Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 7-8-19

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa had the day off

 

Tennessee lost 6-1 Box Score

 

Myrtle Beach lost 3-1 Box Score

 

South Bend lost 5-4 Box Score

 

Eugene in progress Box Score

 

AZL Cubs 1 and 2 had the day off

 

DSL Cubs 1 won 13-5 Box Score

 

DSL Cubs 2 won 7-4 Box Score

[We Got The Whole 9]

Yesterday was Nico's 2nd pro game with multiple Ks

[Hrubes20]

Yohendrick Pinango came into the day 4th among 17U DSLers with 120+ PAs in wRC+, wOBA, and Rs, 2nd in IsoSLG and SBs, 3rd in BA and BABIP, 1st in doubles and K rate...2/5 with a double today, ~.360/.450/.480 with a 7.5% K rate in 132 PAs

 

Definitely been fun to follow. The ISO stat is a bit misleading due to your qualifier of 120+ PAs (drop it to 100 PAs and he isn't anywhere near the top), but the rest of the game has been nice. I wish we had an idea how many of his boatload of doubles are "hustle" doubles so common in the lower levels of the minors, and which ones are legit.

[CubinNY]

At the Smokies/Biscuits game. Nico rapped a double off the wall on the first pitch.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Gonna start calling Nico 6 to 12

[Hrubes20]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

[CubinNY]

I think the Biscuits have nine steal attempts tonight. They’ve been successful like 6 times. The Smokies pitchers are really slow to home. Also, the Smokies manager got tossed. The ump is squeezing the zone pretty bad.

[Cubswin11]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

I wish they were trying him in CF, honestly. Just as much for this year as next year.

[Regular Show]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

I wish they were trying him in CF, honestly. Just as much for this year as next year.

 

Yeah, I was going to mention this. I think they might consider it in the offseason and I believe some scouts (not for the Cubs) think that would be his best position defensively.

 

I guess if Robel Garcia is the REAL DEAL and looks legit (and can handle 2B next year) then maybe you consider playing Nico in CF.

 

Not sure honestly, but more versatility never hurts.

[Cubswin11]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

I wish they were trying him in CF, honestly. Just as much for this year as next year.

 

Yeah, I was going to mention this. I think they might consider it in the offseason and I believe some scouts (not for the Cubs) think that would be his best position defensively.

 

I guess if Robel Garcia is the REAL DEAL and looks legit (and can handle 2B next year) then maybe you consider playing Nico in CF.

 

Not sure honestly, but more versatility never hurts.

Yeah and with Bote and Robel around for this year at least 2B should be covered. CF/OF is the hole in the team now and next year. Plus with Nico being a SS all these years you’d figure 2B would be a pretty easy transition, CF would be the real test but if he works out there it probably helps the team the most.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

 

Two straight games. He's going to be at AAA really soon (and I assume Happ will be in the bigs at the same time).

 

Nico has a chance to be in Chicago on 9/1.

[Regular Show]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

 

Two straight games. He's going to be at AAA really soon (and I assume Happ will be in the bigs at the same time).

 

Nico has a chance to be in Chicago on 9/1.

 

I think that is super ambitious and I doubt that very much. I think Nico could handle it, but regular playing time will be hard to come by, especially when/if Zobrist is back and Robel is still doing well. Maybe Happ comes up and gets some semi-regular playing time.

 

Maybe they could play Nico in CF, but I don't think the Cubs are going to experiment playing him there this year.

[Regular Show]

Nico starting at 2B tonight. Very interesting.

 

Good article. I was trying to find it earlier. Highly recommend it:

 

https://bastian.mlblogs.com/ive-really-bought-in-a-q-a-with-cubs-shortstop-prospect-nico-hoerner-2a4849e3deab

 

Q: Did you get a chance to try any different defensive things while in college that help set you up for being here?

NH: “I played second my freshman year and then short the last two years. I’ve mainly been in the middle infield my whole life, but I’ve always felt like, if you can play short especially, you can probably move around a good bit and I feel like you’ll have a good foundation for that.”

He's played second base before and I was pretty sure he played the position some in college.

 

Q: You’ve been quoted as saying you know that you need to be able to play multiple positions in order to play with the Cubs. Do you think it’s important to embrace that type of versatility?

NH: “Last night, it was Cubs-Dodgers. Those are two of the teams that probably do that the most with, not just utility guys, but some of the biggest stars in the game playing different places. So, you’re crazy if you think you’re only going to play one spot. So, if you’re able to hit and you can play a lot of positions at a high level, you’re going to be able to help a team out and be in the lineup for as many days as you can be, which is the goal at the end of the day.”

[Hrubes20]

 

Maybe they could play Nico in CF, but I don't think the Cubs are going to experiment playing him there this year.

 

This take didn't age well. :D