Wrigley Rat

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Jeff Stevens from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs recalled LHP James Russell from Iowa Cubs. Mesa: - Cody Hams assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Eric Rice assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - C Chad Noble assigned to AZL Cubs.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/28/azl-cubs-rally-four-8th-defeat-hohokam?page=1

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/28/azl-cubs-rally-four-8th-defeat-hohokam

Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed OF Jason Dubois on the 7-Day disabled list. Tennessee: - Christopher Archer assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. - Aaron Shafer assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. Daytona: - Alberto Cabrera assigned to Daytona Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - Alex Maestri assigned to Daytona Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - Jonathon Mota assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. Peoria: - C Luis Flores assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Daytona Cubs. Mesa: - IF/C Bobby Wagner has been released.

Peoria: - RHP Manolin De Leon assigned to Peoria Chiefs from AZL Cubs. Boise: - Aaron Kurcz assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Eric Jokisch assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Pierre LePage assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. Mesa: - Jesse Ginley assigned to AZL Cubs from Boise Hawks. - Elliot Soto assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs called up RHP Brian Schlitter from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Chicago Cubs optioned Jeff Stevens to Iowa Cubs. Mesa: - Manolin De Leon assigned to AZL Cubs from Cubs Extended Spring Training.

Boise: - Jesse Ginley assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. Mesa: - Eduardo Figueroa assigned to AZL Cubs from Boise Hawks. - Robert Wagner assigned to AZL Cubs from Boise Hawks. - Jose Rosario assigned to AZL Cubs from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Manuel Pestana assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Melvin Camarena assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs2. - Albert Hernandez assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Melvin Rosa assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Dong-Yub Kim assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Dustin Harrington assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - 3B Jake McAloose assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Carlos Romero assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Anthony Giansanti assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Pin-Chieh Chen assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Ryan Cuneo assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Casey Lambert assigned to AZL Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - Jadel Mendez assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs2. - RHP Jose Rosario assigned to AZL Cubs from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Austin Reed assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Eric Jokisch assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Brent Ebinger assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Cameron Greathouse assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Alvido Jimenez assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Aaron Kurcz assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Eduardo Figueroa assigned to AZL Cubs from Boise Hawks. - Hunter Ackerman assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Matthew Loosen assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Dustin Fitzgerald assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Doug Cherry assigned to AZL Cubs from Chicago Cubs.

from same source as above.

At this point I dont see how anyone could have Vitters at #1 ahead of Brett Jackson. Because he's younger, a level ahead, has more power potential and strikes out far less? Thank you. Fyi, Wrigley Rat, Thomas Diamond is still eligible for prospect lists and Starlin Castro officially used up his prospect eligibility today (based on MLB rookie guidelines). I'd love to hear your reasoning on 3 A-ball relievers at 8-10 and another 2 at 13 and 15. I think I put them there for a few reasons. First, I limited my list to just the full-season clubs, which gave me fewer strong choices. Second, guys like Morla, Shafer and Rusin have started and will probably start again soon. The Cubs start their strongest prospect regardless of where they project early on in their careers to get them innings (I know you know that). After these guys get their acts together in the bullpen, I really think they will become starters again. Their peripherals are very strong. Their ages for their levels are not too far off. I'm sure there's more, but I'm on my way out the door. I love the discussion though and look forward to others' top 15ish lists soon!

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. I feel as though Morla is a Jose Ceda type steal - I believe in our scouts who check out other team's minor league systems. Larry Suarez had some hype when he was signed, is still only 20, and is producing. I expect it to continue as long as they don't rush him. Aaron Shafer was someone I liked after the draft, but didn't perform well immediately. He's absolutely dominating in the bullpen. I want to see if it translates up a level or if he gets another crack at starting.

Always fun. Here's my Top 15 as of today (Castro & Cashner graduated): 1 - Josh Vitters 2 - Brett Jackson 3 - Hak-Ju Lee 4 - Chris Archer 5 - Kenneth McNutt 6 - Jay Jackson 7 - Ryan Flaherty 8 - Larry Suarez 9 - Ronny Morla 10 - Aaron Shafer 11 - D.J. LeMahieu 12 - Matt Cerda 13 - Jordan Latham 14 - Chris Rusin 15 - Jeff Beliveau Quite a few players have slid on my list (Kyler Burke, Welington Castillo, Brooks Raley, Logan Watkins, Dae-Eun Rhee, Chris Carpenter). Others seemingly just missed (Marco Carrillo, James Leverton, Ty Wright, Matt Spencer, Austin Bibens-Dirkx). Not sure about Thomas Diamond - if he would qualify I like him around 7-10 despite his age. I didn't include anyone playing at Boise or Mesa.

Chicago: - LHP John Grabow activated from the 15-day DL. Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed C Mark Johnson on the 7-Day disabled list. - Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Mitch Atkins to Iowa Cubs. Daytona: - James Leverton assigned to Daytona Cubs from Iowa Cubs. (It could have been a mistake, or maybe just a one-day deal.)

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/14/here-come-hawks-mighty-boise-hawks#comments

Iowa: - James Leverton assigned to Iowa Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. Boise: - Corey Martin assigned to Boise Hawks from Peoria Chiefs. - Rogelino Carmona assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Marcus Hatley assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Alvaro Ramirez assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Jesus Morelli assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - George Matheus assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Andres Quezada assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Arismendy Alcantara assigned to Boise Hawks from DSL Cubs1. - Marcos Perez assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Wes Darvill assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Richard Jones assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - John Mincone assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Carlos E Rojas assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Juan Yasser Serrano assigned to Boise Hawks from Chicago Cubs. - Joseph Zeller assigned to Boise Hawks from Chicago Cubs. - Alvaro Sosa assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Jeff Vigurs assigned to Boise Hawks from Chicago Cubs. - Christopher Huseby assigned to Boise Hawks from Cubs Extended Spring Training. - Brandon May assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Boise Hawks signed free agent RHP Yao-Lin Wang. - Boise Hawks signed free agent OF Kyung-Min Na.

22nd rounder Jeff Vigurs must have signed since he played in Mesa today. http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/06/14/here-come-hawks-mighty-boise-hawks

Iowa: - Iowa Cubs activated C Mark Johnson from the 7-Day disabled list.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled Chad Tracy from Iowa Cubs. - Placed 3b Aramis Ramirez on the 15-Day DL.

Iowa: - LHP John Grabow assigned to Iowa Cubs from Chicago Cubs.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=111&sid=l111

I'm not defending the selection - I'm right there with you, but when Colvin was drafted they said there were whispers that he would be taken by another club before they selected again and they wanted to make sure they got him. Maybe the same case here? I'm gonna hope.

Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed C Mark Johnson on the 7-Day disabled list. - Marquez Smith assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies activated LHP Ryan Buchter from the 7-Day disabled list.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies activated C Robinson Chirinos from the 7-Day disabled list. - Scott Maine assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs. Daytona: - Mark Reed assigned to Daytona Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs called up RHP Andrew Cashner from Iowa Cubs. - John Grabow placed on the 15-Day DL. Iowa: - Iowa Cubs activated C Welington Castillo from the 7-Day disabled list. - Iowa Cubs placed RHP Jeff Gray on the 7-Day disabled list. - LHP Scott Maine assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. Tennessee: - Luke Sommer assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. Mesa: - Bieneme Vismeldy assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Xavier Batista assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1.