A little over 2 weeks ago, I wrote an article with Uncle Dave's help about a different way to rate prospects. Dave got the idea from Hockey's Future. Dave's explanations of what each number grade (ceiling) represented was so awesome that I used it word for word. I did want to clarify something on the letter grades (floor). An A …
The 2008 Draft Retrospective
I think 5 years is a pretty good amount of time to review a draft class. That would put us at 2008 (well, it's 4.5 years, but close enough for me). 1/19: Andrew Cashner This pick has worked out relatively well, all things considered. Cashner had definite starter potential, and still profiles as a really good closer. Unfortunately for him, …
Better Know a Cub: Brett Jackson
How long does it take to change your swing? Is it even possible to change in your 20's? The answer to these 2 questions will probably tell you all you need to know about Jackson's future with the Cubs. Brett Jackson was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 draft, at 31st overall. He worked his way up many …
John Sickels’ 2013 Farm System Rankings
John Sickels has published his 2013 farm system rankings and the Cubs are 10th. That's 10 spots better than a year ago. The Cubs system has improved quite a bit. 10) Chicago Cubs (20): Another system that has improved quickly. Strengths: hitting at the top: Javier Baez, Albert Almora, Jorge Soler, Dan Vogelbach is a very impressive quartet and there …
Rethinking Pitching Philosophies, Derek Johnson, and Carlos Gomez
Cubs Den has a post up drawing attention to a Baseball America article on changes in the Cubs’ organizational philosophy related to developing pitching talent. The BA piece focuses on new pitching coordinator Derek Johnson, formerly the pitching coach at Vanderbilt, which famously produced David Price, Mike Minor, Sonny Gray, and many others on his watch. Johnson is of the …
Baseball America’s Cubs Top 10 is out, is interesting
First things first, here is the top 10 list BA has given for the Cubs this year. 1. Javier Baez, SS This is basically a unanimous projection. There’s an outside case for Albert Almora or Jorge Soler, but neither has the upside of Baez, and he also had the best minors season of the 3 also. No surprise here. I’d …
Dave Cameron on draft pick compensation
Dave Cameron points to a study on value of draft picks which is pretty straightforward – i.e. here are the values you should price into a FA signing. But what I found more interesting was this tweet For those who didn't see it last year.The Must Trade suggestion post.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.ph…Perfect for those who don't want to be QO'd. — David Cameron …
The Hope Monster Strikes Back : how the Cubs can contend in 2013
Julie posed this series of questions over at LOHO today. 1) Where does this team finish in the 2013 NL Central? 2) Do the 2013 Cubs lose 100 games? 3) What moves still need to be made to make this team competitive (and be realistic, no “sign ARod” or any of that baloney). The easy answers to these questions are 1) …
Where Did the Cubs' Wins Come From?
Last year, the Cubs won 61 games and lost 101. That poor performance was “good” enough to grab us the 2nd pick in the draft next year; however, I’m not keen on a repeat performance next year. One way to diagnose where are problems were last year is to go by position and see where we got those 61 wins. …
Better Know a Cub: Hector Rondon
The Rule V draft affected the Cubs likely more than any other team in baseball this year. Theo & Co. lost Starling Peralta in the major league portion, and Michael Burgess/Matt Cerda/Alvy Jimenez in the minor league portion. However, it wasn’t all bad for the Cubs, as they landed a flamethrower in Hector Rondon. Will he stick? I think the chance is very …