CubsInNC

Eddie Orozco demoted from Kane County to Boise

FWIW, all the runs came in the 1st, so hopefully he got that out of his system. I don't know what kind of stuff Baker had before TJS, but he was getting hit hard all 3 innings. The outs were very solid contact as well. He did work generally 87-91, with his offspeed stuff in the low 80s, and he carried the velocity for all 3 innings. I'm guessing he will need several more outings just to get his feel back. I didn't take as detailed notes today, as the sun was intense and I couldn't see the iPad screen. But, if there's anyone of interest outside Baker, ask away.

It might have been a split/fork. But he never used it with. 2 strike count. From where I was (way back) it didn't appear to have much movement, just kept hitters off balance from the fb.

I don't know the quality of the Whitecaps pitchers, so take this fwiw, but he didn't look the least bit overmatched at the plate.

Left KC's game tonight after 6. Tonight's notes. Scott: Looks like he throws, not pitches. He's definitely hittable, worked 90-92, but 92-95 in the stretch. maintained the velo through the 80 pitches he threw. He doesn't hide the ball well. He drops it behind/beside his body in his windup, and just isn't thick enough to effectively hide his grip that way. The kid is still rail thin. McDonald: pitches to contact. fb in the upper 80s. Rivero: After watching his warmup, I wondered why he was at this level, and not Daytona. I quickly learned. He changes speeds well. His fastball sits comfortably at 95-96. He can ramp it up to 99, but got wild both times he put in the extra effort. His curve was upper 70s, and his (i'm guessing) change was 85-86. Great speed changes. I watched his delivery for tells, indications of changing speeds, saw nothing my eye could pick up. From where I was sitting, I couldn't tell, but based on the way Holm was able to foul off a few, I'm guessing his fb doesn't have a lot of movement. Missed his second inning, but the fact that he threw 2, means I won't see him again this weekend. Almora: Hopefully Sunday and Monday are better days. He didn't do anything at the plate, and didn't really get a chance to see anything that showcased his CF instincts. Vogelbach: He'll play a passable 1B. He's not as lumbering as I would have guessed, not even the slowest guy on the team. Not that it's any accomplishment, but he would easily outrun Whitecaps 1B Lance Durham, who claims to be 40 lbs lighter and an inch shorter. The liner that got by him would have gotten by most every MLB 1st baseman. He made a couple great digs at first on low throws. At the plate he showed GREAT strike zone discipline. After his 1st inning HR, they wouldn't throw anything hittable over the plate. Shoulders: I'm giving him a pass at the plate, since he just came off 2+ weeks of inactivity. I hope it's rust. Golden: Bad instincts in RF, bad jumps. His athleticism lets him get by. For now. Argued at the plate. Twice, on the same pitch. Surprised he wasn't run. M. Hernandez: Bad hands at short. Botched 2 very routine plays. Got a very slow jump on a soft liner up the middle that he should have caught. Later showed great range, and a strong accurate arm, from deep in the hole. Candelario: Botched an easy play at 3rd, but made an incredible stop on a hard hit liner, taking away extra bases. Anyone else of interest?

Watching the in park replays, Scott doesn't really hide the ball...

55 pitches in, Scott still working 92-95.

I thought Hernandez was decent defensively? Two very routine plays with errors.

At least 2 scouts with radar guns here, seem to be scouting whitecaps pitching

He's certainly faster out of the stretch, but lacks deceptiveness. 93-95

Scott working 90-95in the 1st

It was a line drive, barely cleared the wall but woulda gone 100 ft further

Going to the KC-WM series. Will post updates tonight, if the baby is cooperative at the game and allows me to pay attention. Anyone in particular to report on? Stadium gun is usually "accurate" compared to scouting reports, so I'll be sure to note velocities. Obviously going to pay more attention to Baker tomorrow. And already excited to see Almora and Vogelbach/Shoulders and their defense.

Poncedeleon and McCauley had agreed to terms, and both were sent home after getting to AZ for physicals.McCauley is having surgery in a month- guessing there's something arm/shoulder related that kept the Cubs from pulling that string. And it looked like today, Sean Johnson (31st) was still willing to sign, if the Cubs had enough to offer him.

Can we go the Oprah route, and "you're getting a car" "you're getting a car" to their whole family? Do hookers and coke count against the pool? I mean, it's only a half an hour to ASU...

When did the "superstation tax" go into effect? It would be interesting to see if the national (and localized) ratings coincide with when teams drastically reduced (or dropped altogether) their national superstations. It would also be interesting to see how those numbers correlate (correlation does not equal causation) with the surge in ratings for weekly national NFL games.

Going to see KC Sat-Sun-Mon when they're in town. Any guesses who the likely SPs are?

I thought PED suspensions weren't publicly announced until all appeals had been exhausted. There's a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that says if the PED use becomes public knowledge, then the commissioner's office can (must?) make the punishments public, immediately.

Really? He hasn't missed a game since 2010, when he had his separated shoulder finally surgically fixed. That he probably sustained in week 1, came back a few weeks later, and was drilled in the same shoulder in the second game. Yes, he's had minor injuries since- ankle, finger, hip. But not missed any time from them, in fact, only been "Questionable" once. Labeling him injury prone isn't really accurate, imo.

I just don't see Garza as a filling a true need for Detroit. Porcello (their No. 5) is their weak link in the rotation. Everyone else is performing well, or in Verlander's case, he believes figured out his issue, is in the process of making the corrections, and seems to be returning to form. Trading for Garza to replace a number 5 wouldn't meet the needs for either team. Detroit would have to overpay based on what it would take to acquire other #5 starters, or the Cubs would have to take less than Garza's real value, even as a rental. Porcello would easily be right with Wood and Shark in our rotation right now. His ERA may not be reflecting it, but he's been a 1.7 fWAR pitcher so far this year. Shark is 2.4, Wood 2.1. I would trade Garza for Porcello straight up right now. Porcello is just an arm. He's inconsistent, even this year. If we traded Garza for him straight up, I'd consider that a failure.

I just don't see Garza as a filling a true need for Detroit. Porcello (their No. 5) is their weak link in the rotation. Everyone else is performing well, or in Verlander's case, he believes figured out his issue, is in the process of making the corrections, and seems to be returning to form. Trading for Garza to replace a number 5 wouldn't meet the needs for either team. Detroit would have to overpay based on what it would take to acquire other #5 starters, or the Cubs would have to take less than Garza's real value, even as a rental.

I access the site while at work through Tapatalk on my phone. Today, when I connected, Tapatalk informed me that NSBB's Tapatalk API is outdated and needs to be upgraded. Sure there are plenty of other more important things, but hopefully this can be upgraded before they stop supporting the old API entirely.

John Andreoli promoted to AA.

Charcer Burks indicated about 20 mins ago that his signing is finally official. Bryant must be just about all done. Wonder if there's a deal arranged that since he was willing to take sub-slot, anyone who doesn't actually sign, he gets that overage back on his deal, so it will be a later signing.

I've not received notification from the cubs on Skulina, but have heard from them about every other signing of a 15th rounder or above. Skulina just posted on twitter, with a picture of him signing, that it's finally official.