CaliforniaRaisin

959 (32nd round): SS Cesar Valentin, Catalina Morales de Flore

Looks like they finally got started. 929 (31st round): RHP Bryan Collins, Alvin CC 4 JCs in a row, 15 pitchers for the draft.

Scobee went in the 14th round to Toronto.

I think they're hoping for some early success in the minors combined with a lower NFL draft status than he had hoped for might convince him to stick to baseball only after his time at Notre Dame.

And 3 consecutive JCs. 899 (30th round) - RHP Donald Walters, Richland College

Some other stuff from the article: And BA had him ranked as the 20th best prospect in the draft.

779 (26th round): RHP Michael Cooper, UC Berkeley - was drafted by Toronto in the 17th round in 04 809 (27th round): RHP Cedric Redmond, Joliet Township HS - 6'3", 190 lbs, throws 90-94 mph FB 839 (28th round): RHP Brett Summers, South Suburban JC - 6'6", 185 lbs, used to throw 90-93 mph in HS but velo has since fallen 869 (29th round): RHP Jordan Latham, Southern Idaho

14th round pick Drew Rundle, who fell due to his college committment to Arizona:

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Most of the comments on Colvin are based on what BA and others have said of him - so there is evidence. Even with what John Manuel said yesterday about Colvin moving up, BA still made it sound like a reach. I do have faith in Wilken and his track record, so I hope this pans out...but from my vantage point, this pick seemed like an overdraft to allow for more financial leeway to sign the Cubs 5th round selection. I'm not sure how this can be considered ridiculous criticism.

The point being, it's compounded with the Cubs' draft since they only have 2 picks in the first 5 rounds.

I'm not sure I see the high reward part of it. The physical piece is there, but what I'm finding are statistics that leave a lot to be desired: 4+ ERA, 1.4 WHIP, etc. -- there's just nothing that jumps out at me and says it was anything but a bad, bad pick. He has been rated as first round talent. He's had better seasons in his previous years at ND and, as you said, the physical pieces are there. We'll see how his game is helped by facing wooden bats. To quote John Manuel from BA:

I have no problem with this pick. The Cubs obviously talked to Jeff's coaches (and advisors?) and got a feel for the situation beforehand. I just dislike the overdraft in the first round - whether or not Colvin was moving up the draft boards, he was an overdraft. But in addition to the overdraft to allow for this pick, they're taking a guy who will start his baseball career as a college senior or graduate and hasn't produced consistently at the college level. Factor in the injury risks of playing football and the odds that he may very well change his mind from what he told the Cubs this week and you get a lot of risks for that much money and the equivalent of a first round pick. Well, that's exactly why it's a high-risk, high-reward pick. I don't think there was anyone available in the 5th with a higher reward, and this was obviously the Cubs strategy to make up for losing out on 3 picks.

Daytona sent SS Issmael Salas to the DL and called up RHP Mike Billek from Peoria.

Is Huber still a better prospect than Buck, or is he going to move out from behind the plate. I am pretty sure he already has. Sounds like he may not have the defense to stick anywhere from what I have gathered. Think 1b/dh Yeah, that's what I've gathered too.

Probable Starters: West Tenn: LHP JR Mathes (5-4, 3.59 ERA, 62.2 IP, 45/15, 1.26 WHIP) vs. RHP Ray Liotta (1-6, 3.53 ERA) Daytona: RHP Mike Billek (Daytona debut; Peoria: 4-5, 5.66 ERA, 35 IP, 25/11, 1.60 WHIP) Peoria: RHP Todd Blackford (4-2, 4.85 ERA, 59.1 IP, 25/28, 1.57 WHIP) @ RHP Chris Nicoll (3-3, 2.33 ERA)

Yeah, but that was Outshined's point. Ginn might jump ahead of Samardzija. NFL scouts will fall in love with Johnson, Jarrett and Rice's athleticness, combine workouts, 40-times and stuff like that and Jeff won't be as impressive in some of those areas. He is a first round NFL pick, though. I was never speaking to Outshine's point. I was simply saying that it is highly unlikely that Jeff would ever be the first receiver taken. Ginn, as a receiver, is nowhere near where Jeff is, IMHO. Ginn is a whale of a return man, but unfortunately people seem to be equating those talents into his abilities as a receiver...which are good, but not great. But the scouts will fall in love with him in the combine and that should be enough to move his draft stock close to Samardzija's. I agree that his talent at WR is nowhere near as good as Jeff's.

I have no problem with this pick. The Cubs obviously talked to Jeff's coaches (and advisors?) and got a feel for the situation beforehand. I just dislike the overdraft in the first round - whether or not Colvin was moving up the draft boards, he was an overdraft.

Yeah, but that was Outshined's point. Ginn might jump ahead of Samardzija. NFL scouts will fall in love with Johnson, Jarrett and Rice's athleticness, combine workouts, 40-times and stuff like that and Jeff won't be as impressive in some of those areas. He is a first round NFL pick, though.

His velocity has trailed a bit this season, hopefully it bounces back:

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, none. Hill has not had near enough oppportunity to show what he can do. I said it before and I'll say it again, jerking a pitcher from starting in the minors to relieving in the majors, to starting in the minors, to spot starting in the majors, to relieving in the majors, to starting in the minors, to starting in the majors is not the way to develop a pitcher. Each time Hill has started in the majors his "life" was on the line. Not everyone is Wood or Prior. Hell, Baylor could decide if Z was a starter. yea ok....so should we just put him in the rotation and let him get beat up in the majors? Don't pull him out and let's see how he pans out. Is that your suggestion? He has 2 pitches. 1 mediocre fastball and 1 good curve. I think Marshall has a better curve. hill just doesn't have the mental makeup to play in Chicago, not everyone can deal with the fans. Maybe if he goes to a smaller market he will be successful. that should read average fastball (87-90) and excellent curve. he also throws a change & cutter from what i understand but doesnt use them much when he starts in the bigs. perhaps the pitch calling by the dugout might have something to do with this. It's partly because he's not comfortable throwing the change and cutter and needs to work on them to make them acceptable big league pitches. As an aside, Hill's curve is better than Marshall's.

Link The 5 players representing Peoria are: 1B Ryan Norwood LHP Ed Campusano RHP Mitch Atkins RHP Matt Avery RHP Jeff Teasley It looks like the snubs for the Chiefs are LHP Donnie Veal and C Mark Reed. Three relievers from one team in the all-star game seems overkill, but I'm not going to complain since they're Chiefs. There is also a chance that Peoria's coaching staff will coach at the game, even if they don't win the first half title. The game will be on June 20th.

Is that the strategy for Marmol, is it just coincidence, or does he project to be a reliever? Some folks in the system think Marmol could be a lights out closer, but he should be just fine as a starter. I think this was just coincidence with Williamson's injury.

With Dayton Moore coming on board, there has been talk of Gordon, Butler and Huber all getting promoted to the big leagues within the next few months (apparently because Moore came from an organization that was aggressive with its promotions). Gordon is definitely the best of the three, imo.

You'd have to read the game thread to understand. :wink: Funny thing is I posted this before he got out of the jam. Just because I knew he could do it! GO Marmol! well hope he does good! Does he really have only 2 pitches? a mid to upper 90's fastball and a 12-6 curve of some sort? i still think he need one more pitch to make a good starter?! well who am i? just another fan?!?! :D Actually most scouts in the minors dubbed that curve of his as more like a hard slider. I didn't see today's game and have never seen Carlos pitch, so I can't tell if it's a curve or not. He does have a changeup, which is a solid big league pitch, but it's not a plus pitch like his fastball and breaking pitch. well, if he really does have a change up then, i've really not seen it yet? all ive seen is a blazing fastball, and a sharp biting curve... thats been clocked around 81-84 ???? I just think he should be given a chance.... u never know he might turn out to be a surprise like Marshall did? I wouldn't be shocked that he hasn't used his change yet (if that's the case), since he's only been relieving thus far and he's not as comfortable with it as his other two pitches. If he gets extended or starts, he's going to have to bring it out. Right now, I think Marmol is one of the Cubs top 3 prospects throughout the system.