Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 4-18-18

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa PPD - Inclement Weather

 

Tennessee in progress Box Score

 

LF C. Burks 0/3, R, 2 BB, 2 K, CS (1)

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

RF E. Martinez 1/4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, K

DH I. Rice 2/3, R, BB

SP T. Hatch 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 9-5 GO-FO, 85-53 pitches-strikes

 

Myrtle Beach in progress Box Score

 

CF DJ Wilson 1/4, 2 K

DH PJ Higgins 0/4, K

3B W. Galindo 0/3, 2 K, E (2, throw)

LF K. Mitchell 1/1. CS(1)

1B A. Upshaw 0/3, K

C J. Perada 1/3

SS A. Ademan 1/3, 2B (2), E (5, throw)

SP J. Paulino 6 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 2 WP, 7-4 GO-FO, 89-59 pitches-strikes

 

South Bend in progress Box Score

 

2B J. Bethencourt 1/4, K

3B Y. Peguero 1/4, SB (3)

RF B. Hughes 0/3, BB, K, SB (3)

1B A. Filiere 1/4. 2B (4), 2 K

C M. Amaya 0/4, K; defense - CS: 0/3

CF C. Singelton 1/4, R, HR (1), BI, 2 K

SS R. Narea 1/4, 2 K

SP J. Albertos 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, E (1, pickoff), 3-1 GO-FO, 40-21 pitches-strikes

RP R. Lacy 4 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 7-0 GO-FO, 55-33 pitches-strikes

[CubsWin]

The beginning of the minor league season is always a frustrating time for me. I've waited all off season for it to start, but because of the nature of the game and the youth of most of the players, the first 30 IP and 100 PA for guys are kind of meaningless. We all hope for good starts for guys and become wary of poor starts to the season, but there really is no intelligent reaction to any early returns other than patience. As much as I don't like it, I just have to wait to see where guys are after their first 30 IP and 100 PA. Even then, especially for the younger players, this is all about development. The Cubs clearly don't have any top 25 prospects right now or anyone I'd expect to be blowing the competition away, so I'm just looking for improvement unless they're older guys or repeating an upper level like AA or AAA. Even then, they're still just getting their feet under them, playing semi-sporadically due to poor weather.

 

I can't wait for May...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Iowa already PPD also.

[Hrubes20]

The beginning of the minor league season is always a frustrating time for me. I've waited all off season for it to start, but because of the nature of the game and the youth of most of the players, the first 30 IP and 100 PA for guys are kind of meaningless. We all hope for good starts for guys and become wary of poor starts to the season, but there really is no intelligent reaction to any early returns other than patience. As much as I don't like it, I just have to wait to see where guys are after their first 30 IP and 100 PA. Even then, especially for the younger players, this is all about development. The Cubs clearly don't have any top 25 prospects right now or anyone I'd expect to be blowing the competition away, so I'm just looking for improvement unless they're older guys or repeating an upper level like AA or AAA. Even then, they're still just getting their feet under them, playing semi-sporadically due to poor weather.

 

I can't wait for May...

 

Most of that was spot on, but I disagree with the bold. Brendon Little should theoretically be blowing away the competition. As a 1st round college arm with supposedly 2 plus pitches when drafted, he should be mowing them down in Low A ball. Probably why he's the only guy I'm truly down (or high) on in the first few weeks.

[davell]

Yeah, Little disappointed last year with his velo. But it could be written off by being the end of the year. There's no excuses now though. Its just down and his strike zone command still seems non existent too.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Little's two outings have come in weather generously described as 40 degrees, I'm not terribly worried about down velocity. 5 walks in 18 batters is a different story, although history is full of guys who take a few games to settle in to a level too.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Rough 3-run first for Albertos:

 

Jeter Downs pops out to catcher Miguel Amaya in foul territory.

Miles Gordon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Hughes.

With Montrell Marshall batting, throwing error by Jose Albertos on the pickoff attempt, Miles Gordon to 2nd.

Montrell Marshall strikes out swinging.

Stuart Fairchild singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Singleton. Miles Gordon scores.

With John Sansone batting, wild pitch by Jose Albertos, Stuart Fairchild to 2nd.

John Sansone homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Stuart Fairchild scores.

Michael Beltre grounds out to first baseman Austin Filiere.

 

But he's out there for a second inning today, at least.

[Hrubes20]

Little's two outings have come in weather generously described as 40 degrees, I'm not terribly worried about down velocity. 5 walks in 18 batters is a different story, although history is full of guys who take a few games to settle in to a level too.

 

As davell said, the diminished velocity isn’t a new thing. It’s been diminished since spring of last year. That’s a problem.