Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-28-19

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa won 3-0 Box Score

 

2B I. Happ 1/4, R, HR (7), RBI, 2 BB

CF D. Dewees 1/4, R, HR (5), RBI

1B R. García 0/2, BB, K, HBP, SB (2), CS (1)

LF M. Zagunis 1/4, 2 K

SS T. Giamrbone 0/4, 3 K

SP C. Rea 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 11-3 GO-FO, 73-53 pitches-strikes; batting: 1/3, R, 3B (1), 2 K

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

RP J. Tazawa 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0-3 GO-FO

 

Tennessee lost 7-1 Box Score

 

SS V. Machin 1/4, E (6, fielding)

1B J. Young 1/4, K

C J. Pereda 1/4, K

LF I. Rice 0/3, BB, K

SP O. de la Cruz 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 4-3 GO-FO, 99-60 pitches-strikes

 

Myrtle Beach had the day off

 

South Bend lost 10-3 Box Score

 

SS A. Weber 1/4, 2B (10), RBI

RF J. Sierra 0/3, BB, K

1B T. Durna 0/2, 2 BB, K

3B C. Morel 0/1

PH-LF E. Americaan 0/2, BB - 2019 season debut

CF B. Davis 2/4, 2 R, 3B (1), K

SP P. Remy 5 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 4-6 GO-FO, 81-53 pitches-strikes

[UK]

Glad to see Remy get another start for sB! He's intriguing in that he was scouted as only having a FB and not much else. Yet, his Ks indicate that there must be good secondary stuff. Combine that with his ability to throw strikes as well as a frame similar to Edwards (already sits low to mid 90s), gives me hope they may have something.

[Regular Show]

Glad to see Remy get another start for sB! He's intriguing in that he was scouted as only having a FB and not much else. Yet, his Ks indicate that there must be good secondary stuff. Combine that with his ability to throw strikes as well as a frame similar to Edwards (already sits low to mid 90s), gives me hope they may have something.

 

Have you heard anything about Riley Thompson and the changes the Cubs' player development staff have made? It seems like both his command and control have improved drastically from where it was in college.

[Hrubes20]

Glad to see Remy get another start for sB! He's intriguing in that he was scouted as only having a FB and not much else. Yet, his Ks indicate that there must be good secondary stuff. Combine that with his ability to throw strikes as well as a frame similar to Edwards (already sits low to mid 90s), gives me hope they may have something.

 

Have you heard anything about Riley Thompson and the changes the Cubs' player development staff have made? It seems like both his command and control have improved drastically from where it was in college.

 

I am also quite interested in this one.

[UK]

I think they locked in his stride, looking at his HS and UL delivery his stride was inconsistent. Also, coming off TJS will take time.

 

He only had 48 IP of college.

 

Hopefully, he makes it as a starter as he's top 5 in organization as far as pure stuff ahead of former 1st rounders.

[Hrubes20]

I think they locked in his stride, looking at his HS and UL delivery his stride was inconsistent. Also, coming off TJS will take time.

 

He only had 48 IP of college.

 

Hopefully, he makes it as a starter as he's top 5 in organization as far as pure stuff ahead of former 1st rounders.

 

I don't know who you are speaking of. The Cubs haven't taken a 1st round pitcher since Hayden Simpson, who is out of baseball. I'm assuming the 2017 draft started in the 2nd round, because the 1st is blacked out in my mind.

[jersey cubs fan]

Scheduled Games (All Times Central):

 

Iowa at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByA_qLMjx17/

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I think they locked in his stride, looking at his HS and UL delivery his stride was inconsistent. Also, coming off TJS will take time.

 

He only had 48 IP of college.

 

Hopefully, he makes it as a starter as he's top 5 in organization as far as pure stuff ahead of former 1st rounders.

 

I don't know who you are speaking of. The Cubs haven't taken a 1st round pitcher since Hayden Simpson, who is out of baseball. I'm assuming the 2017 draft started in the 2nd round, because the 1st is blacked out in my mind.

 

Not sure why you wouldn't also black out Hayden Simpson.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Scheduled Games (All Times Central):

 

Iowa at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByA_qLMjx17/

 

[Hrubes20]

I think they locked in his stride, looking at his HS and UL delivery his stride was inconsistent. Also, coming off TJS will take time.

 

He only had 48 IP of college.

 

Hopefully, he makes it as a starter as he's top 5 in organization as far as pure stuff ahead of former 1st rounders.

 

I don't know who you are speaking of. The Cubs haven't taken a 1st round pitcher since Hayden Simpson, who is out of baseball. I'm assuming the 2017 draft started in the 2nd round, because the 1st is blacked out in my mind.

 

Not sure why you wouldn't also black out Hayden Simpson.

 

The Cubs had such spotty drafts those days that it was just business as usual. Also, it was only one horrific pick in that one, whereas the Cubs whiffed not once, but twice in the same first round in 2017. Or at least that's what the web says. Like I said, it's all grainy in my mind.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Four Cubs pitchers on Active Rehab at EXST saw action in the game:

 

1. Erick Leal: FB 89-90 - CV 76-78 (2B, K, K, K * K, F-8, BB, 5-3 * P-5, 4-3, 1B, 6-U FC * 1B+SB, K, 1B-RBI, K, PO * F-8, K, 6-3)

2. Tony Barnette: FB 90-91 - SL 81-84 (K, 5-3, 4-3)

3. Danny Hultzen: FB 94-97 - SL 85-86 (K, K, P-6)

4. Chad Hockin: FB 90 - SL 84-86 (L-8, K, 6-3 * 4-3, 1B, 1B, K)

 

In his three EXST game outings Hultzen has been unhittable. He has thrown three shutout innings (75% strikes) with eight strikeouts while allowing no walks and just an infield single and a weak P-6. His max FB velo has increased from 92 to 96 to 97 and his SL velo increased from 84 to 86 in a span of eight days. The difference seems to be that he has changed to a lower arm-slot (a lot like Andrew Miller circa 2015-16) which apparently puts less-stress on his shoulder and has led to a stunning uptick in his velo.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/05282019/cubs-rehabbers-shut-down-dbacks-riverview

[Hrubes20]

Four Cubs pitchers on Active Rehab at EXST saw action in the game:

 

1. Erick Leal: FB 89-90 - CV 76-78 (2B, K, K, K * K, F-8, BB, 5-3 * P-5, 4-3, 1B, 6-U FC * 1B+SB, K, 1B-RBI, K, PO * F-8, K, 6-3)

2. Tony Barnette: FB 90-91 - SL 81-84 (K, 5-3, 4-3)

3. Danny Hultzen: FB 94-97 - SL 85-86 (K, K, P-6)

4. Chad Hockin: FB 90 - SL 84-86 (L-8, K, 6-3 * 4-3, 1B, 1B, K)

 

In his three EXST game outings Hultzen has been unhittable. He has thrown three shutout innings (75% strikes) with eight strikeouts while allowing no walks and just an infield single and a weak P-6. His max FB velo has increased from 92 to 96 to 97 and his SL velo increased from 84 to 86 in a span of eight days. The difference seems to be that he has changed to a lower arm-slot (a lot like Andrew Miller circa 2015-16) which apparently puts less-stress on his shoulder and has led to a stunning uptick in his velo.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/05282019/cubs-rehabbers-shut-down-dbacks-riverview

 

Damn. Have to imagine he gets sent to full season ball rather shortly.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Edmond Americaan is making his South Bend debut today.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[squally1313]

Happ and Strop please and thank you.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[texascub]

Billy Hamilton’s fastest triple last year was 10.83 seconds. The fact that Davis is less than a second off that while getting in standing is pretty impressive.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Four Cubs pitchers on Active Rehab at EXST saw action in the game:

 

1. Erick Leal: FB 89-90 - CV 76-78 (2B, K, K, K * K, F-8, BB, 5-3 * P-5, 4-3, 1B, 6-U FC * 1B+SB, K, 1B-RBI, K, PO * F-8, K, 6-3)

2. Tony Barnette: FB 90-91 - SL 81-84 (K, 5-3, 4-3)

3. Danny Hultzen: FB 94-97 - SL 85-86 (K, K, P-6)

4. Chad Hockin: FB 90 - SL 84-86 (L-8, K, 6-3 * 4-3, 1B, 1B, K)

 

In his three EXST game outings Hultzen has been unhittable. He has thrown three shutout innings (75% strikes) with eight strikeouts while allowing no walks and just an infield single and a weak P-6. His max FB velo has increased from 92 to 96 to 97 and his SL velo increased from 84 to 86 in a span of eight days. The difference seems to be that he has changed to a lower arm-slot (a lot like Andrew Miller circa 2015-16) which apparently puts less-stress on his shoulder and has led to a stunning uptick in his velo.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/05282019/cubs-rehabbers-shut-down-dbacks-riverview

 

More on Hultzen:

 

CRUNCH: Hultzen's slider is good and it's at least around the strike zone (or starts in the strike zone if not actually ending up in the strike zone) which helps get swings & misses, but it's more effective than it otherwise might be because of his high FB velo.

 

For example, Chad Hockin's SL is comparable to Hultzen's, but Hockin's FB velo is 90 so neither of his pitches are unhittable.

 

Hultzen works very fast and because his FB velo is so high his SL overwhelms the young hitters down here. It's like watching Josh Hader when he's on fire or Andrew Miller circa 2015-16.

 

The only reasons I can see Hultzen remaining in Mesa for a while longer are his lengthy history of shoulder problems (which hopefully have been assuaged by the lowering of his arm slot), and because he has yet to throw more than one inning in any outing, or two days in a row.

 

But even if all that were to remain the case going forward through the balance iof the 2019 season, and presuming he remains healthy, at the very least Hultzen would have significant value when MLB active rosters expand in September as a power lefty-reliever, even if he can't throw more than one inning per outing and/or two days in a row.

 

And there is always the possibility that he will eventually (I mean sometime soon) be able to throw two days in a row and/or throw more than one inning per outing. Otherwise it's hard to carry a guy in an eight-man MLB bullpen who can't do at least one or the other.

 

A closer or even a lefty specialist will often need to pitch (even if it's just to face one batter) two or even three days in a row, otherwise his value is limited. And if it's in a Hader or a Miller type role, he would need to be able to pitch at least parts of two innings if necessary. So far that has not been attempted.

 

And also keep in mind that Hultzen is on the Iowa 60-day IL. It wasn't clear that he would even be able to pitch this season after getting shut-down in Minor League Camp. So far he has only pitched in three EXST games, and it took him the better part of two months and the re-working of his arm-slot and release point in the Cubs UAPC Pitching Lab just to get to this point. It's still a long-shot that he will make it to Wrigley Field in 2019, although it's becoming less of a long-shot with every outing.

 

One other thing to keep in mind about Hultzen is that he is out of minor league options, so he is not a candidate to ride the Chicago - Des Moines shuttle if he were to be added to the Cubs MLB 25-man active roster (and MLB 40-man roster) at some point this season prior to September 1st. And if he were to be added to the 40 prior to 9/1 and the Cubs were able to get him through waivers, Hultzen has the right to elect free-agency if he's outrighted to the minors because he has been outrighted previously in his career.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/263599#comment-263599

[Regular Show]

 

More on Hultzen:

 

CRUNCH: Hultzen's slider is good and it's at least around the strike zone (or starts in the strike zone if not actually ending up in the strike zone) which helps get swings & misses, but it's more effective than it otherwise might be because of his high FB velo.

 

For example, Chad Hockin's SL is comparable to Hultzen's, but Hockin's FB velo is 90 so neither of his pitches are unhittable.

 

Hultzen works very fast and because his FB velo is so high his SL overwhelms the young hitters down here. It's like watching Josh Hader when he's on fire or Andrew Miller circa 2015-16.

 

The only reasons I can see Hultzen remaining in Mesa for a while longer are his lengthy history of shoulder problems (which hopefully have been assuaged by the lowering of his arm slot), and because he has yet to throw more than one inning in any outing, or two days in a row.

 

But even if all that were to remain the case going forward through the balance iof the 2019 season, and presuming he remains healthy, at the very least Hultzen would have significant value when MLB active rosters expand in September as a power lefty-reliever, even if he can't throw more than one inning per outing and/or two days in a row.

 

And there is always the possibility that he will eventually (I mean sometime soon) be able to throw two days in a row and/or throw more than one inning per outing. Otherwise it's hard to carry a guy in an eight-man MLB bullpen who can't do at least one or the other.

 

A closer or even a lefty specialist will often need to pitch (even if it's just to face one batter) two or even three days in a row, otherwise his value is limited. And if it's in a Hader or a Miller type role, he would need to be able to pitch at least parts of two innings if necessary. So far that has not been attempted.

 

And also keep in mind that Hultzen is on the Iowa 60-day IL. It wasn't clear that he would even be able to pitch this season after getting shut-down in Minor League Camp. So far he has only pitched in three EXST games, and it took him the better part of two months and the re-working of his arm-slot and release point in the Cubs UAPC Pitching Lab just to get to this point. It's still a long-shot that he will make it to Wrigley Field in 2019, although it's becoming less of a long-shot with every outing.

 

One other thing to keep in mind about Hultzen is that he is out of minor league options, so he is not a candidate to ride the Chicago - Des Moines shuttle if he were to be added to the Cubs MLB 25-man active roster (and MLB 40-man roster) at some point this season prior to September 1st. And if he were to be added to the 40 prior to 9/1 and the Cubs were able to get him through waivers, Hultzen has the right to elect free-agency if he's outrighted to the minors because he has been outrighted previously in his career.

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/263599#comment-263599

 

Yeah, the stuff is good enough to get minor league hitters out (and maybe MLB caliber hitters too), but Hultzen has to be able to pitch two days in a row or capable of pitching twice in three days. The arm strength is back, but getting used to the lower arm slot might take a little while too. I'm glad he's progressing and I totally wouldn't mind waiting till late August/early Sept to call him up if he's doing well in the minors.

 

I'm assuming we're trading for a high leverage reliever at some point (or signing Kimbrel after the draft). Hultzen should just be viewed as a surprise bonus/addition down the stretch.