Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 7-25-19

[CubsWin]

Generally, based on his age/innings pitched, what’s the time table for him to advance to MB - then TN - then IA?

 

He’s really raw and his command lags behind so I think he’ll be nearly one level/year unless he really puts it together at some point and forces the issue.

Who knows, that "some point" may have started tonight. It's purely wait and see because he's so young and has never had such a dominant performance before. But this performance was so good, so dominant that it could be a breakthrough. His change up still needs a lot of work, though.

[UK]

I'm hopefully forgetting someone but Marquez might be the best pitching prospect since Prior (Willis rose with Florida).

[We Got The Whole 9]

Would it physically hurt you to just brainlessly buy in?

[CubsWin]

I'm hopefully forgetting someone but Marquez might be the best pitching prospect since Prior (Willis rose with Florida).

Yeah, for all the struggles the Cubs have had with developing pitching prospects, Marquez is a success story to date. He's stayed healthy and sure has come a long way in just 3 1/2 seasons.

 

According to AZ Phil, he was throwing 89-92 in Mesa just 2 seasons ago and 94-96, T97 last year in Eugene. Today was 97-101 with a much improved slider and improved control/command of both. Velocity isn't everything, but it sure helps. I believe his ability to hit his spots often and throw both pitches for strikes was the key today. Control has been his main challenge this season, so we'll see if this performance indicates true development in that area. A solid change up would really go a long way to rounding out his repertoire if he's to remain a starter in the end.

 

For me, especially for a pitcher who is young for his level like Marquez, you're looking for what they can be when they're on because they still have plenty of time to gain consistency. Who knows if he will, but he sure is the most exciting pitching prospect the Cubs have had in a while, if not the best.

[Brian]

This has video

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[David]

Most Hyped Power LH SP Prospect since Andy Sisco?

 

This was a fun start and all but Marquez is a 5th year pro in Single A with an ERA pushing 4 who allows 5+ runs per 9. Prior at 20 was having still one of the handful most dominant college seasons by a pitcher ever, on his way to the two pick and a short stay in the minors.

 

Looking at the start it still looks like a low spin fastball/slider combo, seemed like he was just able to outmuscle guys. I optimistically expected more changeup development and usage too, but it still acts like a two seam and he's still essentially a two pitch guy. I don't think he gets good plane despite the 6'5" frame either, which hurts my optimism for the fastball's ability to dominate future AA and AAA hitters let alone MLers. On one hand, I think he has improved and tightened up his frame and delivery from last year. On the other, he's still a marginal athlete with a jumbo frame early and that a 20 YO with a half decade of pro facilities and training was able to make some physical gains doesn't blow my mind.

 

 

 

 

OTOH I will definitely say that he's better than last year

 

He said best since Prior. That's not really comparing him to Prior. It's not really that high of praise, either, unless I'm forgetting someone really obvious. Best Cubs pitching "prospect" I can think of from 2002-now is like...Rich Hill? Cashner? Samardzija?

 

Hendricks obviously turned out really well but wasn't a highly regarded prospect.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Most Hyped Power LH SP Prospect since Andy Sisco?

 

This was a fun start and all but Marquez is a 5th year pro in Single A with an ERA pushing 4 who allows 5+ runs per 9. Prior at 20 was having still one of the handful most dominant college seasons by a pitcher ever, on his way to the two pick and a short stay in the minors.

 

Looking at the start it still looks like a low spin fastball/slider combo, seemed like he was just able to outmuscle guys. I optimistically expected more changeup development and usage too, but it still acts like a two seam and he's still essentially a two pitch guy. I don't think he gets good plane despite the 6'5" frame either, which hurts my optimism for the fastball's ability to dominate future AA and AAA hitters let alone MLers. On one hand, I think he has improved and tightened up his frame and delivery from last year. On the other, he's still a marginal athlete with a jumbo frame early and that a 20 YO with a half decade of pro facilities and training was able to make some physical gains doesn't blow my mind.

 

 

 

 

OTOH I will definitely say that he's better than last year

 

This is Brailyn’s fourth pro season.

[Outshined_One]

He said best since Prior. That's not really comparing him to Prior. It's not really that high of praise, either, unless I'm forgetting someone really obvious. Best Cubs pitching "prospect" I can think of from 2002-now is like...Rich Hill? Cashner? Samardzija?

 

Hendricks obviously turned out really well but wasn't a highly regarded prospect.

 

You can make a good case for Chris Archer back in 2011. After that, it's luminaries like Mark Pawelek, Angel Guzman, and Donnie Veal.

[David]

He said best since Prior. That's not really comparing him to Prior. It's not really that high of praise, either, unless I'm forgetting someone really obvious. Best Cubs pitching "prospect" I can think of from 2002-now is like...Rich Hill? Cashner? Samardzija?

 

Hendricks obviously turned out really well but wasn't a highly regarded prospect.

 

You can make a good case for Chris Archer back in 2011. After that, it's luminaries like Mark Pawelek, Angel Guzman, and Donnie Veal.

 

Ah, yeah. Totally forgot about Archer.

[CubsWin]

He said best since Prior. That's not really comparing him to Prior. It's not really that high of praise, either, unless I'm forgetting someone really obvious. Best Cubs pitching "prospect" I can think of from 2002-now is like...Rich Hill? Cashner? Samardzija?

 

Hendricks obviously turned out really well but wasn't a highly regarded prospect.

 

You can make a good case for Chris Archer back in 2011. After that, it's luminaries like Mark Pawelek, Angel Guzman, and Donnie Veal.

What's nice now, is that there's some depth behind Marquez. At the upper levels, Alzolay, Miller and Abbott all have a chance to be BOR pieces. As does Richan in High-A and Thompson in Low-A. There's some higher upside guys in the lower levels, too. I'd put Jensen, Franklin and Gallardo in that mix.

 

It's not great yet, but it's the best the Cubs minor league pitching roster has been since Theo took over and long before that.

[UK]

He said best since Prior. That's not really comparing him to Prior. It's not really that high of praise, either, unless I'm forgetting someone really obvious. Best Cubs pitching "prospect" I can think of from 2002-now is like...Rich Hill? Cashner? Samardzija?

 

Hendricks obviously turned out really well but wasn't a highly regarded prospect.

 

You can make a good case for Chris Archer back in 2011. After that, it's luminaries like Mark Pawelek, Angel Guzman, and Donnie Veal.

 

I knew I was forgetting someone. Archer was a top 30 prospect the year before they traded him, IIRC. One of Hendry's best trades when they acquired Archer.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I imagine Rich Hill had the best pitching line amongst actual Cubs prospects in the last 15 or so years before Brailyn last night.