2015 Spring Training Thread

[fatbeard]

Wasn't that Bryant's 8th? Anyhow, this kid is amazing! I wouldn't do any predictions of what he might do, myself. This kid is a superstar waiting to explode on the MLB, imo.

Also nice to see Javi single at the leadoff spot! And what's with Baez stealing bases? That's his 3rd already. I didn't realize that he had some wheels too. :dunno:

He hit one in a B game so it doesn't count in official ST stats.

 

[beckdawg]

Bryant really making it a difficult decision for Epstein.

Don't really think it's any more difficult. I argued in July last year he was ready offensively and judging by things I doubt he's much better now than he was then. It's either one of two things. Either A) his defense really does need the work which is unchanged by his offense or B) the team is using that as an excuse or some combo of the two. They've already publicly stated they have no intention of succumbing to pressure from fans and will make moves on their own time.

 

[Bear Pride]

He hit one in a B game so it doesn't count in official ST stats.

Oh, OK, that was it.

 

[Svic]

Cubs would be stupid to bring up Bryant for meaningless games and loose a whole year of control on him.

 

[beckdawg]

Read on mlbtraderumors IIRC that the Mets knew Wheeler had some issues and that's the reason he wasn't shopped this offseason because they assumed he'd fail a physical if they made at trade.

 

[CSF77]

Castillo with an RBI double, hitting .360 this spring. ..

If they do trade him, they better make sure they get a solid player in return. . Not saying Castillo gonna end up a star but he could end up being a very good player. ..

A trade I was musing: Castillo, Olt and Vogelchunk in a deal to the White sox. I would want Rondon in return but I feel John Danks is more realistic as a player that could be moved. I only see this if they move Wood in another deal. I would look at the Ranges as they are looking for pitching depth also.

Now Danks is owed 14.25 mil this year and 14.25 mil in 2016. I would want a top prospect in return also. Mostly for taking that payroll off of the Sox.

Sox would pull that deal in a heartbeat. Starting catcher. LH future DH. 3B upgrade (ya Olt starts on that team) Dank's IMO might thrive moving to the NL. Cubs get a vet in at the #4.

I would do it if the Sox gave up a prospect. Francelis Montas would be an ideal guy.

 

[brett05]

A trade I was musing: Castillo, Olt and Vogelchunk in a deal to the White sox. I would want Rondon in return but I feel John Danks is more realistic as a player that could be moved. I only see this if they move Wood in another deal. I would look at the Ranges as they are looking for pitching depth also.

Now Danks is owed 14.25 mil this year and 14.25 mil in 2016. I would want a top prospect in return also. Mostly for taking that payroll off of the Sox.

Sox would pull that deal in a heartbeat. Starting catcher. LH future DH. 3B upgrade (ya Olt starts on that team) Dank's IMO might thrive moving to the NL. Cubs get a vet in at the #4.

I would do it if the Sox gave up a prospect. Francelis Montas would be an ideal guy.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen you try to make a jab at the Sox...very funny....I laughed pretty good.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Bryant is hitting .480 this spring with eight home runs and 14 RBIs in 25 at-bats. He has an on-base percentage of .520 and a slugging percentage of 1.520.

No one else in the Cactus League began the day with more than three homers.

That is incredible stuff right there.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

With so much being made over the Ross signing and the inevitability of Castillo being traded eventually I found this comment from Cubs Den resident scout Kevin Gallo very interesting:

Completely disagree. Ross will be a calming influence in the dug out and on the field and maybe one of the top defensive catchers in all of baseball. Castillo does more damage with his game calling and receiving skills then he helps offensively. To be honest as a scout I am very hard on catchers but watching him behind the plate I get sick to my stomach. I would take Ross over Castillo everyday of the week, specially the way this offensive is starting to look.

 

[TL1961]

Defense at C is paramount.

Yadi was a poor offensive player for years, and still is only average, yet he is an extremely valuable player. I am glad the Cubs' brass recognizes the value of a catcher's D, and is not foolishly playing the catcher with offense as previous management has done.

 

[CSF77]

With so much being made over the Ross signing and the inevitability of Castillo being traded eventually I found this comment from Cubs Den resident scout Kevin Gallo very interesting:

Completely disagree. Ross will be a calming influence in the dug out and on the field and maybe one of the top defensive catchers in all of baseball. Castillo does more damage with his game calling and receiving skills then he helps offensively. To be honest as a scout I am very hard on catchers but watching him behind the plate I get sick to my stomach. I would take Ross over Castillo everyday of the week, specially the way this offensive is starting to look.

Good find. Strong D up the middle. Catcher is a D position.It is like saying Wood deserves to start because he hits well. His bat will make up for his 5.06 ERA.....

 

[CSF77]

I think this is the first time I've ever seen you try to make a jab at the Sox...very funny....I laughed pretty good.

Honestly I've though about it and the Sox would make a good trade partner. Vogelbach has no future in the NL and the Sox could use a power hitting DH type. Flowers is not a all star by any stretch. 3B has been a joke. Olt IMO is going to break out.

On the surface it looks funny but IMO the guy that the trade is built around: Castillo( bad catcher ) Danks (Over paid )

Looking at Vogelbach:
Dan Vogelbach | Rank: 16
ETA: 2016
Position: 1B Age: 22 DOB: 12/17/1992
Bats: L Throws: R Height: 6' 0" Weight: 250 lb.
Drafted: 2011, 2nd (68) - CHC
VIDEO
Other Lists: Top 10 1B Prospects (#8)

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 40 | Field: 30 | Overall: 50
Bryce Harper made a name for himself when he slammed a 502-foot home run at the 2009 Power Showcase, a high school homer run derby, and Vogelbach topped him the next year with a 508-foot blast. That power earned him a $1.6 million bonus as a second-round pick in 2011 and translated into a .481 slugging percentage in his first four seasons as a pro.

Vogelbach is more than just a one-dimensional masher, however. He controls the strike zone, makes consistent contact and uses the entire field, so he should hit for a solid average while providing plus power. He has yet to fully tap into his pop, though he's also still just 22.

There are two obstacles to him becoming a regular for the Cubs: All-Star Anthony Rizzo and persistent questions about whether Vogelbach has enough athleticism to be more than a DH. He has gotten himself in much better shape than the days in high school when he carried 280 pounds on his 6-foot frame, but he's a base-clogger with limited range at first base.

IMO he is Schwarber Lite and would be the gem in the deal. Olt plays strong D. Walks at a strong clip and has 20 HR power. Ya that is a upgrade at 3B.

So I'm really not taking a jab. I feel that the Cubs need to start reloading some and making deals with their excess to get some one like Danks (Sox would love to dump 30 mil) just to gain a power arm also. Then that frees up Wood to deal out for another young power arm. End of the day they are restocking for down the road with excess players.

 

[2323]

I think this is the first time I've ever seen you try to make a jab at the Sox...very funny....I laughed pretty good.

You practically receive mail at the Cubs forum trolling here so frequently. Now you're trying to regulate and track who has made fun of the sox.

This is unbelievable.

 

[2323]

Defense at C is paramount.

Yadi was a poor offensive player for years, and still is only average, yet he is an extremely valuable player. I am glad the Cubs' brass recognizes the value of a catcher's D, and is not foolishly playing the catcher with offense as previous management has done.

Meanwhile, they continue to put Castro at SS every day.

 

[2323]

Honestly I've though about it and the Sox would make a good trade partner. Vogelbach has no future in the NL and the Sox could use a power hitting DH type. Flowers is not a all star by any stretch. 3B has been a joke. Olt IMO is going to break out.

On the surface it looks funny but IMO the guy that the trade is built around: Castillo( bad catcher ) Danks (Over paid )

Looking at Vogelbach:
Dan Vogelbach | Rank: 16
ETA: 2016
Position: 1B Age: 22 DOB: 12/17/1992
Bats: L Throws: R Height: 6' 0" Weight: 250 lb.
Drafted: 2011, 2nd (68) - CHC
VIDEO
Other Lists: Top 10 1B Prospects (#8)

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 20 | Arm: 40 | Field: 30 | Overall: 50
Bryce Harper made a name for himself when he slammed a 502-foot home run at the 2009 Power Showcase, a high school homer run derby, and Vogelbach topped him the next year with a 508-foot blast. That power earned him a $1.6 million bonus as a second-round pick in 2011 and translated into a .481 slugging percentage in his first four seasons as a pro.

Vogelbach is more than just a one-dimensional masher, however. He controls the strike zone, makes consistent contact and uses the entire field, so he should hit for a solid average while providing plus power. He has yet to fully tap into his pop, though he's also still just 22.

There are two obstacles to him becoming a regular for the Cubs: All-Star Anthony Rizzo and persistent questions about whether Vogelbach has enough athleticism to be more than a DH. He has gotten himself in much better shape than the days in high school when he carried 280 pounds on his 6-foot frame, but he's a base-clogger with limited range at first base.

IMO he is Schwarber Lite and would be the gem in the deal. Olt plays strong D. Walks at a strong clip and has 20 HR power. Ya that is a upgrade at 3B.

So I'm really not taking a jab. I feel that the Cubs need to start reloading some and making deals with their excess to get some one like Danks (Sox would love to dump 30 mil) just to gain a power arm also. Then that frees up Wood to deal out for another young power arm. End of the day they are restocking for down the road with excess players.

No way on Danks. He's horrible. On top of that, he's a meathead.

 

[SilenceS]

Meanwhile, they continue to put Castro at SS every day.

I see you didnt watch much baseball last year. Que the over the top response

 

[2323]

I see you didnt watch much baseball last year. Que the over the top response

Ironic. All you had to say is you disagree...and then you go on to say someone else is over the top.

 

[SilenceS]

Ironic. All you had to say is you disagree...and then you go on to say someone else is over the top.

Yea, track record means nothing around here.

 

[chibears55]

With so much being made over the Ross signing and the inevitability of Castillo being traded eventually I found this comment from Cubs Den resident scout Kevin Gallo very interesting:

Completely disagree. Ross will be a calming influence in the dug out and on the field and maybe one of the top defensive catchers in all of baseball. Castillo does more damage with his game calling and receiving skills then he helps offensively. To be honest as a scout I am very hard on catchers but watching him behind the plate I get sick to my stomach. I would take Ross over Castillo everyday of the week, specially the way this offensive is starting to look.

I dont know, maybe im watching a different Castillo behind the plate but i don't seem to see many pass balls and plenty of would be stealers get caught...

.993 Fld% 33% CS Last year. ...


No he not Molina but not many Catchers are, but Montero had a .988 Fld % and 28% CS last year and Ross had .983 Fld% and 22% CS. So he had a better year in his 2nd full season then them.

For what it worth in my opinion, i think this he calls games poorly is overblown and stupid... sure maybe he needs to improve what pitches to call in certain situations but that comes with experience.

I fully believe the biggest reason they got montero was because that was pretty much the only position besides LF epstein could insert a veteran starter he wanted to add and Ross is only there because of Lester.... if they didn't get Lester, Castillo wouldn't be on the trade block.

 

[SilenceS]

Well, whats funny is Monteor has a job because of his pitch framing. Its funny because within the next 10 years when they make it computer automated. His greatest skill will be null and void.