chattbaseball

Once again the 7th gets Kyler. I'd like to know the pitch count. Still pretty good through 6. Any updates on Ben Wells' finger?

Now Cuneo, the first baseman, is pitching!

I know they have to push him a little, but it might just have been a few pitches too many! Overall a better outing though than the numbers will show.

Peoria's defense is a little shaky...well, some of it's defense.

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter. Hey, out of curiosity, if you know, and if you think it's fine to share (that is, if it's some private conversation, no need to let us know) a) Does Kyler realize how intrigued Cub-dom is with his potential? It isn't just here - seems like other sites are intrigued b) For lack of a better way to phrase it, how confident is Kyler that he can be a starter and move fast (relatively) as a starter, since everyone knows 6 years comes up. c) Does Kyler get a feel, in the early-going, of how higher up might feel about his long-term role/potential? a) One thing Kyler has never done (even in local high school ball) is read the paper and internet sites. He obviously can tell if he's pitching well or not, but I think his knowledge of outside interest is mostly limited to what people tell him. And that's probably a good thing. b) I really don't know if his long term projection is to be a starter or not. I know it's common for minor leaguers to start in order to get innings. I think because of his situation of being converted and being a little older for his current level, getting as many innings as possible is the ultimate goal. Knowing him, he'll have confidence that he can do whatever they ask of him. c) Kyler has always seemed to be a fan- and coach-favorite everywhere he has played. I think the coaching staff and coordinators really like him and want him to do well. Obviously that's the case on a professional level. But on a personal level they like him too. You'd be surprised at how many turds there are in the minors that rub people the wrong way. I'll be honest, I try to minimize my baseball talk with him. We talk briefly about his outings, and then we talk family, travels, etc, etc. ChiefsVoice could probably give you a better idea of the perception on the club, and around the other players, etc. Kyler is very humble and will never talk much about himself, so it's hard for me to get a good read. ChiefsVoice sees it everyday.

To be honest, I'm not too worried about those numbers for Wells early. I'm more curious about whether or not he is executing the plan they are asking him, if he is aggressively throwing first-pitch strikes, how deep he is working, how his stuff is showing, if he is more efficient than last year. Now, the switch with Burke, if permanent, may make it harder to get a good read on some things with Wells, if Burke continues to go 6. But while the runs are troubling (although only 13 earned, granted, that isn't a good thing either), it's good to see that his sinker is showing well (increased GO/AO ratio in the early going, GB rate is higher in the early going). It's good to see that his K rate is slightly up and his BB rate is significantly down. It sounds like the breaking ball is better than last year (granted, SSS on every comment above, but the same goes for SSS on the negative stuff). I'm not trying to undersell "performance" numbers, as they matter, but all in all, I'm actually quite pleased with Wells in the early going. One thing to keep in mind, of those 18 runs, 10 of them came in one game!!! Just from listening to the games he has pitched, he has pitched pretty well. He had a BRUTAL defensive effort behind him in that game if you'll remember. In one inning he gave up 7 runs, and the inning started with several errors! Also, out of those 18 runs for the season, 12 of them are earned.

That's the indication of where he's been. chatt may be able to provide more specific numbers. That's where he was during Spring. I really haven't discussed velocity with him to this point. ChiefsVoice might be able to shed a little bit of light on that. Surely some of the parks they've been at have had the pitch speed somewhere in the stadium.

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter. Wouldn't Sunday be Wells/Burke then? Either way that's good news. Yes, I misread what you said. I skimmed over it and thought you were going to their next outing. Anyways, they'll rotate as the starter each time.

That is correct, however it will be Wells/Burke next time. They will rotate as starter.

Rebel Ridling is one of the most underrated players in the Cubs system.

Of course the 10 LOB didn't help their cause...

Tough 9th for Shafer giving up 5. Chiefs lose 8-3.

Through 8 tied 3-3 in Peoria: Ben Wells 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K Kyler Burke 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Although the long term goal would be a reliever, I think he will see time as a starter/piggyback role in the minors - at least next year. Mainly so he can get more innings. Obviously that's not set in stone, but from the conversations I've had with him, that's what it sounds like.

Kyler Burke will be in Instructs working on the slider he's developing. Currently throwing fastball, curve, changeup and slider. The slider is the fourth pitch that he has just begun to work in this season. His fastball has been 91-93 recently, topping out at 94. Another good outing tonight: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K Season Totals: 42 IP, 34 H, 13 ER, 17 BB, 43 K, 2.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2.76 K/BB **If you take out his first outing as a pitcher in 5 years, the line becomes: 2-0, 1 S, 40.1 IP, 32 H, 11 ER, 14 BB, 46 K, 2.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.29 K/BB

Burke flying under the radar a little, which is good, with another solid outing in Boise: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K For the season: 11 G, 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 30.0 IP, 24 H, 10 ER, 9 BB, 28 K And if you take out the first outing, that lowers to 10 G, 28.1 IP, 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 3.11 K/BB. Listening to Mike Safford last night, in his first strikeout, his 12-6 curve was 70mph followed by a 94mph fastball. Apparently he's working on a slider in addition to the changeup he already throws.

Kyler definitely getting a good taste of what it's like as a pitcher in his debut on the mound. Enters the game in relief with 2 runners on, 1 out. Gives up a walk, SAC fly, broken bat ground out to short. His second inning: walk, RBI double, wild pitch runner to third, strikeout, walk, RBI bunt single, fly out to right, pop out to third. Mainly getting behind hitters. Radio announcer says looks like he's over throwing. He'll settle in.

Getting interesting. Saw this in on of those earlier links you listed: This guy has been in the pros since 2006. He may only be 23, but it's going to take a few years to turn him into a guy capable of throwing 100 pitches every fifth day. Doesn't he have to start going on 40-man rosters pretty soon? Isn't that likely something that will work against him in terms of the patience needed to have him stick as a starter. I don't think being a rotation starter is anywhere in the short term plans for him. He has been on a pretty strict pitch count since he started throwing in games. He was actually supposed to throw 3 innings today. I would look for him this year to make middle relief appearances for an inning or two every few games, and that's about it. At this point (from the outside looking in) he could go in any direction - middle/long relief, LOOGY, closer, or maybe work his way into a starter role. It all just goes back to how his pitches and stamina develop.

Burke to Boise tomorrow.

Kyler threw again today in EXST: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/06/01/cubs-and-rockies-just-split-difference-fitch Here's a photo of Burke pitching in summer ball back in high school: http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_70284.jpg

Kyler continues to work on arm strength and stamina in AZ. So far the progression has been good. He follows a regular bullpen schedule, has thrown in several sim-games, and has had two game appearances. Here are a couple of links from AZ Phil: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/05/05/kyler-burke-shows-rockies-he-can-pitch http://www.thecubreporter.com/2011/05/27/brett-jackson-back-saddle-fitch-ranch

As I said before, I've been extremely busy and haven't really posted, but just wanted to stop in and gives you guys a quick update. Kyler was scheduled to face his first live batter today in a round of live BP. He's been going through his daily routine and throwing bullpens every few days. Obviously what he tells me is all I have to go on, but he and the Cubs have been very positive about the transition to this point.

Well, I could probably write an article, but I'll sum up my answer in a few sentences. As for how he's taking the move, he is very positive. As stated in an article I read yesterday, at least half of the big league teams liked him as a pitcher out of high school. In high school he had a good frame at 6'3" 190 and sat around 91mph with his fastball from the left side. He hit 93 a couple of times that I saw on the guns. Fast forward a few years and he's put on about 30 pounds of solid muscle. The key for him will be to take it slow and build up the stamina in his arm. As long as they take it easy with him, I think the velocity will be there - maybe even higher. His mechanics were smooth and relatively polished. He threw a breaking ball and a changeup, but he relied mostly on his fastball in high school. There's no need to throw anything else in Southeast TN with a 92mph fastball. To summarize, he's looking forward to getting back to the pitching mentality. Of course I'm sure he'll miss hitting occasionally, but I think he realizes there's a great opportunity for a lefty with good velocity that can throw strikes. Plus, being in the National League, he'll get to hit again! ;) Does that help?

His brother posted as chattbaseball. I am here! Actually, I never went anywhere, just haven't really had much time to read every post and reply accordingly. Got married, have a kid, another on the way, and own a sporting goods and apparel business (shameless plug if any of you need custom apparel or team uniforms!).

Everything has come together. The pitching has been dominant, and the offense has literally been red hot. The South division's top team comes to town tonight for a four game series. Should be good!