Outshined_One

It's never happened before, if I remember correctly. The closest MLB has ever come to successfully blocking a signing was back in 2003 with Drew Stubbs and the Astros. MLB can stamp its feet and whine. However, unless something happened in secret, MLB has never actually blocked a team from signing a player.

Box Scores Iowa won 5-2 Box Score CF B. Jackson 3/4, R, RBI, HR (5) RF L. Montanez 1/4, 2 RBI, 2B (16), K LF B. Snyder 2/4, 2 R, RBI, HR (10), K 1B B. LaHair 1/3, BB, 2B (28) C S. Clevenger 0/3, RBI SS M. Gonzalez 0/4 2B R. Flaherty 1/4, K 3B J. Mota 1/4, R, 2B (15) PH S. Moore 0/0, BB, R SP N. Struck 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HBP, 5-2 GO-FO RP C. Smith 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, WP, 2-1 GO-FO RP J. Gaub 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-1 GO-FO Tennessee won 4-3 Box Score CF JH Ha 2/4, R, RBI, K 1B R. Ridling 1/3, BB 3B J. Vitters 2/4, RBI, K C L. Flores 0/4, 2 K, E (2, missed catch) SS J. Lake 2/3, BB, 2 R, 2B (4), 2 SB (13), E (16, throw) 2B N. Samson 1/4, RBI, K, SB (5) SP B. Raley 5+ IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 4-2 GO-FO RP K. Rhoderick 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, HBP, 3-1 GO-FO RP J. Beliveau 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 3-0 GO-FO Daytona lost 8-4 Box Score CF M. Szczur 0/5, RBI 2B L. Watkins 0/4, K LF E. Crawford 0/3, BB, SB (28) DH J. Bour 0/4, 2 K 1B G. Rohan 0/3, BB 3B M. Cerda 1/3, R RF M. Burgess 3/4, 2 R, RBI, HR (16) C M. Brenly 1/3, BB, R, RBI, HR (1) SS E. Soto 1/3, BB, RBI, E (1, throw) SP A. Guzman 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-1 GO-FO RP J. Lorick 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR, 4-1 GO-FO RP JY Serrano 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3-1 GO-FO RP J. Latham 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0-1 GO-FO Boise won 9-5 Box Score 2B Z. DeVoss 1/5 SS B. Zapenas 2/5, 2 R, RBI, 3B (1), K, SB (9) DH R. Lopez 2/4, R, RBI 1B P. Hoilman 0/2, 2 BB, R, K CF R. Golden 3/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B (4) C Y. Cabezas 1/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, 2B (6) RF O. Zapata 0/4, R, SB (1) LF B. Springfield 2/4, R, RBI, K, CS (1) 3B W. Contreras 2/4, 2 RBI, K SP YL Wang 5.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 8-4 GO-FO RP J. Sandoval 1.2 perfect, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-2 GO-FO RP C. Thomas .1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K Both DSL Teams PPD OVERALL: 3-1

Corresponding moves: CF Oliver Zapata and RHP Jean Sandoval were promoted from Mesa to Boise. Zapata's one of those guys I like a lot, although I do have to wonder what his upside is considering he's listed at 5'9, 180 pounds. He showed some speed and power down in Mesa, plus his IsoD was an excellent .129, to go with a 15/24 K/BB ratio. He's done quite well for himself as an 18 year old.

He could still be negotiating with the Cubs, or, if a deal has been signed, he legally might not be allowed to discuss the terms of the agreement, much less that he has signed, until the deal has been announced.

BA Marra's a good signing. The Cubs have had a decent haul at catcher in this draft so far.

Box Scores Iowa won 9-4 Box Score CF B. Jackson 2/3, 2 BB, 2 R, Assist (3B) 2B S. Moore 2/5, R, 5 RBI, 2 2B (14) LF L. Montanez 1/3, BB, 2 R, HBP 1B B. LaHair 1/2, 3 BB, 1 R, K RF B. Snyder 3/5, 3 RBI, 2 2B (24), 2 K C S. Clevenger 1/3, BB, R, RBI 3B R. Flaherty 0/4, BB, K SS M. Gonzalez 2/4, BB, 2 R, 2B (8) SP C. Rusin 5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 8-1 GO-FO, E (1, pickoff) RP A. Cabrera 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, WP, 0-1 GO-FO RP J. Berg 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GO-FO RP B. Parker 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR, 0-1 GO-FO Tennessee won 5-4 Box Score CF JH Ha 2/3, R, 2 RBI, 2B (10), HBP PR N. Samson 0/0, R 3B J. Vitters 1/4, 2B (21) 1B M. Spencer 0/3, BB DH N. Perez 1/4, RBI SS J. Lake 2/4, R, SB (11), 2 E (15, fielding, throw) SP A. Bibens-Dirkx 5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 5-4 GO-FO RP O. Martinez 0 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 3 BB RP M. Hatley 2 perfect, 1 K, 3-1 GO-FO RP R. Dolis 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, HBP, 4-0 GO-FO Daytona won 4-3 Box Score CF M. Szczur 2/5, R, K, SB (5) 2B L. Watkins 1/3, 2 BB, R DH E. Crawford 1/3, BB, 2 K 1B J. Bour 1/3, BB, R, RBI, 2B (25), K RF M. Burgess 1/4, BB, R, 2 RBI, HR (15), 2 K 3B M. Cerda 0/2 LF A. Abreu 2/4, K, Assist (Home) C C. Noble 0/4, K SS E. Soto 1/4, K SP J. Antigua 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR, 3-7 GO-FO RP E. Figueroa 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 4-2 GO-FO RP F. Batista 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GO-FO Peoria won 5-2 Box Score CF T. Easterling 1/3, BB, 2 R, SB (3) 2B R. Silva 1/3, K 3B D. Geiger 0/1, R, 2 RBI, K, HBP 1B R. Jones 2/4, R, 2 RBI, HR (19), 2 K C M. Gibbs 1/4, 2 K LF J. Morelli 0/4, K DH B. Klafczynski 1/4, R, K SP M. Del Valle 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, 4-4 GO-FO RP L. Liria 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-4 GO-FO Boise won 3-2 Box Score 2B Z. DeVoss 0/4, K, CS (3) LF PC Chen 1/2, 2 BB, R, 2 SB (13) C R. Lopez 2/3, BB, R, RBI, CS (2), PB (2) 1B P. Hoilman 1/2, 2 BB, R, 2 RBI, HR (11), K RF R. Golden 1/4, 2B (7), K, E (5, fielding) CF O. Zapata 1/2, BB, K, CS (1) 3B W. Contreras 0/3 SS W. Darvill 0/3, K SP B. Wells 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, Balk, 10-3 GO-FO RP K. Burke 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 4-1 GO-FO AZL Cubs won 9-0 Box Score CF D. Martin 3/5, 2 R, RBI, 2 3B (2) 2B/SS M. Hernandez 2/4, 4 RBI, 2B (10), 3B (4), K SS G. Amaya 0/3, 2 K DH DY Kim 0/5, K C N. Rosario 1/4, BB, R, K LF E. Gonzalez 3/5, 2 R, RBI, 3B (2), K RF KM Na 3/5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B (4), 3B (1) SP J. Pugliese 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 4-2 GO-FO RP JY Kim 3.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4-4 GO-FO RP R. Diplan 1 perfect, 1-1 GO-FO DSL Cubs 1 PPD DSL Cubs 2 Suspended OVERALL: 6-0!

So, barring anything horrible happening, this will be winning streak #2 on the season.

It'd be pretty damn funny (and terrifying) if the Phillies signed him.

BA confirmed the signing. I found some videos and posted them on the first page.

Box Scores Iowa lost 2-1 Box Score CF B. Jackson 2/4, R, RBI, HR (3), K 2B DJ LeMahieu 0/3, E (1, missed catch) 2B J. Mota 0/1 1B B. LaHair 0/4 LF/RF L. Montanez 0/3, BB RF B. Snyder 0/3, K PH C. Robinson 0/1 C S. Clevenger 1/3, K 3B/LF R. Flaherty 0/3 SS M. Gonzalez 0/3, K 3B S. Moore 1/1 SP D. Bush 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HBP, 9-5 GO-FO RP C. Carpenter .2 perfect, 2 K RP R. Coello 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-1 GO-FO Tennessee won 10-5 Box Score CF JH Ha 3/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B (9) 1B R. Ridling 0/4, BB, R, RBI, K 3B J. Vitters 0/2, 2 BB, RBI C L. Flores 0/3, BB, RBI, K RF M. Spencer 1/3, R, RBI, HBP, Assist (2B) SS J. Lake 1/4, R, 2 K, E (13, fielding) 2B N. Samson 0/1, 2 BB, 2 R SP T. McNutt 6 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, HBP, 6-4 GO-FO RP J. Stevens .2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K RP B. Ebinger 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2-1 GO-FO RP K. Rhoderick 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, WP, 1-0 GO-FO Boise won 8-5 Box Score 2B Z. DeVoss 1/4, BB, R, 2 RBI, E (5, fielding) CF PC Chen 1/4 DH R. Lopez 1/4, R, RBI 1B P. Hoilman 1/3, R, 2B (9), HBP RF R. Golden 1/4, 3 RBI, 2B (6) C Y. Cabezas 1/4, R, 2B (5), K SS W. Darvill 1/3, BB, 2 R, K, E (9, fielding) LF B. Springfield 0/2, 2 BB, RBI, K SP W. Cruz 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP, 11-1 GO-FO RP D. Fitzgerald 2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 3-1 GO-FO RP C. Richardson 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HBP, 2-0 GO-FO AZL Cubs won 9-3 Box Score CF O. Zapata 2/5, R, 3B (2) 2B M. Hernandez 2/5, R, RBI, HR (1), 2 K, E (7, fielding) SS G. Amaya 0/4 DH DY Kim 2/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B (8) LF E. Gonzalez 3/4, 2 R, 2 RBI RF KM Na 2/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, SB (2) SP B. Smith 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HBP, 4-2 GO-FO RP A. Jimenez 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, WP, 5-3 GO-FO RP Y. Sanchez 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0-4 GO-FO DSL Cubs 1 lost Game 1 of their DH 6-5 Box Score DH J. Ortega 2/3, BB, R, 2B (3), CS (3), PO (1B) SS F. Sanchez 1/2, R, RBI, 2B (5), HBP, 2 E (25, fielding x 2) SP J. De la Cruz 4 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, HBP, 5-2 GO-FO RP V. Salazar 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 3-2 GO-FO Game 2 of DSL Cubs 1's DH Suspended DSL Cubs 2 won 5-4 in the 11th Box Score 3B J. Candelario 2/3, BB, 2 R, RBI, 2B (11), K 1B X. Batista 1/2, 2 BB, R, HBP, SB (6) DH D. Arcila 1/4, BB, RBI, 2B (10), 2 K, CS (3) RF J. Baez 1/4, RBI PH/SS C. Penalver 0/2, K RP A. Colinas 1.2 perfect, 2 K, 0-2 GO-FO OVERALL: 3-2

No.

Box Scores Iowa lost 8-7 Box Score CF B. Jackson 1/4, BB, R, RBI, 2 K, SB (3) 2B DJ LeMahieu 0/5, K 1B B. LaHair 3/5, R, RBI, 2B (27), K LF L. Montanez 4/5, 2B (15) RF B. Snyder 2/4, BB, R, RBI, 2B (22) 3B R. Flaherty 1/5, R, RBI C C. Robinson 2/5, 2 R, RBI, 2B (6), K SS J. Mota 2/4, R, 2 RBI, 2B (14), HR (5), K PH M. Gonzalez 0/1 SP C. Coleman 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 HR, 4-4 GO-FO RP J. Berg 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-0 GO-FO RP C. Smith .2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1-1 GO-FO RP S. Maine 1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 1-0 GO-FO Tennessee won 5-2 Box Score SS J. Lake 0/3, BB, 2 K CF JH Ha 1/4, K 3B J. Vitters 2/4, R, RBI C L. Flores 1/4, R, RBI, 2B (7), K RF M. Spencer 1/3, BB, 2 RBI, 2B (21), 2 K 2B N. Samson 0/4, R, 2 SB (4), CS (5) SP M. Carrillo 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, HBP, 9-4 GO-FO RP J. Beliveau 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0-2 GO-FO RP M. Hatley 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0-1 GO-FO Daytona won 4-3 in the 10th Box Score CF M. Szczur 2/5, 3B (2), K SS L. Watkins 0/4, BB, K LF E. Crawford 0/5, K 1B J. Bour 1/4, BB, R, 2 K DH G. Rohan 0/4, R, K RF A. Abreu 2/4, R, 2B (1), 2 K C M. Brenly 2/5, 2 RBI, K SP A. Guzman 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0-2 GO-FO RP DE Rhee 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 10-5 GO-FO RP K. Smit 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2-2 GO-FO Peoria won 8-6 Box Score CF T. Easterling 1/6, R, RBI, 2B (3), 2 K 2B R. Silva 0/5, CS (5), PO (1B) 3B D. Geiger 3/4, BB, 2 R, 2B (5), E (4, fielding) 1B R. Jones 3/5, R, 2 RBI, HR (18) SS E. Soto 1/3, BB, R, PO (1B) C M. Gibbs 2/3, BB, R, K, HBP, E (5, throw) DH B. May 1/4, BB, R, RBI, 3B (2), 2 K LF B. Klafczynski 2/4, BB, R, RBI SP S. Peralta 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR, WP, 4-7 GO-FO RP R. Lopez 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 2-2 GO-FO RP Y. Gonzalez 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR, 3-1 GO-FO AZL Cubs lost 4-3 Box Score RF O. Zapata 1/3, BB, R, CS (5) SS M. Hernandez 1/4, R, E (6, fielding) 3B G. Amaya 2/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, 3B (5), K, SB (7), CS (5) C N. Rosario 1/4, 2B (2) CF D. Martin 0/3, 2 K SP H. Simpson 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 3-0 GO-FO RP R. Garcia 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, WP, 5-0 GO-FO RP R. Hartman 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, WP, 1-0 GO-FO RP A. McKirahan 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 0-1 GO-FO DSL Cubs 1 lost 5-2 Box Score 2B A. Gonzalez 0/2, BB, E (19, missed catch) 2B J. Ortega 0/1, K SS F. Sanchez 2/3, BB, 2 RBI, 3B (2) DSL Cubs 2 won 2-1 in the 10th Box Score SS C. Penalver 1/5, RBI, K, CS (8), PO (3B) DH J. Candelario 0/4, K RF D. Arcila 0/3, BB 1B X. Batista 1/3, 2B (9) RP D. Torrez 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3-0 GO-FO OVERALL: 4-3

Yeesh, how many late inning leads has Peoria blown this season?

This team is on pace to be the worst Cubs team of my lifetime. They're older than the average MLB team. There were players on this team who clearly attracted attention from contenders. Yet...all that happened was Fukudome got traded and Wood vetoed a trade. That's it. Maybe someone gets shipped out on waivers, but if the Cubs were shooing away teams before the non-waiver deadline, why would they change their attitudes for the waiver deadline? This team keeps reaching new lows. I'm impressed.

Wasn't the idea that the Cubs needed to keep Hendry through the trade deadline so that he could do what he does best... make trades? Now that the deadline has come and gone with only one rather insubstantial move, is there any reason whatsoever to keep him any longer? Unless the guy Ricketts wants as his next GM is already under contract, there is no more benefit to allowing Hendry to finish the season. There's still the September 1st waiver wire deadline...but I get the feeling we won't even see Pena et al. moved by then, either.

I would be furious if your buddy was talking about Christian Villanueva and Justin Grimm. I would be too. But he didnt give him any specific names. He didn't, in fairness. Regardless, it's annoying to see the trade deadline go with the Cubs only trading away Fukudome and attempting to trade Wood, but getting vetoed.

I would be furious if your buddy was talking about Christian Villanueva and Justin Grimm.

Gotta be honest, I'd be okay, but not thrilled, if the Cubs had received that package from Atlanta in exchange for Byrd. The Braves made out really nicely on that trade.

Box Scores Iowa lost 5-1 Box Score CF B. Jackson 0/2, 2 BB, K, Assist (2B) 2B DJ LeMahieu 0/4, K LF B. Snyder 1/2, 2 BB RF L. Montanez 1/3, K, HBP 1B S. Moore 1/4, R, 2B (12), K C S. Clevenger 1/4 3B R. Flaherty 1/4, RBI, 2B (6), E (1, fielding) SS M. Gonzalez 1/4 SP J. Jackson 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 4-5 GO-FO RP R. Coello 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GO-FO RP J. Gaub 1 perfect, 1 K, 0-1 GO-FO RP B. Parker 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GO-FO Tennessee won 2-1 Box Score CF JH Ha 2/4, R, CS (4) 3B J. Vitters 0/3, K 1B R. Ridling 1/3, RBI, 2B (20), K LF M. Spencer 0/1, 2 BB SS J. Lake 0/3 SP R. Searle 7.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HBP, 9-3 GO-FO RP K. Rhoderick .2 perfect, 2 K RP R. Dolis 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-0 GO-FO Daytona won 3-0 Box Score CF M. Szczur 0/4, K SS L. Watkins 3/4, R, RBI, 2B (11), K LF E. Crawford 2/3, R, K, SB (27) 1B J. Bour 0/2, 2 BB 3B G. Rohan 2/4, RBI, K RF A. Abreu 0/2, 2 BB, RBI C C. Noble 0/4, 2 K SP C. Harman 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 4-8 GO-FO RP F. Batista 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 3-2 GO-FO Peoria lost 2-1 in the 11th Box Score CF/LF T. Easterling 1/5, CS (5), PO (1B) 2B A. Alcantara 0/4, BB, 2 K 3B D. Geiger 0/5, K, E (3, fielding) 1B R. Jones 1/5, R, 2 K, E (6, fielding) SS E. Soto 3/4, RBI, K C S. Burruel 0/5 DH B. May 0/3, BB, 2 K LF B. Klafczynski 0/3, K PH/CF R. Silva 1/1 SP A. Kirk 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, HBP, 6-3 GO-FO RP R. Pichardo 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 4-1 GO-FO Boise lost 9-4 Box Score 2B Z. DeVoss 2/5, RBI, 2B (2) LF PC Chen 0/5, 3 K C R. Lopez 0/3, RBI, E (5, throw) DH P. Hoilman 0/3, BB, 2 K CF R. Golden 0/4, R, K, E (4, throw) RF J. Morelli 2/4, 2B (1) SS W. Darvill 1/4, R, K 1B W. Contreras 0/4 3B K. Socorro 2/4, 2 R SP A. Reed 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR, Balk, 5-3 GO-FO RP JY Kim 2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1-2 GO-FO RP C. Richardson 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0-2 GO-FO AZL Cubs lost 7-2 Box Score CF D. Martin 2/5, CS (1) SS M. Hernandez 1/5, 3B (3), K 2B/3B G. Amaya 0/3, K, HBP LF DY Kim 0/4, R, K, 2 SB (10) DH N. Rosario 2/4, R, 2 RBI, HR (1) RF KM Na 0/3, BB, K SP H. Ackerman 4+ IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HBP, 6-3 GO-FO, E (2, pickoff) RP F. Pena 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-4 GO-FO RP S. McDonald 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-4 GO-FO OVERALL: 2-4

Late as hell. He was already on top of the bag Also wasn't within reach of the bag. And he went in with spikes high. I can't believe nobody hbp'd him later in the game. Quade probably thought it was good for Castro to get some intensity and see how a team plays the game the way it's supposed to be played.

This is pretty much the low point in the season, isn't it?

Cardinals World Series :banghead:

Any time Samardzija pitches is an adventure. Whenever he's on the mound, he's either perfect or walking everyone on the other team.

I think their perception can be broken into two parts. The first part is that the Cubs system has taken a step back this year due to injuries and slumps. The only real breakouts we had this year were Robert Whitenack and Matt Szczur. Even those prospects who've showed improvement have only marginally improved their stock. The Astros system hasn't had as much success, but their struggles have not been as noteworthy or newsworthy. That brings me to the second point: name recognition. The lower levels of the Cubs' system is made up of a lot of unknowns. As exciting and intriguing Peralta/Liria/Cruz/Wang/et al. are, I don't think most people who follow the minors know who they are, much less how much potential they have. Wells gets some attention for his signing bonus, but that's about it. Folty and DeShields were high profile draft picks. Altuve and Martinez have been in the minors for awhile. While Baez got some attention in the draft, Springer got a ton since he was on TV and people were discussing him as a potential Top 5 pick prior to this season. I don't agree with them, but I see where they're coming from on that. Since we're here, how would you rank Peralta, Cruz, Wang, and Liria?

Heh. Knobler. Fister's a really underrated pickup for the Tigers. His underlying numbers are solid.