If we are judging by their names, that is. And I definitely am. We’re still a couple of months away from the beginning of the signing period, but this fanpost over at the Minor League Ball/ MLB Bonus Baby juggneraut is well worth your attention, at the very least to bookmark now so you can convincingly scoff at Cub signings when they happen. (Smaykin Gonzalez? Pfft, no way does that guy stick at shortstop). The wonderful collection of names there makes me even more upset at the spending limits imposed on international free agents. How great would it be to receive daily updates from Dmick and company on Obispo Aybar-Lara, Micker Adolfo Zapata, and Yeltsin Gudino?
TheAncientMariners had this to say about Venezuelan shortstop Gleyber Torres, whom Kiley McDaniel previously reported as connected to the Cubs (potentially for over $2M of their allotted $4.6M in available funds):
Torres is a polished player with a high floor, and though he doesn’t offer much projection, what he is right now is already pretty good. A smooth defender with above average arm strength and innate natural instincts on the infield, Torres is exactly what you would want in a shortstop prospect. Offensively, he has a clean swing and shows patience and a good approach at the plate. Scouts see Torres as being the type of hitter who could hit for average while adding 15-20 homeruns a year. Torres only below-average tool is his lack of pure footspeed (7.02), but he has much better range than one would expect from a player with that kind of 60-time.
This is becoming a theme with this front office, targeting polished players who lack flash (Alberto Almora, Frandy De La Rosa, Gerardo Concepcion, etc…). Not that surprising, as the A’s and Red Sox have famously employed this kind of strategy for years.
Comments
Can’t believe the Bulls won that series
GWQuote Reply
WE GOT ROCK SHOULDERS FAIR AND SQUARE THROUGH THE DRAFT.
And, yeah, I didn’t have the Bulls coming away with the W today. Noah is criminally underrated, eh?
uncle daveQuote Reply
@Rice
Yeah. I mean. It’s so hard to come up with witty ways to say “Nice win, the Cubs still suck” or “Tis loss is okay! We’re rebuilding!” That I might as well just learn about more kinds of drinks while I watch the games right now. If I miss an inning or two? Eh. And yeah, the Bulls aren’t SUCKING, but I mean…even in game 7, this game shouldn’t be so close. What other team ever has had to miss a player from “spinal tap complictions” (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
@Berselius
Those HRs were amazing. Adolfo has such a pretty swing when he hits those HRs that they never get old to watch
As for the actual topic at hand? The internation signings are really interesting, but hard for someone like me to judge with no video, very limited stats…etc. Either we’ll be panning it in 3 years or cheering it when the player is in AA hitting decently. Hell, even *I* was excited about Concepcion for a week or so.
AkabariQuote Reply
@ uncle dave:
I dunno if I’d call Noah underrated. He’s a great player, for sure. But even people like Barkley call him their favorite player in the NBA. He’s the hardest working, without a doubt. But it’s hard to say what he would do with a different coach. In my eyes he’s the only Bull playing right now I’d keep around as long as I can. Rose too, obviously, but I mean playing right now.
AkabariQuote Reply
Yeah, he’s just so fucking ugly, his game and his mug. Tough to give him his due if you’re a casual fan. I love his game, though.
uncle daveQuote Reply
In spite of their fancy new colors and arena, the Nets will always just be trash from Jersey.
GBTSQuote Reply
I was so torn when they drafted him, since I was not a fan in his Florida days . It seems odd to think about that now.
GWQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
…Says the guy with the fake ‘stache and 1970s shades.
SVBQuote Reply
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/juan-carlos-paniagua-still-waiting-for-visa/
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
Dude, just use cash.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Agreed, though Concepcion is probably not the best example here. He might not even polished enough to be a Little League pitcher. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Unless dmick wants to take it up today, the JoT will be very late today (as in, tonight). Apologies, I had a very long night and associated morning.
MylesQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Just skip it today. That’s what I’d do anyway.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
In other words, you’re on your own Myles. (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Myles:
@ dmick89:
@ Suburban kid:
It’s alright, probably would’ve sucked anyway.
The minor league Cubs, not you.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
The beauty of having a newborn, eh Myles?
I can do it, if you want. I got jack to do today anyway.
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
JoT, presented by SVB.
Nice corporate ring to it.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
SVB wrote:
Go for it. You can email it to me if you want.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
Will do.
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
When you’re done with that, our bathrooms need cleaning.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
It seems silly now, but at the time of the signing, KG and others were calling him “polished” and touting his advanced feel for pitching.
GWQuote Reply
Akabari wrote:
I agree it’s tough to judge. Most of these guys aren’t yet 17, and a long ways away. However, there’s a ton of video at that fanpost, if you are interested.
GWQuote Reply
@ GW:
That all seemed silly to me at the time as I’m sure you recall. Not that I haven’t been wrong a few times, but this guy’s strikeout rate was pathetic. I think I said that Hayden Simpson was a better pitcher. I actually meant it. I still do. I don’t even think Simpson is playing pro ball anymore, but I like his chances of success better. For that matter, I like the chances of a random commenter from OV better. I like my chances to be an all-pro offensive guard and I lack the size, strength, endurance, weight, ability to block, guard or do anything related to football. (dying laughing)
Seriously though, put Concepcion in the draft and nobody considers taking him before the 30th round. That horrible strikeout rate would have sounded alarm bells within the scouts the moment they saw every batter make contact.
I’ll gladly take this considering it’s the dumbest thing this front office has done and it cost the Cubs next to nothing. No reason to complain. Just a reason to laugh IMO.
I think it would be funny to see the combination of Concepcion and Welington Castillo at the MLB level. There would 13 WP, 9 PB and 42 balks per game. Not to mention the 36 errors.
dmick89Quote Reply
I can’t remember. Did I mention how much I dislike Concepcion?
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
(dying laughing) I believe KG put him at #6 in the Cubs system, or at least said he would prior to leaving for Houston.
GWQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
got it
SVBQuote Reply
New Shit
SVBQuote Reply
Hi, great blog but there is a issue whereby on occassion I get redirected to the root page whenever I view different webpages within your website.
Janeth GuenthurQuote Reply