Outshined_One

Meanwhile, I continue my quest to hunt down a relatively rare soundtrack. Rozsa's music from Hitchcock's Spellbound, for those of you wondering. And yes, there is a Madness Theme. It works well with this team.

I think that K qualifies as a middle finger.

He has thrown a knuckle curve before, as memory serves me.

Fixed Eh, this past week has been utter hell for me. I had to turn in my undergrad thesis today, but this book that I recalled from the library about two months ago finally came in last week and turned my original thesis upside down. Couple that with a final and two 5-6 page papers due this week and, well, yeah. I can't say I'll miss these tension headaches when they go away. :D So, apathy has been quite helpful for me.

In other news, the sun rose in the east this morning.

Look at it this way. At least we won't be spending our summers wasting time caring about this team.

Taylor's a pitcher I am really excited for. The Cubs have an excellent track record in drafting players from that region (Virginia), for one. For two, I liked what I read about him from BA's scouting report on him from before the draft (intimidating presence, aggressive mentality, and plenty of room for improvement down the line). I think he will make the Cubs quite happy in the coming years.

Box Scores Iowa won 6-0 in a game that featured the Deadbirds' manager, pitching coach, and a reliever tossed in the 8th. Box Score CF F. Pie 2/5, RBI, K, CS (2) SS R. Theriot 1/5, R, RBI, SB (5) 3B B. Coats 3/4, BB, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB (4) 1B C. McGehee 2/4, BB, 2B (4) 2B M. Fontenot 2/5, R, RBI, 2B (6), K C G. Soto 0/2, 2 BB, R SP R. O'Malley 5 perfect, 2/0 K/BB, 8-5 GO-FO RP M. Wuertz 1 scoreless, 1 H, 2/1 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO West Tenn won 4-3 in the bottom of the 10th Box Score CF C. Walker 1/4, BB, R, 2B (6), K 2B E. Patterson 0/4, K RF L. Montanez 3/5, R, RBI, K, CS (3) 1B M. Hoffpauir 2/3, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B (2), HR (8) 3B S. Moore 1/4, RBI, 2B (10) C J. Reyes 0/3, BB SP J. Mateo 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3/4 K/BB, 4-9 GO-FO Daytona lost 9-3 Box Score CF S. Fuld 3/5, RBI, K RF R. Harvey 1/5, 2 RBI, 2B (4), K C J. Fox 1/3, BB, 2 K SS J. Simokaitis 1/2, BB, R, HBP SP M. Holliman 4.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0/3 K/BB, 10-3 GO-FO RP M. Phelps 1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0/1 K/BB, 2-1 GO-FO Peoria won 12-1 Box Score CF D. Gregg 1/4, R, K 2B R. Chirinos 0/2 2B K. Reynolds 2/3, R, 6 RBI, HR (1), K LF J. Valdez 3/4, BB, 2 R 1B R. Norwood 2/5, R SS J. Mota 2/4, 2 R, RBI C J. Muyco 1/4, 2 K SP S. Taylor 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2/0 K/BB, 7-9 GO-FO OVERALL: 3-1

Todd Wellemeyer wants to have words with you.

I can't exactly say I'm thrilled with the current crop of positional prospects the Cubs have down on the farm. I don't think there's a single can't miss guy down there at the moment. The top positional prospects, through 5/2 (Dopirak omitted due to injury): Felix Pie (AAA) - 92 AB, 5 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 18/8 K/BB, 4 SB, 1 CS, .272/.337/.446 Eric Patterson (AA) - 100 AB, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 25/8 K/BB, 10 SB, 4 CS, .260/.312/.410 Ryan Harvey (High A) - 83 AB, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 24/6 K/BB, .181/.236/.373 I grant you, 80-100 ABs is not a great way to evaluate a player, but there is a common theme among these three guys that is cause for concern. I can't say I'm too thrilled with the inability to take a walk with these guys, ya know? With the pitchers, I can point to a number of exciting guys who have a terrific combination of makeup and stuff. We've seen alums of the Cubs farm system listed throughout this thread; we know they're really good at churning these guys out. We know there are more of them coming down the pipe, with names like Sean Gallagher and Mark Pawelek raising eyebrows around this board. Are there teams that are the exact opposite of the Cubs, who can turn out amazing position players, but stink at developing pitchers? The Diamondbacks seem to be on that road, but most of their big guns have not been tested for a significant period of time at the major league level yet.

Pie's struggling down in AAA as we speak. I don't think he'd do much good with the team until he manages to turn around his offensive game. Well, that and the fact that his bat is much more suited to the middle of the order than the leadoff spot, given his K/BB ratio and power.

Box Scores Iowa lost 3-2 Box Score CF F. Pie 0/3, BB, R, K 2B R. Theriot 1/4, 2B (3) RF B. Coats 1/4, R, RBI 3B C. McGehee 1/2, 2 BB, K LF B. Sing 0/4, 3 K PH M. Fontenot 0/1 SP JK Ryu 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 7/2 K/BB, 3-4 GO-FO West Tenn won 9-1 Box Score CF C. Walker 1/4, BB, RBI 2B E. Patterson 1/5, 3 RBI, 2B (4), K LF N. Jackson 1/5, R, 2 K RF L. Montanez 2/3, 2 R, K 1B M. Hoffpauir 3/4, 3/4, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B (8) C J. Reyes 0/2, BB, R, K PH S. Moore 0/1 SP C. Shaver 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8/1 K/BB, 7-2 GO-FO Daytona won Game 1 of the DH 3-2 in the 14th inning Box Score CF S. Fuld 1/5, 2 BB, R, 2 K RF R. Harveo 0/5, 2 BB, K C J. Fox 2/4, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR (7), PB (5) 1B M. Craig 1/3, BB, 2B (8), K SS J. Simokaitis 0/2, K 2B N. Spears 1/4 SP S. Gallagher 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER (1 inherited), 8/0 K/BB, 8-2 GO-FO RP M. Phelps 1 scoreless, 1 H, 1/0 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO Daytona lost Game 2 of the DH 5-3 Box Score CF S. Fuld 1/4, R, SB (7) RF R. Harvey 2/3, RBI, 2B (3) DH J. Fox 1/3, K 1B M. Craig 1/3, R, RBI, HR (2), K SP M. Weber 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1/1 K/BB, 12-3 GO-FO Peoria won 5-3 Box Score CF D. Gregg 2/5, R 2B K. Reynolds 2/4, RBI, K RF/LF J. Valdez 1/4, RBI, K 1B R. Norwood 2/4, R, 2B (10), K 3B B. Taylor 0/3, BB, K LF A. Garcia 0/3, R, RBI, K C M. Reed 0/3, K, SB (3) SS J. Mota 2/4, R SP T. Blackford 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5/4 K/BB, 6-5 GO-FO OVERALL: 3-2

Box Scores Iowa lost 4-3 Box Score LF R. Theriot 1/5 RF/CF B. Coats 2/4, R, RBI, 2B (4), K 3B C. McGehee 1/4, RBI, K C G. Soto 0/3, BB 1B B. Sing 2/4, 2B (3), K 2B M. Fontenot 1/3, BB, K CF A. Greenberg 0/3, K PH F. Pie 0/1, K SP J. Williams 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2/4 K/BB, 7-6 GO-FO RP D. Aardsma 1.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0/0 K/BB, 3-2 GO-FO West Tenn won 8-4 Box Score CF C. Walker 1/3, 2 BB, RBI 2B E. Patterson 1/5, K, SB (11) LF N. Jackson 3/5, R, 2B (4), K, SB (1) RF L. Montanez 0/4, BB, R, K, SB (4) 3B S. Moore 1/1, BB, 2 R, RBI, 2B (9), SB (4) 1B M. Hoffpauir 1/1, BB C J. Reyes 3/5, 3 R, RBI, 2B (3) SP C. Marmol 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4/3 K/BB, 4-3 GO-FO Daytona won 5-2 Box Score SS J. Simokaitis 0/3, 2 K, E (8, fielding) PH/1B M. Craig 0/0, BB, R RF R. Harvey 2/3, BB, R, 2B (2), K C J. Fox 0/2, BB, R, RBI, 2 PB (4) DH N. Spears 1/3, K SP J. Berg 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/1 K/BB, HR, 6-5 GO-FO Peoria with an off day. OVERALL: 2-1

Box Scores Iowa lost 9-1 Box Score RF F. Pie 0/4, K 2B R. Theriot 2/3, BB, R, SB (4), CS (1), PO 3B C. McGehee 0/4, K C G. Soto 2/3, BB, RBI 1B B. Sing 0/3, BB, K CF B. Coats 1/4 PH A. Greenberg 1/1 SP R. Valdes 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER (1 inherited), 0/1 K/BB, HR, 7-6 GO-FO RP B. Brownlie .2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0/1 K/BB, HR, 1-1 GO-FO West Tenn lost 4-3 Box Score CF C. Walker 3/5, 2 R, 2 K, 2 SB (10), Assist (Home) 2B E. Patterson 1/4, RBI, 2B (3), 2 K, E (4, fielding) 1B M. Hoffpauir 0/3, BB, R, 2 K LF N. Jackson 1/4, K RF L. Montanez 1/2, 2 BB, K, SB (3) 3B S. Moore 0/2, RBI, E (5, throw), 2 HBP PH J. Reyes 0/1 SP JR Mathes 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4/3 K/BB, 9-4 GO-FO Daytona with an off day. Peoria lost 1-0 Box Score CF D. Gregg 2/4, 2B (3), K, CS (4) SS J. Mota 1/3, K PH A. Garcia 0/1 LF J. Valdez 2/4 1B R. Norwood 0/3, K 3B B. Taylor 1/3 2B K. Reynolds 0/3, K C J. Muyco 0/3, K, E (4, throw) SP D. Veal 4.2 scoreless, 1 H, 9/6 K/BB, 1-4 GO-FO RP M. Billek 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1/0 K/BB, 1-4 GO-FO OVERALL: 0-3

Box Scores Iowa won 7-4 Box Score CF F. Pie 0/5, 2 K, 2 assists (1B, 3B) SS R. Theriot 1/5, R, RBI, 2B (2), 2 K RF B. Coats 2/5, 2 R, 2 K 3B C. McGehee 1/5, R, RBI 1B B. Sing 2/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B (2), HR (3), HBP 2B M. Fontenot 2/5, 2B (5), 2K C G. Soto 3/4, R, RBI, K SP L. Walrond 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/3 K/BB, HR, 8-10 GO-FO RP M. Wuertz 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1/2 K/BB, 2-0 GO-FO West Tenn lost 9-3 Box Score CF C. Walker 1/4, BB, 2 K 2B E. Patterson 1/5, K LF N. Jackson 1/4, 2B (3), 2 K, Assist (2B) RF L. Montanez 1/4, R 1B M. Hoffpauir 0/3, BB, R, 2 K 3B S. Moore 2/4, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B (8), 2 K C J. Reyes 0/4 SS C. Rojas 2/3, BB, 2B (3) SP R. Wells 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2/0 K/BB, 5-2 GO-FO RP C. Pignatiello 1.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1/0 K/BB, 4-0 GO-FO RP R. Cherry 1.1 perfect, 1/0 K/BB, 1-2 GO-FO Daytona won 10-4 Box Score CF S. Fuld 1/5, R, K RF R. Harvey 1/5, R, 3 RBI C J. Fox 3/4, R, 2 RBI, 2B (7), PB (2) 1B M. Craig 1/5, R, RBI, 2B (7), 3 K SS J. Simokaitis 0/2, K SP G. Johnson 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3/1 K/BB, HR, 6-6 GO-FO Peoria won Game 1 of the DH 3-1 Box Score CF D. Gregg 0/2, BB, R, K 2B/SS R. Chirinos 1/2, R, RBI, K, HBP LF/RF J. Valdez 1/2, K 1B R. Norwood 1/3, K 3B B. Taylor 2/3, RBI, 2B (5), K LF A. Garcia 0/2, K C M. Reed 0/3, R, K SS J. Mota 0/2, E (2, fielding) SP J. Yepez 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2/7 K/BB (2 pickoffs, no DPs), 6-2 GO-FO Peoria lost Game 2 of the DH 2-0 Box Score SS J. Mota 0/3, K 2B K. Reynolds 2/3, K 1B R. Norwood 0/3 3B B. Taylor 0/2 LF A. Garcia 0/2, K C J. Muyco 1/2 SP M. Atkins 6 scoreless, 5 H, 8/1 K/BB, 6-2 GO-FO OVERALL: 3-2

I don't think this is unexpected. Many people thought he wouldn't see Peoria this year, or at least until late in the season. Why is that? I cant see how not pitching against meaningful competition can help him in any way. I thought high drafted highschool picks always pretty much went straight to Boise or Peoria. What types of things is he doing in Arizona? When does Boise's season start? Thats the short season rookie ball team correct? Correct. Pawelek is likely working on a number of things down in Arizona. As it's been mentioned before, his delivery in college seemed like it could be problematic if it wasn't smoothed out in short order. For a guy that young, he absolutely has to learn clean mechanics and to be consistent with them. That takes time to learn. Secondly, it's a lot easier to do this stuff down in Mesa because of the warmer and drier weather. Finally, there's also the possibility that the Cubs are trying to strengthen his arm and build him up. If you take a look at Scott Taylor, who was also a well-regarded HS arm, he recently got bumped up to Peoria and made his first start on April 24th. Despite only giving up two hits, 1 unearned run, and no walks (along with 4 Ks), he only pitched 4.2 innings. Perhaps the hitters were doing a great job of working the count, but at such a low level, that seems unlikely, especially given the lack of walks. It could be helpful for Paweleky to face a high level of competition, but if the Cubs feel that Pawelek would be best served by staying down in Arizona, I'll be inclined to agree with them.

Box Scores Iowa's DH against Memphis PPD: Rain West Tenn won 5-4 Box Score CF C. Walker 2/4, K, SB (8), PO 1B M. Hoffpauir 0/2, 2 BB, 2 K RF L. Montanez 2/4, R, RBI, 2 2B (6), E (1, fielding) LF N. Jackson 3/4, R, RBI, 2B (2), PO 3B S. Moore 1/3, BB, R, RBI, 2B (6), K, SB (3), CS (2), PO PH/C T. Richie 0/3, RBI, K 2B E. Patterson 0/0, BB, R SP J. Mateo 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4/4 K/BB, 6-7 GO-FO RP T. Atlee 1 scoreless, 1 H, 0/0 K/BB, 3-0 GO-FO Daytona lost 2-1 Gox Score CF S. Fuld 0/4 C J. Fox 2/4 DH M. Craig 0/4, K 2B N. Spears 0/2, 2 K PH/SS J. Simokaitis 1/1 SP M. Holliman 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6/2 K/BB, 4-6 GO-FO RP M. Phelps 2 scoreless, 3 H, 1/0 K/BB, 4-1 GO-FO Peoria lost 3-2 Box Score CF D. Gregg 0/3, BB, K, CS (3) SS/2B R. Chirinos 2/4, R, RBI 1B S. Norwood 1/4, RBI, 2B (9), 3 K 3B B. Taylor 0/4, 2 K PR/SS J. Mota 1/2, K, SB (1) LF A. Garcia 0/3, K, Assist (3B) C M. Reed 0/2, 2 K C J. Muyco 0/1, E (3, fielding) SP S. Taylor 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3/1 K/BB, 9-2 GO-FO OVERALL: 1-2

I'm sorry, I find this to be a bit ridiculous. I like Walker as a receiver and think he could be a good WR. However, between his disgruntled status in Green Bay, his contract demands, and the fact that he's recovering from a serious knee injury which has derailed a number of once promising offensive players, I just don't see him being worth a first rounder...or possibly even a high second rounder. Pick value in the Top 5 is absolutely insane. Cripes, Cleveland once (stupidly) forked over a high second rounder just to get Kellen Winslow Jr. one pick earlier. Look at what the Chargers got two years ago from the Giants, who traded up from 4 to 1 essentially (the #4, a third rounder, the next year's first rounder, and the next year's fifth rounder). Considering that the Saints will have the pick of the litter with trade options (and you just know some one is going to get infatuated with Bush), I don't think the #5 and Javon Walker will do the trick. I'm unsure what Rodgers' trade value is given his limited playing time in the NFL and salary structure. Something tells me it might not be much.

Box Scores Iowa's DH against Memphis PPD: Rain West Tenn lost 3-1 Box Score CF C. Walker 2/4, K 2B E. Patterson 0/4, R, K LF M. Hoffpauir 1/4, RBI, 2B (6) 3B S. Moore 0/4, 2 K RF L. Montanez 0/4 SP C. Shaver 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/2 K/BB, 10-2 GO-FO Daytona won 5-3 Box Score CF S. Fuld 1/4, BB, R, RBI, 2 K C J. Fox 0/2, BB 1B M. Craig 1/3, BB, K PR/SS J. Simokaitis 0/0, R SP S. Gallagher 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER (1 inherited), 6/3 K/BB, 9-1 GO-FO Peoria's game against SW Michigan PPD: Rain OVERALL 1-1

It's official, the Houston Texans select... Mario Williams?! Giddyup! This is going to be fun.

really? the only time I ever saw that treatment was after beating Michigan State in Japan to clinch the Rose Bowl. have a great time. do a second story beer bong for me. In the four years I've been here, each Halloween weekend on Saturday has ended with tear gas, pepper spray, and CNN on-site.

Que?

first, don't bring up Mifflin Street Block Party when I've been in Illinois pining for a trip to Madison all spring second, I've had some good times at rainy Mifflin Street Block Parties. how are the cops these days? when I was in Madison, it went from great party all over the place to stay withing the sidewalks to don't come off the porches to a riot seen on CNN to don't even be on the porches. Oh yeah, the rain won't stop me from going and getting absolutely soaked. I have friends with houses on those two blocks, so, if worst comes to worst, I can just hang out indoors and drink all day. The cops are actually pretty chill at Mifflin. Most of the time, people get photo ops with them (including one of my friends, who convinced a cop to handcuff him and pretend to beat him with a nightstick). We sold two burgers to two cops a couple of years ago while BBQing. Usually they keep alcohol-holding or intoxicated people on their front lawns, but once the crowds get too big, they let those people out onto the street. They'll arrest people who do stupid things or act belligerent, but otherwise are pretty nice. Halloween, on the other hand, is another matter altogether. Let's just say that I may well have developed an immunity to pepper spray and tear gas thanks to their methods of crowd control.

I really hope those showers hold off for the weekend. The Mifflin Street block party is tomorrow and it would absolutely suck if it were pouring. :(

Enlighten me. The desipiots know more than I do about the incident since it gets brought up constantly. My recollection of details are sketchy, but... Apparently, Edgar Renteria was in the shower in the clubhouse when he slipped and fell, knocking himself out. Apparently Jim Edmonds came into the shower, saw Renteria lying there, then picked him up and carried him out of the shower, cradled in his arms. The strange part about it is...well, there've been whispers that Jimmy may have spent some quality time in there with Renteria while Renteria was unconscious. The rumor was that Renteria wanted to get the holy hell out of St. Louis after that incident and was the primary reason he did not return in the offseason. Some if it is speculation and some of it quite malicious, but, well, you asked for it. There's also the accusation that he molests collies, but that's likely a joke from Caddyshack more than anything else.