CaliforniaRaisin

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/10/29/jeffress-fails-another-drug-test.aspx Marijuana again.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071023&content_id=2279608&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc More talk about Pawelek improving his mechanics from Carrie Muskat. We'll see if he really has figured out repeatable mechanics like people in the Cubs system are implying.

They reviewed the AL draft classes today and will have the NL's up tomorrow. 2007 Draft Report Card Overview: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/features/265091.html A few Cubs made their lists: Josh Donaldson was the lone Cub all-star (best pro debut of college draftees). Some other stuff: BEST PURE HITTER 1. Mike Moustakas, ss, Royals (1) 2. Josh Vitters, 3b, Cubs (1) 3. Jason Heyward, of, Braves (1) 4. Matt Wieters, c, Orioles (1) 5. Nick Noonan, 2b/ss, Giants (1s) THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY High School Players 1. Matt Harvey, rhp, Angels (3) 2. Kyle Blair, rhp, Dodgers (5) 3. Victor Sanchez, 3b/c, Cubs (25) 4. Hunter Morris, 1b, Red Sox (2) 5. Gary Brown, of/2b, Athletics (12) And: BEST DRAFT 1. Nationals 2. Rangers 3. Tigers 4. Giants 5. Yankees I really like the Rangers draft.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=59921 Bruce makes a few good points that have been keys around here for a while: a patient approach/high OBP is important and player development being important since it allows for quality league minimum players. Does Lou really know this? If so, why were guys like Theriot when he was struggling and OBPing .327 at the top of the lineup? Soriano leading off with a .337 OBP? (Yeah, Soriano might be a different situation.)

Season got under way tonight. Waiting for all the boxes but no Cubs got into the Licey-Escogido game. ETA: No Cubs got into games on Wednesday.

http://cubs.scout.com/2/691366.html He's going to be broadcasting Alabama ladies hoops next year.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=58202&src=152 Oneri Fleita was promoted from director of player development and Latin American operations to vice president of player personnel. Mark O'Neal was promoted from head athletic trainer to director, athletic training.

1. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Nashville Sounds (Brewers) 2. Adam Jones, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) 3. Billy Butler, of/1b, Omaha Royals 4. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 5. Ian Stewart, 3b, Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies) 6. Felix Pie, of, Iowa Cubs 7. Carlos Gomez, of, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets) 8. James Loney, 1b/of, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 9. Brandon Wood, 3b/ss, Salt Lake Bees (Angels) 10. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Omaha Royals 11. Jeff Clement, c, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners 12. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets) 13. Edinson Volquez, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers) 14. Wladimir Balentien, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) 15. Troy Patton, lhp, Round Rock Express (Astros) 16. Eric Hurley, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers) 17. Billy Buckner, rhp, Omaha Royals 18. Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 19. Daric Barton, 1b, Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) 20. Geovany Soto, c/1b, Iowa Cubs

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071011/SPT04/310110030/-1/ Dusty??

Season starts today. Not all the rosters are out. So far, we have: Leones del Caracas: C Henry Blanco I believe Ronny Cedeño is on the Caribes.

So far, only one Cub has shown up on a Mexican roster - that's second baseman Issmael Salas with the Algodoneros de Guasave and he's eligible to be a free agent on October 15th. Anyways, the Mexican Pacific Winter League starts tonight.

One Cub makes it, and he makes it into the top ten after checking in at 13 in the FSL Top 20: 1. Justin Upton, of, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 2. Evan Longoria, 3b, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 3. Wade Davis, rhp, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 4. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) 5. Brandon Jones, of, Mississippi Braves 6. Reid Brignac, ss, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 7. Tyler Colvin, of, Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) 8. Manny Parra, lhp, Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 9. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 10. Carlos Gonzalez, of, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 11. Mark Reynolds, 3b, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 12. Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 13. Brent Lillibridge, ss, Mississippi Braves 14. Jonathan Meloan, rhp, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 15. Max Scherzer, rhp, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 16. Jo Jo Reyes, lhp, Mississippi Braves 17. Diory Hernandez, ss, Mississippi Braves 18. James McDonald, rhp, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 19. Gaby Hernandez, rhp, Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 20. Alcides Escobar, ss, Huntsville Stars (Brewers)

Muldowney: TJS Dolis: labrum or TJS (I'd guess TJS since everything said his elbow was hurt) Don't think we'll see either til late 2008.

Two Cubs: 1. Jay Bruce, of, Sarasota Reds 2. Cameron Maybin, of, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) 3. Jake McGee, lhp, Vero Beach Devil Rays 4. Wade Davis, rhp, Vero Beach Devil Rays 5. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Sarasota Reds 6. Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) 7. Ian Kennedy, rhp, Tampa Yankees 8. Deolis Guerra, rhp, St. Lucie Mets 9. Jose Tabata, of, Tampa Yankees 10. Austin Jackson, of, Tampa Yankees 11. Chris Volstad, rhp, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) 12. Alcides Escobar, ss, Brevard County Manatees (Brewers) 13. Tyler Colvin, of, Daytona Cubs 14. Josh Outman, lhp, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) 15. Adam Ottavino, rhp, Palm Beach Cardinals 16. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) 17. Frank Cervelli, c, Tampa Yankees 18. Eduardo Morlan, rhp, Fort Myers Miracle (Twins) 19. Jeff Samardzija, rhp, Daytona Cubs 20. Rhyne Hughes, 1b, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins)

Game 163 - San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Coors Field in Denver, Colorado Mon., October 1 @ 6:37 p.m. CT TV: TBS Radio: San Diego & LA: XPRS 1090, XEMO (Sp.) | Denver: KOA 850 http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/408241.jpg @ http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/150319.jpg RHP Jake Peavy (19-6, 2.36 ERA, 176 ERA+, 234 K/64 BB) @ RHP Josh Fogg (10-9, 4.79 ERA ,99 ERA+, 89 K/57 BB) Weather: 69°F, Cloudy, 10% chance of precip, winds from the SSW at 11 mph (3B to RF)

East W L PCT GB E# Philadelphia 88 73 .547 - - New York 88 73 .547 - - West W L PCT GB E# Arizona 90 71 .559 - - San Diego 89 72 .553 1.0 1 Wild Card W L PCT GB E# San Diego 89 72 .556 - - Colorado 88 73 .547 1.0 1 Philadelphia 88 73 .547 1.0 1 New York 88 73 .547 1.0 1 Florida (Willis) at New York (Glavine), 1:10 pm ET Washington (Bergmann) at Philadelphia (Moyer), 1:35 pm ET San Diego (Tomko) at Milwaukee (Suppan), 1:05 pm CT Arizona (Petit) at Colorado (Jimenez), 1:05 pm MT

1. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Great Lakes (Dodgers) 2. Travis Snider, of, Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays) 3. Brett Anderson, lhp, South Bend (Diamondbacks) 4. Gorkys Hernandez, of, West Michigan (Tigers) 5. Hank Conger, c, Cedar Rapids (Angels) 6. Carlos Triunfel, ss, Wisconsin (Mariners) 7. Jose Ceda, rhp, Peoria (Cubs) 8. Gerardo Parra, of, South Bend (Diamondbacks) 9. Josh Bell, 3b, Great Lakes (Dodgers) 10. Drew Stubbs, of, Dayton (Reds) 11. Tyler Herron, rhp, Quad Cities (Cardinals) 12. Omar Poveda, rhp, Clinton (Rangers) 13. Jeff Manship, rhp, Beloit (Twins) 14. John Whittleman, 3b, Clinton (Rangers) 15. Juan Francisco, 3b, Dayton (Reds) 16. Drew Miller, rhp, Fort Wayne (Padres) 17. Kasey Kiker, lhp, Clinton (Rangers) 18. Sean O'Sullivan, rhp, Cedar Rapids (Angels) 19. Trevor Cahill, rhp, Kane County (Athletics) 20. Tyler Robertson, lhp, Beloit (Twins) http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/264933.html For some reason, when I checked the writeup, the only writeup missing was the one for Ceda. :roll:

Four Cubs make the top 20, no surprises here: 1. Matt Latos, rhp, Eugene (Padres) 2. Josh Donaldson, c, Boise (Cubs) 3. Juan Ramirez, rhp, Everett (Mariners) 4. Tony Thomas, 2b, Boise (Cubs) 5. Fabio Castillo, rhp, Spokane (Rangers) 6. Kellen Kulbacki, of, Eugene (Padres) 7. Tommy Hunter, rhp, Spokane (Rangers) 8. Greg Halman, of, Everett (Mariners) 9. Helder Velazquez, ss, Tri City (Rockies) 10. Matt Mangini, 3b, Everett (Mariners) 11. Corey Brown, of, Everett (Mariners) 12. Bruce Billings, rhp, Tri City (Rockies) 13. Cory Riordan, rhp, Tri City (Rockies) 14. Mitch Canham, c, Eugene (Padres) 15. Robinson Fabian, rhp, Tri City (Rockies) 16. Kyler Burke, of, Boise (Cubs) 17. Edward Paredes, lhp, Everett (Mariners) 18. Chris Huseby, rhp, Boise (Cubs) 19. Brian Rike, of, Tri City (Rockies) 20. Jake Brigham, rhp, Spokane (Rangers) http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/264930.html Donaldson: offensive-minded catcher w/ aggressive approach and unproven defense. Geared to pull, feasts on FBs, has above-average bat speed and raw power. One scout said he showed agility behind the plate and his throws were online but he still has work to do behind the plate (threw out 40% of basestealers but had 11 PBs). Thomas: Mature approach w/ solid-average bat speed and a knack for squaring up on the ball. Flat swing isn't conducive for power but uses all fields and can pepper the alleys with doubles. His basestealing (28/30 in SBs) is due to using his instincts to enhance his above avg. speed. Below-average defender w/ below-average arm. Burke: Was shellshocked when he came to the Hawks - a year after being a first rounder, he was sitting in someone else's locker room. But after that, he became one of the most improved players on the Hawks. Pull-oriented and at times overaggressive, has major power thanks in part to his muscular frame. Fringe average runner, plus arm, should be a dependable RF with offensive upside. Huseby: Cubs have used kid gloves and his stuff was underwhelming. His upside lies in athleticism and projection at this point. Was at 88-91 for most of the season, dipping to 86-88. Inconsistent breaking ball...he was sharpening a slider which is better than the curve he used in HS. Shwoed avg. control but below-avg. command, delivery and arm action are sound for a 6-7 guy.

- Cubs.com

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070924&content_id=2227535&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla I'm a fan of his...that said, Uncle Larry isn't going anywhere (and I don't think he should).

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/264916.html

IF the Cubs were to make the playoffs, would you like the game threads started by the most successful game thread starters so far this season (i.e. Southpaw19, UMFan83, davhern) or would you like it to continue with the regular rotation?

Sadly, only one Cub made the top 20. :( 1. Angel Villalona, 3b, Giants 2. Engel Beltre, of, Rangers 3. Nick Noonan, 2b, Giants 4. Danny Duffy, lhp, Royals 5. Wilmer Font, rhp, Giants 6. Wilber Bucardo, rhp, Giants 7. Drew Cumberland, ss, Padres 8. Danny Carroll, of, Mariners 9. Cristian Santana, c, Rangers 10. Mario Martinez, ss/3b, Mariners 11. Mason Tobin, rhp, Angels 12. Michael Anton, lhp, Angels 13. Matt Mitchell, rhp, Royals 14. Yefri Carvajal, of, Padres 15. Charlie Culberson, 2b/ss, Giants 16. Larry Suarez, rhp, Cubs 17. Clay Fuller, of, Angels 18. Sam Runion, rhp, Royals 19. Ivan Contreras, 2b, Angels 20. Jacob Wild, rhp, Mariners I'm really disappointed no one else, like Carlos Perez or Oswaldo Martinez, made it.

After dominating for Sacramento in the PCL championship, Jerry Blevins is up with the A's now. Threw a scoreless and hitless first inning with 1 K. :(

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=586 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/Navinda/averages.jpg BA looked at catchers in the top prospect handbook (i.e. no Carlos Perez, Josh Donaldson, Wellington Castillo or Jake Muyco): Mark Reed - 36.8% Chris Robinson - 34.9% Geovanny Soto - 31.1% Jake Muyco was 2nd in all of the minors in CS (prospects, non-prospects, etc. were all considered here) at 52%.