Stratos
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Everything posted by Stratos
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Kinda sucks for the WBC players that they lose a few weeks to practice the ABS system before the season.
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I feel like California should just have its own team
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Wow that 3B for Canada really blew those throws. At some point this game is going to be a spanking for USA. PCA just missed another HR.
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From Counsell sounds like the plan is to rotate Shaw around the diamond to let regulars get some rest at DH. Yeah doubtful to see Mo in Iowa. But if everyone is healthy it's an option for the Cubs if they want to keep certain guys for depth.
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Cubs will certainly carry the max 13 pitchers so on OD there will be 4 bench players, plus whoever is DH'ing that day. Amaya as 2nd catcher leaves 3 spots. Ballesteros is likely to be in that DH spot most games. With Shaw getting so much work in OF it'll be interesting to see if they go with Shaw + 1 INF + 1 OF or Shaw + 2 OF. They really only need 1 bench OF besides Shaw. I could see maybe Kingery + Conforto as the final 2 bench spots. There's just no playing time for 2 bench OF plus Shaw. They may want to keep Conforto for his bat and insurance for Mo even if Carlson is hitting well in ST but still hasn't been showing power. If the Cubs like Carlson they could DH Conforto and add Carlson as 4th OF and put Mo in AAA to work on catching since he has options. Unless Carlson is ok with Iowa.
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Brennen Davis in RF for the Mariners vs the Cubs today.
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Having him learn 1b on top of 3 OF positions while trying to stay sharp at 3 other INF positions is a terrible idea. Plus he's only a 2nd year player still trying to learn to hit in the MLB. The things they've asked of him in his first 2 seasons is wild. At least they have faith in his abilities I guess.
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Rea gave up 3 HR in 4 innings today. after Horton got shelled yesterday. Journalist told Counsell the other day he's heard rumors of maybe some changes to the ball (whether inadvertent or intentional). Counsell said he's not going to speculate on something like that in ST, would at least wait until season to see. Said AZ isn't an easy pitching environment. Probably got worth worrying about at all.
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He said the guys were celebrating after the Mexico game and "were dragging a bit" before the Italy game.
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Forgot to mention my observations of Wiggins so far. He's had no real problems spotting his fastball, and the velo is ridiculous, but he's had poor command of his secondaries. Saw him get ahead then walk a guy because he had problems finishing him with his curve and change he was missing on. Was missing his change by a couple feet (high and out of the zone). Maybe the secondaries are where the walks have come from historically. Haven't been impressed with the break on his curveball either via just the eyetest, reminded be of the lame version of Killian's curve. Didn't see a slider. Physically he's an absolute beast. Looks like a less bulky version of Kyle Farnsworth out there. Overall seems like a very talented work in progress.
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He's also been notoriously crummy on non-fastballs historically, maybe this approach helps that if he's not always selling out to pull fb's.
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2025-2026 Offseason Top Prospects Lists
Stratos replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Cubs Minor League Talk
Rojas was above Conrad on the previous ranking. They still have them rated at the same FV so how they rank against one another is pretty arbitrary and meaningless IMO. -
Yes that was my point.
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If a catcher can be accurate with ABS and rack up many successful challenges per game that could fundamentally change game outcomes in this sport. You wonder if catchers become so good that teams will start to not allow hitters to challenge unless it's very high leverage like runners on late in a close game. Sounds like teams already don't want pitchers challenging.
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Mo got tested on a stolen base attempt to second base today. His throw was fairly accurate but was so slow that it barely made it to the bag. Hopefully just a bad throw in an early ST catching start for him.
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2025-2026 Offseason Top Prospects Lists
Stratos replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Cubs Minor League Talk
They downgraded Mo's running grade to 20/80 haha. -
Taillon and Shota were my biggest worries coming into ST. But Shota had upside to recover, and has shown about 2mph uptick in velo so far over last year and even 1 mph better than 2024. I always assumed a below-average xFIP was going to happen this year for Taillon similar to projections. His velo from his previous ST start was around his velo from the previous 2 seasons so I'm not really concerned either about today's velo (yet). Who knows if the shorter starts or adrenaline from early spring starts is a factor in any velo improvements we've seen. Going to wait closer to OD to make judgments. L
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Wouldn't be the worst thing for Brown to be able to work on his change and new sinker in Iowa for a bit. He has lots of potential.
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Sounds like guys with options like Assad, Brown could get sent down in favor of the other guys in camp without options. That's fine. Someone will inevitably get hurt or suck and get released.
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Have been more interested in the velos than results. So far everyone's velo looks as good or better as last year. Good sign. Wiggins sat 97-98 today which is impressive. Probably some adrenaline there though. Didn't walk anyone either.
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Yeah Mo would be a backup for Busch in case of injury.
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Won't they be looking for an 1B who bats righty to platoon with Busch?
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Yeah who knows what they do now. Maybe wait for someone to get released near Opening Day and pick someone up in the meantime. Could also make a trade for some AAAA type.
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Long had strong reverse splits last year.
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Competing for both. Injuries could also happen with Mo or OF so just another option in the mix.
