toonsterwu

I'm pretty certain that Dolis is under the Ceda plan from a couple years back. If he moves to the pen as anticipated, I wouldn't be surprised if he sees a September call-up since he has a 40 spot.

He may have a slim shot at being a depth guy if he can show consistent pop. He's dabbled at 3rd, and played some corner OF, to go with being a first baseman.

Reading that does make me wonder if he might be better off hitting, in that, the article makes it sound like he's that much more relaxed when hitting. I really don't recall what the scouting report was on him as a hitter, as I only remember the pitching stuff. That said, it's nice to understand what Riggins though process is there, and I'm fine with it. At a certain point, though, I just wonder how much energy can be expended on Huseby. I want him to turn it around as a pitcher, but it sure is frustrating to follow.

The guy I'm fascinated with on the world roster is Chen, the Indians C. He was a former 3rd baseman in Taiwan, IIRC, and they shifted him to catcher. Solid behind the plate, he's just exploded offensively in the MWL. If he develops, that's a great luxury for them to have.

As of right now, I'd venture a guess that we are probably slightly below average, maybe in the 19-25 range for teams. That said, the difference between a solid system (say, a 10-15 system) and where we are isn't that much. Right now, we really level off after our top 8-10 prospects. That said, as long as the system is graduating solid guys, I'm pleased. If Cashner and Castro were eligible, we would've been a top 15, if not top 10, system, IMO.

So ... Top 5 prospects in Boise right now are ... ? I'm not real sure. Obviously, there's going to be change. I imagine it's some combination of Morelli, Serrano, Mincone, Perez, and Kirk. I guess Huseby, Na, and Wang could be in the mix. Did Mincone ever get his velo back to the low 90's? Scary to think that one of the better bats in Boise may be someone who posted a 35/1 K/BB at Peoria this year.

I feel like we'll have an answer on Vitters/Jackson soon enough (at least, relative to who should be ahead at this stage of their careers in a list). Hard to imagine the Cubs keeping Brett down there if he continues to stay hot.

I'm a fan of Morla's stuff, but until the Cubs give him a shot in the rotation, I find it hard to put him higher, but that's me. Everyone grades differently. I have a hard time putting A level arms that profile more as middle relievers (Suarez could perhaps be a setup, maybe Morla, not sure on Shafer) that high, but again, that's me. I am hoping Suarez gets a shot in the rotation.

as a total side note, it's quite nice to see that, with one more daytona win, all four of our full season squads will be at .500 or better. Development is the most important thing in the minors, but winning is always ... well, nice.

Any thoughts on who might get sent directly to Boise after signing? Raisin covered the basic gist. I expect most of those guys that sign to get some work in Arizona (doesn't actually have to be a game, could just be some work) before being sent to Boise. A tad surprised that Giansanti wasn't sent up. I could see him be up there if they want more developmental work for someone. I'll be a tad surprised if most of the college guys that have signed don't get up to Boise sooner or later, and Simpson should be there soon as well. I'm hoping Harrington gets sent there. He's one of the few intriguing bats that we drafted this year. There are mixed reports on his potential, but he was showing progress this year. Considering his future is likely at 3rd, and the fact that there isn't a 3rd baseman at Boise to block him, that'd be awfully nice.

I'm surprised Alcantara made the team over Ping-Chieh Chen. These are their stats at extended per Arizona Phil: Arismendy Alcantara: 197/266/299 (117 AB) - age 18 Ping-Chieh Chen: 323/384/343 (99 AB) - age 18 (19 next month) I'd guess that part of it is Alcantara's ability at shortstop, since Darvill is likely to move off (although I expect to see him get some time at short) and Matheus, from what I recall right now, projects more as a utility guy. Granted, I don't recall high praise on Alcantara's bat potential either.

I still think he's got a shot to be Eric Byrnes-ish. Good discipline, has been on a roll of late (last 10 - .317/.349/.756). Seems to run hot and cold on the power front, though.

Can I ask why on 8-10? Particularly Morla, who I wish would get some starting looks. Let's see, my top 16 from full season guys (leaving out lower level guys, draft picks, and some international signings like Jin-Yeong Kim) 1. Brett Jackson - I believe the power will come. 2. Jay Jackson - Readiness makes a difference here. Should be in the bigs in 2011. Somewhat hoping he gets to the bigs this year to see if Larry Rothschild can help amp up the slider a bit. 3. Josh Vitters - Still the most talented bat in the system, but at this stage in his development, he is what he is, a streaky player. 4. Chris Archer - I'm very curious about how his stuff plays in AA, but even with the stuff from last year, the fact that he's added control and limited the HR's now makes him an intriguing starting pitching prospect. 5. Hak-Ju Lee - The bat's a work in progress, but considering positional value and league, I'm pleased. 6. Kenneth McNutt - Big time arm, have him behind Lee as McNutt has to add to his arsenal, but if he does, he could really jump. 7. Chris Carpenter - His ceiling seems more of "4" starter that might be a decent "3" some years, and he still has some command issues to work out. 8. Ryan Flaherty - Still offers solid pop for a possible MI, but very curious if he can adjust to AA in the 2nd go around. 9. Chris Rusin - Sliding him up a bit. He's been on a real roll of late, and looks more and more like the polished lefty that we had hoped that we had drafted. Excellent control. 10. Thomas Diamond - Still rookie eligible. Looks like a possible end of the rotation arm or BP guy. 11. Casey Coleman - Won't be great, but readiness matters to me, and he looks like a possible end of the rotation arm soon. 12. Dae-Eun Rhee - I'm willing to give him some time. Still not sure he's a starter. Does generate the ground balls, and I'll wait and see if he can K some folks with more time away from surgery. 13. Welington Castillo - Has pop, decent discipline, and is decent-solid defensively. He won't hit for average, but looks like a decent backup backstop that's close to ready. 14. DJ LeMahieu - Was really down on him early in the year, but his bat has gotten a bit better. Very, very curious how his bat handles AA. 15. Rafael Dolis - Willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as well. Just don't think he's a starter. The reports on his stuff still seem solid, and as such, I wonder if he takes off if he moves to the pen. 16. Kyler Burke - Was going to have him lower, but he's had some bad luck in A+. That said, he still has to perform, and the bad luck can't explain away everything. Still one of the more talented bats in the system.

Are people still talking about that? I'll admit to being disappointed with the trade when it happened, but we potentially got 3 arms that will play in the majors (here's hoping, primarily with Archer, as I think Gaub will definitely see the bigs for a bit at least) and any trade you can get three arms like that is a good.

I have both in the top 6 of the system (Archer at 4, McNutt at 6, my last updated rankings are in the prospect rankings thread). I've got it as Brett, Jay, Vitters, Archer, Lee, McNutt, and then Carpenter for my top 7, with the likely 8th as Hayden Simpson. That's the top tier of our system right now, IMO. I think it's somewhat hard to compare Archer and McNutt right now. McNutt probably has the better pure arm, but Archer's arsenal is more developed. From what I understand, McNutt still has a ton of work to do with some sort of changeup. Overall, it hasn't really hurt him this year, as his splits look fine, but it's hard to judge because his stuff is probably just too dominant for Low A hitters. Add in that Archer is mowing through A+ guys, and that's why I've got him ahead. If you are asking me who I'd bet on right now, I'd bet on Archer. McNutt's development is also why I have Hak-ju Lee ahead, although I'd be fine if someone flipped it. Actually, I'm almost contemplating Archer ahead of Vitters, but that may be a tad reactionary. That said, I'm curious on how Archer does another level up. Can he continue his incredible streak? If he does, he really jumps up a notch. Scary thing about Archer is that, his overall season line is awesome ... and that's with his big struggles in April. He's been flat out dominant in June (13.22 K/9 and 1.65 BB/9) and the last 2 months, he's been limiting the homers, but overall, limiting the flyballs in general.

good to see us signing down some of these hs arms.

Chris Archer is mowing down Lakeland through 4. Casey Coleman had a solid game, CG, 7 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 8 K's, and a 7:4 GO/FO ratio.

Can't wait for some of the draftees to join. On paper, doesn't look like that enticing of a group.

average fastball that has some sink and decent-solid secondary options. More of a guy that might be a rubber arm type than a back of the rotation arm, imo. With the number of pitchers in our system, I don't really see him making it up in the rotation if he makes it up, but with the right team and right situation, could I see him get a chance as a 5th starter? Not impossible.

not a draft pick, but anthony giansanti signed and is headed to boise according to this article. http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x1980745530/Montvilles-Giansanti-signs-with-Cubs

Don't know if people caught the Clemson game. I only watched snippets of it, but I thought Harman looked a bit better than some of the draft reports had him, particularly with his breaking stuff.

I'm hoping Greathouse can fix his mechanics a bit and add a little velo. With that breaking ball, if he can sit low 90's, he's got a shot. Jokisch seems like a guy that could be fast. I guess, sort of this year's Chris Rusin in some respects. I gotta think that, for the Cubs to draft Wells, they'll plan on spending on him. Although you never know. I'm very curious about some of those arms in the teens/twenties and if we can get them in. I'm also mildly curious on Joe Zeller, who was a college senior. Athletic guy, transitioned to the mound, can get it in the mid-90's and might have a bit more. Not a big guy, though.

who? No one else in the regional was largely considered this high.

Still messing around with a mid-season prospect ranking, but this is how I roughly have my top 30 as of now 1. Brett Jackson 2. Jay Jackson 3. Josh Vitters 4. Chris Archer 5. Hak-ju Lee 6. Kenneth McNutt 7. Chris Carpenter 8. Hayden Simpson (if he signs) 9. Jin-Yeong Kim 10. Ryan Flaherty 11. Reggie Golden (if he signs) 12. Casey Coleman 13. Thomas Diamond 14. Chris Rusin 15. Dae-Eun Rhee 16. Welington Castillo 17. DJ LeMahieu 18. Rafael Dolis 19. Kyler Burke 20. Micah Gibbs (if he signs) 21. Logan Watkins 22. Robinson Chirinos 23. John Gaub 24. Brian Schlitter 25. David Cales 26. Brooks Raley 27. Aaron Shafer 28. Jeffry Antigua 29. Darwin Barney 30. Larry Suarez Close: Juan Yasser Serrano, Matt Cerda, Blake Parker, Austin Kirk, Ben Wells (if he signs) I fee like I should get Kirk in there somewhere, but I'm not sure where. Anyhow, the only part I feel relatively comfortable about is the top 8, and even there, I'm wondering if I should slider Hayden Simpson up a notch.

From what I know of Tom Kotchman, if he's there, that typically means the Angels have strong interest. Of course, it could've been strong interest for some other round. As a random side note, Dustin Fitzgerald reminds me a tad of Mitch Atkins.