Hail Szczur: Official Cubs Prospects and Off-season Leagues Thread

Rice Cube · Oct 30, 2012

Luke from BN with an update on two under-the-radar prospects.

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/10/30/prospects-progress-andreoli-and-morris/

MRubio52 · Nov 1, 2012

THE RANKINGS ARE COMING THE RANKINGS ARE COMING!

Rice Cube · Nov 1, 2012

Boy I hope some of those aren't behind the pay wall

MRubio52 · Nov 1, 2012

Rice Cube said:
Boy I hope some of those aren't behind the pay wall

You know, the subscription is actually totally worth the money, and I rarely say that.

Rice Cube · Nov 1, 2012

MRubio52 said:
You know, the subscription is actually totally worth the money, and I rarely say that.

You assume I have this "money" you speak of :shifty:

MRubio52 · Nov 3, 2012

I've been watching Zych pretty closely. I wanted to make the trek down to Tenn. late in the year to get eyes on him but alas I was clearly lacking #want (read: money).

I don't like his delivery much and I think it leaves him prone to prolonged bouts of inconsistency and wildness. His leg extension is short but his arm action is really fast and sexy. Small stride taxes the arm too much for my tastes and while I think he'll have the stuff to get to the Majors, he will be a completely infuriating RP.

Rice Cube · Nov 3, 2012

I thought he did pretty well considering the shitastic defense behind him. Good poise. Got out of it with just one run given up, and might even get the win since the offense picked him up.

MRubio52 · Nov 3, 2012

Rice Cube said:
I thought he did pretty well considering the shitastic defense behind him. Good poise. Got out of it with just one run given up, and might even get the win since the offense picked him up.

Oh he's got pitchability and good poise, but he needs to rein in his arm action I think. He's going to get to the Majors IMO, He's probably a 5 now with 6upside and a 7ceiling, so I would be legit disappointed if he didn't, but I think he will have control issues up at the ML level until he fixes his delivery.

MRubio52 · Nov 3, 2012

And of course all of this comes with the caveat that I can be, and probably am, laughably wrong and he's the next Billy Wagner.

Rice Cube · Nov 3, 2012

MRubio52 said:
And of course all of this comes with the caveat that I can be, and probably am, laughably wrong and he's the next Billy Wagner.

But he knows something you do not know...

MRubio52 · Nov 4, 2012

"@doug_thorburn: @MRubio52 I think his delivery's pretty clean aside from the funky arm action, but he could benefit from more mirror-balance w/ his arms"

Evidence that I am laughably wrong. Doug is a great twitter follow.

Sent from MR Phone

dabynsky · Nov 4, 2012

MRubio52 said:
"@doug_thorburn: @MRubio52 I think his delivery's pretty clean aside from the funky arm action, but he could benefit from more mirror-balance w/ his arms"

Evidence that I am laughably wrong. Doug is a great twitter follow.

Sent from MR Phone

I wouldn't say laughably wrong. He does acknowledge that his arm action is funky, but this is why I tend to avoid analyze mechanics there are just so many things that determine whether a motion works or doesn't.

Rice Cube · Nov 4, 2012

I don't think you worry about delivery or mechanics unless it significantly hinders their consistent pitch location or jeopardizes their health.

waldo7239117 · Nov 4, 2012

I thought Zych looked preetty good yesterday and showed good composure with people in scoring position.

MRubio52 · Nov 4, 2012

dabynsky said:
I wouldn't say laughably wrong. He does acknowledge that his arm action is funky, but this is why I tend to avoid analyze mechanics there are just so many things that determine whether a motion works or doesn't.

For sure. I like looking at it and trying to see if I can tell where a delivery is going wrong and if it's leading to bouts of wildness. I'm still working on that skill though and 95 is 95 even with a funky delivery. What comes out of the hand is what matters most.

Rice Cube · Nov 6, 2012

Muskat updates:

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/11/06/116-afl-winter-ball-updates/

Logan Watkins made his Arizona Fall League debut on Monday, and was 0-for-2 with two walks and scored a run in the Mesa Solar Sox’s 5-4 win over Scottsdale. Watkins was named to the Solar Sox to replace Javier Baez, who injured his thumb. Matt Szczur led off and went 0-for-3 but also drew a walk and scored a run. Rubi Silva was 1-for-4 with a triple. Dae-Eun Rhee started for Mesa, and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks over four innings. Nick Struck picked up the win in relief. On Tuesday, Mesa plays host to Surprise at HoHoKam Park. First pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. MT.

* In the Dominican Republic, Junior Lake was 3-for-4 with three doubles and one RBI for Estrellas de Oriente in a 6-4 loss to Gigantes on Monday. Lake, who was batting .310, started at third and switched to shortstop.