Tim

Maybe you should track the errors to hits ratio for Macias...

If Fox lets a run score, Dusty doesn't have to pinch hit for him and burn an extra reliever.

The behavior here is degenerating and Raisin was right to step in. And, for the record, if I see anyone labeling an entire class of posters with a mocking nickname again, said person will get an automatic time away from the site. And it is entirely within the purview of any mod on this site to determine what is mocking and what isn't. I hope that this message is perfectly clear.

Is nobody else upset that Dusty didn't walk Hernandez to set up a DP with a sinkerballer on the mound? Once Dempster got Nevin to popup, I would have sworn he'd put the veteran on first to get to a relative rookie and a double play possibility.

That's what my wife the physical therapist has told me.

When he gets through the PCL as a soft tossing lefty with great results, I'll give him more love. A lot of pitchers with good command and good offspeed stuff can thrive against inexperienced hitters, but get pounded by guys that have been around a while.

I'm starting to feel pretty happy about throwing Cedeno's name into the conversation around 14. I'm wishing I had pulled harder for him, though! What a spring the kid has had so far in major league camp and at Iowa.

How's he, uh, doin' today? ;)

I just don't think there's a chance in heck of Rick staying behind the plate after watching him a few times.

Well, Cedeno and Soto... 1) are the same age 2) at the same level 3) both play positions of scarcity 4) both posted much better numbers than they had the past couple years However, 4) both project as plus defenders, though Soto is currently much more advanced 5) Soto showed a lot more patience at the plate than Ronny 6) Soto showed the makings of better power than Ronny All that said, there isn't a whole lot of separation between the two guys at this point. Cedeno has a higher ceiling and has looked very impressive so far this spring. Soto is closer to ready and is more of a sure thing to reach the majors and stick at some point with his defensive value as a catcher. Which gets rated on top depends on what you value.

Given what he's shown this spring? I'd put him right above Pinto. Where would I have put him last winter? Right below Brownlie. It looked like a similar story to Brownlie, honestly. Andy was just awesome back in 2002, but developed biceps tendonitis at the end of the year. In 2003, he didn't have quite the same stuff, but it was blamed on something else and it was assumed that he'd be full strength the following season. In 2004, he had even less stuff. Performance-wise, he looked okay both years, though not great. But the scouting reports in both cases was very disturbing. He had a loss of velocity that seemed permanent, not to mention less sharpness on the breaking ball. There just seemed to be something lingering and even worsening. In Andy's case, it seems it was just attitude and poor conditioning. Too bad Bobby hasn't had a similar rebound. :(

It's finally here! In a first for North Side Baseball, the NSBB writers collaborated together, along with special guest Todd Andrews, to put together a unique Top 50 Cubs Prospect list and chat discussion. You can get to the Top 50 list through the menu on the left of the page or by clicking here. The Chat Transcript that accompanies the list (see the link at the top of that page) is a great read, though a bit difficult to follow at points. The effort is very worthwhile, though, to get some great discussions on our differing opinions on Richard Lewis, the catching prospects (go Fox!) and a lot of other things. Have fun, and as always, your comments are very welcome!

Gotta love Joe. Well, no, you don't really. But he is good to laugh at. How can anyone that's been around baseball be so stupid about it?

Actually, I'm a Cubs fan and want to see Andy returned. Your agenda seems to be that you want an excuse to bash management.

Team Predictions 1. 93 wins 2. 8 wins 3. 765 runs 4. 605 earned runs Player Predictions 1. 36 home runs 2. 60 BBs 3. .320 4. 115 RBIs 5. 14 wins 6. 2.85 ERA 7. 230 Ks 8. 32 starts Tiebreaker .790 OPS ----------------------------- ETA (Serena) Team Predictions 1. 93 wins + 0 2. 8 wins + 50 3. 765 runs + 75 4. 605 earned runs + 75 Player Predictions 1. 36 home runs + 5 2. 60 BBs + 0 3. .320 + 0 4. 115 RBIs + 5 5. 14 wins + 40 6. 2.85 ERA + 10 7. 230 Ks + 0 8. 32 starts + 30 Tiebreaker .790 OPS Total: 290

Yep.

Nic is off the 40 man already. So is Kelton now. Carlos Vazquez passed through waivers and was outrighed earlier in the spring.

I've considered him a prospect since he was drafted. I've been calling him one of my favorite minor leaguers ever since. Him and Theriot. It's kinda worked out for Adam, not so much for Ryan. ---- edited to add ---- Check my 2003 pre-season prospect list as evidence of his long-standing status.

Nice compilation, Tim, thanks! that's pretty helpful. Can anybody think of how many guys are last-year options guys this current season who are or will be in the minors? I suppose this will be Wellemeyer's last year on options. Leiecester too, although he'll already make the team so doesn't matter. So, what does it take for spots to open up? 1) Guys currently on 40 but in minors to more up to majors next year. Good candidates include Cedeno (replace Neifi?), Ohman (replace Bartosh?), Mitre and Guzman. I don't expect any of them to open next April in the Cubs minors, even if they do still have options. Pinto is another possibility (replace Rusch or Rem). Lewis and Fontenot are also good candidates, one of whom might replace Macias. So I think it's honestly possible that as many as 6 minor leaguers could plausibly replace major leaguers currently opening. (Other current openers might also get replaced, but at least some by veterans). Actually, it could be even more. If six 40-man minor leaguers become 25-man major leaguers, that could open six spots for others. 2) Other minor leaguers currently on the 40 who will perhaps be removed by next year, even if they don't make it. Candidates would seem to include Rohlicek; if he goes backwards this year, he might be right back off, ala Vasquez? Ohman; if he doesn't show what it takes to make it up this year, he's not going to be back down. Possibly Koronka. Basically all the non-Pinto lefties on the roster from the high minors are close enough that either they need to show they are viable this year, and perhaps step up to majors, or they might be off. I'd think Wellemeyer might be Kelton-like: he's had his time as a prospect, it's getting to be decision time, either step up and be ready, or get traded, or get off the 40. They won't be able to option him next April, but he could be a guy who'd stay on for December and then enter camp with no options ala Kelton of this year. I'd also think that one of Lewis/Fontenot could be on the bubble. Neither are super young. Both probably need to do something this year; whichever of the two looks weaker by October might be at some risk. After another year in AAA they'll each need to look more ready for the next step if they both want to remain on the 40. You're assuming the Cubs are going to be willing to head into 2006 with an awful lot of youth on the bench. I think I remember hearing comments from the Cubs in the past that they like using veterans for bench players, but I could be misattributing that. It's basically a baseball truism that gets repeated often, though.

No fair. I was answering somebody else's question! :D

An interesting value added service NSBB could provide as a website would be to track what prospects on all teams are going to be rule 5 eligible as well as who is currently on 40 man rosters that will be running out of options at what point. Would be a pain to maintain, though.

With a few exceptions like Grant Johnson and EP, it's my top 30 list minus the guys who are already on the 40 man.

This thread is to list the players that will be eligible for the rule 5 draft if they're not placed on the 40 man roster. It is by no means a complete list at this point. I'm just hitting the highlights here so that we can refer to this throughout the year. If I'm missing anyone or if it needs to be updated, let me know and I'll edit the list. Players who were eligible in 2004 that should be healthier or more experienced and closer to the pros in 2005: JK Ryu Ricky Nolasco Carlos Marmol Jon Connolly Ryan O'Malley Carmen Pignatiello Rich Hill Jason Wylie Hagerty Carlos Vazquez Buck Coats Matt Craig Micah Hoffpauir Adam Greenberg Dwaine Bacon Brandon Sing The following will be newly eligible for the Rule 5: Bobby Brownlie Chadd Blasko Sean Marshall Billy Petrick Felix Pie Brian Dopirak Jake Fox Matt Murton

Real sleeper pick... Ruben Gotay, 2B KC 23 year old switch hitting second baseman (tough position to fill). Check his spring numbers: BATTERS BA SLG OBA G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS E Gotay .368 .721 .413 21 68 11 25 49 6 0 6 19 6 10 0 1 2 Although he wasn't really highly touted coming up, he hit well in the minors considering age/league adjustments. I don't think he's going to produce anything like his spring numbers over the course of a season, but he's probably going to be a league average or better second baseman who is in line for 600+ PA's that you can pick up for a buck or two / pick up in the very late rounds.

I say break out the bucks and start bribing Serena!