Cub's Prospect Watch And Development Discussion Thread

[dabears253313]

That makes more sense, but they will likely wait a bit longer to see how Vogelbach does in more advanced levels.

Probably and yeah he's still in Daytona.

 

[SilenceS]

Volgelbach will be traded at some point. Schwarber is the exact same payer with a little more athleticism. Volgy would have to be a really incredible hitter for the cubs to keep him, but they arent going to trade him right now. He is the type of prospect that will gain more value as he goes on because he is a really good hitter just very limited on D.

 

[chibears55]

That makes more sense, but they will likely wait a bit longer to see how Vogelbach does in more advanced levels.

Vogel will be someone they hold until he gets to Iowa unless a team specifically asks for him in a major trade.

Right now who better to have as 1st base depth then him in case rizzo gets hurt

 

[chibears55]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/07/17/cubs-minor-league-daily-super-soler/

Nice article on Soler....

 

[chibears55]

@TheCCO: Javier Baez is making his first start at 2B tonight for Iowa. Baez is hitting third and playing 2B #Cubs @IowaCubs

Should we take this as a matter of time now when baez will be called up to replace barney whom they might be able to trade off ?

 

[Jntg4]

@TheCCO: Javier Baez is making his first start at 2B tonight for Iowa. Baez is hitting third and playing 2B #Cubs @IowaCubs

Should we take this as a matter of time now when baez will be called up to replace barney whom they might be able to trade off ?

If he was actually playing well enough to warrant a promotion... He has work to do. If anything, it is prep for next year or due to the fact that we now not only have Castro, but Russell too.

 

[chibears55]

If he was actually playing well enough to warrant a promotion... He has work to do. If anything, it is prep for next year or due to the fact that we now not only have Castro, but Russell too.

Kinda got the feeling their getting the wheels in motion for this year, especially now with the early success of Alcantara not only with the bat but looking comfortable in CF.

With 2 weeks til deadline, I can see baez being called up if he has a smooth transition to 2B come Aug...

 

[SilenceS]

So, so far tonight, Baez, Bryant, Russell, Soler, and Volgelbach have all gone yard.

And yes, I believe they are preparing Baez for the switch. Does that mean he comes up? I dont know. Since May 15, he has been pretty darn good. I am saying that I think we see Soler in September then back with the club after mid may next year.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Baez playing 2B? Say it ain't so!

 

[JZsportsfan]

Would really be interesting if they move Bryant to the OF and Baez to 3B. I think if the Cubs are set on Baez playing 2B in the majors in makes a Castro trade almost inevitable. I think now though they are probably just trying to see if he looks comfortable at a few different positions

 

[chibears55]

Would really be interesting if they move Bryant to the OF and Baez to 3B. I think if the Cubs are set on Baez playing 2B in the majors in makes a Castro trade almost inevitable. I think now though they are probably just trying to see if he looks comfortable at a few different positions

Why would baez playing 2B mean Castro getting traded ?

Castro is not being traded. He Rizzo and somewhat Castillo are the core their building around right now. Accept That

 

[chibears55]

We know he gonna hit, how is he gonba handle 2B

@TheCCO: RT @RandyWehofer Good first impression. Baez part of 3 DP's on the #Cubs infield tonight in his first game at 2B.

 

[beckdawg]

So, so far tonight, Baez, Bryant, Russell, Soler, and Volgelbach have all gone yard.

And yes, I believe they are preparing Baez for the switch. Does that mean he comes up? I dont know. Since May 15, he has been pretty darn good. I am saying that I think we see Soler in September then back with the club after mid may next year.

If Theo "can't see a situation where Bryant comes up" I don't see how he would see one with Baez. Baez is a full year younger and hasn't performed anywhere near as well in AAA. And then there's that K rate of Baez's. That's not going to get better in the majors. If it were 25% then maybe you can argue he can survive but frankly at a 30% k rate you're talking a K every third at bat? I'd rather see him stay in AAA and truly dominate that level before we start talking about call ups. I'm honestly at the point where I'm not sure a Septemeber call up makes sense once AAA season is over.

 

[chibears55]

So, so far tonight, Baez, Bryant, Russell, Soler, and Volgelbach have all gone yard.

And yes, I believe they are preparing Baez for the switch. Does that mean he comes up? I dont know. Since May 15, he has been pretty darn good. I am saying that I think we see Soler in September then back with the club after mid may next year.

@TheCCO: RT @TheCCO_Minors: Not to be overlooked Christian @Villa_at_3B Villanueva the 6th #Cubs prospect with a HR tonight

 

[theberserkfury]

If Theo "can't see a situation where Bryant comes up" I don't see how he would see one with Baez. Baez is a full year younger and hasn't performed anywhere near as well in AAA. And then there's that K rate of Baez's. That's not going to get better in the majors. If it were 25% then maybe you can argue he can survive but frankly at a 30% k rate you're talking a K every third at bat? I'd rather see him stay in AAA and truly dominate that level before we start talking about call ups. I'm honestly at the point where I'm not sure a Septemeber call up makes sense once AAA season is over.

Is that his rate for the season? If it is, I'm curious to see what it looks like since mid-May or whenever when he clearly started turning his season around... as well as what it looks like once Bryant joined the team.

 

[beckdawg]

Is that his rate for the season? If it is, I'm curious to see what it looks like since mid-May or whenever when he clearly started turning his season around... as well as what it looks like once Bryant joined the team.

31.6% on the season

April - 34.9%(63 PAs)
May - 34.5%(119 PAs)
June - 29.3%(116 PAs)
July - 26%(50 PAs)

You could suggest it's improved slightly but keep in mind 50 PAs in july is like 12 games. And even though it's "better" in June, you're still at 30% roughly. Also, keep in mind 26% k rate isn't really "good" either. It's merely the edge of where you would start talking about acceptable given what else he may provide. Ideally, you'd want to be better than the roughly 20% K rate average. And given what Baez should provide if you're in the 23-25 range then ok it's an annoyance but not a deal breaker. But when you're pushing 25%+, very few players have a sustained career with those numbers.

Edit to follow up, these players have 30% plus K rates since 2010
Chris Carter
Adam Dunn
Mark Reynolds
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Chris Davis

All of them also have a high enough walk rate(9%+) to sustain. You're talking similar look at people in the 25%+ range. Some of the players with 9% BB rate have been ok(BJ Upton, Stanton..etc). In the case of Baez, his career high in walk rate is this year at 8%. So, he's not there yet either. And of those players with a 9% or lower walk rate you're talking about Travis Snider(7.7%/25.1%), Mark Trumbo(6.2%/25.2%), Starling Marte(5.0%/25.9%), Colby Rasmus(8.9%/26.3%), Tyler Colvin(5.9%/26.9%), Jayson Nix(6.8%/26.4%), Miguel Olivo(4.4%/27.7%), Drew Stubbs(8.6%/29.6%), Brett Wallace(7.4%/29.5%), Jeff Mathis(5.8%/28.8%), J.P. Arencibia(5.3%/28.5%), Danny Espinosa(7.1%/28.3%)

I'm not saying Baez is destined to be a bust but I damn sure hope they don't rush him to the majors. These are clearly not small issues that need correcting.

 

[SilenceS]

Kris Bryant is over 30 percent. Baez is walking around 15% since Kris Bryant joined the team. They both have issues to work out, but Baez has improved really well in the past 20 games or so.

 

[beckdawg]

Kris Bryant is over 30 percent. Baez is walking around 15% since Kris Bryant joined the team. They both have issues to work out, but Baez has improved really well in the past 20 games or so.

Yeah like I said I'm not saying he's a bust but I'd prefer both work those issues out before hitting the majors especially with nothing on the line.

 

[chibears55]

Kris Bryant is over 30 percent. Baez is walking around 15% since Kris Bryant joined the team. They both have issues to work out, but Baez has improved really well in the past 20 games or so.

Baez improved with the protection of one hitter, I guess being surrounded by castro rizzo and Alcantara and maybe bryant again at some point this year could really do him some good.

That could potentially be a dangerous top 5 of a batting order

 

[X]

Baez played 2b tonight.

---> Sent from above.