Cub's Prospect Watch And Development Discussion Thread

[Boobaby1]

I will stand by Baez at SS as long as he isn't a total liability there defensively. There's no comparison coming to mind but let's say he's like 20th out of 30 SS defensively. To me he's still worth it there. I think Baez will be probably average defensively at SS in time. He's got decent speed so range should be an issue and he's supposedly got a few good arm. So, while I'm not sure he'll be a gold glove caliber defender I think he'll be more than adequate there.

What I wonder is if there is the thought that him playing SS would put him in more harms way in terms of wear and tear. It feels like they are trying to hedge their bets by playing him at 2B and 3B in ST as if they eventually intend to move him off SS which is odd because it contradicts the statement they made near the end of last year where they had no plans to move him off it in the minors.

I just really hope that he ends up at SS. It just opens up a lot of options offensively.

I'd rather him play 2nd base. I do agree that it would be more detrimental playing SS. It is not for everyone, and the FO has said they will start him at SS in Iowa, but a transition to 2nd base would not be too difficult, nor 3rd base for that matter.

I don't want anything getting in the way of his bat. That is what the Cubs are hedging their bets on, not his glove.

How many 2nd basemen have that much power potential?

 

[CSF77]

His arm projects better at 3B.

 

[beckdawg]

How many 2nd basemen have that much power potential?

The same an be said about SS. Unfortunately, I see Castro or Alcantara having to be the odd man out. And of those two, Castro to me has the weaker skill set offensively if Alcantara's minor league performance translates to the majors. He also has more trade value by virtue of being a SS. But, if Baez goes to 2B then Alcantara is out in the cold. If you move Baez to 3B that sort of power is semi-expected and isn't quite the same boon as you would get out of a middle infielder. That's why I hope he sticks at SS.

 

[SilenceS]

The same an be said about SS. Unfortunately, I see Castro or Alcantara having to be the odd man out. And of those two, Castro to me has the weaker skill set offensively if Alcantara's minor league performance translates to the majors. He also has more trade value by virtue of being a SS. But, if Baez goes to 2B then Alcantara is out in the cold. If you move Baez to 3B that sort of power is semi-expected and isn't quite the same boon as you would get out of a middle infielder. That's why I hope he sticks at SS.

KLAW is projecting Castro in left, Baez at SS, Bryant at third, Alcantara at second if everything went right.

 

[Boobaby1]

The same an be said about SS. Unfortunately, I see Castro or Alcantara having to be the odd man out. And of those two, Castro to me has the weaker skill set offensively if Alcantara's minor league performance translates to the majors. He also has more trade value by virtue of being a SS. But, if Baez goes to 2B then Alcantara is out in the cold. If you move Baez to 3B that sort of power is semi-expected and isn't quite the same boon as you would get out of a middle infielder. That's why I hope he sticks at SS.

Not necessarily. Alcantara was rumored to possibly be fitted for CF until Almora arrived. By that time, the positions should have ironed themselves out and Castro would be more than half way through his contract if things go as planned.

Also, Castro's value will be almost nill if Baez takes over. Would you give up much for a SS who was 2nd or 3rd best on their team? I wouldn't.

 

[Boobaby1]

KLAW is projecting Castro in left, Baez at SS, Bryant at third, Alcantara at second if everything went right.

Put Castro in LF? I'd rather stick him at 3B and put Bryant in LF. At least Bryant projects to be a corner outfielder power hitter.

 

[CSF77]

It is going to be hard to predict the future line up. Shoot it is going to be hard enough to predict opening day as it is.

Just this year alone 2B and 3B are in competition. If Nate proves he can hit LH pitching it becomes an interesting OF situation up coming.

If I had to wing it:

Opening day:
2B Emilio Bonifacio The O is going to need a spark plug and his speed can not be ignored.
SS Starlin Castro Better suited as a #2 hitter.
1B Anthony Rizzo
3B Mike Olt needs to prove he can hit again but has the tool set
RF Nate Schierholtz I doubt that he hits full time. I'm still expecting a platoon of sorts. Sweeney in RF/Lake in CF/Rugg in LF vs LH
LF Junior Lake He will get a shot at it every day. Who knows how long he sustains though.
CF Ryan Sweeney He got a contract due to him hitting both LH/RH pitching and playing a quality OF.
C Wellington Castillo top 5 D catcher in the league and keeps a respectable OBA.


Up to the trade deadline I'm expecting some mix and matches to see what pans out. Baez I expect promoted around the deadline. I could see a SP promoted at this point. From AA-> AAA Bryant I expect promoted. Johnson and Edwards are a maybe. Soler and Vogelbach not sure if they push them or not.

So going into the deadline I expect RF opened with Nate traded out. Baez gets promoted and a shuffle ensues. What I expect to happen at this point is Olt moved to LF/Lake to CF and Sweeney moved to RF. Baez becomes the every day 3B going forward.

Then looking forward with Bryant I expect him be on the team in 2015 but in RF.

I just see this as the most logical way to predict this. Of coarse there are plenty of variables here. They stick with Barney and the platoon. Olt never rebounds etc.

But in general this is about as real as it gets. 2015 I believe becomes interesting.

 

[chibears55]

Put Castro in LF? I'd rather stick him at 3B and put Bryant in LF. At least Bryant projects to be a corner outfielder power hitter.

I think castro would be best in CF.. fast enough to cover ground and has a strong arm. His bat would project better as a CF ,especially if the power numbers stay the same.

Be nice if Olt gets his bat going and holds down 3B with his plus defense , then Bryant can take a corner OF spot.



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[patg006]

I think castro would be best in CF.. fast enough to cover ground and has a strong arm.

Fast enough to cover ground and has a strong arm could also have been said of Soriano.

But people couldn't ***** enough about how 'bad' his defense was in the OF.

 

[Boobaby1]

I think castro would be best in CF.. fast enough to cover ground and has a strong arm. His bat would project better as a CF ,especially if the power numbers stay the same.

Be nice if Olt gets his bat going and holds down 3B with his plus defense , then Bryant can take a corner OF spot.



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I feel that would be demoralizing to Castro. You get bumped off of short, and move to the outfield? If he lapses at shortstop, what's he going to in the outfield when he gets a few balls hit his way during a game.

If Baez projects to be the SS, the Cubs better pray that Castro has a really good year and dump him for pitching. That may be the best way to kill two birds with one stone.

Conversely, if he has a good year, they will likely want to keep him with his contract amount and length.

 

[CSF77]

They are not going to bump Castro off SS if his D continues to improve off of last year and he goes back to a .300 hitter. No and no again.

Baez made 44 errors last year due to his aggressive nature. He has a plus arm. Add to it he has hit 37 HR's in a season in pro ball. He projects as a 3B right now. His value doesn't drop at all and if anything this quickens his bat to the team. There is no way they are plugging in 40 errors in at SS over Castro.

Now CF. This could become interesting for a few years. Right now I see Sweeney getting most of the reps. As the year moves on Szczur with a strong showing may make a arguement. If Bonifacio wins a starting job and Alcantara builds off of last year they could become a interesting 1-2 punch both SH. Bonifacio moved to CF. Castro dropped in the order to pick up some RBI's.

Lake may just continue to grow and is moved to CF.

Things are going to be dictated by performance. As it is Barney yak's a HR. He is not just lying down here and letting players take his job.

 

[chibears55]

Cubs could have s nice problem next off season figuring out who to hold onto and trade for pitchers or position upgrade

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[marines1]

kris bryant 1st time at bat homer

 

[patg006]

Cubs could have s nice problem next off season figuring out who to hold onto and trade for pitchers or position upgrade

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Really??

2-3 players that might be worth holding onto doesn't quite fill a 25 man roster.

:fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap::fap:

 

[patg006]

kris bryant 1st time at bat homer

Am I the only one noticing the score to the game??

 

[theberserkfury]

Am I the only one noticing the score to the game??

Lol... it's spring training. Who cares?

 

[Boobaby1]

Lol... it's spring training. Who cares?

C'mon guys. Does it really matter what the score was when he hit it? It was his 1st major league at bat.

It doesn't make much sense to lessen Trout's HR because he hit it in a 5-1 lead off of a guy who the Cubs signed to a minor league deal, nor does it make much sense to say Shark is an Ace because of two shutout innings, or that Chris Rusin is really good pitcher because he struck Mike Trout out in the 1st inning.

Like the above said, it's pre-season.

Be thankful the Cubs actually have someone that can take the ball out to dead center, and the sooner we can be watching him at Wrigley versus the everyday crap they are tossing out there that can't hit it out with a 30 MPH wind at their backs, the better it will be.

BTW, he did square up nicely on that pitch.

 

[CSF77]

Castro looked solid in first game.

That line up on game 2 was who? Casper Wells in LF? I did not even know most of the team. They should have just tossed Almora and Bryant out there in the first if they were going to toss in non 40 man guys.

On the score. 1st time through. Pitchers are still trying to find location. Even Grenke and Kershaw got pounded their first games. Means nothing.

 

[TL1961]

Fast enough to cover ground and has a strong arm could also have been said of Soriano.

But people couldn't ***** enough about how 'bad' his defense was in the OF.

You out the word "bad" in quotes.

Are you saying it really wasn't bad?

It was awful for years. It actually got a little better the last year and a half. But it was tough to watch.

 

[patg006]

Lol... it's spring training. Who cares?

So no one should care about the score of the game, but the at bat of a pitcher with a number in the 90's matters?

Solid logic.