Minor League Playoff Discussion & Boxes, 9-7-16

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Myrtle Beach won game one of their best-of-3 series 8-1 Box Score

 

LF C. Burks 1/4, R, RBI, HBP, SB (1)

CF D. Dewees 2/4, R, RBI, BB, K

2B B. Flete 1/4, R, RBI, BB, K

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

RF Je. Baez 2/5, R, 2 R, HR (1), 2 RBI, K

SS A. Ely 2/4, R, 2B (1), RBI, K

SP T. Clifton 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 5-4 GO-FO, 82-53 pitches-strikes

 

South Bend lost game one of their best-of-3 series 3-2 (11 innings) Box Score

 

2B C. Sepulveda 1/5, K

C PJ Higgins 0/4, BB, K

1B M. Rose 1/4, BB, K

LF E. Jimenez 1/4, BB, K

RF E. Martinez 2/5, R, K

SS I. Paredes 1/5, 2 E (throw, throw)

DH A. Mineo 1/5, RBI, 2 K

SP O. de la Cruz 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 5-3 GO-FO, 90-67 pitches-strikes

RP P. Araujo 2.1 IP, 2 H, 10 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2-0 GO-FO

 

Eugene lost game one of their best-of-3 series 4-3 (10 innings) Box Score

 

CF DJ Wilson 0/4, 2 K

2B Y. Peguero 1/5, RBI

3B W. Galindo 0/3, R, BB

SS Z. Short 2/4, 2B (1), RBI

LF K. Mitchell 1/3, R, 2 K, HBP, SB (1)

RF R. Garcia 1/3, R, HR (1), RBI, BB, K

SP M. Rondon 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 5-3 GO-FO

RP D. Mekkes 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 3-0 GO-FO

RP M. Rucker 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0-0 GO-FO

[davell]

The Pelicans didn't let Michael Kopech, he of the supposed 105 MPH heat, get out of the 3rd.

 

Trevor Clifton went 6, giving up 5 hits, a run(earned), a walk, and K'd 6.

[davell]

De La Cruz went 6, gave up 8 hits, but only 2 runs(1 earned) and had zero walks and 7 K's.

 

No velo reports that I've seen tonight on him or Clifton.

[toonsterwu]

Love the fact that those two arms had such great outings. Clifton's really taken big steps ... here's hoping he keeps chugging forward next year in AA. Doesn't seem like his control issues should be that big a problem, but I guess ... you never know. Seems a bit more polished entering AA than Underwood, so I have a bit more hope. Might not have the same ceiling, but Clifton's ceiling is strong enough. Gotta think he's a strong top 5 consideration in our system this offseason (I guess that isn't that ... big a statement ... considering it's thinned out a bit), and wonder if he's a borderline top 100. So exciting to see a young arm legitimately mature and develop (I mean, he wasn't throwing this hard or well back when he entered the system).

 

So glad to see de la Cruz finish strong, especially in South Bend. Going to see if he can take it up a notch. I mean ... he really feels like he can become one of the elite minor league arms if it all comes together. I mean ... he really shows it all. Weren't there some reports that he was mid-90's when he came back, and he might add some more? Still looks like he has the potential for 2 plus pitches and 3 solid offerings from the little I've paid attention ... has shown solid command, has the frame and athleticism. Obviously, TINSTAAP ... but I look and I can't help but wonder if he's really that far from Anderson Espinoza ... and that I can see some similarities between him and Alex Reyes.

 

The development of Cease/return of de la Cruz and Clifton's strong year more than makes up for any pitching disappointments (and ... I'm not that bothered by Justin Steele and Bryan Hudson's years ... Hudson was always going to take time, and Steele had a solid 2nd half. ... actually a part of me is starting to wonder about Steele as a power pen arm, a la Zach Britton, although I don't think he's sinker is anywhere that good yet ... obviously keep developing him as a starter until he can't). I mean ... that combination of those guys more than makes up for any losses in trades and makes this a big minor league season "win", IMO.

 

As for Kopech, still think he's over-hyped a bit and a pen arm ... but Clifton dominated a lineup with some good, albeit, raw talent. Just awesome on his part.

[davell]

Manuel Rondon was named Pitcher of the Year in the NWL and has solid velo, albeit with some control issues. Still, he's someone to keep tabs on obviously. Tonight, he went 5 4 2 2 4 2, and gave up his 2nd HR of the year.

[CubsWin]

Love the fact that those two arms had such great outings. Clifton's really taken big steps ... here's hoping he keeps chugging forward next year in AA. Doesn't seem like his control issues should be that big a problem, but I guess ... you never know.

Right there with you, toonster. Clifton has taking some big steps forward. He and Caratini were my picks to "breakout" this season. Didn't really go out on a limb there, but glad to see they both did well.

 

If it's true that young, developing players that have better 2nd halves than 1st halves are actually progressing as the season goes along, than he may have put a dent in those control issues.

 

In his last 7 starts, he pitched 43.2 IP, walking 6 while striking out 46 and allowing just 28 hits. Hot streak from which he will regress or true progression and improvement? Only time will tell,but I'm leaning toward the latter.

 

On top of questions surrounding control, there were doubts about his ability to pitch deep into games (either due to inefficiency or stamina). His last 9 starts were all 6 innings or longer, so he seems to have answered that as well. He may still wind up a reliever just due to the sheer dearth of job openings in major league rotations. And he'll need to continue to develop an average third pitch, but pitch efficiency and stamina haven't been a problem in the 2nd half this season.

[CubsWin]

Gotta think he's a strong top 5 consideration in our system this offseason (I guess that isn't that ... big a statement ... considering it's thinned out a bit), and wonder if he's a borderline top 100. So exciting to see a young arm legitimately mature and develop (I mean, he wasn't throwing this hard or well back when he entered the system).

As a guy who put up very solid numbers this season, has above average stuff (FB with good velo, improved control and a solid breaking ball) and will start AA as a 21-year-old, Clifton has an outside chance to be included on some top 100 lists or at least close to it. I'd expect Eloy, Happ, Candelario and Cease will be locks for such lists and the solid top 4 in Cubs top 10 lists with De La Cruz likely placing ahead of Clifton based on pure upside.

 

Can the Cubs place 5-6 guys in the top 100 once again so soon after losing Contreras, Torres, Almora, Vogelbach and Edwards from their ranks? I don't know, but it's a good sign that they even have a chance. God, I hope they keep Jason McLeod, but I'm sure he leave at some point. What a job he has done!

 

Some combo of Zagunis, Caratini, Dewees, Hatch, Wilson, Paredes, Zastryzny, Martinez, Underwood and Albertos could fill out spots 7-15 depending on who is doing the ranking. Those are my best guesses anyway...

 

That's not a bad group for a system that has graduated/traded so many players this year.