Cubs Farm System And Prospects Discussion Thread

[TL1961]

No we can't count on AA, unfortunately. I expected him to play a lot this season.

 

[TL1961]

I can't believe we are actually debating whether any of our SS can play 3rd. Russell and Baez clearly are capable.

 

[CSF77]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Chicago Cubs have recalled outfielder Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa. Additionally, 1B/OF Mike Baxter has been optioned to Triple-A.

Szczur, 25, is hitting .330 (29-for-88) with three doubles, two triples, four home runs and 14 RBI in 24 games this season for Iowa. He joins the Cubs riding a seven-game hitting streak with the I-Cubs, during which he has hit .379 (11-for-29) with two homers and six RBI.

Szczur broke camp with the Chicago Cubs out of Spring Training. He was optioned to Iowa April 19. He was then recalled to Chicago on May 6, before being optioned back to Iowa on May 16. He hit .172 (5-for-29) with five RBI and two steals in 18 games across two stints in Chicago this season.

Baxter, 30, is 1-for-9 (.111) in 10 games with the Cubs this season. He is batting .290 (29-for-100) with four doubles, eight RBI and a .377 on-base percentage in 34 games with Iowa this year.

With this move, Iowa's active roster is at 24 players plus one player on the disabled list for tonight's game at Albuquerque.

 

[CSF77]

I can't believe we are actually debating whether any of our SS can play 3rd. Russell and Baez clearly are capable.

Sure. That is why Villanueva is the starting 3B in Iowa vs getting Baez over there. Again Baez is at SS. Alcantara at CF today. Szczur was promoted to create OF depth with Soler expected out for a few days. I can see them bumping him up to 2B when the DH is in effect and Russell going to SS with Castro as the DH.

My opinion is they should move Baez over to 3B and get him game ready over there. DH Bryant then move Bryant to LF after IL passes. I'm all about them doing it. Still the Org has not even made a effort to even attempt creating a spot for Baez.

 

[DaBullsDaCubsDaHawksDitka]

AA hit another homer tonight (8), so did Villanueva (5) and Javy is 2-3 so far tonight in Heisenbergville

 

[Parade_Rain]

AA in CF. Have his throws from CF gotten any better?

 

[CSF77]

Baez 4 for 5. 4 RBI's. 2 HR's. He is really making some noise right now. I would DL Soler and bump Baez up. With Soler's leg issues it is better to let it heal properly vs him compensating any. As far as who goes to RF. It would be the platoon and move someone to LF.

 

[SilenceS]

Funny, I watched Baez first 3 at bats and missed his two home runs. His second hit was nice because he was down 0-2 and he took an outside corner pitch to right field. Looked very controlled. His out was a line shot to center that he squared up hard. His first hit was a tapper off the plate and he beat the throw. The lightbulb has come on for this guy.

Alcantara homerun was impressive. It was a dead center shot.

 

[SilenceS]

Baez 4 for 5. 4 RBI's. 2 HR's. He is really making some noise right now. I would DL Soler and bump Baez up. With Soler's leg issues it is better to let it heal properly vs him compensating any. As far as who goes to RF. It would be the platoon and move someone to LF.

Since May 13th, he has struck out under 22% and has hit over .340.

 

[CSF77]

Ya, I doubt that they can justify holding him down much longer.

 

[willycat]

Baez UP-Sooner rather then later

Sure. That is why Villanueva is the starting 3B in Iowa vs getting Baez over there. Again Baez is at SS. Alcantara at CF today. Szczur was promoted to create OF depth with Soler expected out for a few days. I can see them bumping him up to 2B when the DH is in effect and Russell going to SS with Castro as the DH.

My opinion is they should move Baez over to 3B and get him game ready over there. DH Bryant then move Bryant to LF after IL passes. I'm all about them doing it. Still the Org has not even made a effort to even attempt creating a spot for Baez.

Thinking that Baez will be up very soon and move into the SS position. Either us Castro at DH or move him over to 3B and leave Russell at 2B. Not impressed with Szcur and likely time to give Alcantara another shot. Having said that sure hope Soler doesn't need to go on the DH.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Thinking that Baez will be up very soon and move into the SS position. Either us Castro at DH or move him over to 3B and leave Russell at 2B. Not impressed with Szcur and likely time to give Alcantara another shot. Having said that sure hope Soler doesn't need to go on the DH.

Interesting angle, how do you figure? I think it would be far more likely to put Baez at 3B with Bryant shifting to LF. If Soler goes on the DL you probably use Junior Lake in RF most of the time until he gets back. In the AL parks you DH Coghlan.

 

[CSF77]

Interesting angle, how do you figure? I think it would be far more likely to put Baez at 3B with Bryant shifting to LF. If Soler goes on the DL you probably use Junior Lake in RF most of the time until he gets back. In the AL parks you DH Coghlan.

Baez is the best 2B of the 3. Russell is considered the best SS. I would move Russell over to 3B and see how he adapts. Baez was tested there before and preferred 2B and they never went forward with it.

I personallt would move Castro to CF. Baez to 2B Russell to SS. Leave Bryant at 3B. Move Fowler to LF. Add speed to the OF and put the best 2 defenders in the MI. Castro should be fine in CF.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Baez is the best 2B of the 3. Russell is considered the best SS. I would move Russell over to 3B and see how he adapts. Baez was tested there before and preferred 2B and they never went forward with it.

I personallt would move Castro to CF. Baez to 2B Russell to SS. Leave Bryant at 3B. Move Fowler to LF. Add speed to the OF and put the best 2 defenders in the MI. Castro should be fine in CF.

You're talking about moving four guys off their positions at the same time. I think it's a stretch to move two but since we've seen no indication of Baez playing playing LF I think he has to go to 3B. Otherwise I would say put him in LF and leave everyone where they are and of course plug in Lake in RF until Soler is back. Obviously the FO has reasons they don't want him in LF and I'm good with that. The musical chairs thing though, not so much. If you move Castro off SS you've lessened his value in trade and you move Russell anywhere and you confuse a young player who's just finding a groove. I think the object here is to move as few guys as you can not to try to come up with an ideal defense, given what you have, in the middle of a season.

 

[SilenceS]

Oh, I think Russell would go to third. Baez didn't care for third when the Cubs put him there. Castro is not coming off short. Madden is dead set on making him a good defensive SS. Castro range factor is pretty terrific. He even has a positive WAR at D with the errors. His mistakes are strictly mental on slow plays. He probably needs to see a therapist. He has been drugged across the mud by the media and fans and probably has a block because the range and skill is there. That play he made on Dee Gordon last night was beautiful. I bet that play is easier for him then a 2 hopper because he has no time to think.

Poor Castro, youngest Cubs to get to 900 hits at age 25. That isn't spoken about but the day before SC is taking shots at Castro because of his homerun. Now, we can't move him off short for a trade. Lulz.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Oh, I think Russell would go to third. Baez didn't care for third when the Cubs put him there. Castro is not coming off short. Madden is dead set on making him a good defensive SS. Castro range factor is pretty terrific. He even has a positive WAR at D with the errors. His mistakes are strictly mental on slow plays. He probably needs to see a therapist. He has been drugged across the mud by the media and fans and probably has a block because the range and skill is there. That play he made on Dee Gordon last night was beautiful. I bet that play is easier for him then a 2 hopper because he has no time to think.

Poor Castro, youngest Cubs to get to 900 hits at age 25. That isn't spoken about but the day before SC is taking shots at Castro because of his homerun. Now, we can't move him off short for a trade. Lulz.

I've never been a trade Castro guy but they also have to keep all options open. I think the national view of Castro is ridiculous, if you move him to CF you lend credence to it and lose value. In no way am I advocating a trade.

 

[SilenceS]

Welp, Baez is getting playing time at third. Its official. They are gearing up to call him back up.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...06/03/javier-baez-chicago-cubs-iowa/28413301/

Tommy Birch is a legitimate source and follows the ICubs.

 

[Parade_Rain]

You don't lose much with Bryant in LF. For his size he is athletic. The Cubs could have worse problems than flipping a coin on Baez or Bryant to LF. If I had to guess, I bet they think Javy's throwing is more accurate. And if they move Bryant to LF when he gets recalled, I will eat crow. I figured they wouldn't upset the apple cart at all this year.

 

[SilenceS]

You don't lose much with Bryant in LF. For his size he is athletic. The Cubs could have worse problems than flipping a coin on Baez or Bryant to LF. If I had to guess, I bet they think Javy's throwing is more accurate. And if they move Bryant to LF when he gets recalled, I will eat crow. I figured they wouldn't upset the apple cart at all this year.

It wasn't reported to recently but Baez has been taking grounders all last week at third before games. They have had this thought for awhile.

 

[SilenceS]

Now, they are reporting that Javy will start at third tonight. Before, they said he would get playing time at third at some point soon. Manager confirmed his first start at third is tonight.