CubsInNC

I don't think it's worthy of it's own thread, but Mota was promoted to Daytona from Peoria. With Daytona having 2 catcher only players does this spell the end of the Mota behind the plate experiment? Or are the Cubs thinking he'll get better instruction from Buddy over Casey? I'm excited about him, if he can stick at catcher, and he is athletic enough to possibly move positions, but isn't his bat much less valuable at the probable position swaps?

Maybe I'm skeptical/pessimistic, but I'd like to see Rusin there the full year to make sure he's at the appropriate level. From college to a few games in Boise, to Daytona, I want to believe, but I'd like to see a good full season, let him open in Tenn next year, and maybe promote him then, mid season, if needed to AAA. I know that's somewhat a double standard compared to McNutt, but I am wrong in assuming that the talent jump from low-A to high-A, is much smaller than high-A to AA? But Dolis vs. Archer? You could argue either way, I suppose.

I'll be interested to watch McNutt at this level. He's dominated the lower levels when he's been there, and a performance equal to those levels at Daytona has to put him in the top echelon of Cubs prospects, and likely earn him a spot in Tenn next year. From what I read he added velocity this year, from what the pre draft scouting reports said. From watching what little of him I saw, I'd say composure wise he's all there. But stuff wise, where does his stuff actually translate? Are we looking at a good 2-3, or are we looking at someone who likely will be a middle relief/setup/closer type?

Iowa: - OF Ty Wright assigned to Iowa from Tennessee. Tennessee: -OF Brett Jackson assigned to Tennessee from Daytona. -P Rafael Dolis assigned to Tennessee from Daytona. Daytona: - Kenneth (Trey) McNutt assigned to Daytona from Peoria. - Oswaldo Martinzed assigned to Daytona from Tennessee.

McNutt won't be pitching for Peoria today. Per the Peoriachiefs twitter, he was promoted to Daytona today. Go Trey!

His line for the season is also sexy. My math might be a tad off, but it should look like this... 59.2 IP, 43 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 0 HR, 24 BB, 70 K Doing this as a 20 year old in the MWL is also a really good sign. McNutt definitely looked far superior to his league this year when I saw him. But, maybe the Cubs are planning on moving him slowly? Didn't he perform equally as well in Boise last year? Are there confidence issues and/or is he newer to pitching adding to the arsenal?

Thanks, pete. Any impression of whether he's got any agility defensively at 1B? Is there a chance he could actually play 1B, or at the big-league level would he be pretty much limited to DH? Bour is a huge guy, right? He lists at 6'4", 250. He just turned 22 two weeks ago, so while he's not young, it's not like he's really old either. If he improved enough to go step by step, to begin A+ at 22 next year, AA at 23, that wouldn't be grossly age-inappropriate. I think it's all about the HR power, and the defense, with him. In 200 AB he's got 34K/29BB. So he seems to be one of the best contact hitters we've got, 17% K-rate is excellent for a power hitter. If a guy can sustain 17K/14walks/100 AB for a career, he's got a chance to be very good... if he shows some power and can play a position. 4 HR/200 AB, that's not very good. But if he could double that and project more as a 20HR guy down the road, you might have a really nice bat. Not likely at all, of course. He only hit 4 last year too, in 237 AB. So HR's are probably not now part of his game, and probably never will be, especially against better pitching. But with that size and that contact ability, I'm keeping my eye on him a little bit. If he could start lifting the ball for some HR's, I'll start to get interested. He does have some natural lift to his swing. I had taken video last week of the pitchers and hitters, but sadly it didn't turn out well enough to be able to use and post. Bour didn't have to make any spectacular plays at first, but from what I saw he doesn't have good wheels to get to the bloop pops behind first, but who of us at 6'4" 250 would? The other thing that was noticed, by my wife, was that he kinda did the loner thing from the rest of the team. He and Nelson Perez kinda seemed like they were "too good" for the team. Any idea on the scouting reports on them in terms of attitude/make up?

What about Cerda there? If he can't hack it at 3rd (doubtful based on what I watched), that would seem to be his next best position. I know you don't hold a position for a maybe guy in Low-A, but doesn't it seem like that's his most likely way to the majors as well? Cerda is behind all 3 on the prospect totem pole. Granted, I'm not a talent evaluator, and it was only a 3 game stretch, with Cerda playing 1 game there, and watkins 2, but Cerda seemed to play a better 2B with more range and a better arm than watkins. Bat wise, Watkins being a contact hitter has a better likelihood of making it, but Cerda with his frame and developing power has the higher ceiling, no? As for the other 2, I'm sure he's below them, as they're closer to the majors and have fewer ifs.

What about Cerda there? If he can't hack it at 3rd (doubtful based on what I watched), that would seem to be his next best position. I know you don't hold a position for a maybe guy in Low-A, but doesn't it seem like that's his most likely way to the majors as well?

He played pretty well in LF in the continuation game. Ha and Guzman will keep him there as far as the OF goes. I'd guess on the current team, he's the only realistic LF option after Perez. DJ got smacked in the throat today with a liner. He was in the on-deck circle, and Watkins nailed him with a foul. He was on the ground for a few minutes and got up and finished the game, no the worse for wear. I think I got some video, and some pictures of his swing. We were sitting right by the chiefs dugout, and 6 ft from where DJ was hit. Both lineups were LH heavy today, so we didn't get as many pictures or video as we wanted. And Suarez is a beast. 'nuff said. He, Bour, and Thomas are all listed at the same weight. Thomas is the most "fit," Bour the most Fielder-esque, and Suarez just looks like a Zambrano type body- not really fat, but not really cut. He pitched very well out of the pen (3IP), and sat in the 89-91 range, with his off speed stuff at 77-79. I'll give more recap after I have a chance to look over my notes/pics/video. Got a broken bat from Thomas today too, just wish I'd brought a sharpie to get him to sign it. Mighta made a great last place price in next years prediction contests.

After looking at this a little more, and seeing him closer in person tonight, I'd guess that's possible. But we're talking about a guy who's listed at 6'4" and probably most of that. 165 is still fairly unfilled out, but 15 lbs heavier than he's listed in the team roster.

Peoria suspended in the not of the 3rd, 4-4 tie. Will be made up tomorrow, with Sunday's game being a 7 inning affair after. As for McNutt, he had a lot of trouble in the first and lost composure, but between innings recovered well and started rolling again. What's his supposed velocity? According to the park gun he was sitting 92-94, with a 72mph off speed pitch. That will help get a good reading on the accuracy of last nights pitchers. And, Ha, I hope he adjusts well to each level, because his bat if his pitch recognition at each level adjusts to "adequate", will keep him around in very much a 4th OF role. I'd guess that's his realistic yet optimistic ceiling? He's got nice pop already, but tends to overswing and corkscrew himself into the ground, but when he makes contact, it's good contact. And don't read much into the steal fest going on, the whitecaps pitcher was slow to the plate, and the catchers footwork wasn't the best. Thomas stole second on a "94 mph" high fastball, and a somewhat accurate throw.

That's very promising on Mota, if he's new there. As for Thomas, there wasn't much hit his way, most all contact given up went straight to the outfield, except for a shot up the middle that Cerda ranged to the SS side of the bag, and imo from the opposite side of the field got the runner at 1st, but it was very, very close. I'm hoping to get a better feel for infield defense the next couple days.

Soto did seem to have the Chiefs guessing a lot, but some of that was due to a very generous strike zone on the R side of the plate. But if he's filled out some, I'm amazed. He really does look rather skinny still. As for his velocity, according to the in park gun he was sitting mid 80s most of the night. I'd guess it's off, but not by a ton. It had struck in the 82-84 range, about the same as everyone else tonight. As for the Chiefs tonight... Pitching: Struck sat in the low 80s, decent movement. But he caught the white caps in the middle of a hotter streak for them and they saw the ball very well. Batista got rocked all night, every time they made contact it was hit very hard. Fielding: Cerda showed decent range at 2B, making some good plays. Guzman didn't get a good read on a lot of flies hit at him, letting several go over his head. Rohan wasn't much better in LF. Ha was adequate in RF. Bour was an imposing figure on the field and lumbered his way towards the pops hit towards first- I'd describe his general athletic ability in the field as something I'd expect from Prince Fielder. I was astonished though at Mota. The guy has a CANNON of an arm. No one could steal on him, despite the slowness to the plate of the pitching staff. He doesn't block pitches well, and generally doesn't seem to have a good feel for how the ball plays in the dirt. Hitting: Both Guzman and Thomas hit the ball hard - thomas a warning track shot, and guzman a leaping catch at the wall to rob him of a 3R HR. Ha had some overswing to him, kinda like he was pressing. Mota also seemed to hit well. Nelson Perez was thrown out for "arguing balls and strikes." The ump with the very generous strike zone called him out looking and as Perez walked back he stopped and drew a line in the RH batters box where he thought the ball was. I didn't see him say anything, and I was close enough I think I would. He was immediately tossed. The chiefs in general seemed kinda whiny about the strike zone, but it was consistent for both teams. The balked several other times when called out on similar pitches. No pictures tonight, at least of the action. We went with some friends, and the conversation got in the way of the camera. Hopefully tomorrow and sunday.

Will gladly report, share pictures, and maybe video. I am also hoping to get some signed balls to be able to donate for next year's contests.

I'm heading to all 3 chiefs games here in GR this weekend. Anyone on either team I should pay close attention to? Looks like most of the "promise" on the Chiefs is pitching related, but I'm anxious to see Lee @ SS, and see how he does footwork, fielding, and instinct wise. I thought Cerda was drafted as a 3B just a couple years ago. Have the Cubs already given up on him at that position? He's listed on the roster as a 1B. Are there underlying injury issues? A 1B with a SLG in the .350 range, and OPS sub-800 is not really promising. I'm also looking forward to seeing Giovany Soto play. Man, the awesome battery that would be if he and the immortal one were to be stashed on the same team.

It's not verified, so no, I can't be 100% sure, but around the appropriate times he mentions Boise, seems to play baseball, and posted a picture from what appears to be in a clubhouse/trainers room that indicates cubs colors. That, and karenmac is a follower of his. I'd assume she'd know and be able to verify, since she's a huge supporter of Peoria. I'd also guess that as the guys get higher in the system the tweets will become more minimal, and even less about baseball. I get the impression that the organization isn't too keen on players possibly giving out more information on anything than the team wants.

Brett Jackson @Brett_Jacks, DJ Lemahieu @DJLeMahieu, and Ryan Dempster (occasionally) @DempsterFDN are all I've found.

Theriot loses arbitration case and gets 2.5mil http://tinyurl.com/ybycl68

Theriot loses: http://tinyurl.com/ybycl68

EI for me isn't HD either. So, I just won't watch anymore. Not paying EI fees for stretched SD feeds.

I've held out hope he'd rebound as well. Just out of curiosity, because I can't seem to find it, what have been his LD% and babip on a month by month? I'd assume fred might have these, if they're not indexed somewhere. Just hoping this warming up is a sustainable trend, not due to some incredible good luck. edit: found babip... and March/April and June highly look like the abberations, and this month was inline with last year. Mar/Apr .377 May .327 June .233 Jule .314

In baseball related Pie news, man what a bust What? He got implants this off season? Who was his surgeon? I'm amazed. Those would drastically slow him down on the base paths. I wouldn't have been surprised if those had hit him in the throat while running, but swinging the bat? Those shoulda been adequate protection against a ricochet off the ground ball.

How can you say that with a straight face? The guy has been lights out so far. I'm just a little skeptical of someone who doesn't have "great" stuff. That's all. As am I, though my opinion doesn't mean much. I'd think that as he's seen more, more advance scouts will have a better feel for how to advice the teams to approach his starts. But the fact that the BABIP against him is .324 (before tonight) has to bode well for him.

Obligatory, Kevin Greg is a Sham-Wow! post.