Outshined_One

According to BA: #33 overall in 2005 with the Mariners #25 overall in 2004 with the White Sox

From today's BA Daily Dish:

The problem with the baseball playoffs is that they already go on for much longer than most casual fans can tolerate. The NFL can at least get away with it since it's a single elimination format system. Take a look at basketball and hockey. Most people don't become interested in those playoffs because they go on for too long. Also, the regular season would be pretty much useless given the number of playoff teams. I like this new format. Smaller divisions would mean much stronger and more spirited competition between the teams in those divisions. Most of the big rivalries would be kept intact and the new ones would be interesting, to say the least.

Box Scores Iowa won 9-0 Box Score CF C. Patterson 3/3, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (5) RF D. Kelton 1/2 3B S. McClain 2/5, 2 R, RBI, HR (26) LF B. Grieve 0/3, 2 BB, R, K 2B M. Fontenot 1/3, RBI, 2B (19), K, HBP 1B M. Hoffpauir 0/4 C G. Soto 0/2, 2 BB, R SP S. Mitre 5 scoreless, 2 H, 2/2 RP C. Pignatiello 2 perfect, 0/0 RP R. Valdes 1 scoreless, 1 H, 0/0 West Tenn won 6-2 with 5 runs in the 11th Box Score LF D. Bacon 1/5, BB, SB (34), CS (11) 2B R. Theriot 2/5, BB, K 3B C. McGehee 2/6, R 1B B. Sing 0/5, 2 K, E (9, throw) CF B. Coats 2/5, 2 R, 2B (26), Assist (2B) RF L. Montanez 1/4, BB, R, Assist (3B) SS A. Sisk 2/5, R, 3 RBI, SB (1) C J. Reyes 1/4, BB, R, RBI SP C. Marmol 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6/3 RP D. Aardsma 2 scoreless, 2 H, 1/1 Daytona won Game 1 of the DH 7-3 Box Score CF C. Shaver 2/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B (11), K 3B S. Moore 1/2, BB, R, K, E (24, throw) 1B B. Dopirak 0/2, BB, RBI RF J³ 2/3, R, RBI, 2B (26), E (7, fielding) C T. Richie 1/2, R, RBI, K SP C. Shaver 5 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 4/0 Daytona won Game 2 of the DH 4-2 Box Score CF C. Walker 2/3, BB, R, 2 SB (47) 3B S. Moore 1/4, SB (19), 2 K 1B B. Dopirak 1/4, R, 3 RBI, HR (13), E (14, fielding) RF J³ 1/2, BB, R, K C J. Fox 0/1, 2 BB SP Y. Ferreras 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6/3 Peoria won 10-5 Box Score CF S. Fuld 2/5, R 2B E. Patterson 2/5, 2 R, RBI, 3B (9), SB (33), K RF R. Harvey 2/4, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR (21), K DH B. Flowers 2/4, R, RBI, 2B (10), K SS J. Simokaitis 1/4, R, 3B (1) 1B D. Larsen 1/4, R, RBI, 2B (23), K SP J. Estrada 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3/2 Boise won 9-7 Box Score CF D. Gregg 0/3, BB, R, SB (30), K DH M. Reed 2/5, 2 R, 2B (8), K 1B C. Gaskin 2/5, 2 RBI, 2B (12), K RF J. Defendis 1/5, R, 2 RBI 2B K. Reynolds 1/5, R, 2 RBI, HR (4), K LF J. Valdez 3/4, 2 R, 2B (7), K C J. Muyco 1/3, K SS J. Mota 2/4, R, 2 RBI, SB (3) SP M. Avery 4.2 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 2/2, 3 HR Mesa lost 6-3 Box Score 2B E. Serrano 0/5, BB, K CF R. Brown 4/6, RBI, SB (4), CS (5) DH D. Lewis 2/6, R, 2 2B (10), K PR/1B R. Canzler 1/2, SB (1) RF S. Harris 1/5, 2 K C Y. Carter 0/2, K LF R. Episcopo 0/3, 2 BB, CS (2), 2 K SS S. Baez 1/5, R, K 3B V. Heredia 1/5, R, RBI, 2B (1), K SP M. Pawelek 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5/2 OVERALL: 6-1

Um...as much as I'd hate to see Lee leave, if the Yanks throw that much money at him, they can have him. There are incredibly few players of that caliber in the game today worth that kind of money; Lee ain't one of them.

He's been in the OF this season a fair amount. He's actually showcased fair range and a good arm, to my understanding, so the OF is definitely within the realm of possibility.

Frank Robinson isn't exactly running a tight ship in Washington.

Donald Veal got bumped up to Boise and made the start today, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3/1, and a HR. Not a bad debut by any stretch, imo.

You can say that again. 07/20 - 08/06 AB R H 2b 3b HR TB RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS CUBS 587 59 147 32 3 15 230 56 47 88 0.250 0.307 0.392 0.699 How many games is that, Fred?

This offense has done nothing meaningful since Game 2 of the most recent Reds' series nearly a month ago.

The Godfather is on Spike TV. If you've never seen this masterpiece, then get to it.

Scratch his name off the list, then.

Unless they play the White Sox.

West Tenn got under way a bit late. They're up 2-0 in the bottom of the 5th with Sing belting his 24th HR.

I tend to agree. At this point it's pretty much "Anyone but Dusty" How about the return of Don Baylor? :lol:

The start of the West Tenn game is being delayed due to rain.

All boxes updated!

The last few paragraphs of that article make absolutely no sense.

Box Scores Iowa won 6-2 Box Score CF C. Patterson 1/3, R, 2 K, HBP, PO 3B S. McClain 2/4, R, 3 RBI, HR (25), K LF B. Grieve 0/4, K 1B/RF D. Kelton 1/4 SS/2B M. Fontenot 2/4, R, K 2B R. Lewis 1/3, R, RBI, 3B (3) SP B. Brownlie 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6/1 RP R. Rohlicek 1.2 hitless and scoreless, 2/2 RP C. Bartosh 1 scoreless, 1 H, 1/1 West Tenn won 3-0 Box Score CF D. Bacon 1/5, R, 2B (8), 2 K 2B R. Theriot 1/5, K 1B C. McGehee 2/3, BB, RBI, R, 2B (26) RF B. Sing 1/3, BB, R, RBI, HR (24) SS B. Coats 1/4, RBI LF L. Montanez 0/4 3B A. Sisk 1/2, 2 BB, K C J. Reyes 0/3, BB, 2 K SP R. Nolasco 7 scoreless, 8 H, 6/0 RP T. Atlee 1 perfect, 1/0 RP A. Shipman 1 scoreless, 2 H, 1/0 Daytona PPD: Rain Peoria lost 2-0 Box Score SS J. Simokaitis 0/3, BB CF S. Fuld 0/3, BB, SB (15), K DH R. Harvey 0/4, 3 K LF/RF B. Flowers 0/3, 2 K, Assist (3B) 1B/LF D. Larsen 1/3, 2B (22) 2B L. Rivera 0/3, K SP G. Johnson 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4/2, HR Boise won 7-3 Box Score CF D. Gregg 2/4, 2 R, SB (29), K RF J. Defendis 2/5, R 1B C. Gaskin 2/4, BB, R, RBI, 2B (11), K 2B K. Reynolds 0/5 LF J. Valdez 1/5, R, 3 RBI, HR (3), K 3B E. Puello 1/5, RBI, 2 K, 2 E (10, fielding x2) C J. Muyco 0/4, BB, R, K SS J. Mota 2/4, K SP D. Veal 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3/1, HR, E (1, throw) Mesa won 11-2 Box Score CF R. Brown 2/5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B (6), E (4, fielding) SS S. Baez 1/5, R, 2B (3), K LF D. Lewis 1/5, 2 R, RBI, SB (3), K RF S. Harris 3/4, R, RBI, 2B (2) DH Y. Carter 2/4, R, 4 RBI, HR (1), SB (1), K 1B R. Canzler 0/4, 2 K SP S. Taylor 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3/0 RP A. Francisco 3 scoreless, 2 H, 5/1 OVERALL: 4-1

Just a quick poll question, between the two Zambranos, which one is the evil twin: Victor or Carlos?

Yeah, I have to say that I've pretty much given up on the season. However, whenever my favorite crazy Venezuelan is involved, there's always the possibility that something memorable is going to happen. Of course, with Joe Morgan involved, the mute button looks awfully tempting. Here are the matchups.. Carlos Zambrano http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/407296.jpg 8-4 3.24 ERA Profile: Likes screaming, swearing, attempting to injury his body in any way, shape or form, long walks on the beach, heavy sinker balls, sliders, and KEELING ZEE COMPETEESHUN! He dislikes Jim Edmonds, Alex Cora, blind umpires, and basically anyone who gets him mad. vs. Victor Zambrano http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/406913.jpg 5-9 4.19 ERA Profile: Has some filthy stuff, but has always had control problems galore. He is prone to walk and hit a lot of batters coupled with wild pitch issues. He'll forever be remembered for being traded in exchange for uber-prospect LHP Scott Kazmir. Patience is a virtue when it comes to this guy. Any number of things could happen tomorrow, but here's hoping for a Cubs' victory!

Everything's posted!

I would not be surprised if teams were enamored of Hill at the trade deadline. However, from many of the reports I've heard about the Reds, they were trying to hold teams for ransom with Kearns, Dunn, and Pena. It's not like the Cubs were asked for Hill straight up in exchange for Dunn; it was more likely a package of Hill, Pie, and Marshall for Dunn. If Hill was the base line asking price, there are a bunch of franchises out there with a comparable or better pitching prospect who could have topped that offer. Clearly, no team did. Either we way overvalue those players or the asking price was too much for any team to bare. Considering how tight the WC race and how an addition like Dunn or Kearns would turn the tide, I'm guessing the price was just too much. It's one thing to foolishly clutch prospects overvalued by the market until they no longer have value any more. It's another thing entirely to gut your farm system.

I understand completely what the two of you are saying. Unfortunately, at the moment, I disagree with the two of you. My comments were not directed at anyone in specific, but was more of a general observation regarding this board, especially as of late. Hill to me is an important commodity to close out the season. Of the most advanced minor league pitchers who could be called up now, Hill arguably had the highest ceiling of any of them and the best prospect of all of them. Guys like Nolasco, Pinto, Brownlie, Pignatiello, and so on are all guys who have talent and the upside to make something of themselves some day. But, Hill was the most advanced, had the best stuff, and has established himself as a starter. People often call Hill a one year wonder based on his numbers in the minors. I don't find this statement to be true. If you go back and read scouting reports on him, he has always been an advanced and mature prospect. What has mattered the most to him since the day he set foot in the Cubs' organization was whether or not he could throw his curveball for strikes. As many are well aware, his curveball at one point was the most unpredictable pitch in his arsenal. Sickening movement to the point of it causing batters and coaches to jump out of the way in some cases, and in others causing the backstop to quiver for fear of its existence. If he could ever throw his curveball for strikes, he'd move quickly. He was a strikeout/flyball pitcher from day one; no one ever denied that. Last season, he started to do that. Problem is, exhaustion first set in and relegated him to irregular bullpen duty. When he was starting to get his stuff back, hurricane season set in and ended the Florida State League's season. This season was merely a continuation of it. And when it comes to the Cubs' system, you have to look at a lot of important factors regarding the development of prospects. Top prospects don't always pan out. Heck, look at these BA Top 5 prospects in 1990, 1991, and 1992: 1990: 1. Steve Avery, lhp, Braves 2. Ben McDonald, rhp, Orioles 3. John Olerud, 1b/lhp, Blue Jays 4. Juan Gonzalez, of, Rangers 5. Sandy Alomar Jr., c, Indians 1991: 1. Todd Van Poppel, rhp, Athletics 2. Andujar Cedeno, ss, Astros 3. Ryan Klesko, 1b, Braves 4. Jose Offerman, ss, Dodgers 5. Roger Salkeld, rhp, Mariners 1992: 1. Brien Taylor, lhp, Yankees 2. Todd Van Poppel, rhp, Athletics 3. Roger Salkeld, rhp, Mariners 4. Chipper Jones, ss, Braves 5. Arthur Rhodes, lhp, Orioles Those lists don't exactly blow you away, do they? Things happen to prospects. Scouts are not always right in their assessments and a myriad of things can happen to guys. Bobby Hill has floudered in his major league career with Chicago and Pittsburgh. Who's to say he wouldn't be an All Star by now if he had come up through another system? Look at the top prospects who went down because of injury. Or personal issues. So many things can derail a prospect's road to success in the majors, much less the majors itself. Now, I do remember the article which called Hill the best pitching prospect in the minors. It was written by some one who had absolutely no knowledge of the Cubs' farm system or the minor leagues in general. Odds are he saw that Hill led the minors in strikeouts at some point in the majors and consulted his Jump to Conclusions Mat. I want to say it was Marty Brennaman, but I could be wrong. I do know it was some one who had ties to the Reds. Yes, teams overhype their prospects for the purposes of trade value, but independent publications also do their own work. You could say they're buying into the hype, but considering the number of analysts and consultants they employ and consult, I'd have to think that the hype is in most cases tempered. If you want success stories with the Cubs' farm system, look no further than some of the guys mentioned in this thread. Jon Garland. Dontrelle Willis. These guys are doing pretty well this year, no? How about guys like Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano? Both are products of the Cubs' farm system. The Cubs, like any other system have had their successes and busts. There are also a ton of guys in that farm system who I wouldn't close the book on yet, either, despite injuries or anything else. Also, after watching enough of today's game to make me sick, I'm convinced that this team is no better than any other team in the WC hunt. Houston and company might seemingly be pretenders, but I just can't see this team making a run. I think this team would be best served by just packing it in, getting rid of this abomination of a coaching staff, and gearing up for next season by seeing who could be ready to step in.

Box Scores Iowa lost 4-1 Box Score CF C. Patterson 3/4, R, K, Assist (home) 3B S. McClain 2/4 LF B. Grieve 1/4 1B D. Kelton 0/4, K 2B M. Fontenot 0/2, 2 BB, K C G. Soto 0/3 PH R. Lewis 0/1, K SP J. Leicester 8 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5/3 RP R. Valdes 1 perfect, 1/0 West Tenn lost 6-5 Box Score LF/CF D. Bacon 0/3, 2 BB, CS (10), K 2B R. Theriot 0/3, BB CF/RF A. Greenberg 1/4, R, K, E (1, fielding) 1B C. McGehee 1/4, R, K SS B. Coats 1/3, R, E (30, fielding), HBP LF L. Montanez 1/3, K PH B. Sing 0/1 3B A. Sisk 1/3, BB, R, 2 K SP R. O'Malley 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0/4 Daytona won a wild one 11-10 in the 10th Box Score CF C. Walker 3/5, 3 R, 2B (18) 3B S. Moore 4/6, R, 5 RBI, HR (18), 3 E (throw x2, fielding) 1B B. Dopirak 2/5, R, 2 RBI, 2B (21), K RF J³ 1/4, BB, R, K C J. Fox 1/4, 2 RBI, 3 K, HBP SP R. Wells 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3/0 RP A. Tavares 1 scoreless, 2 H, 1/0 Peoria lost 6-1 Box Score CF S. Fuld 1/4 2B E. Patterson 0/3, 3 K PH/2B L. Rivera 0/1, RBI RF R. Harvey 0/4, 2 K DH D. Larsen 2/4, K SS J. Simokaitis 0/2, BB SP M. Weber 2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 4/2 Boise lost 6-5 Box Score CF D. Gregg 0/4, BB, R DH M. Reed 2/4, 2 R, 2B (7), K 1B C. Gaskin 0/3, BB RF J. Defendis 2/4, R, RBI SS K. Reynolds 1/3, BB, R, 2 E (8, throw, fielding) LF J. Valdez 1/3, RBI, K 3B E. Puello 1/4, RBI, K C P. Farina 1/4, K, 2 E (3, throw x2) 2B J. Mota 0/4, K SP J. Yepez 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5/2, HR Mesa lost 6-2 Box Score 2B E. Serrano 0/4, BB, CS (4), 2 K 3B V. Heredia 0/3, BB, 3 K RF S. Harris 1/4 C M. Mercedes 1/4, R 1B R. Canzler 0/4, 2 K LF R. Episcopo 0/4, 2 K SS S. Baez 2/4, R, K CF R. Brown 1/3, 2 RBI SP C. Pina 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1/0, HR OVERALL: 1-5