Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-28-18

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa won 5-4 Box Score

 

RF M. Zagunis 0/3, R, BB, K, HBP

C T. Davis 2/3, R

1B V. Caratini 0/2, RBI, 2 BB

2B D. Bote 2/3, RBI, BB

SP D. Underwood Jr 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 10-6 GO-FO, 95-58 pitches-strikes

RP A. Baldonado 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 0-3 GO-FO

RP S. Simmons 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0-0 GO-FO

 

Tennessee had the day off

 

Myrtle Beach PPD - Inclement Weather

 

South Bend lost 6-2 Box Score

 

3B J. Bethencourt 2/5, R, 2 K, E (15, throw)

2B C. Donahue 1/4, R, 2B (6), BB, 2 K

1B A. Filiere 2/5, 2B (13), 3 K

LF N. Velázquez 2/3, 2 RBI, BB

RF B. Hughes 0/3, BB, 2 K

SS R. Narea 0/4

CF C. Singleton 0/4, K

SP J. Assad 5 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 2-1 GO-FO, 89-59 pitches-strikes, pickoff at first base

RP E. de los Rios 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1-2 GO-FO

[CubsWin]

Craig Brooks was already 22 when he was drafted in the 7th round back in 2015 so you might expect him to move quickly. That trajectory is often reserved for college picks in the higher rounds, however. Despite starting off in rookie league and Eugene in his draft year, Brooks has been promoted mid-season every year since, struggling each time at the higher level. However, when he'd start at the same level next season, he has always shown development and improvement. If we remove the stats from his mid-season promotions, these are his numbers once he adjusted to the league.

 

In Eugene and South Bend, he needed no adjustment period dominating the league right away those his walks spiked in his time in South Bend.

 

2015 Eugene - 10 G, 10.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 3 BB, 21 K, .179 BAA, 0.94 WHIP

 

2016 South Bend - 23 G, 32.1 IP, 1.39 ERA, 20 BB, 42 K, .196 BAA, 1.30 WHIP

 

2017 Myrtle Beach - 12 G, 20.1 IP, 0.44 ERA, 6 BB, 30 K, .134 BAA, 0.74 WHIP

 

2018 Tennessee - 16 G, 21 IP, 2.57 ERA, 7 BB, 25 K, .157 BAA, 0.86 WHIP

 

His mid-90s FB and sharp-breaking (sometimes deadly) slider have gotten him this far. He has yet to fail at learning, improving and adjusting to his league. He has 2 more levels to adjust to before he can be a good major league reliever, so I'm still wait-and-see at every level with him. But the track record of development is there and the stuff in his 2 pitch mix is major league quality already for a MIR.

 

If the pattern holds, he'll be promoted to AAA mid-season and struggle. Then start 2019 performing well and readying himself for his first taste of the bigs. With Randy Rosario and Justin Hancock looking like keepers as relief depth options, Dillon Maples working out the kinks but maintaining his high ceiling and fellow AA relievers Dakota Mekkes and James Norwood having solid seasons, the Cubs have some solid bullpen depth.

 

That's 6 names to go along with Morrow, Edwards, Cishek, Duensing, Montgomery, Smyly and Strop (assuming the Cubs pick up his option, and why wouldn't they) all under team control in 2019. Norwood hasn't quite proven himself to the level of the other minor leaguers, but his current numbers warrant his inclusion for now. Cory Mazzoni is deserving of a mention as well. When you add current starters like Alzolay, De La Cruz and (heaven forbid) Duane Underwood as relief options, that's 17 names. I don't think I've seen such quality depth of pen options before.

[davell]

[davell]

Underwood goes 7 4 2 2 0 3, 10/6 GB/FB ratio.....

[CubsWin]

Underwood goes 7 4 2 2 0 3, 10/6 GB/FB ratio.....

I feel like Charlie Brown looking down at Lucy holding the football!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Underwood goes 7 4 2 2 0 3, 10/6 GB/FB ratio.....

I feel like Charlie Brown looking down at Lucy holding the football!

 

1.71 BB/9, 4.74 BB%.

[davell]

The K/9 rate is over 7. He's still just 23 years old. Wasn't expecting this out of him this year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Not a bad read.

[CubsWin]

Underwood goes 7 4 2 2 0 3, 10/6 GB/FB ratio.....

I feel like Charlie Brown looking down at Lucy holding the football!

 

1.71 BB/9, 4.74 BB%.

I know! That’s what’s so terrifying! Those numbers are belief worthy, but damn, am I gonna kick at that ball...again?!

[CubsWin]

Underwood today: Works quickly. Not overthinking. Unfazed by giving up hits or allowing runs. Machine-like. Repeats delivery very well. Showed excellent athleticism pouncing on a well placed bunt and firing a strike to 1st for the out. He's in great shape physically and seemingly mentally. He maintained his stamina throwing 95 pitches on a very hot day (99 degrees at game time) without losing much if any velocity or control except maybe slightly in the 7th.

 

Fastball: 91-93

Left the FB up a lot in the 1st but effective. Better placement in the 2nd. 91-92 in the 3rd, pounding the zone. 91-92 again in the 4th. 90-93 in the 5th, well placed. 90-92 in the 6th. Kept it consistently low. 89-91 in the 7th. Induced a lot of ground balls on his fastball while often pounding the bottom of the zone.

 

Curve: 73-77

Big 12-6 breaker, some loopy, some sharper. Missed low in the 1st. Curve sharper in the 2nd, thrown for strikes.

 

Change Up: 81-84 (Mostly 84)

Thrown for strikes. Gave up a solid hit on one at 84 in the 4th. Change looks good.

[UK]

Hopefully, de los Rios can get promoted to Myrtle Beach soon.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/05282018/cubs-evict-dem-bums-flatbush-refugees-riverview-park

 

CUBS LINEUP:

1. Luis Verdugo, SS: 0-3 (4-3, BB, F-8, F-8, BB, 2 R, SB)

2. Jonathan Soto, DH #1: 0-3 (L-4, P-2, BB, P-5, HBP)

3. Henderson Perez, C: 4-5 (4-3, 1B, 1B, 1B, 1B, R, RBI)

4. Christopher Morel, 3B: 2-5 (K, 1B, 5-3 DP, K, 1B, 2 RBI)

 

CUBS PITCHERS:

1. Jeremiah Estrada: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 3/3 GO/AO, 55 pitches (33 strikes)

 

Prior to the game on Field #5, LHP Justin Steele (three innings - 45 pitches), RHP Yunior Perez (two innings - 30 pitches), and RHP Hector Alonso Garcia (one inning - 20 pitches) squared-off in a three-inning "sim" game on Field #4. Steele threw a breaking ball for the first time since his July 2017 TJS.