- Joined:
- Aug 23, 2012
- Posts:
- 9,995
- Liked Posts:
- 3,624
My favorite teams
His favorite player growing up must've been Aramis Ramirez.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
Nice bounce back game for him.
https://www.milb.com/pelicans/news/...tter-in-win-over-dash/c-241932854/t-196097158
https://www.milb.com/pelicans/news/...tter-in-win-over-dash/c-241932854/t-196097158
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
I was thinking Soriano but yeah that works too.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Also of note, Maples in AA has a k/9 over 19 now which is.... yeah. He's still walking guys at a ridiculous rate but man they can't touch his stuff(6.17 bb/9).
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
He was compared to Marmol. Pretty close Comp right now.
Marmol went to his slider almost exclusively and did not use it as a off set to his 96 fastball. Teams just layed off of his pitches and let him beat himself.
Maple has a strong breaking pitch also. His key is throwing it for strikes. He also needs to establish is fastball command.
Marmol went to his slider almost exclusively and did not use it as a off set to his 96 fastball. Teams just layed off of his pitches and let him beat himself.
Maple has a strong breaking pitch also. His key is throwing it for strikes. He also needs to establish is fastball command.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
He isn't overpowering, but Michael Rucker keeps hitters off balance with a combination of good command, a bit of deception, and an ability to change speeds and eye levels. His fastball sits in the low 90s as a starter (91-93) but he can pump it up to 95-96 when necessary. It is a pitch with deceptive jump thanks to Rucker getting good push off the rubber while also using a shorter than normal arm path that looks more like a catcher making a throw than a pitcher. Judging by the reactions of the hitters it is clear that the perceived velocity of the pitch is greater than the actual velocity. When a pitcher can command a fastball like that not just laterally, but up and down in the zone as well, he can have a lot of success. Rucker also throws a solid breaking ball that he can throw on the edge for a strike or just off the edge as a chase pitch as well as mixing in a useable change-up. It could be a quick rise through the system, similar to Ryan Williams a few years ago, as he was another starter with advanced feel for his fastball and the ability to change speeds and eye levels. The only thing that might hold Rucker back at this point is that the team may limit his innings as he has not been a full time starter.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
So with Cease and Eloy gone MLB.com updated their top 30. Looks like they moved Tseng to #21 who wasn't ranked if I recall correctly and Maples to 22. Think they will do a full reshuffle after the deadline but i'm not 100% sure when they do it.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
Jen-Ho Tseng | Rank: 21 (Preseason: NR)
Team: Iowa Cubs (AAA) ETA: 2018
Position: RHP Age: 22 DOB: 10/03/1994
Bats: L Throws: R Height: 6' 1" Weight: 195 lb.
Signed: July 25, 2013 - CHC
Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
Tseng impressed scouts when he starred for Taiwan at the 18-and-under World Championships in the fall of 2012, but his stock fell when his stuff and delivery took a downturn at the World Baseball Classic the following spring. The Cubs still signed him for $1,625,000 as part of their 2013 international binge that also included since-traded stud prospects Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez. After Tseng made a successful 2014 pro debut in low Class A, his stuff regressed the next two years before bouncing back in 2017.
Tseng's fastball dropped to the upper 80s in 2015-16 before climbing back to 90-93 mph this season. His fastball lacks life but he compensates by locating it well to both sides of the plate. He also has regained consistency with his changeup, his best pitch and a plus offering at its best.
His tight curveball gives Tseng another solid secondary pitch. He's not afraid to challenge hitters and generally keeps the ball down in the strike zone, a must for a flyball pitcher with less-than-overpowering stuff. While he doesn't have a huge ceiling, he's one of Chicago's more advanced rotation prospects and has a safe floor as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Dillon Maples | Rank: 22 (Preseason: NR)
Team: Tennessee Smokies (AA) ETA: 2018
Position: RHP Age: 25 DOB: 05/09/1992
Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6' 2" Weight: 225 lb.
Drafted: 2011, 14th (429) - CHC
Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Slider: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Maples' talent could have landed him in the second round of the 2011 Draft, but his strong commitment to pitch and also kick for the football team at North Carolina dropped him to the 14th round. The Cubs signed him at the deadline for $2.5 million, still a Draft record for after the third round, then watched him flounder with control issues and minor injuries for his first five pro seasons. He has broken out in 2017, blowing away hitters with three power pitches and finally reaching Double-A.
Maples is throwing better than ever, ranging from 94-100 mph with a fastball that has some run and sink. When it was trying to develop him as a starter, Chicago had him concentrate on improving his fastball command, which cost him some feel for his curveball, his best offering as an amateur. His hard downer curve in the lower 80s is back in his arsenal, and he also has developed an upper-80s slider that's even more of a wipeout pitch.
Though he's a good athlete, Maples never has had a pretty delivery and still struggles to find the strike zone. If he can acquire even average control, he could become a closer. While that may be too much to ask, he has the pure stuff to help the Cubs in the near future.
Team: Iowa Cubs (AAA) ETA: 2018
Position: RHP Age: 22 DOB: 10/03/1994
Bats: L Throws: R Height: 6' 1" Weight: 195 lb.
Signed: July 25, 2013 - CHC
Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
Tseng impressed scouts when he starred for Taiwan at the 18-and-under World Championships in the fall of 2012, but his stock fell when his stuff and delivery took a downturn at the World Baseball Classic the following spring. The Cubs still signed him for $1,625,000 as part of their 2013 international binge that also included since-traded stud prospects Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez. After Tseng made a successful 2014 pro debut in low Class A, his stuff regressed the next two years before bouncing back in 2017.
Tseng's fastball dropped to the upper 80s in 2015-16 before climbing back to 90-93 mph this season. His fastball lacks life but he compensates by locating it well to both sides of the plate. He also has regained consistency with his changeup, his best pitch and a plus offering at its best.
His tight curveball gives Tseng another solid secondary pitch. He's not afraid to challenge hitters and generally keeps the ball down in the strike zone, a must for a flyball pitcher with less-than-overpowering stuff. While he doesn't have a huge ceiling, he's one of Chicago's more advanced rotation prospects and has a safe floor as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Dillon Maples | Rank: 22 (Preseason: NR)
Team: Tennessee Smokies (AA) ETA: 2018
Position: RHP Age: 25 DOB: 05/09/1992
Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6' 2" Weight: 225 lb.
Drafted: 2011, 14th (429) - CHC
Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Slider: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Maples' talent could have landed him in the second round of the 2011 Draft, but his strong commitment to pitch and also kick for the football team at North Carolina dropped him to the 14th round. The Cubs signed him at the deadline for $2.5 million, still a Draft record for after the third round, then watched him flounder with control issues and minor injuries for his first five pro seasons. He has broken out in 2017, blowing away hitters with three power pitches and finally reaching Double-A.
Maples is throwing better than ever, ranging from 94-100 mph with a fastball that has some run and sink. When it was trying to develop him as a starter, Chicago had him concentrate on improving his fastball command, which cost him some feel for his curveball, his best offering as an amateur. His hard downer curve in the lower 80s is back in his arsenal, and he also has developed an upper-80s slider that's even more of a wipeout pitch.
Though he's a good athlete, Maples never has had a pretty delivery and still struggles to find the strike zone. If he can acquire even average control, he could become a closer. While that may be too much to ask, he has the pure stuff to help the Cubs in the near future.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
As far as raw stuff Maples is better than Cease. It is all about his control. Honestly he could be a elite prospect if he wasn't injured so much. Still you don't see a 75 fastball every day.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Wouldn't be too crazy for him to become Andrew Miller. I'd argue Maples has more command issues than Miller did but by the time he was cut from Miami he had a 6.43 bb/9 in AA. Obviously throwing that sort of comp on anyone is a bit unfair but it Miller basically until he was 27 to figure his mechanics out. And clearly the stuff is there.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Mentioned both before but Orian Nunez and Fernando Kelli are really tearing up the DSL. Kelli is a switch hitting lead off CF who coming into todays game was hitting .363/.470/.516. He went 1-4 with a walk today and a SB giving him 26 in 33 games. Seems to be a real burner. Nunez is a righty 2B/SS who was hitting .325/.398/.393 coming into today. He went 2-4. I wouldn't say either are even Ademan level prospect yet but they are probably worth keeping an eye on. Think both could be top 30 prospects in the next 2 years.
Also some what interesting, three of the guys dealt for Q ended up playing against MB today. Flete, Eloy and Rose were all playing for Winston-Salem. Eddy Martinez stayled hot going 2-3 with a HR and a walk. Duncan Robinson took a sorta tough loss going 5 with 3 ER and 6 k's.
Paredes continues to hit in A. Went 1-4 getting his average up to .270. D.J. Wilson was 2-4 with a HR. Tyson Miller threw pretty well going 4 giving up 1 er and 5 k's. Bit high on his whip tho via walks/hits.
Burks is still hitting in AA .291/.383/.432 before today where he's gone 1-4 with a walk.
That's what's caught my eye of tonights games though Mesa and eugene are just starting.
Also some what interesting, three of the guys dealt for Q ended up playing against MB today. Flete, Eloy and Rose were all playing for Winston-Salem. Eddy Martinez stayled hot going 2-3 with a HR and a walk. Duncan Robinson took a sorta tough loss going 5 with 3 ER and 6 k's.
Paredes continues to hit in A. Went 1-4 getting his average up to .270. D.J. Wilson was 2-4 with a HR. Tyson Miller threw pretty well going 4 giving up 1 er and 5 k's. Bit high on his whip tho via walks/hits.
Burks is still hitting in AA .291/.383/.432 before today where he's gone 1-4 with a walk.
That's what's caught my eye of tonights games though Mesa and eugene are just starting.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Brandon Hughes also caught my eye tonight. He was just drafted out of Mich. St. He was 5-13 coming into tonight. He's hit 3 doubles going 3-3. He's playing RF in Eugene tonight but I believe he's more a CFer. He's also a switch hitter. He fell in the draft for reasons unknown to me. BA had him in their top 250. Cubs took him in the 16th round.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
Think it is time to promote DJ now to MB. That OF is weak.
As far as the other 2 guys the 1B and the 2B. Isaac Paredes could move to 3B and they move Jesse Lowell Hodges over to 1B. That fixes their main holes. They do need a UPG to LF in a bad way. Kevonte LaKeith Mitchell makes the most sense to promote.
As far as back filling Cease. Eugene has 7 guys that they have started a game with. Honestly after Duncan and Cease have moved on SB needs a stable option. Matthew L. Swarmer is the most likely one. He was in the pen in SB but got demoted to Eug when their season opened to make him start. So I'm guessing this is the most likely solution. Albertos has only 1 start in at Eug. I really don't see the rush job here.
As far as the other 2 guys the 1B and the 2B. Isaac Paredes could move to 3B and they move Jesse Lowell Hodges over to 1B. That fixes their main holes. They do need a UPG to LF in a bad way. Kevonte LaKeith Mitchell makes the most sense to promote.
As far as back filling Cease. Eugene has 7 guys that they have started a game with. Honestly after Duncan and Cease have moved on SB needs a stable option. Matthew L. Swarmer is the most likely one. He was in the pen in SB but got demoted to Eug when their season opened to make him start. So I'm guessing this is the most likely solution. Albertos has only 1 start in at Eug. I really don't see the rush job here.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Pretty sure if they are going to deal with 3B it may be someone like Vimael Machin to A+ and Austin Filiere to A. Machin has raked this year. He's hitting .320/.371/.500. He's a former SS/C and probably ends up at 2B eventually but think he can play 3B. Filiere is 21 and hitting .233/.351/.433 in Eugene over 30 or so ABs.
As for Cease, might make sense to move someone like Bailey Clark up. Jose Paulino, Hudson, Erling Moreno, Manuel Rondon, and Duncan Robinson have all made numerous starts. Also don't forget about Carson Sands who's been rehabbing in Mesa.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
Sands is a outside shot. Swarmer is the obvious choice. SB: 3-1 3.89 ERA in the pen. 39 SO in 37 IP Really didn't earn the demote. ?But went down and they started him and he responded with a 3.15 ERA 19 SO in 20 IP. So taking into factor pitching against a year younger and keeping his SO rate 1:1 he is a prime choice to promote.
Clark is hosing a 6.63 ERA. SO rate is good but 11 BB 23 H in 19 IP, 1.79 WHIP. He is getting smacked around.
If we can take anything from what happened to Hodges, Tseng, Alzolay, Ducan and Decker. Performance dictates promotions.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
Paulino had probably his best start of the year going 7.1 of 4 hit 0 walk ball with 7 k's and no ER.
Albertos is also pitching tonight. Through 3 he's given up 1 run on 2 hits one of which was a triple. 4 K's and 2 walks to go with the 2 hits. 51 pitches through 3.
Albertos is also pitching tonight. Through 3 he's given up 1 run on 2 hits one of which was a triple. 4 K's and 2 walks to go with the 2 hits. 51 pitches through 3.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
He ended up 5 IP 3 ER 2 BB 4 SO. Well at least he got 5 in which is better than Cease would normally get. I'm thinking this kid takes over as the top arm in the pipe. He is already getting decent numbers at 18 YO. Give him 2 years and he should be dominating.
beckdawg
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Oct 31, 2012
- Posts:
- 11,748
- Liked Posts:
- 3,741
On talent probably yeah but my guy is still De La Cruz if he could ever stay healthy.
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
Duel of the Day: Grayson Long (Angels' No. 5) vs. Adbert Alzolay (Cubs' No. 19), Mobile vs. Tennessee (5:30 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Long has held his opposition to two earned runs or fewer in each of his past five outings and has a 2.97 ERA through 15 starts with Mobile. Long has held opponents scoreless in two of those five starts, including his most recent turn, where he gave up three hits across six innings and matched his season high with eight strikeouts.
Alzolay will be making just his second start at the Double-A level after going 7-1 with a 2.98 ERA through 15 starts with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. The right-hander was lights-out in his Double-A debut as he gave up just two hits in five scoreless innings. Alzolay also matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in the outing.
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/242375920/white-sox-spencer-adams-on-a-roll-for-barons/
Long has held his opposition to two earned runs or fewer in each of his past five outings and has a 2.97 ERA through 15 starts with Mobile. Long has held opponents scoreless in two of those five starts, including his most recent turn, where he gave up three hits across six innings and matched his season high with eight strikeouts.
Alzolay will be making just his second start at the Double-A level after going 7-1 with a 2.98 ERA through 15 starts with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. The right-hander was lights-out in his Double-A debut as he gave up just two hits in five scoreless innings. Alzolay also matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in the outing.
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/242375920/white-sox-spencer-adams-on-a-roll-for-barons/
CSF77
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Posts:
- 18,614
- Liked Posts:
- 2,840
- Location:
- San Diego
I would say Albertos has the highest ceiling. De La Cruz has the highest floor.
Albertos has to learn command right now to have success. He has a plus fastball and a plus change. A passable curve as a 3rd pitch. A guy like him just needs to master locating his fastball while using his change up alter his velocity. He can be Hendricks with a plus fastball as long as he masters command.
De La Cruz has the best command in the system. plus stuff. But yes he got injured before and this could be a aftermath thing right now. Honestly he may not pick up a baseball until spring at this rate.