Fall League/Guzman news

[Jon]

Paul Sullivan[/url]"]Pitching prospect Angel Guzman is throwing again in the Instructional League in Mesa, Ariz., and will report to Class-A Daytona soon to get in a couple of starts before the end of the season. Fleita said Guzman's fastball is back up in the mid-90s, and that he'll pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Other Cubs prospects headed to the fall league are second baseman Eric Patterson, outfielder Matt Murton, reliever David Aardsma, first baseman/left fielder Brandon Sing and infielder/outfielder Buck Coats.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I would rather just see him rest his arm and prepare for next season. I realize he didn't pitch much this year but I still don't really see the point of having him pitch in the Arizona league.

[Iceblink]

So long as Guzman's pitch count is monitored, which it certainly would be, then I think he should pitch some this winter. He can't be counted on for much given his history, but he's still a pretty inexperienced pitcher.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Guzman for bullpen next year. That way he won't overstress his arm with innings so pitching in the AFL isn't as big a deal.

[fiver]

Guzman for bullpen next year. That way he won't overstress his arm with innings so pitching in the AFL isn't as big a deal.

 

It appears that the Cubs are trying to work him back into having enough stamina to pitch as a starter. Why else would he be pitching multiple innings right now?

[RyCubsFan]

Paul Sullivan[/url]"]Pitching prospect Angel Guzman is throwing again in the Instructional League in Mesa, Ariz., and will report to Class-A Daytona soon to get in a couple of starts before the end of the season. Fleita said Guzman's fastball is back up in the mid-90s, and that he'll pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Other Cubs prospects headed to the fall league are second baseman Eric Patterson, outfielder Matt Murton, reliever David Aardsma, first baseman/left fielder Brandon Sing and infielder/outfielder Buck Coats.

 

Interesting list. It shows at least some of the prospects that the Cubs brass value.

 

Guzman -- not a surprise.

 

Murton -- expected as much. He's major league ready. Will give him the chance to fine tune...to try to drive the ball more.

 

Sing -- I'm glad to see him on here. It indicates that the organization has taken notice of him to some extent.

 

Aardsma -- Also not a surprise. He's close to the bigs and has a decent upside.

 

Patterson -- A little of a surprise since he is in low A. This is similar to Dopirak last year, when he was sent to the fall league. EPatt is older though and played in college. I'm glad the Cubs are sending him. I wonder with a good Fall if he could begin next year in West Tenn. next to Dopirak (assuming he doesn't repeat Daytona).

 

Coats -- Probably the biggest suprise for me. To be sure, he's had a godo year and is a solid prospect. His defense in particular needs work.

 

I wonder how the Cubs choose who to send to the Fall League. Why did they choose Patterson or Coats, for example, but not Theriot or McGehee (or even Fontenot). Do the Cubs prefer Coats? Or, why Aardsma and why not other relievers in the system?

 

Also, why not Pie? Will he be in Winter League?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Guzman for bullpen next year. That way he won't overstress his arm with innings so pitching in the AFL isn't as big a deal.

 

It appears that the Cubs are trying to work him back into having enough stamina to pitch as a starter. Why else would he be pitching multiple innings right now?

 

So he can get as much work in as he is able to. Many players pegged to be relievers pitch as starters so they can get innings. I'm not saying that this is the case in Guzman's situation, but it wouldn't be unusual if they decided to put him in the pen.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Sing -- I'm glad to see him on here. It indicates that the organization has taken notice of him to some extent.

 

Hopefully he'll be working on his OF defense. I'd like to see him compete for any OF-vacancy next spring with Murton.

 

Patterson -- A little of a surprise since he is in low A. This is similar to Dopirak last year, when he was sent to the fall league. EPatt is older though and played in college. I'm glad the Cubs are sending him. I wonder with a good Fall if he could begin next year in West Tenn. next to Dopirak (assuming he doesn't repeat Daytona).

 

Since Patterson went to a big-time college program and missed some time due to injury this season, I'm not too shocked to see this. I don't think EPatt will land at WT with a good fall, mainly because the Cubs seem to be moving him up the ranks slowly. Oh, and I fully expect Dope to make the jump to WT despite the subpar season.

 

Also, why not Pie? Will he be in Winter League?

 

He'll probably be in the DR Winter League with Licey again. It'll be important for him since he missed half the season with injury and the Cubs seem intent on rushing Felix to the big leagues by next April.

Edited August 23, 2005 by CaliforniaRaisin

[Brian]

I'm new to following prospects so what exactly is this fall league. Sounds kind of like the an All-Star prospect team, or the guys that the organization think have the most potential but need some extra work.

[Laura]

MiLB.com has an AFL Preview article up that includes AFL rosters (though it also says the rosters aren't complete yet).

 

MiLB had this to say about Guzman:

 

Angel Guzman, RHP, Cubs

Once upon a time, not too long ago, Guzman appeared poised to become the next Mark Prior. The only thing that's resembled the Cubs ace has been an injury history. He's made just a few outings in the Arizona League, but still only 23, there's time for him to become a top flight pitching prospect again.

 

Guzman is the only Cubs prospect previewed in the article.

 

On the Mesa Solar Sox roster, Buck Coats is designated as a "Taxi Squad" player -- the Taxi Squad is activated for Wednesdays and Sundays only. He's also listed as an infielder.

[Laura]

I'm new to following prospects so what exactly is this fall league. Sounds kind of like the an All-Star prospect team, or the guys that the organization think have the most potential but need some extra work.

 

Here's how MiLB describes it in the article linked above:

 

The elite "graduate school" for baseball's top prospects doesn't start league play until October 4, but there's enough talent among the rosters of the six AFL teams to generate plenty of buzz to carry prospect fans over until then.

 

At first glance, it does appear that this year's version of the AFL is as rich and deep in talent as any season in memory. A total of 36 former first-round picks will take part in the league, a record as the AFL gets set to begin its 14th season. Fifty-seven players have participated in their respective Minor League All-Star Games this season (two Triple-A, 27 Double-A, 18 Single-A and 10 Futures Game).

[Scotti]

Sing -- I'm glad to see him on here. It indicates that the organization has taken notice of him to some extent.

 

The Cubs have always be high on Sing--even before last year.

[biittner77]

I'm new to following prospects so what exactly is this fall league. Sounds kind of like the an All-Star prospect team, or the guys that the organization think have the most potential but need some extra work.

 

Sometimes they'll send a guy that is borderline and they want to see how he fares against this level of competition so they can make a decision on his future. That might be why they sent Coats.

 

Anyone surprised they didn't send Van Buren?

[mhuber92211]

 

Anyone surprised they didn't send Van Buren?

 

Why would they? Van Buren had an AWFUL spring and has terrible mechanics. Also didn't he pitch in the neterlands last year? Gotta be tired.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Anyone surprised they didn't send Van Buren?

 

Why would they? Van Buren had an AWFUL spring and has terrible mechanics. Also didn't he pitch in the neterlands last year? Gotta be tired.

 

He pitched in Lansing/West Tenn/Iowa last year and had a great season, and followed it up with a great season in Iowa this year. No Netherlands for him. An awful spring shouldn't be that big a deterrent. His terrible mechanics haven't hindered him from having two great seasons.