CaliforniaRaisin

South Bend (high-A): The highlights: Ryan Jensen, Max Bain, Burl Carraway, Chase Strumpf, Cole Roederer and Yonathan Perlaza.

Let’s go. So much happier than the Trubisky pick and trade up.

I'm amazed at how Fields has fallen from clear #2 pick at the start of the college football season to fourth or fifth QB on the board. Wilson seems awesome, but he did it for one season against weak competition. Jones seems to have a limited ceiling compared to the other four in his athleticism, and also did it for one season with an NFL roster around him. Lance hasn't played since 2019 and started for one season, too. Fields has had some awful games, but he also balled out against Clemson after taking that big hit. If he fells to 13 somehow I would expect Pace to go up and get him. And I'd be hapy about it. Not sure what it would take to get there, maybe a 2nd and next years first? What is the biggest reservation people have with Fields? I've read something about how he went to his first option like 85% of the time last season or something so there were questions about his ability to go through progressions in the NFL when the defenses are faster and the first option isn't always open like at OSU, but that's about it. Athleticism, arm strength, accruacy all see 90+ percentile. There is discussion about social biases in place and its a fair discussion but anything else from a pure football standpoint that is giving these teams pause? Herbert was largely a one read guy in college too and looks fantastic doing a lot more now in the NFL. You don't know what a guy can do in a different offense, tasked with more responsibility until he actually tries it. I'd rather take the skills and traits though (not that I think the Bears will get Fields).

Harry Ford went 18 to the Cardinals.

On AZ Phil's depth chart, Ademan was listed as the AA SS until a few days ago. He's now listed as the High-A 2B. That sounds like a decision (and demotion has been made). On that same depth chart, Luis Verdugo, who is still considered by some to be the Cubs best defensive SS prospect, is listed as a 3B in Low-A. All of this is fungible, of course. Howard will undoubtedly get the majority of starts at SS in Myrtle Beach, but I'm sure Verdugo will spend some time there as well with spot starts and rare late-inning shifts. I also asked Phil about Cristian Hernandez's status and likelihood of playing in Mesa this year (currently he's listed on Phil's Dominican roster). He said Covid rules will prohibit much, if any, movement from the DSL to stateside. But Phil's not certain what the Cubs might do with him once the full season teams ship out in a few days. His whole response was interesting:

https://www.thecubreporter.com/04272021/pelicans-know-way-beat-san-jose Lot of interesting names in the box score for Myrtle Beach (low-A): 2B Yeison Santana 0/4, K SS Ed Howard IV 1/4, 3 K, 1B DH #2 Jordan Nwogu 1/3, BB, K, 1B LF Yohendirck Piñango 2/3, BB, K, 2B, 1B 3B Luis Verdugo 0/2, BB, K C Ethan Hearn 0/3 SP Manuel Espinoza 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR RP Richard Gallardo: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K This was the last minor league ST game. The minor league season starts next Tuesday.

Yeah, it was part of all the minor league changes this offseason. The Cubs old shortseason team in Eugene also moved to high-A (along with a few other NWL teams).

High-A: https://www.thecubreporter.com/04262021/cubs-cruise-past-timber-rattlers-sloan-park Chase Strumpf with 2 hits including a triple. Yonathan Perlaza had two singles. Ryan Jensen continues to struggle with his control:

With a few guys graduating from their top 100, BA now has 3 Cubs in the top 100 and Miguel Amaya isn’t one of them: 47. Brailyn Márquez 65. Brennen Davis 100. Cristian Hernández

Some interesting stuff in here. Looks like Ed Howard, Yeison Santana, Luis Verdugo and catchers Ethan Hearn and Pablo Aliendo have made Myrtle Beach: Keegan Thompson is working 92-95 with a new cutter at the ATS. And there’s more Max Bain hype in there.

He can definitely play 1B (he’s even dabbled at 3B in summer leagues). The power is new and hopefully that sticks but the biggest question is definitely health concerns.

AA: https://www.thecubreporter.com/04252021/flying-squirrels-distract-smokies-hitters-sloan-park Christopher Morel hit a homer and has been playing in the outfield a bit (CF today). Peyton Remy got the start on the mound.

https://www.thecubreporter.com/04232021/amaya-walks-it-sloan-park Miguel Amaya hit a triple and a walk-off home run. Erich Uelmen is still starting. Robert Stock is dominating:

Nice juicy answer here, even if Bain isn’t really addressed. Looking forward to see who these velocity jumpers are and which ones successfully translate it to games The bolded parts there are really great news (obviously you better have good news on teenage MIFs when that’s the demographic you targeted while trading away a top 10 big league SP).

https://www.thecubreporter.com/04222021/smokies-speed-display-sloan-park Brennen Davis was HBP in the face and left today’s game:

MLB Pipeline updated top 150: https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/