Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-9-17

[Tim]

Am I correct to assume that Cease will pitch on Thursday? I'm already going to see South Bend in Peoria on Friday. But if Cease is going Thursday, I think I'll have to go to that one, too.

Don't you dare write anything about Cease.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

John Arguello[/url]"]The extended spring training team was in Scottsdale today to play the Giants with top pitching prospect Jose Albertos on the mound. He did not disappoint, throwing mostly in the mid 90s and topping out at 96 while going three scoreless innings. One fastball in particular got some oohs and ahhs, a 96 mph heater that ran in on the RH hitter and broke his bat, but it was a mixed bag overall. Albertos had trouble getting a feel for his curve and the command was spotty. Again, it's all part of trying to get back in sync after the long layoff, but we have to be encouraged that the arm strength is there.

 

Arizona Phil[/url]"]Jose Albertos: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 2 GIDP, 5/2 GO/AO, 37 pitches (20 strikes)

[We Got The Whole 9]

IIRC he didn't get a K in his 1st start either

 

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[CubsWin]

Isaac Paredes is a thickly built SS with strong hands and a knack for barreling up. Right now it's mostly doubles but Paredes makes such hard contact that it is easy to envision some of that turning into HR power if he can get a bit more lift in his swing. Defensively he shows good actions at short with soft hands and has a powerful arm. He is young but he is already filled out and a below average runner, so the question becomes whether he can stick at SS. He has played some 3B and I've heard some suggest they should consider trying him at catcher because of his good instincts and strong arm.

 

The talk always goes to the 18 YO body and defense, but also consistently in Paredes writeups (not just Arguello, but the higher sources as well) is that he has a natural rhythm as a hitter that helps him consistently barrel the ball and make hard contact. Keep hitting and they'll work it out on defense, there's clearly defensive tools and skills to work with (arm, footwork).

He should be fine as a hitter going forward. Probably just over-matched early on and adjusting. Not uncommon for an 18 year old in the MWL who skipped a level to get there.

 

I think he'd make at least an average 3B defensively. We'll see how his power develops. Shouldn't be any worse power-wise than Candelario as a ceiling.

 

Less than 50/50 shot at sticking at SS, though. He's pretty slow. But hey, Peralta managed to do it, so he's not without precedent...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Am I correct to assume that Cease will pitch on Thursday? I'm already going to see South Bend in Peoria on Friday. But if Cease is going Thursday, I think I'll have to go to that one, too.

 

Yeah, I think it should be Cease Thursday but right now Manuel Rondon is listed (he only went 1 inning in his last appearance because it was a continuation of a suspended game that didn't last long).

 

MiLB.com now has Cease going Friday.

[sneakypower]

Am I correct to assume that Cease will pitch on Thursday? I'm already going to see South Bend in Peoria on Friday. But if Cease is going Thursday, I think I'll have to go to that one, too.

Don't you dare write anything about Cease.

or he will ask you to desist

[CubsWin]

 

The talk always goes to the 18 YO body and defense, but also consistently in Paredes writeups (not just Arguello, but the higher sources as well) is that he has a natural rhythm as a hitter that helps him consistently barrel the ball and make hard contact. Keep hitting and they'll work it out on defense, there's clearly defensive tools and skills to work with (arm, footwork).

He should be fine as a hitter going forward. Probably just over-matched early on and adjusting. Not uncommon for an 18 year old in the MWL who skipped a level to get there.

 

I think he'd make at least an average 3B defensively. We'll see how his power develops. Shouldn't be any worse power-wise than Candelario as a ceiling.

 

Less than 50/50 shot at sticking at SS, though. He's pretty slow. But hey, Peralta managed to do it, so he's not without precedent...

 

2B is probably/likely his best long term fit with the Cubs if he's as good a hitter as he might be. The way I see it is that most of the Cubs lineup, especially the homegrown guys, is filled with guys who totally definitely were not supposed to be able to handle their primary position on the ML roster, most often due to size. Russell and Baez are supposed to be playing 3B, Bryant an OF or really bad 3B, even Heyward in CF a little bit. Four other starters - Rizzo, Zobrist, Contreras, Schwarber - are all far and away bat players. The bat is just way more of a determining factor than having the perfect size or body type or speed, if a player's bat is not negatively impacted and they won't kill you defensively at a spot then that's their max value position.

 

Playing SS for the vast majority of prospects in the minors is more about finding and testing the limits. The org will calibrate defensive position, over time as necessary, to max the bat. That's part of why it's seen as a plus for a guy to start off up the middle as a pro, more to fall back on before someone's tagging you a DH where you have to hit like a DH.

Yeah I can def see 2B too.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Eric Longenhagen[/url]"]I saw Cubs righty Jose Albertos again yesterday. He was 92-95, touched 96, and induced several ground balls (including two that netted double plays), but his command wasn’t much better than it was in his first start last Thursday.