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

[Rice Cube]

Moved the prospect lists to this thread to consolidate what little conversation we have these days :lol:

 

[Rice Cube]

Prospect destinations for winter ball:

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/10/17/1017-winter-ball/

Mexican Pacific League

Alfredo Amezaga (Obregon)

Esmailin Caridad (Obregon)

Greg Rohan (Mazatlan)

Christian Villanueva (Obregon)

Dominican Winter League

Arismendy Alcantara (Licey)

Jeffry Antigua (Toros de Este)

Jairo Ascencio (Este)

Diory Hernandez (Este)

Junior Lake (Oriente)

Venezuelan Winter League

Juan Apodaca (Zulia)

Eduardo Figueroa (Caribes de Anzoategui)

Yoanner Negrin (Caracas)

Loiger Padron (Caracas)

Luis Valbuena (Lara)

Ty Wright (Aragua)

Note: Tony Campana and Miguel Socolovich also were to play for Caracas in Venezuela

 

[Kleats]

I understand the skepticism. The odds of the big 3 all being stars is pretty remote. The odds of all 3 even being league average starters isn't that great, but at the same time they are big time prospects in baseball. Baez is shooting up the prospect lists right now, and very well could be a top 10 prospect by the end of next year. There is a middle ground between all prospects will fail and all prospects will succeed. And in comparison to other systems the Cubs have a rapidly improving system in just about every facet.

Well at least they're doing it the right way now so the odds are better than they ever have been for the system to really produce . It's like growing trees that way . Hopefully , when the time is right , they'll go out and spend the money on the right / best FA's to plug any holes . THEN we have something . It's gonna be a blast being a Cubs fan in a few years .

 

[dabynsky]

Cubs Den talking about Vogelbach's swing. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/10/the-dan-vogelbach-swing/

 

[dabynsky]

Callis predicts that Soler, Almora, and Vogelbach will all start at Kane County next year.

 

[Rice Cube]

Callis predicts that Soler, Almora, and Vogelbach will all start at Kane County next year.

Road trip! :woot:

 

[dabynsky]

Kane County is about the same distance as Peoria was for me. So the move didn't really help me any, but it is certainly tempting.

 

[MRubio52]

Road trip! :woot:

AAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW YEAH!

 

[waldo7239117]

Kane County here I come!

 

[Rice Cube]

Muskat's latest mailbag has some items on Maples and Hayden Simpson...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/ar...ey=news_chc&c_id=chc&tcid=tw_article_40042106

 

[Rice Cube]

From Anno's Twitter feed:

Bruce Miles reports Cubs backup catcher Anthony Recker was claimed by the Mets. He was taken off 40-man roster Wednesday. The Cubs have also outrighted Cardenas, Berken, Socolovich and Mateo to Iowa, taking them off 40-man roster.

 

[dabynsky]

Crazy amount of guys need to be protected like Nick Struck, Logan Watkins, and a bunch of arms in the low minors that throw hard that a team could take like we did with Castillo. Either way makes sense that a bunch of these guys got removed off the roster.

 

[Rice Cube]

Bleacher Nation's early morning bullets:

Javier Baez is trying to get used to playing third base, not only in the Arizona Fall League, but potentially long term. Although it’s still too early to talk about moving him permanently off of shortstop to accommodate Starlin Castro (or to talk about moving Castro), it is probably time to know whether Baez is going to be able to make the transition when the time comes. Given his skills at short, it shouldn’t be an issue, but it will take time and work. Baez says he’s open to the move, but that he’s got to learn the footwork and the angles at third base a little better. His manager at Daytona, Brian Harper, is Baez’s hitting coach in the AFL, and pretty much says it all (from the Tribune): ”[Baez] can play shortstop. Eventually, he can play third. He’s a little uncomfortable there. He hasn’t played many games there. The angles and throws are a little different. But offensively, he’s got some talent.At his age, there’s no reason to not have him play shortstop because he’s still a couple years away from the big leagues. When he’s ready for the big leagues, then you make a decision. But right now, he’s a legitimate shortstop …. He’s got as much talent and power as any young player I’ve seen. He’s a year out of high school. This is a challenge for him, and he’s got some things to adjust and learn. The upside on him is ridiculous. It’s great.” Yay.

 

[Rice Cube]

Via Anno's Twitter, 40-man roster update...

Recker, Cardenas, Berken, Socolovich, Mateo, Volstad, Mather, Germano, Corpas & Parker taken off 40 man roster. 10 spots opened in 2 days

 

[dabynsky]

As I've been saying for a while there are a ton of guys that might deserve protection, the ubs are going to add guys via free ageny eventually and they might want to pick up a rule 5 guy of our own.

 

[Rice Cube]

Indeed, most of those guys they can probably replace anyway. Not a big deal.

 

[Rice Cube]

Anyone know when the last date to protect a guy on the 40-man roster is? MLB's important dates doesn't actually say but Rule 5 draft is on 12/6. Arb-eligible players have to be tendered by 11/30.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp

 

[Jntg4]

Anyone know when the last date to protect a guy on the 40-man roster is? MLB's important dates doesn't actually say but Rule 5 draft is on 12/6. Arb-eligible players have to be tendered by 11/30.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/offseason-calendar.html

 

[Rice Cube]

Ah, 11/20. So I guess on 11/21 MLBTR will have a list of everyone we can toss into a hat :lol:

 

[waldo7239117]

The Cubs 40-man roster reportedly stands at 33. I counted 30 too, but that's what the Cubs said. Also, don't forget about Carlos Guiterez whom the Cubs just claimed off waivers from the Twins.

Also, that does not include Matt Garza, Ian Stewart, and Arodys Vizicaino of whom have are still on the 60-day DL and are not counted towards the 40-man roster. So, realistically the 40-man roster will be at 36 at some time very soon.