwhile, in Contreras' most recent 611 ABs (AA, AZ Fall League and AAA this year), he has 202 hits, 47 doubles, 4 triples, 14 HRs, 80 BB, 84 Ks with a .331 avg and a .412 obp. How much more of a sample size does one need?

[Vinestal]

...Edwards' track record in the minors speaks for itself at this point. Whereas Contreras got passed over by everyone, basically for free, only a couple of winters ago - Edwards has been a prospect of significance both before and after his arrival. While he was walking 6 per 9 out of the pen he was also striking out 33% of hitters he faced and allowing a sub-.500 OPS (2015) and a .544 OPS (2016) - these are his "bad" years as a prospect. He also has a season where he led the minors in K's (IIRC), way back when Cubs fans were super excited for him as a SP prospect. Then there's the whole 3 HRs allowed in 303.2 IP as a pro, including 387 Ks and 175 hits allowed. It is a body of work worthy of significant praise.

So the fact that Contreras wasn't selected in the Rule 5 draft two years ago counts against him today but Edwards' most recent BB/9 (6.7 last year and 5.6 this year) shouldn't count against him?

 

And you're going to say this on his birthday?? How dare you!

 

Look, I'm a big fan of Carl's Jr. I think he can make a good pro and his guacamole bacon burger is top notch. I hope his performance of late means he's regained his control but it's only been 5 games since he walked 3 guys in one inning. He's always been difficult to hit, but you can't walk guys at that rate and be a valuable member of a pen in the majors.

 

Meanwhile, in Contreras' most recent 611 ABs (AA, AZ Fall League and AAA this year), he has 202 hits, 47 doubles, 4 triples, 14 HRs, 80 BB, 84 Ks with a .331 avg and a .412 obp. How much more of a sample size does one need?

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one carrying the Contreras torch.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm glad I'm not the only one carrying the Contreras torch.

 

Wait, what? Everyone thinks he's a damn good prospect.

[mike2482]

TIL; Chesney Young is Caucasian.

 

I've always pictured him in a cowboy hat.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

...Edwards' track record in the minors speaks for itself at this point. Whereas Contreras got passed over by everyone, basically for free, only a couple of winters ago - Edwards has been a prospect of significance both before and after his arrival. While he was walking 6 per 9 out of the pen he was also striking out 33% of hitters he faced and allowing a sub-.500 OPS (2015) and a .544 OPS (2016) - these are his "bad" years as a prospect. He also has a season where he led the minors in K's (IIRC), way back when Cubs fans were super excited for him as a SP prospect. Then there's the whole 3 HRs allowed in 303.2 IP as a pro, including 387 Ks and 175 hits allowed. It is a body of work worthy of significant praise.

So the fact that Contreras wasn't selected in the Rule 5 draft two years ago counts against him today but Edwards' most recent BB/9 (6.7 last year and 5.6 this year) shouldn't count against him?

 

And you're going to say this on his birthday?? How dare you!

 

Look, I'm a big fan of Carl's Jr. I think he can make a good pro and his guacamole bacon burger is top notch. I hope his performance of late means he's regained his control but it's only been 5 games since he walked 3 guys in one inning. He's always been difficult to hit, but you can't walk guys at that rate and be a valuable member of a pen in the majors.

 

Meanwhile, in Contreras' most recent 611 ABs (AA, AZ Fall League and AAA this year), he has 202 hits, 47 doubles, 4 triples, 14 HRs, 80 BB, 84 Ks with a .331 avg and a .412 obp. How much more of a sample size does one need?

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one carrying the Contreras torch.

 

20 posters on NSBB thought he was the best prospect in the system before the season began. You know, before Gleyber Torres started this season poorly and lost some of the shine on his prospect status.

 

Yeah, I don't think he's ready for the big leagues defensively right now but that doesn't mean I don't think he's the best prospect in the Cubs system. I was one of those 20 who rated him ahead of Torres in that poll.

 

Just because some of us don't think Contreras is ready and that a historically good team can withstand two weeks of the Tim Federowicz backup catcher experience doesn't mean we don't think Contreras is a top prospect.

[ScrubMD]

Hopefully Arrieta has a good game today so I won't be the only one carrying the Jake torch.

[craig]

Yeah, Contreras is a terrific prospect. After last season, some wondered whether the hitting was for real. That Q has been answered. How good the defense and will become remains a question, but he's a really, really good prospect.

 

After last season, some wondered whether Almora's 2nd-half hitting rebound was for real. That Q too seems to have been answered favorably. (Although the up-tick in walk rate has been soundly disproven.) He's a really, really good prospect.

 

Tom is totally correct, Edwards has shown dominant stuff from start to finish. Perhaps more dominant since relief conversion than had ever been true before. The K/HR profile is remarkably good. Tom's point is also true, I think, that while his control has never been good, it was never really awful until last year. We'll see how it goes as the season progresses. He's had 12 games this year, 5 of his 7 walks have come in two of them. He's a really really good relief prospect. I think it's very plausible to envision him blossoming into a guy on the Strop or Grimm level, perhaps even a little bit better depending on how his control goes. Or perhaps like the good version of Carlos Marmol, or perhaps even a shade better. Very, very good prospect.

 

Each of those guys has a lot of good, each has a question or two (Contreras defense; Almora walks/power; Edwards walks.) We're fortunate to have all three of them.

[CubinNY]

Caratini was impressive behind the plate last night. In general, the Smokies played great defense. The SS made an incredible on a ball hit up the middle. They hit the ball hard all night, but I'm not sure the pitching for the biscuits was quite up to standards. A great game, but a long one.

[Rex Buckingham]

Or perhaps like the good version of Carlos Marmol, or perhaps even a shade better. Very, very good prospect.

 

Better than Good Marmol? Doesn't he hold (or did he at one point hold) the single season k/9 record?

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Yeah, Contreras is a terrific prospect. After last season, some wondered whether the hitting was for real. That Q has been answered. How good the defense and will become remains a question, but he's a really, really good prospect.

 

After last season, some wondered whether Almora's 2nd-half hitting rebound was for real. That Q too seems to have been answered favorably. (Although the up-tick in walk rate has been soundly disproven.) He's a really, really good prospect.

 

Tom is totally correct, Edwards has shown dominant stuff from start to finish. Perhaps more dominant since relief conversion than had ever been true before. The K/HR profile is remarkably good. Tom's point is also true, I think, that while his control has never been good, it was never really awful until last year. We'll see how it goes as the season progresses. He's had 12 games this year, 5 of his 7 walks have come in two of them. He's a really really good relief prospect. I think it's very plausible to envision him blossoming into a guy on the Strop or Grimm level, perhaps even a little bit better depending on how his control goes. Or perhaps like the good version of Carlos Marmol, or perhaps even a shade better. Very, very good prospect.

 

Each of those guys has a lot of good, each has a question or two (Contreras defense; Almora walks/power; Edwards walks.) We're fortunate to have all three of them.

 

Some wonder why you use the letter "Q" for the word "question" but not "A" for the word "answered"