CaliforniaRaisin

So, who would you rank over Marshall? What is it about Marshall that you are not sold on regarding his prospect status? I know some of my complaints may not be entirely fair, but oh well, Age - already 23 (only just reaching AA) and has a major surgery - probably ends up like every other cubs pitching prospect and blows out his shoulder/arm multiple times. Yah, I guess 23 isnt that old (isnt Hill something like that), but usually our really really good pitching prospects rise quickly through the system. Outpitch and third pitch - Really havent heard that his curveball ius amazing like someone like Hills. I guess its not vitally important to have a completely devastating pitch, but it seems to make a more attractive prospect. Also, doesnt seem to have a nice third option yet. Kinda like Welly in that way. No full year of minior league experience yet - well, 14 starts in the high. Hasnt proved much yet, really at a high level. All in all, I guess hes a pretty good prospect. I probably jumped the gun, but I just really dont see how he seperates himself from the other cubs pitching prospects. Actually, Sean is still 22 (turns 23 soon though, in the end of August). Turning 23 at AA isn't bad, especially for a prospect drafted out of college. Marshall has risen through the system quicker than Hill (his closest competitor for the ranking as the top Cubs prospect) - he was drafted two Junes ago and he's already in AA. You're wrong on Marshall's pitches - he has 3 plus pitches already to Hill's two. His curve isn't as good as Hill's, but Marshall's curve is still a good out pitch. And, according to Ron Potesta, Marshall's changeup has improved quite a bit - so much so that it has dropped his curve to his #3 pitch. He doesn't have a devastating out pitch like Hill, but he has two above average out pitches. He doesn't have a full year of experience, but last year was his first full year in the system, so it's not as big a warning sign. His injury last year was just a tendon problem in his finger, nothing too major. I consider AA a high level and think he's proving quite a bit there. The reason I think of him higher than Hill is that he has better control, three above average pitches, gives up fewer HRs (especially thanks to that sinker) and is younger than Hill. Outshined, Sean apparentally has "minor shoulder tendonitis." :?

I'd imagine that if his shoulder was still hurting him, he wouldn't be pitching right now. 46 IP, 7.24 ERA, 64 hits, 37 ER, 10 HRs, 22 walks, 34 strikeouts. Ouch. Ugh, .317 BAA + control problems. :( It's what did in Renyel Pinto at AAA earlier this year.

Also of note, Cliff Bartosh hasn’t given up an ER in 12 innings down at Iowa.

Iowa: LHP Raul Valdes (5-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. LHP Ryan Snare (1-5, 6.38 ERA) West Tenn: RHP Carlos Marmol (AA: 2-2, 3.91 ERA, overall: 8-4, 3.26 ERA) Daytona: RHP Juan Mateo (7-4, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Peña (2-6, 4.77 ERA) Peoria: RHP Jesse Estrada (5-8, 5.06 ERA) @ RHP Po-Hsuan Keng (2-4, 5.52 ERA) Boise: RHP Matt Avery (0-0, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP) vs. RHP Chris Kemlo (2-2, 4.58 ERA) Mesa: RHP Felin Santana (1-1, 4.50 ERA) or RHP Alfredo Francisco (0-2, 5.40 ERA)

Downs bombed in two starts with Peoria earlier this year, but I think it's time to give him another shot at it. So far, he has been outstanding at Boise. He's still just 20 so there isn't too much of a rush. I’d love to see Darin called up to Peoria again soon. Darin’s line at Boise: 33.1 IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 33 K, 8 BB, .206 BAA Two other guys who intrigue me: Daytona RHP Randy Wells: 60.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 67 K, 12 BB, .254 BAA (held his own in 7 IP at AA) Mesa OF Deryck Lewis (25th rounder): 89 ABs - .348/.400/.506/.906, 6 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 0 HRs, 8 BB, 4 Ks - granted, it is Mesa

Gosh, this game is slow.

Agreed, but he still needs to run a little harder.

That was funny defense to watch. Aramis' baserunning wasn't funny.

Get Zambrano to score without exerting too much energy, plz.

Even if Carpenter isn't getting hit hard, small ball would have been a waste. I understand the philosophy, but... we scored a run. How is that a waste?? You wasted Walker's AB.

:-k Former? Eyeliner Boy took a bad route (and got called off).

Even if Carpenter isn't getting hit hard, small ball would have been a waste.

Ugh. As a CF, I have to say Jim Edmonds should have caught that one.

Corey tried that slappy nonsense this year with the Cubs and that's what's got him demoted to AAA.

In before the ban. ;)

He's the top pitching prospect in the Cubs' system right now, imo. Agreed.

Also keep in mind that after a full high school season the Cubs don't want to pitch him that many more innings; hence the pitch count. Good point. With that in mind, I think his chances of making it to Boise this year are very slim.

No he's not.

His arm definitely isn't.

I'll like him back if he wants to sign for 2-3 years.

For the lazy: Cubs: 18. Felix Pie 80. Sean Marshall 98. Brian Dopirak 100. Rich Hill 118. Angel Guzman 125. Ryan Harvey 137. Eric Patterson 148. Sean Gallagher Matt Murton would have ranked around 140 had he not been called up. The third Cardinal on the list is RHP Chris Lambert at 116. Interesting read, I can see where they come from but I still disagree with some of their rankings (overall and with the Cubs).

I really like their rotation. Harden is awesome.

You have to wonder when you read that stuff...are Cinci fans so much more intelligent than the Reds' management? Apparently not. Why? The mistake in regards to the order of what levels he was at in the minors is because the listing of stats came in the AAA-AA-A order, not chronological order. And Rich has given up 20 HRs in 100+ IP. Rich Hill is definitely not the best prospect in baseball. Heck, I'd say he's not even the best pitching prospect on the Cubs. I agree which makes me wonder why the Cubs wouldn't part with him in the right deal. Because they don't view Adam Dunn as the right player and they probably think more highly of Hill than I do.

You have to wonder when you read that stuff...are Cinci fans so much more intelligent than the Reds' management? Apparently not. Why? The mistake in regards to the order of what levels he was at in the minors is because the listing of stats came in the AAA-AA-A order, not chronological order. And Rich has given up 20 HRs in 100+ IP. Rich Hill is definitely not the best prospect in baseball. Heck, I'd say he's not even the best pitching prospect on the Cubs.

He's on a pitch count (which has gotten higher over the course of the last few starts) and he's been working on fixing his mechanics. I doubt it, at best, he might get a few starts at Boise at the end of the season.