We’ve taken an extensive look at the top 20 Cubs prospects this season by Sickels so it’s time to look at some others who weren’t ranked.
Gaub is coming of a season in which he walked almost a batter per inning and allowed a tons of runs, but this season he’s been pretty good. His strikeouts are through the roof. He has Marmol-esque strikeout potential. He’s struckout 54 in 36.1 innings, but his command is what has held this 26 year old back. He’s also walked 23 at AAA. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Gaub get a call-up at some point later in the season. The Cubs are still trying to win games so, you know, moving on to the more important things of trying to figure out what you can and can’t do next season will just have to wait until they’re no longer trying to win games.
Gonzalez is off the best start in his career. The 22 year old shortstop had 239 plate appearances at AA this season and his wOBA was .345. While that may not sound like much, Gonzalez has been a guy who has consistently posted OPS’s in the low .600s. He’s not a good hitter and his career .307 OBP and lack of power probably prevent him from ever being a starter at bit leagues. He’s played in a few games at AAA after being promoted and has hit well in limited time. He’s a guy who has primarily played SS, but has played some CF as well as most other positions. He’s a super utility player who probably won’t hit much, but he is just 22 and having the best season of his career. He’s young so there’s still the possibility that he can figure it out.
The Cubs 2012 back-up catcher has a career minor league line of .308/.367/.422. He’s 25 years old and his hitting has gone up and down over the years, but it’s hard to imagine the Cubs keeping Koyie Hill around and if it’s a battle between Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger, methinks Clevinger wins that battle. Both are having very good seasons in 2011.
DJ LeMahieu
We’ve seen a little action from this season so we know how highly the Cubs think of the 2009 draft pick. He’s never going to be a great hitter, but he plays all the infield spots and is still technically 22. He turns 23 in less than a week. He’s having the best season of his career so far, but doesn’t like to take walks.
Flaherty was picked in the first round by the Cubs during the 2008 draft (41st overall). He turns 25 at the end of the month. It was kind of surprising that LeMahieu got the call instead of Flaherty who is just having a great season. Flaherty’s overall numbers remind me of another Cubs prospect who is a little older than you’d like and has been passed over.
Marquez Smith has a career line of .283/.357/.477 while Flaherty’s line is .282/.352/.471. Smith has had a lot of plate appearances at AAA while Flaherty has yet to advance past AA. The similarities don’t end with their batting lines. The age is another one and also the ability to play several positions. Flaherty, though, can also play SS. Flaherty’s primary position has been 2nd base this season, but he’s played there in just 35 of his 78 games. He’s also played 21 in LF, 13 in RF, 13 at SS, 10 at 3rd and 4 at 1st.
After hitting for a .380 park-adjusted wOBA in his first full season in 2009, he struggled upon a promotion from Low A to AA in 2010, but this season his numbers are back. His park-adjusted wOBA is .395. After being sent back to High A last season, he continued to hit as he did the year before.
I usually don’t care a lot about 1st base prospects because they have to be such good hitters to succeed. Ridling may not be that good, but he is putting together a strong season at AA. He’s also 25, but he has an .845 OPS so I figured I’d at least mention him.
Jae Hoon Ha
He began the season in High A and got off to a fantastic start. He was promoted to AA when Brett Jackson was injured and struggled. His numbers have fallen back to earth since and his overall line is .274/.314/.431. Ha apparently has a cannon for an arm and plays very good defense in RF. His patience has improved a bit, but it will have to improve much more. He has taken as many walks (16) this season as he had combined in 2009 and 2010.
Chris Rusin
He has fantastic control for a pitcher. In 76 AA innings this season, Rusin walked just 16. He struckout only 49, but that’s a very good ratio. His career BB/9 is under 2 and his career K/BB is well over 3. I’m too lazy to do the K-BB%, but it would certainly be better than league average. Rusin doesn’t turn 25 until after the season and following his last start he was promoted to AAA Iowa. That’s an extreme hitter’s league so it’s going to be interesting and worth following.
Off to a terrific start and after a promotion to AA, his elbow went and he’s out for the season.
Struck is only 21 years old. He was drafted in the 39th round in 2009 and in his second full season of professional baseball, he’s already at AAA. He’s made only one start there since being promoted less than a week ago, but it always impresses me how quickly some can move through a system.
He has good command, but he’s not going to strikeout a ton of batters. His strikeout ratios are probably good enough considering his good command. He also gives up more hits than you’d like, but he limits the baserunners by not walking many. It’s tough to figure out someone his age who has moved up the system so quickly. He’s only thrown 219 professional innings. Also, his ERA looked so sparkly in AA this season because nearly half the runs he allowed were unearned. However, his tRA+ in Daytona was 114 and then it was 132 in Tennessee so he’s been good. Really good.
You can find a pretty good writeup on Struck around the draft time here.
Jeffrey Belliveau
The lefty’s first 36 professional innings in 2008 (18th round pick that year) didn’t go too well. It likely changed our perception of him and we forgot about him. It was easy to do, though. He walked around 7.5 batters per 9 innings the first 70 professional innings of his career. It really doesn’t matter how many you can strikeout if you’re giving away that many free passes in the lowest levels of the minor leagues. He was striking a lot of batters out (13+ per 9).
Something changed upon his promotion to Peoria in 2009. His walk rate dropped to 4.2 per 9. His strikeout rate also fell, but it was still 10 per 9. In 2010 it dropped to 4.1 per 9 and his k-rate increased back to 13+. This season he’s walked under 3 per 9 and struckout more than 11 per 9.
He looks as tough to hit as Carlos Marmol does. In 33 appearances this season (all relief) in A+ and AA, he’s thrown 47.2 innings and allowed 28 hits. He’s struckout 62. He’s walked only 13. At AA, he’s thrown 30.1 of those innings and allowed just 15 hits. He’s struckout 42 and walked 7, but 2 of those were intentional. He has a 1.39 tRA in AA, which has a league average of 4.52. His tRA+ is 169. He’s having a great season. It’s hard to believe he’ll be in AA much longer.
The Cubs acquired the 22 year old outfielder last season for Mike Fontenot. Crawford is in High A and hitting .324/.390/.423. That’s good for 8th in the league in batting average and 17th in on-base percentage. He has a .370 wOBA and a team high 10.3 batting runs above average (braa).
He’s just 6-2 and 165 pounds so power isn’t going to be a part of his game. He can run. He stole 27 bases last season and has already stolen 20 this year. He’s been thrown out only 5 times. He swings and misses, but has above average plate discipline.
His defense must not be all that special as he’s mostly played LF this seaosn, which is of course a problem.
Drafted in the 10th round of the 2010 Draft, Kurcz is quietly putting together a solid start to his professional career. He turns 21 in a month and so far he’s thrown 83.1 innings in his career, allowed 67 hits, struckout 104 and walked 36. The Cubs signed him for $125,000 and here’s what Baseball America had to say.
Righthander Kurcz came to Southern Nevada from Air Force. He’s not big, standing 6 feet and 175 pounds, but has consistently pitched with good velocity. He sits 92-94 mph with a slurvy breaking ball that has some bite to it. If he doesn’t sign, he’ll head to Oral Roberts.
Already at AA, he’s made 17 appearances, 12 of which were starts, and thrown 56 innings. He’s allowed 52 hits, struckout 56 and walked 25.
Matt Szczur
Baseball America said this about the Cubs 5th round pick in 2010.
A wide receiver for Villanova’s football team, Szczur led the Wildcats to a Football Championship Subdivision national title last fall, earning MVP honors in the championship game after racking up 270 all-purpose yards. He is a legitimate NFL draft prospect as a receiver in the Wes Welker mold, which clouds his baseball signability, but he also could be drafted as early as the fifth round in baseball. Szczur is an electrifying athlete with true 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. He is still learning to put his speed to use in the outfield—he arrived at Villanova as a catcher and has never concentrated on baseball full-time—and has played right field for the Wildcats, but he could become an adequate defender in center or left with work. His arm is well-below-average. Offensively, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Szczur has an unorthodox, slashy swing, but he has a knack for barreling up balls consistently, and he projects as an average hitter with below-average power. He has a patient approach, and he can use all fields and make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat. Scouts love Szczur’s intensity on the field, and coaches rave about his work ethic and ability to learn. He also has special makeup off the field; days after hitting for the cycle on April 27, Szczur donated bone marrow to a 1-year-old girl with leukemia, sidelining him for the next three weeks.
All he’s done in a little over 400 professional plate apearances is hit .325/.383/.445. This year at Peoria he’s hitting .317/.370/.438. He has 5 home runs, 15 doubles and a triple to go along with 17 stolen bases and 5 times caught stealing. Not to mention he makes a ton of contact. He’s struckout just 26 times this year in 289 plate appearances and has taken 21 walks. He turns 22 in a couple weeks, but hasn’t focuses solely on baseball for very long yet. We’ll have to see what he does at the higher levels, but so far he’s doing a great job.
The Cubs selected Kirk in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft. He turned 21 at the end of May and began playing in his first full season league this season. At Peoria he’s made 17 appearances (16 starts) and thrown 93.1 innings. He’s allowed only 63 hits while walking 22 and striking out 82. His WHIP is only .911. He has a 3.89 tRA, which is good for a 115 tRA+.
At the time of the draft, Baseball America had this scouting report for Kirk.
He surprised scouts by touching 92 mph in a February scrimmage against Tulsa’s Memorial High and ace Jon Reed. Kirk has moved past Reed as the state’s No. 2 high school prospect behind projected first-rounder Chad James (Yukon High) by pitching at 88-91 mph all spring after previously topping out in the high 80s. His fastball is explosive and gets on hitters quickly, making it appear even faster. He also consistently stays on top of his improved curveball with his high three-quarters delivery and has an advanced changeup for a high schooler. Kirk could go in the fourth or fifth round if teams believe he’ll sign. If he doesn’t, he’ll head to Oklahoma and get the chance to contribute as a two-way player. He’s a first baseman with some lefthanded power.
The Cubs signed him for just over $300,000.
Starling Peralta
Is it Starling or Starlin? Minor League Baseball has Starling while Baseball Reference has Starlin. Who knows? Who cares? Anyway, there’s been some talk about him on here recently, but I’m not sure he’s as good as DJ things. He’s definitely not old for his level, but his overall minor league pitching numbers aren’t really that impressive. In 151.2 innings between the Dominican Leagues and the 5+ innings at Peoria, he’s allowed 158 hits, struckout 146 and walked 50. Not bad at all, but not something that gets me that excited either. He has a career 4.57 ERA. He is off to a really good start this season in 18 innings. He’s struckout 24 and walked only 3.
Drafted by the Cubs last month, Hoilman is already 22 and in the Northwest League so the numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt. Still, they’re quite impressive. He’s hit .267/.464/.517. Yeah, his OBP is nearly 200 points higher than his average. He’s walked 21 times in 84 plate appearances. He’s also struckout 27 times. 53 of his 84 plate appearances have been walks, hit by pitch, strikeouts or home runs. He was known as college baseball’s home run king.
The Cubs haven’t signed too many players from the 2011 draft yet, but Hoilman and Lopez are two of them. Lopez, also now at Boise, is also hitting quite well. The 16th round pick is already 23 and turns 24 after the season. So far he’s hitting .333/.432/.444 between Rookie League and short-season A ball. He was a 4-year college player so both of those levels are not quite the same talent as he’s used to facing.
An outfielder, drafted in the 20th round this year out of Kent State he’s played only 18 games and has a .599 OPS.
He was drafted in the 6th round in 2007 by the Marlins who again selected him in the 31st round in 2010, but Easterling refused to sign. He should have signed in 2007. The Cubs picked him in the 27th round and he’s had only 7 plate appearances for Boise so far.
The Cubs drafted Levitt in the 50th round in 2008 and then again in the 32nd round this year. Levitt has appeared in only 4 games across rookie league, Boise and low-A.
36th round pick this year. He’s had fewer than 30 plate appearances so far.
Patrick Franceson
The 40th round pick is at Peoria, but has thrown fewer than 10 innings so far this year.
21 year old middle infielder selected in the 42nd round, he’s played 15 games at Boise. He’s primarily played 2nd, but a few games at SS.
Selected in the 44th round, the 5-9, 175 lb. middle infielder has had fewer than 40 plate appearances between rookie league and Boise.
From what I can tell, that appears to be all the Cubs draft picks who have signed and played in real games so far. I’m going to post a survey sometime soon for you to fill out your top prospects so we can have a midseason list to look at. Lists are fun.
Comments
Looking at those numbers I’m quite surprised Gaub hasn’t been called up. Maybe it’s time for Grabow to have another phantom injury, since it looks like he, Marshall, and Russell aren’t going anywhere.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Anyway, to get back to the last thread, I wouldn’t be surprised if both Tulo and Reyes sit out the ASG, in which case, Castro would probably start by default.
ACTQuote Reply
That’s a lot of people.
MishQuote Reply
.
GBTSQuote Reply
It may not be an impressive minor league system, but it’s more fun than writing something about the major league team.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It may not be an impressive minor league system, but it’s more fun than writing something about the major league team.[/quote]
I suggest writing about the opponents’ baseball superiority, like that sweet squeeze play last night that didn’t work at first, but then Davey Johnson said “fuck it” and tried it again anyway. That was an excellent use of small-ball.
/nerd
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It may not be an impressive minor league system, but it’s more fun than writing something about the major league team.[/quote]
You are technically correct (which is the best kind of correct), but you could have slipped in a paragraph on b or Tim and I probably wouldn’t have noticed. (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I see JG has discovered the joy that is Garfield Minus Garfield.[/quote]
Uhhhhhh, yeah, like more than two years ago.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Uhhhhhh, yeah, like more than 2 or 288 years ago.[/quote].
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish].[/quote]
It could go either way.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]It could go either way.[/quote]I’ll take a wait and see approach.
MishQuote Reply
Jose Reyes —-> out 3 weeks
Starlin Castro —-> Tonya Harding on Tulo’s kneecaps
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sickels
**Chicago Cubs prospect Austin Kirk threw a nine-inning no-hitter on July 4th for Low-A Peoria in the Midwest League, walking two and fanning 10. On the season, he’s 5-5, 2.60 in 93 innings, with an 82/22 K/BB and 63 hits allowed. A third-round pick out of Owasso, Oklahoma, in 2009, Kirk was on my pre-season Sleeper Alert! list and it looks like he’s waking up. His best pitch is his curveball. I have conflicting reports on his fastball velocity. One source says 86-89, like last year, another source reports a vague velocity increase but with few details. I am working to get that conflict resolved one way or another. In any event, he’s having a great year.
MishQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23bullpenishuge
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://www.happyplace.com/8810/unfortunate-shirtwear-choice
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exKF_CiIGMM[/quote]
He didn’t raise his arms high enough ∴ he’s injured.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Nice symbol usage.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.happyplace.com/8810/unfortunate-shirtwear-choice[/quote]
Glad to see you’re not bound by good looks, youth, etc.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
If you’re bored….
http://fantasticcontraption.com/index.php
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Taiwan Easterling didn’t sign in 2007 because he came to FSU to play football…
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Taiwan Easterling didn’t sign in 2007 because he came to FSU to play football…[/quote]I thought that name sounded familiar. Thanks.
mb21Quote Reply
Alcohol —–> may not kill braincells, despite what has happened to mb
http://www.rdmag.com/News/2011/07/Life-Sciences-Biology-The-Biology-Behind-Alcohol-Induced-Blackouts/
MishQuote Reply
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/12686
MishQuote Reply
RosenHack at it again:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/07/columnist-bashes-carlos-zambrano-for-flying-to-guatemala-to-adopt-a-baby-boy/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]RosenHack at it again:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/07/columnist-bashes-carlos-zambrano-for-flying-to-guatemala-to-adopt-a-baby-boy/%5B/quote%5D
Wut.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/12686[/quote]It will be nice to free up the money that the Cubs are paying Ramirez and Fukudome. Too bad Soriano and Zambrano weren’t also free agents.
mb21Quote Reply
Midseason Top 50 – BJax at 32, Szczur 48
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/midseason-top-50-prospects-list/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]RosenHack at it again:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/07/columnist-bashes-carlos-zambrano-for-flying-to-guatemala-to-adopt-a-baby-boy/%5B/quote%5D
On the other hand, Muskat’s blurb on this very stupid goodwill trip is not as harsh:
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/07/07/77-big-z-foundations-good-efforts/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Midseason Top 50 – BJax at 32, Szczur 48
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/midseason-top-50-prospects-list/%5B/quote%5D
Noticed that HJL is #22.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It will be nice to free up the money that the Cubs are paying Ramirez and Fukudome. Too bad Soriano and Zambrano weren’t also free agents.[/quote]
That money is paying Carlos Silva
BerseliusQuote Reply
I still can’t believe Sullivan said that.
mb21Quote Reply
Enjoyed this series, mb. I agree that some of Sickels’ choices were questionable; I guess that will happen when you have lots of similarly mediocre players without much to differentiate them.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Enjoyed this series, mb. I agree that some of Sickels’ choices were questionable; I guess that will happen when you have lots of similarly mediocre players without much to differentiate them.[/quote]Yeah, I’m actually going to add a 4th part before I do the survey, but that’s mostly just going to be an opinion piece. There are definitely a few things I want to say as I looked over the stats as closely as I did and I may as well write another piece. It’s not like the MLB team is giving us much to talk about anyway.
It’s definitely an odd minor league system. I’ve come away thinking that it’s actually better than I initially thought while at the same time feeling that it’s even worse than I thought. I’ll explain more either later tonight or tomorrow, but it’s just a weird farm system right now.
mb21Quote Reply
They really really like caesar. I like him too but was shocked to see him that high.. They forgot simpson (dying laughing)
Bubbles is off to see the cubs
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Sounds like Demp’s side session went well.
ACTQuote Reply
This my #1 prospect in baseball:
http://tinyurl.com/62ll9k2
MishQuote Reply
I was just going to post that link.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve come away thinking that it’s actually better than I initially thought while at the same time feeling that it’s even worse than I thought.[/quote]
So, it could go either way?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, I’m actually going to add a 4th part before I do the survey, but that’s mostly just going to be an opinion piece. There are definitely a few things I want to say as I looked over the stats as closely as I did and I may as well write another piece. It’s not like the MLB team is giving us much to talk about anyway.
It’s definitely an odd minor league system. I’ve come away thinking that it’s actually better than I initially thought while at the same time feeling that it’s even worse than I thought. I’ll explain more either later tonight or tomorrow, but it’s just a weird farm system right now.[/quote]
I seem to remember a few years ago the cubs had the rep for being younger at most levels than is typical. (Maybe Matt at Wrigleybound made this point). Did you get any sense that this is still the case?
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Sounds like Demp’s side session went well.[/quote]Is he pregnant?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Sounds like Demp’s side session went well.[/quote]Did they cut it short because they loved it?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
His pregnancy was cut short.
ACTQuote Reply
I really need to work on my timing.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I really need to work on my timing.[/quote]Just don’t go adopting needy children, or Rosenbloom will rip you.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]I seem to remember a few years ago the cubs had the rep for being younger at most levels than is typical. (Maybe Matt at Wrigleybound made this point). Did you get any sense that this is still the case?[/quote]Yes and no. There were several players that were clearly young for their level, but there was an equal amount that were clearly too old. Take Ryan Flaherty for example. Great numbers, but do we really know what he can do yet? The only time he was challenged was at the beginning of the 2010 season and it failed miserably.
I also use a couple different age baselines when I make these kinds of estimates. For a catcher, I don’t know that any age is too old. They develop slower than the rest and when you see a guy like Soto in AAA at the age of 22 it opens your eyes. A 22 year old shortstop like Gonzalez already at AAA is also impressive. Is a 23 year old outfielder in AA old or young? Figure 24 for that player (Brett Jackson) in AAA and 25 at the big league level. I’d like to get more years prior to the peak at the big league level, but I wouldn’t say he’s old for that level.
What is fairly obvious is that the Cubs promote aggressively in some situations. That’s not something the stats are capable of showing. Scouting is a huge role that I have very limited knowledge of.
I guess the shortest answer is that nothing jumped out at me, but that’s based on my own definition of old/young for a level. I don’t know what your definition is and I don’t know if mine is right.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]So, it could go either way?[/quote]It could. They could also be the best in the minor leagues if all of their top prospects have awesome seasons. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Hobbiton says Z will get a rehab start in Peoria on Friday
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I feel another Rosenbloom diatribe coming. I don’t know if I have enough time, but what the fucking fuck?
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hobbiton says Z will get a rehab start in Peoria on Friday[/quote]
Nice to see him do actual work before he goes off to Guatemala to do charity stuff.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I feel another Rosenbloom diatribe coming. I don’t know if I have enough time, but what the fucking fuck?[/quote]That whole week of making sense a while back was bound to result in an avalanche of his typical fucknumbing brainshittery.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It could. They could also be the best in the minor leagues if all of their top prospects have awesome seasons. (dying laughing)[/quote]
If they all perform the way they did in High School, we should be pretty set to win it all for the next few years.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I feel another Rosenbloom diatribe coming. I don’t know if I have enough time, but what the fucking fuck?[/quote]If you don’t I just might have to.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]If they all perform the way they did in High School, we should be pretty set to win it all for the next few years.[/quote]If I could perform the way I did in LIttle League, I’d be Adam Dunn. Like Adam Dunn now. Not regular Adam Dunn. In short: Adam Done, not Adam Dunn.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]If you don’t I just might have to.[/quote]
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]
[/quote]But I probably won’t because, ya know, bitches and blunts and booze.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]But I probably won’t because, ya know, bitches and blunts and booze.[/quote]
Sounds like Rosenbloom might write an article about you instead.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
No Mariano at ASG.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Konerko and Victorino just made their respective all-star teams (though Victorino is injured, so it’s unknown whether he’ll be available).
ACTQuote Reply
I was hoping for Zobrist in the AL, but I knew he was a long-shot.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Konerko and Victorino just made their respective all-star teams (though Victorino is injured, so it’s unknown whether he’ll be available).[/quote]
If Victorino is injured McCutchen might sneak in after all.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]If Victorino is injured McCutchen might sneak in after all.[/quote]It’s bullshit that McCutchen has to sneak in. He’s having an MVP type season and he doesn’t make the All star game? They need to change the voting. I know it’s not really a big deal but this guy deserves to be recognized.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Muckey]It’s bullshit that McCutchen has to sneak in. He’s having an MVP type season and he doesn’t make the All star game? They need to change the voting. I know it’s not really a big deal but this guy deserves to be recognized.[/quote]
I can’t argue with you today.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I can’t argue with you today.[/quote](dying laughing) Shut you right up
MuckerQuote Reply
Zobrist is having an MVP-type season as well, but he at least made the Final Ballot.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Zobrist is having an MVP-type season as well, but he at least made the Final Ballot.[/quote]
Since he’s a super-utility guy, maybe since Mariano’s out they can name Zobrist to the team as an emergency pitcher (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I like how the NL has six backup OFs and none of them is Andrew McCutchen (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Braun might not be able to play.
ACTQuote Reply
Also, I know Chipper has had a great career and all, but there’s no way he’s more deserving than Aramis or Chase Headley.
ACTQuote Reply
Aramis only heated up recently so I can understand him getting snubbed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Jordan Walden was named as Mo’s replacement. Good choice.
ACTQuote Reply
2 strikeouts by LIvan? Really?
ACTQuote Reply
Jeter —> 2998 hits
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BJax leading off against Chris Archer tonight. Ooooh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Jordan Walden was named as Mo’s replacement. Good choice.[/quote]
who? (dying laughing), I know nothing about the AL
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]who? (dying laughing), I know nothing about the AL[/quote]
They use something called the “designated hitter,” b. I heard it was all the rage.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think they might need a designated fielder for certain pitchers too.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m a huge fan of the Cubs commitment to losing in DC. I only hope it carries over to Pittsburgh.
mb21Quote Reply
Wait, what? Did Ankiel just whiff at a 0-2 pitch and see the cound change to 1-2?
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’ve been watching baseball a long time, but I’m unfamiliar with cound.
mb21Quote Reply
nevermind, WGN (and yahoo) was wrong
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’ve been watching baseball a long time, but I’m unfamiliar with cound.[/quote]
You know, the number of balls and strokes
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]nevermind, WGN (and yahoo) was wrong[/quote]That’s almost as surprising as someone being wrong on the internet.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]You know, the number of balls and strokes[/quote]Ryno is going to have fun with this comment tomorrow. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
I’m tempted to turn tomorrow’s series preview into a TV thread instead. Too bad WaLi and I seem to be the only ones who have watched Game of Thrones.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Talk about shitty luck.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BJax singled off Archer but was picked off by the catcher soon afterwards.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Garza was BABIPed to death.
EddieQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I’m tempted to turn tomorrow’s series preview into a TV thread instead. Too bad WaLi and I seem to be the only ones who have watched Game of Thrones.[/quote]I had wanted to watch it before BB started, but I’ll have to wait until that season is over. The only problem then is that Boardwalk Empire and Dexter are on. Then it’s Shameless and The Borgias. So maybe I’ll have to watch 2 seasons in a row after that.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Eddie]Garza was BABIPed to death.[/quote]Just like he was early in the season. He’s had some back luck this year.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius].[/quote]Law’s been down on Szczur for a little while now, he tweeted something not long ago along this line.
As an aside, “long ago along” has a nice visual aesthetic to it.
MishQuote Reply
Holy shit. They have 6 runs? (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Law’s been down on Szczur for a little while now, he tweeted something not long ago along this line.
As an aside, “long ago along” has a nice visual aesthetic to it.[/quote]
In a galaxy far far away?
BerseliusQuote Reply
Garza is a terrible fielder.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Just like he was early in the season. He’s had some back luck this year.[/quote]Also this team is horrendous on D.
EddieQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Just like he was early in the season. He’s had some back luck this year.[/quote]I’m of the mind that the dude maybe throws too many strikes.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I had wanted to watch it before BB started, but I’ll have to wait until that season is over. The only problem then is that Boardwalk Empire and Dexter are on. Then it’s Shameless and The Borgias. So maybe I’ll have to watch 2 seasons in a row after that.[/quote]
Booooooooooooooooo. It is possible to watch more than one show at once. Especially when all of those other shows are only once a week.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Garza is a terrible fielder.[/quote]If he sucks on the bases, too, he’s a natural Cub.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Also, if allowing doubles and line drives is bad luck, then every bad pitcher is just a hardcore bad luck case. (dying laughing)
Garza kind of died from a mess of his own making, but bad defense and a seeing eye single didn’t help.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Also, if allowing doubles and line drives is bad luck, then every bad pitcher is just a hardcore bad luck case.[/quote]
Those were his fault. I’m talking about the seeing-eye ground balls that evaded defensive gritty whiz kid Darwin Barney and the one that Carlos Pena, defense god, couldn’t handle.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Eddie]Also this team is horrendous on D.[/quote]Yeah, it’s quite telling that so many players have a higher BABIP this season than their career BABIP. Plus, the FIP is so much lower than the ERA.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Also, if allowing doubles and line drives is bad luck, then every bad pitcher is just a hardcore bad luck case. (dying laughing)
Garza kind of died from a mess of his own making, but bad defense and a seeing eye single didn’t help.[/quote]Yeah, he was bad. There’s no denying that. But when every ball is a line drive, that’s luck.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, he was bad. There’s no denying that. But when every ball is a line drive, that’s luck.[/quote]Or the pitcher is tossing string-straight FB up in the zone. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Booooooooooooooooo. It is possible to watch more than one show at once. Especially when all of those other shows are only once a week.[/quote]It’s possible, but I’m not going to do it. (dying laughing) I watch the Cubs most every day for 6 months. That’s my tv viewing. I have to limit it elsewhere.
mb21Quote Reply
I think the Rays are winning.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice of Soto and Peña to give the pitchers a breather. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Or the pitcher is tossing string-straight FB up in the zone. (dying laughing)[/quote]I don’t think that’s it. He’s missing more bats this year than he ever has. The biggest difference is that he’s had a .270ish BABIP the last few years and this year it’s a bit over .300. The Rays defense saved hits and the Cubs give them away. His LOB% is 66%. It’s been 75% the last 2 years. Despite that and the fact the defense sucks, his ERA was the same entering today as it was before. With a good defense and some better luck he’s getting some Cy Young votes. He’s been that good.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It’s possible, but I’m not going to do it. (dying laughing) I watch the Cubs most every day for 6 months. That’s my tv viewing. I have to limit it elsewhere.[/quote]
I guess I shouldn’t complain since I don’t see myself getting around to watching Shameless anytime soon
BerseliusQuote Reply
Garza’s swinging strike % this year is nearly 11%. It’s just over 8% in his career.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
I’ll have to look later, but most of the hits were bloopy or on the ground. It’s not like he was homered to death.
(dying laughing) @ Kosuke & Barney WTF
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Can’t Wait: http://www.amctv.com/breaking-bad/videos/breaking-bad-extended-season-4-trailer
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I guess I shouldn’t complain since I don’t see myself getting around to watching Shameless anytime soon[/quote]If I had to choose Shameless or Dexter, I would easily choose Shameless at this point.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Can’t Wait: http://www.amctv.com/breaking-bad/videos/breaking-bad-extended-season-4-trailer%5B/quote%5DJuly 17th can’t get here soon enough. We’re doing a BB thread that night. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t think that’s it. He’s missing more bats this year than he ever has. The biggest difference is that he’s had a .270ish BABIP the last few years and this year it’s a bit over .300. The Rays defense saved hits and the Cubs give them away. His LOB% is 66%. It’s been 75% the last 2 years. Despite that and the fact the defense sucks, his ERA was the same entering today as it was before. With a good defense and some better luck he’s getting some Cy Young votes. He’s been that good.[/quote]I’m not arguing his success on the season; I’m only saying he was shit tonight, at least from what Gameday and Gamecast showed. Lots of stuff up in the zone without a lot of movement. He’s been quite good this year, no doubt.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I agree he was pretty bad tonight.
mb21Quote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/minor-leagues/midseason-look-at-the-cubs-top-prospects-part-4.html
mb21Quote Reply
F7 (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply