Cubs Farm System And Prospects Discussion Thread

[Raskolnikov]

Again, as I said, I agree with that but with everything that I read or hear from the team I think they will force him in there in 2016 if not out of ST then sometime during the year. I hope I'm wrong and they give him part time experience for all of 2016 with Montero and Ross and he plays primarily in LF. You're talking to a guy who doesn't believe this kid is a catcher at all so personally I think they should give up the ghost and make him a full time OF. The team, on the other hand, seems to believe that if he's average or slightly below average at C that's going to be ok and will allow them the luxury of production from that position.

I agree this seems to be their thinking, but lets remember there is two months left to play and they probably mean more to the situation than anything that has happened so far.

Lets see how the team looks when Montero returns. You would think Ross/Lester Montero/Arrieta+Haren Schwarber/everyone else

I'd like to see that for a time given the chemistry Ross is showing with Lester I wouldn't break that up. His arm clearly protects him. His ERA has dropped significantly under his handling, and I know its other factors but Ross is a part of this team and if all he does is ensure Lester pitches like an ace with no concerns than he is damn important.

Montero has worked with Haren before, thats a no brainer. I like bringing Schwarber in late to handle relievers and pinch hit in clutch situations, as well as LF for Haren. Defense is more important with Arrieta.

No need to argue, Maddon has it all handled beautifully, thats why you pay a guy like that a kings ransom. He is a top 5 manager wihtout any argument from anybody. His only competition for #1 is retired, imo, but others may contest that.

 

[CSF77]

Again, as I said, I agree with that but with everything that I read or hear from the team I think they will force him in there in 2016 if not out of ST then sometime during the year. I hope I'm wrong and they give him part time experience for all of 2016 with Montero and Ross and he plays primarily in LF. You're talking to a guy who doesn't believe this kid is a catcher at all so personally I think they should give up the ghost and make him a full time OF. The team, on the other hand, seems to believe that if he's average or slightly below average at C that's going to be ok and will allow them the luxury of production from that position.

He needs to work on technique mostly. He has bad habits and he needs to iron them out. Mostly catching on his knee's. Bad for getting into the throwing position.

That stuff takes repetition but he has to get the right technique set first. You can't do that mid season. That stuff happens in the off season.

The time issue is learning the pitchers and scouting the league. That is going to take a year of shadowing Montero and learning the craft.

The fact is he is a year out as a catcher but his bat is just that good that you can not delay it.

Thus he is a LF when Montero gets back. I see no need to rush things as Montero is signed for a few years and he makes the team better.


On a side note it puts Baez into a small bind. Ideally you would want to flip Castro and get a long term CF lead off type. But SilenceS is right. This team has power hitters with high OBA 's. You could lead off with Bryant and Schwarber 2 Soler 3 Rizzo 4, Baez 5. Just play the best D and deal with it.

 

[beckdawg]

Hate to burst bubbles. But, I think the Cubs are going to live or die by their young sticks for the forseeable future. They have shown no problem putting people in different positions. I doubt the Cubs do much besides in house for the sticks. May sign a CF on a 1 or 2 year deal but nothing more. Lineups are completely unconventional now. The need for a lead off hitter and others is not in most teams minds. Blue Jays, Astros, and others. The Cubs big hitters are OBP guys to begin with. They don't necessarily need a Ben Revere type considering Bryant, Rizzo, and Schwarber most likely will have plus OBP.

I see the Cubs signing pitching, pitching, and more pitching to they see who flames out. You don't gut the team to not see what you got now.

I'd imagine they throw a QO on Fowler. He's been worth 1.1 fWAR this season over roughly 100 games. He should end up near 2 fWAR by the end of the year maybe more if he continues playing as well as he has post break. At 2 fWAR you are probably worth some where between $14-17 mil on the market as last year wins were about $7 mil in FA and that tends to rise year to year. As such, he's arguably worth the $15-17 mil or so a QO will be. And even if he isn't, it is a short term play for the cubs who obviously hope to have Almora figure enough out to be part of the team in a year or two.

If Fowler takes it you have a guy you're comfortable with. If he doesn't, you get a draft pick out of the deal.

 

[beckdawg]

I agree with you but the FO office seems bound and determined to have Schwarber be the everyday catcher. I'm not saying what they should do but what I think they will do. I just hope they don't get rid of Montero over the winter and instead keep him for a while at least and use Schwarber as a more or less full timer in LF and catching a couple of days a week and yes I want Ross around as well.

Not sure on the everyday part. I still stand by the idea he'll be in a catching platoon with someone. He may see the lion share of PAs though given he's left handed and you tend to face about 75% righties. That would allow them to save on some of the wear and tear by moving him to an OF position.

But it also gives them the possibility of carrying essentially 3 catchers.

 

[Boobaby1]

Is anyone following Ryan Williams in Tennessee?

He gave up 3 hits in 6 innings tonight and is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA for the Smokies.

He was the Cubs 10th round selection last year out of East Carolina, and he jumped from South Bend to AA Tennessee, bypassing Myrtle Beach.

For the year between low A and AA, he is 9-3 with a .223 ERA, .093 WHIP, and has 79 SO's to just 13 walks, and has yet to give up a home run this year in 110 innings.

I don't know where he figures into the equation, but I hope it is better than bullpen arm.

Of particular note in the game tonight, Wilson Contreras was 4-5 (Whoa!) with 3 RBI's, La Stella, Almora, and Hanneman were all 2-5 each with 7 RBI's between the three of them.

LaStella should get the call up at any time now. He seems ready, and I for one, can't wait to see him in Chicago on a regular basis.

 

[beckdawg]

Is anyone following Ryan Williams in Tennessee?

He gave up 3 hits in 6 innings tonight and is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA for the Smokies.

He was the Cubs 10th round selection last year out of East Carolina, and he jumped from South Bend to AA Tennessee, bypassing Myrtle Beach.

For the year between low A and AA, he is 9-3 with a .223 ERA, .093 WHIP, and has 79 SO's to just 13 walks, and has yet to give up a home run this year in 110 innings.

I don't know where he figures into the equation, but I hope it is better than bullpen arm.

Of particular note in the game tonight, Wilson Contreras was 4-5 (Whoa!) with 3 RBI's, La Stella, Almora, and Hanneman were all 2-5 each with 7 RBI's between the three of them.

LaStella should get the call up at any time now. He seems ready, and I for one, can't wait to see him in Chicago on a regular basis.

I follow most of the minors thru cubs den. He's kind of a Hendricks type who relies on great command but doesn't have over powering stuff.

 

[Boobaby1]

I follow most of the minors thru cubs den. He's kind of a Hendricks type who relies on great command but doesn't have over powering stuff.

Lets hope he is at worst, back of the rotation. If he has good command and location, that's fine with me.

 

[beckdawg]

Lets hope he is at worst, back of the rotation. If he has good command and location, that's fine with me.

I honestly think command is underrated. I've said it a number of times. I think too often people are looking for the top 30 pitcher rather than someone who can be effective as a #3 or #4 starter and you end up with lots of super talented guys who never make it. I'm honestly glad the cubs seem to be approaching low walk guys or guys they can "fix" into such players. This front office obviously traded for hendricks, drafted williams and signed Tseng who's got a similar profile. Hammel and Arrieta have been entirely different pitches since lowering their walk totals.

Obviously at some point you want to find another guy who's TOR but these guys to me have a lot of value.

 

[beckdawg]

saw this on bleacher nation

After McKinney comes the highly-touted, extremely young, A-ball shortstop Gleyber Torres at 36. At just 18 years old, Torres has done some impressive things on offense (especially for a shortstop and double for his age) and is highly regarded on defense. Just recently, Mark Gonzales (via David Kaplan in the video here) said that some scouts consider Torres the best shortstop in the Cubs’ organization – high praise considering the presence of Addison Russell and Javier Baez, for two examples.

I know some have questioned Torres' defense. Thought that was interesting.

 

[SilenceS]

saw this on bleacher nation



I know some have questioned Torres' defense. Thought that was interesting.

I literally read the opposite the other day. lol

 

[beckdawg]

I literally read the opposite the other day. lol

#scouts

 

[beckdawg]

The big first started with a leadoff double by Bijan Rademacher (1 for 4), who went to 3B on an Albert Almora single (3 for 4, double, walk, run scored). Suddenly Almora is hitting .317 in his last 10 games with 7 walks (.417 OBP) vs. just 3 Ks. He's now hitting .253 overall and has his OBP over .300 for the first time in recent memory at .305. In general, it has been a good second half for Almora, who has hit ..275/.350/.451 in just over 100 PAs with just under a 10% walk rate and an .800 OPS...is it finally clicking for him? It is easy to forget he is still just 21, two years younger than the average age in this league.

This was from cubs dens saturday minors recap. Nice to see Almora seems to be getting it going.

 

[CSF77]

This was from cubs dens saturday minors recap. Nice to see Almora seems to be getting it going.

If that is the case it would not be surprising to see him promote to Iowa for the rest of the season. He has been in AA for over a year now.

 

[Boobaby1]

If that is the case it would not be surprising to see him promote to Iowa for the rest of the season. He has been in AA for over a year now.

He is starting to heat up a little, but his numbers don't warrant a promotion yet.

When he does this for a long stretch, then that should be considered. The defense may be there, but he still needs work with the bat, and he is still just 21 so there is a little time here.

No reason to rush anyone this late in the year.

 

[CSF77]

He is starting to heat up a little, but his numbers don't warrant a promotion yet.

When he does this for a long stretch, then that should be considered. The defense may be there, but he still needs work with the bat, and he is still just 21 so there is a little time here.

No reason to rush anyone this late in the year.

I would say over a year in AA is not any rush. They did this with him last year. Got hot in Fla then promoted him.

The difference this time is he is taking walks now. That was the only thing holding him back.

 

[Boobaby1]

I would say over a year in AA is not any rush. They did this with him last year. Got hot in Fla then promoted him.

The difference this time is he is taking walks now. That was the only thing holding him back.

He may have gotten hot, but he is still hitting .260ish right now in AA.

I would maybe promote him next year IF he keeps on maturing.

He is still 21, and not that far away if the progression continues.

I kinda want guys to succeed where they are at going into the off-season. To me, it makes them more valuable in trade talks in the event that it happens.

 

[beckdawg]

I'd imagine they might throw him to the AFL to get him some more reps and see how it goes. If he does well he could start in AAA. If not he could return to AA.

 

[beckdawg]

Appraising Arizona @AZLBaseball
Dylan Cease hit 100 mph on one pitch tonight. He was mostly 95-97 early, started well but then started to lose command. Mostly FBs.

That's the twitter for the guy from cubs den or at least one of his twitter accounts as i think he has another personal one. Regardless.... cease gots gas.

 

[Boobaby1]

Appraising Arizona @AZLBaseball
Dylan Cease hit 100 mph on one pitch tonight. He was mostly 95-97 early, started well but then started to lose command. Mostly FBs.

That's the twitter for the guy from cubs den or at least one of his twitter accounts as i think he has another personal one. Regardless.... cease gots gas.

Seems that the Cubs are trending in that area. Power arms just like the Cardinals.

If we can get a Trevor Rosenthal, Lance Lynn, or Carlos Martinez out of the bunch sometime, it will be well worth it.

 

[SilenceS]

Hopefully, he will sit more towards 95. Needs to keep control as a starter. Harder isn't always necessarily better.