Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-17-16

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa lost 5-3 Box Score

 

C W. Contreras 1/2, RBI, 2 BB, K, PB (4)

1B D. Vogelbach 0/4, 2 E (4, throw, throw)

CF A. Almora 1/4

SS M. Kawasaki 1/3, 3B (1), BB

PH-2B-3B L. Watkins 1/2, R

SP S. Barnes 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1-0 GO-FO, 40-26 pitches-strikes

RP C. Edwards Jr 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3-0 GO-FO

RP G. Concepcion 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 4-2 GO-FO

 

Tennessee won 9-4 Box Score

 

2B C. Young 0/5, K

CF J. Hannemann 0/4

LF M. Zagunis 2/4, R, 2B (7), BB

3B J. Candelario 1/3, 2 R, 2B (12), BB

DH V. Caratini 0/3, R, HBP

SS C. Penalver 3/3, 3 R, 2 2B (9), 2 RBI, K

RF B. Rademacher 3/4, R, 2 2B (5), 3 RBI, outfield assist at home

SO T. Skulina 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 1 HR, 3-4 GO-FO, 98-63 pitches-strikes

RP D. Garner 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1-2 GO-FO

RP C. Black 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 E, 2 BB, 0 K, 2-0 GO-FO

 

Myrtle Beach PPD - Rain

 

South Bend won 2-1 Box Score

 

C PJ Higgins 1/4, BB

CF D. Dewees 1/4, 2 RBI, K

RF E. Jimenez 1/3, BB, K

LF E. Martinez 0/4, 4 K

DH I. Rice 0/3, BB, 3 K

1B T. Alamo 0/4, 2 K

3B J. Hodges 1/3, R, 3B (1), BB, 2 K

SP C. Sands 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 5-6 GO-FO, 81-50 pitches-strikes

RP J. Norwood 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2-1 GO-FO

[Hrubes20]

Caratini's got to be drawing some eyes. Switch hitting 22 YO (right on the nose for prospect AA age IMO) C is hitting .290/.417/.402 with a sub-20% K rate. As didappointing as Candelario and McKinney have been, and wow have they been, another C showing something in full season ball - AA too - is a boon for their full season prospect depth.

 

McKinney has been terrible but Candelario hasn't really even been that disappointing, tbh. Power numbers are low, but it happens early in the season for some players. Other than that, it's just him getting BABIP'd. He's walking at a fantastic rate and is keeping his K's in check. McKinney, though, looks to be feeling the effects of the knee injury, or at least that is my hope.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

why have I forgotten McKinney's first name? is it Lance? Gary?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

horsefeathering Billy? dumb

[davell]

why have I forgotten McKinney's first name? is it Lance? Gary?

 

Jimbob.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Caratini's got to be drawing some eyes. Switch hitting 22 YO (right on the nose for prospect AA age IMO) C is hitting .290/.417/.402 with a sub-20% K rate. As didappointing as Candelario and McKinney have been, and wow have they been, another C showing something in full season ball - AA too - is a boon for their full season prospect depth.

 

McKinney has been terrible but Candelario hasn't really even been that disappointing, tbh. Power numbers are low, but it happens early in the season for some players. Other than that, it's just him getting BABIP'd. He's walking at a fantastic rate and is keeping his K's in check. McKinney, though, looks to be feeling the effects of the knee injury, or at least that is my hope.

 

 

I've probably said this elsewhere, but with prospects I think you have to be careful about BABIP variation in both directions. It is less of an equal playing field than MLB, the prospects with promise should be creating a bit of their own luck, and those with horrific BABIPs are less likely to have the hitting ability to raise it significantly. In the case of Candelario we're at over 150 PA of him with a .635 OPS. Even if we can expect BABIP progression from him, the fact that he's had this stretch reflects just as poorly as the optimism does in the other direction. Because in this instance, Candelario getting neutral BABIP still isn't lighting AA on fire, and in order to be truly useful he needs to be good at that level, AAA, and then the MLB level, all escalating in difficulty(and chipping away at the expected BABIP he should have).

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Total aside but Taillon was hitting 93 in the 7th of his last start. Between he, Kuhl, and the big dog in Glasnow the Pirates something something...They might actually match up really well with the A's for Gray.

 

Can't see the Pirates trading anyone they think has star potential

[David]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/IowaCubsGameDay/status/732665117792305153[/tweet]

 

i mean, yeah, two runs with bases loaded no out is ok but that doesn't seem tweet worthy

[Tim]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/IowaCubsGameDay/status/732665117792305153[/tweet]

 

i mean, yeah, two runs with bases loaded no out is ok but that doesn't seem tweet worthy

One of the runs had scored before he came in. Poor wording.

[David]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/IowaCubsGameDay/status/732665117792305153[/tweet]

 

i mean, yeah, two runs with bases loaded no out is ok but that doesn't seem tweet worthy

One of the runs had scored before he came in. Poor wording.

 

ahh

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Edwards just gave up his first walk and earned run in over 3 weeks.

 

7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 11 K, 1 BB

[CubsWin]

Report on Contreras' development. Montero and Federowicz quotes.

 

http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/178451176/willson-contreras-is-close-to-joining-cubs

[Bear Cub]

Did Almora get injured last night? I see Alcantara ran for him.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Did Almora get injured last night? I see Alcantara ran for him.

 

Noticed that too. It was in the 8th. It would be chalked up as a strategic move if it were Vogelbach or Contreras, but not Almora.

[Hrubes20]

Caratini's got to be drawing some eyes. Switch hitting 22 YO (right on the nose for prospect AA age IMO) C is hitting .290/.417/.402 with a sub-20% K rate. As didappointing as Candelario and McKinney have been, and wow have they been, another C showing something in full season ball - AA too - is a boon for their full season prospect depth.

 

McKinney has been terrible but Candelario hasn't really even been that disappointing, tbh. Power numbers are low, but it happens early in the season for some players. Other than that, it's just him getting BABIP'd. He's walking at a fantastic rate and is keeping his K's in check. McKinney, though, looks to be feeling the effects of the knee injury, or at least that is my hope.

 

 

I've probably said this elsewhere, but with prospects I think you have to be careful about BABIP variation in both directions. It is less of an equal playing field than MLB, the prospects with promise should be creating a bit of their own luck, and those with horrific BABIPs are less likely to have the hitting ability to raise it significantly. In the case of Candelario we're at over 150 PA of him with a .635 OPS. Even if we can expect BABIP progression from him, the fact that he's had this stretch reflects just as poorly as the optimism does in the other direction. Because in this instance, Candelario getting neutral BABIP still isn't lighting AA on fire, and in order to be truly useful he needs to be good at that level, AAA, and then the MLB level, all escalating in difficulty(and chipping away at the expected BABIP he should have).

 

A neutral BABIP wouldn't make his current line otherworldly, but it puts him in a great position for a good year once the power comes around. Candelario's power has routinely gotten significantly better in his minor league career as the season progressed. With that said, I completely agree with the gist of your post and I wasn't trying to say that Candelario's start has been amazing or that we should be truly happy with it. It was merely a response to TomtheBombadil's post which seemed to be overly pessimistic, IMO.

[Tim]

 

McKinney has been terrible but Candelario hasn't really even been that disappointing, tbh. Power numbers are low, but it happens early in the season for some players. Other than that, it's just him getting BABIP'd. He's walking at a fantastic rate and is keeping his K's in check. McKinney, though, looks to be feeling the effects of the knee injury, or at least that is my hope.

 

 

I've probably said this elsewhere, but with prospects I think you have to be careful about BABIP variation in both directions. It is less of an equal playing field than MLB, the prospects with promise should be creating a bit of their own luck, and those with horrific BABIPs are less likely to have the hitting ability to raise it significantly. In the case of Candelario we're at over 150 PA of him with a .635 OPS. Even if we can expect BABIP progression from him, the fact that he's had this stretch reflects just as poorly as the optimism does in the other direction. Because in this instance, Candelario getting neutral BABIP still isn't lighting AA on fire, and in order to be truly useful he needs to be good at that level, AAA, and then the MLB level, all escalating in difficulty(and chipping away at the expected BABIP he should have).

 

A neutral BABIP wouldn't make his current line otherworldly, but it puts him in a great position for a good year once the power comes around. Candelario's power has routinely gotten significantly better in his minor league career as the season progressed. With that said, I completely agree with the gist of your post and I wasn't trying to say that Candelario's start has been amazing or that we should be truly happy with it. It was merely a response to TomtheBombadil's post which seemed to be overly pessimistic, IMO.

You are another person I'd love to have post more often.

[sneakypower]

owning the strike zone the way he has (15.4% BB: 17.9% K), i've got full faith he's due for a correction sooner rather than later; last year too he started the season with a .630 April OPS to go .830 the rest of the way

 

so Jeimer is still more of a stock: flat guy for me right now

[Aaron_Kennelly]

owning the strike zone the way he has (15.4% BB: 17.9% K), i've got full faith he's due for a correction sooner rather than later; last year too he started the season with a .630 April OPS to go .830 the rest of the way

 

so Jeimer is still more of a stock: flat guy for me right now

 

Yeah, he's hit quite well in the recent past, and at several places. Keep that approach and things will work out for him. I'm not too worried. I mean, it sucks and it isn't encouraging. But, at least he is still grinding out at bats. If it were someone like Almora that has a history of not hitting well, I'd be more worried.