davell

The biggest knock on Zagunis is he wasn't going to hit for power. He had a flat swing and eventually the OBP would take a hit, as upper level guys know how to pitch and he's not a scary AB. Well....He's in AAA, he's walking more than ever and he's got 8 HR in 190 PA. He also has 9 doubles. Last year, he put up a .274/.360/.486 line in AAA, with a 10.4% walk rate and a 19.9% K rate. In 211 PA, he had 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 6 HR. That's turned into 9 doubles and 8 HR in 21 less PA. So, he's short 3 doubles and 4 triples, and he's up 2 homers. He's also K'd 3 times more in 21 less PA's. But he's also walked 12 MORE times in that same period. If you cherry pick and take away his first 9 games away(3-31, 1 2B, 6 BB, and 12K), his numbers look way better than they already are. Its obvious he's sacrificing a bit of contact for added pop, but his eye is so discerning, he's still getting on base a ton. If anything, it appears as if he's going to walk MORE, while selling out for a bit more power. He's solid enough defensively on a corner. The knock was the bat wouldn't play there on a first division team. He was supposed to be a low end 4th OF or a solid 4th guy. That said, I think its fairly realistic to look at him as a guy who can go .250/.360/.440 in the majors. Is that truly a second division starter? I think he's to the stage where that 10ish homers in the bigs, has turned into 15-18. I'm starting to get why the FO made the Youk comment. I'm sure there's plenty of teams out there that'd give him a shot as a regular in LF.(horsefeathers, I'm not even 100% convinced we shouldn't). At any rate, Zagunis is trade bait. And likely more valuable than we were thinking.

Zagunis hit a HR today. And Caratini pinch hit, which is great, considering the initial report sounded really bad.

Longenhagen actually has notes on Rucker today, in his prospect notes for 5/30..... Says he's got a mid 90's FB, with terrific command of it, especially glove side. Has 2 slurvy BB's and a change that are fringe to average. Has a deceptive, slingy delivery. His PC's are moving upward and his appearances are further apart since moving to MB, possibly means Cubs are thinking about trying him as a starter. He's 23, after being drafted as a RS Junior last year, so he's a bit old for the level. At any rate, pretty positive stuff.

Thanks again for the great stuff, UK. I know you said Carlson is signable.....I saw someone else(Longenhagen or Law probably) mention he's got a high bonus demand. Makes me wonder if he's a guy we may get at 30, by possibly getting an underslot type, maybe Gonzalez, at 27 and using the savings for him......If he's a 3 mill bonus type. Any idea of what he's actually looking for?

In college, Rucker threw pretty hard. He'd hit 96-97, going once a week. I think Robinson was low 90's. I do remember some saying he was one of the top senior signs in the entire draft.

Amaya, Ademan, and Albertos are easily my favorite 3 prospects from the 2015 IFA class. At this exact point, its probably in that order too. Amaya is exciting both offensively AND defensively. He's got a shot at actually becoming an elite prospect, in my eyes. There's not many good catching prospects out there. I'm surprised the bat has come on this quickly, he's going to be exciting to follow. Ademan isn't AS exciting, but I think he's going to be very steady and while not an elite level talent, I think there's a solid chance he becomes a top 100 prospect over the next few years. He's going to do everything fairly well to good. Albertos has not been dominant by the numbers this spring, but the reports are still very solid. It won't shock me, if he's just working on something, and dominates once the season starts. On the other hand, he's obviously super volatile. If the control issues persist, he's going to struggle in Eugene. The rest of that class is interesting, some more than others..... Paredes is doggy paddling his way thru South Bend at this point, but there's reasons for optimism. I think his upside is a Candelario type of prospect, but I think of that as a compliment myself. I'm a bit worried he's going to top out early, but hopefully the bat winds up good enough for 3B. Jonathan Sierra is interesting for sure. But he's still so raw, it kind of has a red shirt type of feel. I'm going to wait until next year to see if he's added some weight. At least in the DSL, he showed loads of plate discipline. The reports on Javier Assad have been very impressive. Added some velo, gained some feel, added some muscle....He was solid last year in Arizona, I think its possible he vaults into our top 20 area once the season gets going in Eugene. Marquez has been lit up in EXST. But, he's got time and we can be patient with him. Gutierrez has some tools, he's still a bit raw too, but there's enough there to pay attention to. I think Carrera is a guy that's advanced and may pitch very well in the low levels. I expect Perlaza will hit well in Arizona. No idea if he can stick at 2B. There's others from that class that got solid bonuses too. They've yet to show much, but odds are one or two of them put themselves on the map somewhat.

I don't blame Harper at all.

Watch this. Much better than watching Cubs get ass beat. Watch Bryce helmet throw in a way I didn't know was possible.

Justin Steele goes 5 3 2 2 0 7 and was 90-94 with his FB, sitting 93 early on. 6/2 GO/FO too.

What's going on with Juan Carlos Paniagua? His last 3 outings, since they've stretched him out a bit, have been very solid..... 11.2 8 1 1 6 14 I've not heard any reports on him for quite a while. But, if his stuff is still good, I'd say he's working his way into being a 40 man add.

Alzolay gets a BA article, plus Hatch gets talked about as well.

Provided this keeps up a bit longer, he's probably around the Cubs' top-10 now right? Yeah, he'd have to be. We've got some interchangeable parts outside our top few, but he's got to be in that area. If he keeps an OPS north of .800 all year, he's probably going well into most top 10's.

Hatch with 10 K's in 4 innings, on just 66 pitches.

Hatch is throwing strikes today. 5 K's in 2 innings, on 36 pitches. 2 hits and a walk led to a run in the first.

Good Smeagol

When are the Cubs out of the penalty box? After this upcoming period, so 2018-2019.

Zagunis is 2-2, with a 2B so far tonight. OPS is up to .885.....

Clifton started off excellent, struggled in the 5th, and finished 5 3 2 2 4 4. Assuming he's done at 93 pitches.

Burks is back for Tennessee.

Hudson cruised thru 4, but fell apart in the 5th. Finished 4.1 7 4 4 1 1(error and WP by Silverio in 5th, ER's may change) 9-1 GO/FO for him.

Digging a bit, 2080 has him with a solid/average curve and change. Good athlete, has added some lean muscle this year. Finished his outing at 6 4 2 2 0 4, 8-2 GO/FO, with 60/85 pitches as strikes. Gave up a homer in his last inning, up 8-0 at the time.