arizona fall league gets started...

[Brian]

From interviews that I've read from Eric, it seems that while they're are close, they realize that this is baseball and the chances of them playing together are slim even though they are in the same orginization. I don't see how they are a package deal.

[Brian]

Also I think that when Eric debuts with the Cubs and if Corey is gone by then, they should give him #20 so all those that bought a Corey jersey can get new life out of it :D

[CubsWin]

10/26 Double Header Stats.

GAME 1

 

5.) M. Murton (DH): 0-3, BB, R, K (.362 BA)

 

J. Koronka (RP): IP, H, BB, S(3) (0.00 ERA in 9IP)

 

GAME 2

1.) E. Patterson (2B): 2-4, RBI, 2R, 3B, K (.267 BA)

2.) B. Coats (CF): 1-4, RBI (.294 BA)

3.) B. Sing (1B): 1-4, RBI, R, HR, K (.303 BA)

4.) M. Murton (LF): 3-4, RBI, R (.392 BA)

 

 

-----------

 

Nice to see EPatt starting to get his average up, and the Big Murt is on a tear again! Also cool that the Cubs got to bat 1-4 in the lineup. And what has gotten into Koronka??? Koronk Juice?

Go, EPatt! I am really pulling for him to make good and be the Cubs 2nd baseman of the future. Ramirez, Cedeno, Patterson and Lee. I doubt it will happen, but they could be good.

And maybe Koronka is on the Chronic? When pitchers relax good things can happen...

 

i am very much hoping for the same thing along with murton & pie in the of. why do you doubt it can happen? murton & cedeno are ready to start in the majors next year imo and epat & pie might be ready by 2007. with prior and z already established & guzman, pinto, nolasco on the verge of breaking out, the cubs would have the vast majority of their starters being developed by their farm system.

I have doubts that both Cedeno and EPatt will succeed as starters at the major league level because it so rarely has happened in the past for the Cubs, and most other teams for that matter. I believe that it is possible, but it would be the exception to the rule thus far. However, rules, especially these kind, are meant to be broken.

 

As far as the rest of your list (Guzman, Pinto and Nolasco) is concerned, there is a difference between succeeding in AA and the majors. Some guys succeed at the AA level with major league stuff and some succeed with AAA stuff. The word on Nolasco is that he has really good AA stuff. We will see. Guzman's right arm is made of glass. Talent isn't his problem, but the most games he has pitched in one season is 22. Maybe he would be better served in the bullpen. Again, we will see. Pinto is the one pitcher from that list that has the combination of major league stuff and durability. If one of them has a lasting impact on the Cubs starting rotation in the future, I think Pinto has the best chance of doing it.

 

But there are so many things that can cause a player who puts up great numbers in the minors to fail at the higher levels that I think a team would consider themselves lucky to introduce one rookie position player per year and get something out of him. If you can get two, you are way ahead of the game. With Murton, Cedeno, EPatt and Pie, you are talking about 4 in two years. Possible? Sure. Likely? Something you want to count on and plan around? I wouldn't.

[T2E]

Full Stats:

 

Murton:

51 AB, .392/.456/.608, 5/8 BB/K

 

Sing:

38 AB, .342/.409/.711, 5/9 BB/K

 

Patterson:

50 AB, .300/.33/.420, 3/9 BB/K

 

Coats:

17 AB, .294/.333/.353, 1/1 BB/K

 

Guzman:

15.7 IP, 5.17 ERA, 16/7 K/BB

 

Koronka:

9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 10/4 K/BB

[CuseCubFan69]

Could Sing play LF along with Murton next year?

[T2E]

Could Sing play LF along with Murton next year?

 

I'd much rather have Murton out there; both defensively and with the bat.

[CuseCubFan69]

Could Sing play LF along with Murton next year?

 

I'd much rather have Murton out there; both defensively and with the bat.

 

But if Sing could play OF and 1B wouldn't that be a cheap guy off the bench? I still want Murton to get most of the AB's in left don't get me wrong, I just would like to see Sing get a shot if he earns it during Spring Training.

[rawaction]

Full Stats:

 

Murton:

51 AB, .392/.456/.608, 5/8 BB/K

 

Sing:

38 AB, .342/.409/.711, 5/9 BB/K

 

Patterson:

50 AB, .300/.33/.420, 3/9 BB/K

 

Coats:

17 AB, .294/.333/.353, 1/1 BB/K

 

Guzman:

15.7 IP, 5.17 ERA, 16/7 K/BB

 

Koronka:

9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 10/4 K/BB

 

Some ugly K totals there. Save for Guzman and Coats.

[Tim]

Full Stats:

 

Murton:

51 AB, .392/.456/.608, 5/8 BB/K

 

Sing:

38 AB, .342/.409/.711, 5/9 BB/K

 

Patterson:

50 AB, .300/.33/.420, 3/9 BB/K

 

Coats:

17 AB, .294/.333/.353, 1/1 BB/K

 

Guzman:

15.7 IP, 5.17 ERA, 16/7 K/BB

 

Koronka:

9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 10/4 K/BB

 

Some ugly K totals there. Save for Guzman and Coats.

A strikeout rate under 20% isn't really bad. Patterson is just under that figure and Murton is well under. Sing's strikeout rate of close to 25% is why I don't think he's yet ready for the bigs, but the .711 slugging percentage shows why you might be able to live with that level.

[mg420]

10/26 Double Header Stats.

GAME 1

 

5.) M. Murton (DH): 0-3, BB, R, K (.362 BA)

 

J. Koronka (RP): IP, H, BB, S(3) (0.00 ERA in 9IP)

 

GAME 2

1.) E. Patterson (2B): 2-4, RBI, 2R, 3B, K (.267 BA)

2.) B. Coats (CF): 1-4, RBI (.294 BA)

3.) B. Sing (1B): 1-4, RBI, R, HR, K (.303 BA)

4.) M. Murton (LF): 3-4, RBI, R (.392 BA)

 

 

-----------

 

Nice to see EPatt starting to get his average up, and the Big Murt is on a tear again! Also cool that the Cubs got to bat 1-4 in the lineup. And what has gotten into Koronka??? Koronk Juice?

Go, EPatt! I am really pulling for him to make good and be the Cubs 2nd baseman of the future. Ramirez, Cedeno, Patterson and Lee. I doubt it will happen, but they could be good.

And maybe Koronka is on the Chronic? When pitchers relax good things can happen...

 

i am very much hoping for the same thing along with murton & pie in the of. why do you doubt it can happen? murton & cedeno are ready to start in the majors next year imo and epat & pie might be ready by 2007. with prior and z already established & guzman, pinto, nolasco on the verge of breaking out, the cubs would have the vast majority of their starters being developed by their farm system.

I have doubts that both Cedeno and EPatt will succeed as starters at the major league level because it so rarely has happened in the past for the Cubs, and most other teams for that matter. I believe that it is possible, but it would be the exception to the rule thus far. However, rules, especially these kind, are meant to be broken.

 

As far as the rest of your list (Guzman, Pinto and Nolasco) is concerned, there is a difference between succeeding in AA and the majors. Some guys succeed at the AA level with major league stuff and some succeed with AAA stuff. The word on Nolasco is that he has really good AA stuff. We will see. Guzman's right arm is made of glass. Talent isn't his problem, but the most games he has pitched in one season is 22. Maybe he would be better served in the bullpen. Again, we will see. Pinto is the one pitcher from that list that has the combination of major league stuff and durability. If one of them has a lasting impact on the Cubs starting rotation in the future, I think Pinto has the best chance of doing it.

 

But there are so many things that can cause a player who puts up great numbers in the minors to fail at the higher levels that I think a team would consider themselves lucky to introduce one rookie position player per year and get something out of him. If you can get two, you are way ahead of the game. With Murton, Cedeno, EPatt and Pie, you are talking about 4 in two years. Possible? Sure. Likely? Something you want to count on and plan around? I wouldn't.

 

i thought guzman's problem had been his shoulder not his arm. i agree that its unliklely but staying withing the farm system seems to have worked well for the braves. assuming they are not traded, hill and williams are ahead of the guys i mentioned anyway but i think mitre & welly are most likely gone by next year so nolasco, pinto & perhaps guzman are the next level of almost ready to be tested prospects. perhaps marmol can also be put in that catagory. as far as aa stuff goes, i would say its more of a matter of a aa head. i would say that the vast majority of guys who make it to the majors have the talent to stay but if they never stick its more of a mental weakness.if a pitcher can throw strikes and spot the ball he can get alot of guys out with average stuff.

[Brian]

10/27

 

1.) E. Patterson (2B): 1-4, R (.296)

5.) M. Murton (LF): 0-4, K (.364)

6.) B. Sing (DH): 0-4, 2K (.310)

 

D. Aardsma (RP): 2.0IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 2K, HR (11.77 ERA)

J. Koronka (RP): 1.0IP (0.00 ERA)

[CubsWin]

10/26 Double Header Stats.

GAME 1

 

5.) M. Murton (DH): 0-3, BB, R, K (.362 BA)

 

J. Koronka (RP): IP, H, BB, S(3) (0.00 ERA in 9IP)

 

GAME 2

1.) E. Patterson (2B): 2-4, RBI, 2R, 3B, K (.267 BA)

2.) B. Coats (CF): 1-4, RBI (.294 BA)

3.) B. Sing (1B): 1-4, RBI, R, HR, K (.303 BA)

4.) M. Murton (LF): 3-4, RBI, R (.392 BA)

 

 

-----------

 

Nice to see EPatt starting to get his average up, and the Big Murt is on a tear again! Also cool that the Cubs got to bat 1-4 in the lineup. And what has gotten into Koronka??? Koronk Juice?

Go, EPatt! I am really pulling for him to make good and be the Cubs 2nd baseman of the future. Ramirez, Cedeno, Patterson and Lee. I doubt it will happen, but they could be good.

And maybe Koronka is on the Chronic? When pitchers relax good things can happen...

 

i am very much hoping for the same thing along with murton & pie in the of. why do you doubt it can happen? murton & cedeno are ready to start in the majors next year imo and epat & pie might be ready by 2007. with prior and z already established & guzman, pinto, nolasco on the verge of breaking out, the cubs would have the vast majority of their starters being developed by their farm system.

I have doubts that both Cedeno and EPatt will succeed as starters at the major league level because it so rarely has happened in the past for the Cubs, and most other teams for that matter. I believe that it is possible, but it would be the exception to the rule thus far. However, rules, especially these kind, are meant to be broken.

 

As far as the rest of your list (Guzman, Pinto and Nolasco) is concerned, there is a difference between succeeding in AA and the majors. Some guys succeed at the AA level with major league stuff and some succeed with AAA stuff. The word on Nolasco is that he has really good AA stuff. We will see. Guzman's right arm is made of glass. Talent isn't his problem, but the most games he has pitched in one season is 22. Maybe he would be better served in the bullpen. Again, we will see. Pinto is the one pitcher from that list that has the combination of major league stuff and durability. If one of them has a lasting impact on the Cubs starting rotation in the future, I think Pinto has the best chance of doing it.

 

But there are so many things that can cause a player who puts up great numbers in the minors to fail at the higher levels that I think a team would consider themselves lucky to introduce one rookie position player per year and get something out of him. If you can get two, you are way ahead of the game. With Murton, Cedeno, EPatt and Pie, you are talking about 4 in two years. Possible? Sure. Likely? Something you want to count on and plan around? I wouldn't.

 

i thought guzman's problem had been his shoulder not his arm. i agree that its unliklely but staying withing the farm system seems to have worked well for the braves. assuming they are not traded, hill and williams are ahead of the guys i mentioned anyway but i think mitre & welly are most likely gone by next year so nolasco, pinto & perhaps guzman are the next level of almost ready to be tested prospects. perhaps marmol can also be put in that catagory. as far as aa stuff goes, i would say its more of a matter of a aa head. i would say that the vast majority of guys who make it to the majors have the talent to stay but if they never stick its more of a mental weakness.if a pitcher can throw strikes and spot the ball he can get alot of guys out with average stuff.

I was using the term "arm" euphmamistically. Whether it is his elbow or his shoulder or his bicep, his "arm" is still made of glass until he can show us otherwise.

 

Not all AA hitters are talented enough to hit in the big leagues, some are, but most aren't. That makes it easier for a pitcher to put up good numbers at that level without really being major league caliber. I'm not saying that Nolasco won't ever make the bigs. I'm just reporting what I've heard and read. His rep is that he doesn't have what it takes to be considered a true prospect at the major league level. Maybe those scouts or whoever they are that believe that about him are wrong. It wouldn't be the first time a scout has misjudged someone, thats for sure.

[Bruno7481]

Aardsma...

 

He's had a less than stellar AFL to say the least. Starting to wonder what his future may hold.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Aardsma...

 

He's had a less than stellar AFL to say the least. Starting to wonder what his future may hold.

 

It may be time to de-roster him in favor of another possible rule V casualty,

[Brian]

just da big murt today.

 

5.) M. Murton (LF): 2-4, 3B (.373)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nice day for the Gooz down in Surprise, AZ:

 

5 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K

 

Guzman's 1st inning:

 

Josh Anderson walks (on 4 pitches).

Howie Kendrick lines into double play, 9-3.

Billy Butler grounds out, 3-1

 

Guzman's 2nd inning:

 

Alex Gordon walks (on a full count).

Travis Hanson flies out to left field.

Corey Smith walks (on a full count). Alex Gordon to 2nd.

Charlton Jimerson strikes out swinging (on a 1-2 count).

Gabe Johnson strikes out swinging (on 3 pitches).

 

Guzman's 3rd inning:

 

Wade Robinson grounds out, 4-3

Josh Anderson flies out to left field.

Howie Kendrick grounds out, 6-3.

 

Guzman's 4th inning:

 

Billy Butler grounds out, 6-3.

Alex Gordon called out on strikes (on a 2-2 count).

Travis Hanson grounds out, 3-1.

 

Guzman's 5th inning:

 

Corey Smith flies out to center field.

Charlton Jimerson grounds out, 4-3.

Gabe Johnson grounds out, 5-3.

 

The game is still going on, but still (sorry, Brian):

 

2B Eric Patterson: 0/4 (.276)

LF Matt Murton: 2/4, R, SB (.381)

SS Buck Coats 0/3, K (.250)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Kendrick, Butler, and Gordon go 0-5 with a walk against Gooz. Good to see.

[CubsWin]

Kendrick, Butler, and Gordon go 0-5 with a walk against Gooz. Good to see.

That is good news. That makes two consecutive solid performances by Angel.

 

It doesn't change anything about his ability to stay healthy, of course. The number of innings he has pitched in the AFL don't amount to much, but the fact that he is starting to get guys out at least gives him the chance to be a viable prospect again. What good would it be for Gooz to be healthy if he weren't any good?

 

Unfortunately, the overwhelming trend with him is that he will tantalize during the first part of Spring Training and then something will go wrong health-wise. Here's hoping the past is in the past.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

2B Eric Patterson: 0/4 (.276)

LF Matt Murton: 2/4, R, SB (.381)

SS Buck Coats 0/3, K (.250)

 

Looks like E-Patt is a bit overmatched in the AFL; or conversely, he was just too polished for A-ball given his college experience (the more sensible interpretation).

 

He can be a big leaguer, but I think some with the excessive E-Patt love need to re-adjust their expectations. He won't be in Chicago anytime soon.

 

On other fronts: why the heck is Murton playing in the AFL? What does he have to prove? He's hitting the league at nearly 400, he's already shown he can hit big league pitching at a 300 clip. They're not even trying him out in RF in Arizona to see if he can be an option there for us? This will look COLOSSALLY, STUPENDOUSLY DUMB if Murton gets hurt in the AFL, you know this, right?

 

Also, I am so disappointed in David Aardsma, what the heck has happened to him? I saw him pitch with Rice, he was lights-out. A college version of Brad Lidge. Now, he is just falling apart. Frankly, I don't think the Cubs can waste the protection spot on him on the 40-man prior to the Rule 5 draft, when there are more promising names like JK Ryu, Brandon Sing, and Sean Marshall on the bubble.

[Laura]

On other fronts: why the heck is Murton playing in the AFL? What does he have to prove? He's hitting the league at nearly 400, he's already shown he can hit big league pitching at a 300 clip. They're not even trying him out in RF in Arizona to see if he can be an option there for us? This will look COLOSSALLY, STUPENDOUSLY DUMB if Murton gets hurt in the AFL, you know this, right?

 

This is Murton's take on why he's there, from the MiLB.com interview that Quakers posted the link to in a different thread.

 

MLB.com: You played 129 games this year -- and now you're in the Arizona Fall League. That's a long season.

 

Murton: There are things I need to work on, but one of the reasons [the Cubs] wanted me to come out [and play in the AFL] is because of the mental grind and having to push through a long season and getting used to playing all those day games.

 

Last year, when they sent me to Instructional League after the regular season ended, I'd discussed taking a few days at home, and they pushed to have me out here immediately. They wanted to simulate the length of a full season. In July and August, I missed a number of at-bats because I was sitting when they got [Matt] Lawton. They wanted me to come out here for one more month to play a lot. They want me to make sure I fine-tune my game so when I do go home in the offseason, I have a good base to work on.

 

MLB.com: Do you think all the home day games make a difference?

 

Murton: It is tough, but I think as a ballplayer, it's your responsibility to prepare yourself to play every day. Our record at home wasn't as strong as it should have been and that's something they take into consideration. I think the organization is trying to figure out what to do differently to change that.

 

That's one of the big reasons they want me out here, is the mental grind and physical grind, and prepare my body to learn to put up with it.

[Brian]

The game is still going on, but still (sorry, Brian):

 

no problem I wasn't able to do it this weekend anyways.

 

----------

 

10/31

 

5.) M. Murton (LF): 0-4 (.358)

6.) B. Sing (DH): 1-4 2K (.304)

 

J. Koronka (RP): 3.0IP W (1-0), 2H, BB, K (0.00 ERA)

[Brian]

11/1

 

1.) E. Patterson (2B): 1-5, 2K (.270)

5.) M. Murton (LF): 0-5 (.333)

 

D. Aardsma (RP): 2.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 4K (10.80)

[MPrior]

I was using the term "arm" euphmamistically.

 

Not trying to be mean, or pick a fight, or insinuate anything, but the word "euphmamistically" makes me laugh. That is all.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Guzman's 2nd inning:

 

Alex Gordon walks (on a full count).

Travis Hanson flies out to left field.

Corey Smith walks (on a full count). Alex Gordon to 2nd.

Charlton Jimerson strikes out swinging (on a 1-2 count).

Gabe Johnson strikes out swinging (on 3 pitches).

Talk about efficient! Something tells me the Cubs loved that inning.

[Brian]

11/2

 

4.) M. Murton (LF): 1-5, 2B, RBI, 2K (.325)

5.) B. Sing (1B): 1-3, RBI, BB, K (.306)

8.) B. Coats (SS): 2-3, BB (.304)