Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 6-26-17

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa won 1-0 Box Score

 

LF K. Schwarber 1/4, 3 K

1B-C V. Caratinni 1/4, 2B (18), K

SS-1B C. Young 1/3, BB, K

RF S. Burno 0/3, R, K, HBP, SB (5)

SP W. Perez 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 8-3 GO-FO, 90-52 pitches-strikes

RP J. Leathersich 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

RP D. Rollins 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 0-1 GO-FO

RP P. Johnson 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO

 

Tennessee won 4-2 Box Score

 

LF C. Burks 1/3, R, BB, K

2B D. Bote 1/4, R, HR (7), RBI

3B J. Vosler 0/3, R, 2 K, HBP

DH I. Rice 1/4, 2B (8)

SS C. Penalver 0/3

SP J-H Tseng 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 9-2 GO-FO, 100-70 pitches-strikes

RP D. Maples 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0-0 GO-FO

 

Myrtle Beach lost 4-3 Box Score

 

C PJ Higgins 0/5, 2 K

2B B. Flete 1/5, RBI

LF E. Jimenez 3/5, 2 K

3B J. Hodges 0/4, 2 K

DH E. Martinez 2/4, K

1B T. Alamo 4/4, R

SP J. Steele 5.2 IP,5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 7-4 GO-FO, 86-52 pitches-strikes

RP D. Mekkes 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0-2 GO-FO

RP P. Araujo 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GO-FO

 

South Bend lost 5-1 Box Score

 

2B A. Monasterio 0/3, BB, CS (1)

C A. Mineo 0/3

SS I. Paredes 0/3, K

LF K. Mitchell 0/2, R, BB, K, outfield assist at third base

1B J. Pereda 1/3, 2B (9), RBI

CF L. Ayala 0/2, BB

SP D. Robinson 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP, 8-4 GO-FO, 88-59 pitches-strikes

 

Eugene won 2-1 Box Score

 

2B R. Narea 1/4, 2B (2), K

SS A. Ademan 0/3, HBP

C M. Amaya 0/4, K

1B J. Martarano 0/3, 2 K

3B J. Bethencourt 0/1, R, 2 BB, CS (2)

RF K-M Kwon 1/3, R

SP A. Garcia 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7-0 GO-FO, 69-41 pitches-strikes

RP Y. Gomez 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1-2 GO-FO

 

AZL Cubs won 5-4 Box Score

 

CF-LF Y. Cuevas 1/4, R

2B Y. Perlaza 2/4, 2 R, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 K

RF J. Sierra 1/4, RBi, K, SB (1)

C K. Zamudio 1/4, RBI, 2 K, E (1, catcher interference)

1B R. Mejia 0/3

3B F. Mejia 2/3, R, BB, SB (1)

SS D. Zinn 1/4, 2 K, E (1, missed catch)

SP J. Albertos 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 5-3 GO-FO

RP J. Rosario 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-1 GO-FO - rehab

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 4-1 Box Score

 

2B L. Diaz 0/2, 2 BB, K, CS (4)

SS C. Morel 1/3, R, 2B (2), BB, 2 K, CS (3)

LF C. Pacheco 0/3, R, BB

RF J. Jules 0/2, R, BB, SB (7)

C Hen. Perez 0/1, R, BB, K

3B Her. Perez 0/4

SP E. Vasquez 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2-4 GO-FO

 

DSL Cubs 2 lost 8-2 Box Score

 

SS J. Huma 1/4, R, BB, K

3B O. Nuñez 1/4, SB (9)

CF A. Gaitan 1/4, RBI

RF C. Alfonzo 0/4, K

2B H. Pedra 0/1, 2 BB, HBP, E (3, throw)

SP J. Tejada 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 9-1 GO-FO

RP R. Fernandez 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3-0 GO-FO

[CubsWin]

In no particular order:

 

Dylan Cease

Brendan Little

Alex Lange

Thomas Hatch

Adbert Alzolay

Jose Albertos

Trevor Clifton

Oscar De La Cruz

Michael Rucker

Justin Steele

 

...make up a nice group of 10 solid starting pitching prospects for the Cubs right now. And there's a decent secondary group behind them:

 

Jen-Ho Tseng

Alec Mills

Cory Abbott

Erling Moreno

Bryan Hudson

Javier Assad

Brailyn Marquez

Keegan Thompson

Yunior Perez

Duane Underwood

 

...that's 10 more from which someone might emerge and, depending on your individual prospect assessments, I'm sure you could add a few more to that group.

 

So the Cubs are no longer bereft of pitching prospects. And they still have a decent group of hitting prospects to boot:

 

Eloy Jimenez

Jeimer Candelario

Victor Caratini

Mark Zagunis

Charcer Burks

Jason Vosler

Isaac Paredes

Wladimir Galindo

Miguel Amaya

Aramis Ademan

 

...there are others you may like more (David Bote, Zack Short, DJ Wilson, Jonathan Sierra, etc.), but that's a solid group of 10 hitters. This list isn't as good as it used to be, but the cupboard's far from bare. Not to mention the Cubs can fill a starting line-up with talented major league hitters all but 1 of which is 25 or under:

 

C - Contreras (25)

1B - Rizzo (27)

2B - Baez (24)

SS - Russell (23)

3B - Bryant (25)

LF - Schwarber (24)

CF - Almora (23)

RF - Happ (22)

 

...talk about homegrown. 6 of those 8 have only ever played in the Cubs organization. And as bullpens have grown in importance, the Cubs have a solid group of relief prospects forming:

 

Daury Torrez

Dillon Maples

Craig Brooks

Ryan McNeil

Brad Markey

 

...are all in AA with Dakota Mekkes and Pedro Araujo dominating in High-A. And, of course, many of the starting pitching prospects will move to the pen as well.

 

There's only a handful of top end talent in that group, but that's still a top 15-ish organization with some helium at the lower levels. If one of Little or Lange are named in the top 100 and guys like Amaya, Albertos and Hatch (and possibly others) can join Jimenez and Cease in that group, that's a solid organization with good depth to go with one of the best (and youngest) teams in the majors.

 

It doesn't seem fair, does it...

[davell]

I don't see Little or Lange making any top 100 lists THIS year. They were drafted in the range they were expected to be and I doubt either gets many(any?) innings this year. And only 12-15 draftees are usually included in rankings. They'll certainly have their chances moving forward though.

 

Cease will be interesting for me. There's already some guys(Longenhagen, maybe Law too?) that see him as a closer type. He probably needs to finish strong himself to be assured of being a consensus top 100 guy.

 

I think once these guys get their off season reports up to date, that Hatch will be on most lists. If he keeps THIS up, he may even show up inside a top 50 or two. Pretty unbelievable for a 3rd round pick last year that just got slot.

 

The only other pitcher I could see pop up on a list or two is Alzolay, if he keeps this up.

 

That said, my dark horse, if he continues pitching like this, is Justin Steele. As a lefty with 2 above average to plus pitches, he'll have some supporters. Not thinking he's going to make any lists, but there's a slim shot, in my mind.

 

Alzolay, Hatch, Steele, and Rucker is a pretty damn good group of prospects to all be in the same rotation right now.

 

Caratini SHOULD make it, but he won't. Its unusual for them to start putting guys on in the upper levels, if they've not been on them previously.

 

Burks though, will have a shot. But, my guess is he'll need to make a very good impression in the AFL, to get on them.

 

Assuming Amaya starts hitting, he'll get talked about a lot. Catching in the minors is so weak, he'll have a shot. But its relatively rare for IFA's to make these lists, before they hit full season ball.

 

I think Ademan is a guy that eventually makes these lists, as a surefire guy that sticks at SS, with a decent hit tool and 10-15 HR pop. But, that's one that'll take a year or two before he gets on their radar most likely.

 

I agree that with this depth, its a top 15 system RIGHT NOW. But, if you trade Eloy at the deadline, things look quite a bit differently. The system will have lots of guys with legit upside though, it'll just take another year before some of the guys start making their ascent.(Little, Lange, Amaya, Ademan, Albertos hopefully,) pair them with Cease, Hatch, Alzolay, Steele, maybe Burks and this system looks really good during 2018, even if Eloy is gone, not that I hope he is.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That position player group looks pretty weak to me. You've got Eloy, and then the only ones currently on a trajectory to be an MLB starter are Candelario and Burks. It's palatable because Eloy is a superprospect and there's already a team full of under 25s at the MLB level, but the position player group is not good. Mostly because of successful drafting emptying it faster and intentional decisions to take a bunch of pitchers in top 10 rounds, but weak nonetheless.

[davell]

That position player group looks pretty weak to me. You've got Eloy, and then the only ones currently on a trajectory to be an MLB starter are Candelario and Burks. It's palatable because Eloy is a superprospect and there's already a team full of under 25s at the MLB level, but the position player group is not good. Mostly because of successful drafting emptying it faster and intentional decisions to take a bunch of pitchers in top 10 rounds, but weak nonetheless.

 

You think Candelario is more likely than Zagunis or Caratini? I think both find their way into starters AB's, even if its not necessarily at a single position for Caratini.

 

Can't argue that it does appear a bit weak right now. But, if Amaya shows up big in Eugene soon, this may render it almost moot.

 

At any rate, I think the position player group looks quite a bit better at this point next year, than it does now. Especially if they draft a guy in the 1st next year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That position player group looks pretty weak to me. You've got Eloy, and then the only ones currently on a trajectory to be an MLB starter are Candelario and Burks. It's palatable because Eloy is a superprospect and there's already a team full of under 25s at the MLB level, but the position player group is not good. Mostly because of successful drafting emptying it faster and intentional decisions to take a bunch of pitchers in top 10 rounds, but weak nonetheless.

 

You think Candelario is more likely than Zagunis or Caratini? I think both find their way into starters AB's, even if its not necessarily at a single position for Caratini.

 

Can't argue that it does appear a bit weak right now. But, if Amaya shows up big in Eugene soon, this may render it almost moot.

 

At any rate, I think the position player group looks quite a bit better at this point next year, than it does now. Especially if they draft a guy in the 1st next year.

 

I think Zagunis and Caratini can both be useful, but I don't think they'll be every day players on a playoff team. I think Candelario can be and is pretty close to that trajectory. The reason the group is weak is entirely understandable and reasonable, but we can also call a spade a spade.

 

In unrelated news, Zack Short got promoted to Myrtle Beach.

[davell]

Hopefully Short gets mostly SS reps now.

[davell]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-minor-league-report-spt-0627-20170626-story.html

 

A very good report on Paredes defense, from the Cubs IF Coordinator. If he CAN stick at SS long term, that'd be very nice. At the very least, it seems like the Cubs will try. Or this could be an attempt to up his potential trade value lol. Either way, cool to see some positives.

[CubsWin]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-minor-league-report-spt-0627-20170626-story.html

 

A very good report on Paredes defense, from the Cubs IF Coordinator. If he CAN stick at SS long term, that'd be very nice. At the very least, it seems like the Cubs will try. Or this could be an attempt to up his potential trade value lol. Either way, cool to see some positives.

This is awesome news! Just what I'd been hoping for and kind of beginning to see in the games I've watched.

[CubsWin]

That position player group looks pretty weak to me. You've got Eloy, and then the only ones currently on a trajectory to be an MLB starter are Candelario and Burks. It's palatable because Eloy is a superprospect and there's already a team full of under 25s at the MLB level, but the position player group is not good. Mostly because of successful drafting emptying it faster and intentional decisions to take a bunch of pitchers in top 10 rounds, but weak nonetheless.

It's certainly a lot weaker than it used to be. I guess it comes down to what you consider weak and the confidence you have in guys at the lower levels. To have 3 prospects on a trajectory to be MLB starters (at the upper levels) isn't great, but I have such confidence in the Cubs developmental philosophy and staff that I'm now beginning to trust guys will emerge (Contreras, Candelario, Burks, etc.) and the guys at the lower levels on a starter's trajectory (Paredes, Amaya, Ademan, etc.) will make good. And I totally get what you're saying about why it is this weak. It's amazing that a team would be able to graduate MLB starters like Bryant, Baez, Russell, Schwarber, Contreras, Almora and Happ in the last 3 seasons and still have anything left in the cupboard.

 

I came up in my ignorance hoping on Cubs prospects like Scott Thompson, Ty Griffin, Drew Hall, Derrick May, Gary Scott, Ryan Hawblitzel, Kevin Orie, Quincy Carter, Dave Kelton, Luis Montanez, Bobby Hill, Felix Pie, Hee Seop Choi and on and on. Ouch. Double ouch.

 

I now live in an era where when the Cubs get their hands on a talented prospect, they seemingly know how to develop him and the chances of him becoming a decent to good major leaguer are way better than before.

 

Again, it doesn't seem fair, does it...

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Schwarber called out on strikes in his first PA.

[davell]

Steele was solid tonight, going 5.2 5 2 2 2 4, on 86 pitches, with 7/4 GB/FB.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

And a K swinging for Schwarber.

[davell]

Robinson goes 6 5 3 0 1 5, 8/4GB/FB, on 88 pitches.

 

Tseng goes 8 4 2 2 8, 10/2 GB/FB, on 100 pitches.

 

Mekkes goes 1.1 1 0 0 1 1

 

Maples goes 1 0 0 0 1 2

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Yeesh, a third K for Schwarber.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Yeesh, a third K for Schwarber.

[emoji25]

[Aaron_Kennelly]

That's great to hear about Paredes' defense. I was definitely skeptical just from looking at his body. But I was more and more impressed with his glove the more I saw of him. And his arm definitely stood out. It was pretty strong. But he was very accurate with his throws. Right on the money every time. And he did look smooth out there.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jose Albertos starting for the AZL Cubs.

[davell]

I don't think I've seen anything remotely negative about his glove, its just whether he'll get to enough balls, if he fills out even more. With his arm, I'd say 3B would be his spot, if he can't get to enough at SS.

[davell]

Jose Albertos starting for the AZL Cubs.

 

He's thru 3, only giving up 2 walks. Has 2 K's.

[davell]

Schwarber singles hard off the RF wall, barely missing a homer.

[davell]

Albertos finishes 4 0 0 0 2 3.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Maples goes 1 0 0 0 1 2

What is Maples' stuff like these days? Is he actually a "thing" again as a potentially useful MLB reliever?

 

 

 

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[davell]

Maples goes 1 0 0 0 1 2

What is Maples' stuff like these days? Is he actually a "thing" again as a potentially useful MLB reliever?

 

 

 

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, he is. He's throwing a very heavy 94-95, with a very solid curve. He never did develop a third pitch, but he's got his 2 working very well. He's probably never going to have good command, but he's got set up type of stuff, when he's on. He's still got a ways to go, but my guess is he'll see Iowa this year, or at least the AFL, to see if he's worth protecting in the off season.

[CubsWin]

Maples goes 1 0 0 0 1 2

What is Maples' stuff like these days? Is he actually a "thing" again as a potentially useful MLB reliever?

 

 

 

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, he is. He's throwing a very heavy 94-95, with a very solid curve. He never did develop a third pitch, but he's got his 2 working very well. He's probably never going to have good command, but he's got set up type of stuff, when he's on. He's still got a ways to go, but my guess is he'll see Iowa this year, or at least the AFL, to see if he's worth protecting in the off season.

He's been hitting upper 90s with semi-regularity as well. I heard a few calls of 96, one of 97 and one of 99 in the few outings I've seen and you rarely get velocity reports from some of these announcers on MiLB.tv.