2014 Cubs Catch-All Thread

[Chicago White Sox]

Then you've still got Russell, Almora, Schwarber, McKinney and Vogelbach.

Your obsession with Cubs' prospects is unparalleled.

[caulfield12]

Your obsession with Cubs' prospects is unparalleled.

 

 

I like to study all of the teams' systems, but the Cubs or Astros are more entertaining for differing reasons.

Edited September 4, 2014 by caulfield12

[Chicago White Sox]

I like to study all of the teams' systems, but the Cubs or Astros are more entertaining for differing reasons.

That's fine but you're literally name-dropping Cubs prospects for no reason.

[caulfield12]

That's fine but you're literally name-dropping Cubs prospects for no reason.

 

 

Fine, then there are still arguments to be made that Russell OR Schwarber (especially the former) might end up being better players than Baez or Soler.

 

It's hard to argue against Bryant RIGHT NOW, but it's not simply three players in the discussion, it's at least 4 and possibly 5 (although Schwarber probably can't be in that conversation unless he can catch, as opposed to playing 1B/LF/RF).

[whitesoxfan99]

Then you've still got Russell, Almora, Schwarber, McKinney and Vogelbach.

 

Why even mention Vogelbach? Dude is a DH who has been incredibly mediocre in A ball the last couple years. I don't get the love for Almora as an elite prospect either. I know he plays CF, but he has shown no power at all and never walks. He also doesn't steal bases.

[Friend of Nordhagen]

Fine, then there are still arguments to be made that Russell OR Schwarber (especially the former) might end up being better players than Baez or Soler.

 

It's hard to argue against Bryant RIGHT NOW, but it's not simply three players in the discussion, it's at least 4 and possibly 5 (although Schwarber probably can't be in that conversation unless he can catch, as opposed to playing 1B/LF/RF).

 

Who knows? At present, I'd guess that Schwarber will be an OBP machine but ultimately have no position; Almora will be a steady player, whose offensive shortcomings will have to be made up for by his defense (and other players). Russell, Soler and Bryant all have very high potential -- very impressed with their numbers and consistency. But Baez being discussed as Mark Reynolds, already, should tell us a lot.

 

[Jake]

Bryant will be better than Soler, but that doesn't mean both won't be well above average players.

 

I agree, I was just thinking of the current MLB callups

[caulfield12]

Schwarber really had a great offensive season, he averaged more than one homer in less than every ten AB's, with three stops along the way.

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...tching/2014/ALL

Tyler Kolek didn't do anything particularly impressive, giving up quite a few hits and walks, as expected. And didn't even average a 9 K/IP ratio in just 22 innings (18, with 13 BB's).

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...itting/2014/ALL

Nick Gordon, Twins, failed to put up a 700+ OPS in the Appy League.

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...tching/2014/ALL

Aaron Nola put up a very solid half season after being drafted by the Phils

 

I haven't been following all the other players, but I read where the Royals were considering promoting Brandon Finnegan (LHP, TCU) to the majors this September.

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...tching/2014/ALL

Kyle Freeland/Evansville also got off to a very nice start with the Rockies.

 

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...itting/2014/ALL

Finally, Alex Jackson held his own in AZL play, but didn't dominate offensively like some expected/predicted.

[southsider2k5]

That's fine but you're literally name-dropping Cubs prospects for no reason.

 

At least that's what Tuffy Rhodes keeps telling me.

[caulfield12]

At least half of Farmer's and Harrelson's broadcasts are name-dropping the same set of about 50-75 names from the past, at least I sometimes throw a little variety into it to spice it up.

[witesoxfan]

Schwarber, considered to be an advanced hitting prospect, also had a K% of 19.9% in A+ ball. Tim Anderson, considered to be an extremely talented but raw hitter, has a 22.7% K% at A+.

 

Maybe hold back on the Schwarber love. He doesn't look like a bad prospect, but you want to see a guy like that do it in AA before you consider him an elite level prospect.

[Kyyle23]

At least half of Farmer's and Harrelson's broadcasts are name-dropping the same set of about 50-75 names from the past, at least I sometimes throw a little variety into it to spice it up.

 

Your variety is naming cubs prospects in any thread you can. And trying to pose them in an argument against another point.

 

 

Gillaspie vs Flowers? Schwarber hits a lot, but Almora?

 

Hawk cutting back on road games? Bryant will hit 40 homeruns guaranteed, but what is Baez OPS if Hawk isn't calling the game?

 

Spencer Adams or Chris Bassitt? The answer is Arrietta, or is it? Maybe it is not, maybe it is Hendricks, Alcantara or Vitters

[caulfield12]

Your variety is naming cubs prospects in any thread you can. And trying to pose them in an argument against another point.

 

 

Gillaspie vs Flowers? Schwarber hits a lot, but Almora?

 

Hawk cutting back on road games? Bryant will hit 40 homeruns guaranteed, but what is Baez OPS if Hawk isn't calling the game?

 

Spencer Adams or Chris Bassitt? The answer is Arrietta, or is it? Maybe it is not, maybe it is Hendricks, Alcantara or Vitters

 

 

I sincerely hope you are entertaining yourself.

[Harry Chappas]

Did anyone believe Alcantara would have more homers than Baez?

 

That's been a surprise, although overall his offensive numbers indicate more or less a slightly below average MLB CFer...and he's doing on the job training defensively.

 

Of course, Soler's the new "golden child" of the moment and Baez has been kind of been forgotten about, but his season, were it not for September...is to the point where you'd have to consider sending him back down or shutting him down if that was an option. So he has no choice but to struggle and try to battle his way out of it, which the Cubs ultimately believe he'll be able to do.

 

Didn't Alcantara come up about a month or two before Baez?

 

A part of me thought Baez was brought up to generate hype and if he failed, he was not a Theo guy, same with Starlin. GM's love their guys more than the previous regime, you see that in every sport.

 

 

[southsider2k5]

Corey Patterson approves

 

jon greenberg ‏@jon_greenberg 47s

 

Cubs bumping prices in three sections next season by an average of 6 percent. Others remain same or down. Overall % increase around 2 pct.

[southsider2k5]

Bruce Levine ‏@MLBBruceLevine 1m

 

Cubs have looked at Personal seat license system but have no plans for that program at this time

[Rowand44]

Corey Patterson approves

 

jon greenberg ‏@jon_greenberg 47s

 

Cubs bumping prices in three sections next season by an average of 6 percent. Others remain same or down. Overall % increase around 2 pct.

And there's your reason for bringing some of these young guys up this year.

[Quin]

Schwarber, considered to be an advanced hitting prospect, also had a K% of 19.9% in A+ ball. Tim Anderson, considered to be an extremely talented but raw hitter, has a 22.7% K% at A+.

 

Maybe hold back on the Schwarber love. He doesn't look like a bad prospect, but you want to see a guy like that do it in AA before you consider him an elite level prospect.

 

But Schwarber was an overdraft by the Cubs and Theo Epstein, therefore good.

 

Tim Anderson was a draft pick by the Sox, therefore bad.

[caulfield12]

But Schwarber was an overdraft by the Cubs and Theo Epstein, therefore good.

 

Tim Anderson was a draft pick by the Sox, therefore bad.

 

 

It has been true of nearly every Sox hitting prospect since Rowand and Crede, pretty much...but maybe Anderson's the one guy who finally escapes the Buddy Bell Bermuda Triangle of unrealistic expectations and praise for position players.

 

Scouts love him, moreso than anyone else in our organization, other than Rodon.

 

Even if Schwarber "should" have gone 10-20 or whatever, that doesn't mean he's not going to be any good...we all know where Mike Trout went in the first round, it doesn't mean much at all until you pick up that wooden bat and head out to the minors to prove yourself.

[caulfield12]

But Schwarber was an overdraft by the Cubs and Theo Epstein, therefore good.

 

Tim Anderson was a draft pick by the Sox, therefore bad.

 

 

It has been true of nearly every Sox hitting prospect since Rowand and Crede, pretty much...but maybe Anderson's the one guy who finally escapes the Buddy Bell Bermuda Triangle of unrealistic expectations and praise for position players.

 

Scouts love him, moreso than anyone else in our organization, other than Rodon.

 

Even if Schwarber "should" have gone 10-20 or whatever, that doesn't mean he's not going to be any good...we all know where Mike Trout went in the first round, it doesn't mean much at all until you pick up that wooden bat and head out to the minors to prove yourself.

 

 

Right now, looking at results/performance/trends, the one who looks to be an overdraft of all their prospects was/is Almora.

[Quin]

Well, point went over your head.

[RockRaines]

Not gonna lie, I LOVE Soler

[hi8is]

Not gonna lie, I LOVE Soler

I was super bummed when we didn't nab him

[caulfield12]

I was super bummed when we didn't nab him

 

 

Especially since he's EXACTLY the hitter we need now for LF/RF, albeit right-handed.

[Balta1701]

They just showed the flags blowing in the breeze at Wrigley during the Pirates broadcast and there was a quadcopter drone hovering near them.