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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Midseason Prospect Check-in

Rather that just look up a bunch of stats for guys that I really haven’t seen at all, I’ll just link to the excellent write-up from Cubs Den on the first half for the Cubs prospects.

At the same time, we want to give credit to those players who have made a breakthrough early in 2016. I’ve had the good fortune to see all of these players since February, so I know that the breakthrough seasons of Eloy Jimenez, Bryan Hudson, and Trevor Clifton —or those of sleepers like PJ Higgins, Jesus Castillo, and some of the other arms—didn’t just come out of nowhere. Though we do weigh early good performances, this is not about short statistical sample flukes, this is about the overall statistical body of work, my opinions on players based on multiple viewings as well as the opinions of professionals.

His list of 11 goes:
1a. Happ
1b. Torres
3. Jimenez
4. Cease
5. Underwood
6. Hudson
7. Candelario
8. Zagunis
9. Clifton
10. Vogelbach
11. Stinnett

We’ve all been expecting Vogelbach to be traded for some time, but this summer really feels like this will be it. Keith Law doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Candelario (specifically his defense), and he’s a guy that would appear to be blocked even with his versatility. Cubs are very deep in the MI, so if they’re going to trade for an impact pitcher, it might mean either Happ or Torres could be moved.

Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: June 30, 2016 at 02:24 PM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Walt Davis Posted: July 03, 2016 at 10:17 PM (#5257961)

Have the Cubs decided that Happ in CF is just not going to happen? If he could handle it, I'd much rather see him there than at 2B. (In terms of likely future needs.) That said, it's easy to see a path for him to the majors in a couple of years as, at a minimum, a LaStella/Coghlan type with the advantage of being a switch-hitter. I'd like to see him get that K-rate down.

Torres is hard for me to judge. Still only 19, young for A+, showing good power, so-so BA, too many Ks -- but if I recall correctly, Myrtle Beach is supposed to be a pretty tough place to hit.

Interesting that McKinney can't crack the top 11. (Not disagreeing, I don't really have a clue.) He's got about a year's worth of un-inspiring AA performance under his belt now but is still just 21.

I think the question with Vogelbach is whether any team is sufficiently interested to give anything up for him -- my guess is he'll never be more than a #2/#3 guy in a trade.

2. Walt Davis Posted: July 04, 2016 at 06:25 PM (#5258297)

I missed the Candelario promotion. I thought LaStella was ready so this surprises me although it could well be a showcase before a trade.

3. Kiko Sakata

Posted: July 04, 2016 at 08:04 PM (#5258326)

I thought LaStella was ready so this surprises me although it could well be a showcase before a trade.

I read in this morning's Tribune that LaStella started feeling some hamstring tightness during his rehab assignment, which I guess is one reason why you have rehab assignments. Nice opportunity for Candelario, although it had kind of worked out perfectly that Coghlan injured himself just in time to be replaced by LaStella.

4. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: July 13, 2016 at 02:59 PM (#5264503)

Here's the Cubs Den pitching prospect update.

He's a longer piece focused on Eloy Jimenez, as he had a rather eye-opening Futures Game.

Lastly:

keithlaw ‏@keithlaw 3h3 hours ago
Cubs' OF Eddy Julio Martinez, last 30 days in low-A: .351/.425/.500, 9 UIBB, 21 K.

5. Meatwad Posted: July 13, 2016 at 05:53 PM (#5264664)

I love that those kids are in South Bend this year. reallly a good time going out to see them play.

6. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: July 13, 2016 at 06:06 PM (#5264670)

We need first hand reports. Write something up and I'll post it. Or make your brother do it, he has the keys too.

You know, general thoughts, guys they look like/remind you of/hope they'll become, etc.

7. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: July 13, 2016 at 06:28 PM (#5264685)

If I'm not mistaken, the Cubs got Jimenez as part of the trade that brought Arrieta and Strop, right? Not directly, but they got some international cap money which they used to sign Jimenez.

8. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: July 13, 2016 at 06:38 PM (#5264694)

They outspent the limits, so I think that slot piece just saved them some money. But yeah, we should include him - and Gleybar Torres - as part of that trade.

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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Midseason Prospect Check-in

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