Test Time: Name the Cub positional Player

[AC036198]

I bet Jason Dubois is going to reach 2,000 PA, and put up some big #'s once he gets the chance. Same w/ Bobby Hill.

[CubsWin]

I am excluding pitchers because I am interested in positional players. The Cubs inability to find talent at the draft and minor league level is something that severely hurts their chances of winning. The Cubs haven't developed a major league talent since Mark Grace. The Cubs best positional players have been a joke and because of that it has forced them to spend assets to rectify this flaw. Plus it does not bode well for the future youngsters either. A poor track record with no discernible change in the way of doing things means it is likely for our future positional players to flop as well.

It was widely held that the Cubs did a great job at drafting and developing arms by many scouts and other experts like BA and the like. This was admittedly by design. The Cubs felt that was where their scouting strength lied and also felt that good pitching would remain highly sought after and would allow them to acquire talent in other areas via trade.

 

However, according to BA at least, the Cubs experienced a breakthrough in position player talent this season and now have more balance in their minor league system than ever before. I agree that that isn't saying much given their previous dearth of position player talent in their system, but it does counter your statement that I bolded above.

 

What determines whether or not Cubs positional prospects will "flop" or not, is their individual talent, instruction and ability to learn and remain confident/free. It has nothing, nothing, to do with the past that has come before them.

[biittner77]

Rey Sanchez (almost 5,000 ABs) and Jose Vizcaino (over 5,000 ABs)

 

They were not drafted by the Cubs.

 

 

Miguel Cairo is close, debuted with Toronto.

 

Neither was he.

 

 

How about Brooks Keishneik? (sp) pitches and plays outfield.

 

Not very close.

 

Sanchez and Vizcaino debuted with the Cubs. I don't understand why having drafted the player makes a difference. If they were acquired as minor leaguers presumably they learned to fien tune their games in the Cubs' system before being deemed ready.

[gus_dog]

The problem might also be that if a rookie is brought up by the Cubs and he doesnt flash instant rookie of the year stuff he is pretty much put on the scrap heap in about 3 weeks. The most critical part of a players development is his first year of major league baseball. It is great if he is on a winning team and can bat low in the lineup and be surrounded by veteren players to pick him up when needed. This rarely ever could be mistaken as the Cubs. Cub rookies get brought up and are either sat or have unrealistic expectations put on them.

 

I have come up with some all-star caliber players who the Cubs probably would have thrown on the scrap heap because they were not very good rookies who are now very valuable players. Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Morgan Ensberg, Craig Biggio, Brady Clark, Brian Giles, Marcus Giles, Miguel Cabrera, JIm Thome, Richie Sexton, Omar Visquel, Paul Konerko, Tori Hunter, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Tejada, Beltran, Sheffield, Chipper, Bernie Williams, Jason Varitek, Johny Damon, Trot Nixon, Edgar Renteria, Jorge Posada, Carl Crawford. I am sure some are not the best examples and I probably have missed someother good examples. The point being is that MOST of the time rookies are not that good. If you let them play though they do get better and develop. Since the Cubs are easily the worst team in baseball at playing young position players( this isnt just Dusty it has been going on for years) and probably have close to the worst record in baseball over the last 20 years. You would think that someone would wisen up in this organization. Of course the fans keep coming out to support the Jeromy Burnitzes and the Neifi Perezes of the World. The thing that the Cubs seem most scared to do is just go ahead and go with youth. Yes it might not go well for a couple of years but as opposed to bringing in veterens who are getting paid high end for declining value and struggling to stay around 500. Then once every 6 years or so we hit the jackpot and make it to the playoffs but are completely outmatched by teams that have been built through their own minor league system.

 

Very succinct, and pretty accurate.

 

=D>

[snoodmonger]

Rey Sanchez (almost 5,000 ABs) and Jose Vizcaino (over 5,000 ABs)

 

They were not drafted by the Cubs.

 

 

Miguel Cairo is close, debuted with Toronto.

 

Neither was he.

 

 

How about Brooks Keishneik? (sp) pitches and plays outfield.

 

Not very close.

 

Sanchez and Vizcaino debuted with the Cubs. I don't understand why having drafted the player makes a difference. If they were acquired as minor leaguers presumably they learned to fien tune their games in the Cubs' system before being deemed ready.

 

I guess I see a difference. Drafting the player shows the scouting syster has the ability to recognize productive players and select them in the draft (as aopposed to trading for them or whatever.) It also depends on how long they spent in the system. Persponally, I don't give the Cubs system a whole lot of credit for a guy like Matt Murton, even though he's debuted with the team. I give more credit to the Red Sox for drafting and developmrnt.

[Illini Iceman]

I bet Jason Dubois is going to reach 2,000 PA, and put up some big #'s once he gets the chance. Same w/ Bobby Hill.

 

The fact that Bobby Hill is in AAA with the PIRATES says all I need to know about his career.

 

Dubois is a dime a dozen guy that can hit fastballs a ton but can't hit anything with a bend in it or play the field.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I bet Jason Dubois is going to reach 2,000 PA, and put up some big #'s once he gets the chance. Same w/ Bobby Hill.

 

The fact that Bobby Hill is in AAA with the PIRATES says all I need to know about his career.

 

Dubois is a dime a dozen guy that can hit fastballs a ton but can't hit anything with a bend in it or play the field.

 

I know, good thing we got rid of Dubois so we could get playing time for....