Soler Power: Cubs Minor League Thread v2

[Jntg4]

Got Almora and other fans to retweet this from my WSD twitter
@albertalmora goes 5-6, 3B, 3 RBI in AZL Cubs 25-hit mega-performance defeating the AZL Reds. Blackburn 3ER/2IP. Maples 0ER/3IP.

 

[Jntg4]

Almora up to Boise tomorrow

 

[Jntg4]

When Almora joins Boise -

Chicago - Castro, Rizzo, Jackson, Vitters
Iowa -
Tennessee - Szczur, Lake
Daytona - Baez, Villanueva
Peoria - Soler
Boise - Almora, Vogelbach, Candelario, Johnson
Mesa - Maples
Unassigned - Vizcaino

Apparently that Paniagua guy is supposed to be one of our better pitching prospects too, so... he's Unassigned as is Vizcaino

 

[Rice Cube]

I'm sure they'll assign Vizcaino once he gets his arm back :lol:

I love how barren Iowa is. Hopefully the prospects zip up through the system so this turns out to be a 2-3 year plan rather than a five-year plan.

 

[dabynsky]

When Almora joins Boise -

Chicago - Castro, Rizzo, Jackson, Vitters
Iowa -
Tennessee - Szczur, Lake
Daytona - Baez, Villanueva
Peoria - Soler
Boise - Almora, Vogelbach, Candelario, Johnson
Mesa - Maples
Unassigned - Vizcaino

Apparently that Paniagua guy is supposed to be one of our better pitching prospects too, so... he's Unassigned as is Vizcaino

I've heard mix reports on Paniagua with him rating only in the top 30 of the prospects. What was written at the time certainly makes him seem like a high upside guy, but at the same time seemed like a lot of experts were trying to lower the expectations around him.

 

[Rice Cube]

The Daytona Cubs may never play again :lol:

 

[Jntg4]

Apparently the Cubs think Almora will move through system quickly... and it turns out Manny Machado is his cousin...

 

[2SeamHeat]

Apparently the Cubs think Almora will move through system quickly... and it turns out Manny Machado is his cousin...

That was one of the things stated about him at the time of the draft. Most seemed to think that Almora could hit the majors by age 20-21.

 

[Jntg4]

That was one of the things stated about him at the time of the draft. Most seemed to think that Almora could hit the majors by age 20-21.

I didn't think the new FO was keen on rushing players through the minors though

 

[2SeamHeat]

I didn't think the new FO was keen on rushing players through the minors though

Pedroia, drafted in 2004, debut in 2006. Ellsbury, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Youkilis, drafted in 2001, debut in 2004. Bucholz, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Bard, drafted 2006, debut 2009. Doubront signed in 2005 at 16, debut 2010 (fast for a young int. FA). Lavarnway, drafted 2008, debut 2011. Lowrie, drafted 2005, debut 2008. Reddick drafted 2006, debut 2009. Rizzo, drafted 2007 (by Epstein), debut 2011 (by Hoyer).

 

[Jntg4]

Pedroia, drafted in 2004, debut in 2006. Ellsbury, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Youkilis, drafted in 2001, debut in 2004. Bucholz, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Bard, drafted 2006, debut 2009. Doubront signed in 2005 at 16, debut 2010 (fast for a young int. FA). Lavarnway, drafted 2008, debut 2011. Lowrie, drafted 2005, debut 2008. Reddick drafted 2006, debut 2009. Rizzo, drafted 2007 (by Epstein), debut 2011 (by Hoyer).

Alright, the whole "162 games at each level" thing kinda misled me.

 

[dabynsky]

Pedroia, drafted in 2004, debut in 2006. Ellsbury, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Youkilis, drafted in 2001, debut in 2004. Bucholz, drafted in 2005, debut in 2007. Bard, drafted 2006, debut 2009. Doubront signed in 2005 at 16, debut 2010 (fast for a young int. FA). Lavarnway, drafted 2008, debut 2011. Lowrie, drafted 2005, debut 2008. Reddick drafted 2006, debut 2009. Rizzo, drafted 2007 (by Epstein), debut 2011 (by Hoyer).

Only Rizzo and Doubront weren't college players, and going by Rizzo's development that would still mean that Almora would reach the majors by 2016 at the earliest at 22.

 

[dabynsky]

Jim Callis about Logan Watkins...

Has a chance to be a regular. More upside than Barney. @dnels81: Do you see the #cubs Logan Watkins as a utility guy or an every day 2B?

 

[dabynsky]

Bruce Miles is reporting Oneri Fleita is out as Director of Player Development. Pretty interesting since they are now keeping Wilken (the guy Ricketts didn't extend) and Fleita (the guy Ricketts didn't extend) is now out. Fleita was in charge of Latin America scouting under the old regime as well. Not sure how much he was in charge of that with the new FO structure.

 

[Rice Cube]

I think Fleita got an extension. Maybe they just figured they could use a tax break. Kind of strange, is it clear whether Fleita left or whether the Cubs fired him?

 

[Rice Cube]

http://azstarnet.com/sports/basebal...cle_4b8075d1-80d1-5e2a-8d2c-31edffc571f3.html

I think the I-Cubs get to play these guys soon :lol:

 

[Jntg4]

http://azstarnet.com/sports/basebal...cle_4b8075d1-80d1-5e2a-8d2c-31edffc571f3.html

I think the I-Cubs get to play these guys soon :lol:

They'll probably be in El Paso within 2 years

 

[2SeamHeat]

Only Rizzo and Doubront weren't college players, and going by Rizzo's development that would still mean that Almora would reach the majors by 2016 at the earliest at 22.

And yet, the majority of college players still sit in the minors for 3-4 full seasons these days. The fact that the majority of the guys I list hit the majors by the time they were 22-23, despite being drafted at 20-21... it suggests promoting guys as they seem to be progressing beyond their current level, and when they appear to be capable of making it in the majors.

Look at Baez this year. Drafted last year and played all of 5 games. He's already at high A at the age of 19. If he continues at this pace, he'll be in the majors at 21 in 2014 (possible Sept callup next year... though extremely unlikely). He's not going at an annual step-by-step pace as a cautious "slow approach" would suggest. If Almora moves at a similar pace (which was widely suggested at the time of his drafting... and he happens to be on right now with his promotion to Boise), he could end up in the majors a year earlier than suggest. However, 2016 would still be a fairly quick pace, as it would be only 3.5 years for a high school kid.

 

[2SeamHeat]

Alright, the whole "162 games at each level" thing kinda misled me.

I think that was just speak to keep fans calm as they held Rizzo down to keep from burning a full season of service time. It gave the fans, and press, a target of when Rizzo might come up. The track record just isn't there. Heck, look at how a few of the top prospects in the lower levels have been promoted this year after beginning at a higher level than last year. Almora, Johnson, and Soler have already been promoted despite only being signed in June or July.

 

[Jntg4]

I think that was just speak to keep fans calm as they held Rizzo down to keep from burning a full season of service time. It gave the fans, and press, a target of when Rizzo might come up. The track record just isn't there. Heck, look at how a few of the top prospects in the lower levels have been promoted this year after beginning at a higher level than last year. Almora, Johnson, and Soler have already been promoted despite only being signed in June or July.

My interpretation was that Mesa/Boise/Peoria counted as one combined level to them... but you are right, the track record isn't there at all.

They've been more cautious than others have though, Zunino debuted in AA yesterday