Official Minor League News Thread

Post #421 » by **GYBE** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:12 am

I expect Soler to see Chicago this year and break camp with the team next season, assuming he doesn't struggle mightily in Iowa. Iowa's stacked right now. Baez, Bryant and Soler in the same lineup!

Almora's promotion is definitely surprising, but he's been really good over the last month.

Kizz Fastfists · Post #422 » by **Kizz Fastfists** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:25 am

Soler could easily get a call up in September, after the AAA playoff, and be the next one up due to his contract situation. Almora has had a rough year, but it is nice to see the front office still showing this much faith in him. This moves the Cubs one step closer to having the prospects showing up in Chicago.

hermes · Post #423 » by **hermes** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:41 pm

how are the pitching prospects doing?

hermes · Post #424 » by **hermes** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 3:08 pm

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... _triple_a/

mike olt sent down to iowa - poor olt, i like him but man he couldn't hit for nothing the last couple months

Kizz Fastfists · Post #425 » by **Kizz Fastfists** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:49 pm

hermes wrote:how are the pitching prospects doing?

They are a long ways off. The high ceiling ones are in A ball. Edwards could manage to make it up late next year, but most likely 2016. Vizcaino should be up in the bullpen late this year, but it's hard to get excited about bullpen arms.

NW7 · Post #426 » by **NW7** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:49 am

Kizz Fastfists wrote:
hermes wrote:how are the pitching prospects doing?

They are a long ways off. The high ceiling ones are in A ball. Edwards could manage to make it up late next year, but most likely 2016. Vizcaino should be up in the bullpen late this year, but it's hard to get excited about bullpen arms.

Yup.

Hendricks is probably the best Cub starting pitching prospect we will see reach Wrigley for a good year or two. Unless Edwards lights it up the rest of the season (believe he is supposed to pitch soon so we will see) or we draft a college pitcher like Michael Matuella in next years draft all the young ones are ways out.

Jen-Ho Tseng and Duane Underwood (and of course Edwards) are the ones to watch if you wanted to keep your eye on younger ones. Both are performing quite well and could maybe be more then a #3, but again like the majority of Cubs pitching prospects they are a ways off.

NW7 · Post #427 » by **NW7** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 6:19 pm

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BleacherNation/status/496353491468574720[/tweet]

Not only did Javy get promoted, but he is making his debut in Colorado. This could be fun 8-)

Post #428 » by **GYBE** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 6:51 pm

OMG OMG OMG

His debut will be in Colorado against a lefty. Perfect conditions for a bomb.

hermes · Post #429 » by **hermes** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 7:57 pm

its happening!

Posey H8er · Post #430 » by **Posey H8er** » Tue Aug 5, 2014 1:20 am

So excited! It's very likely Soler will be joining the team as well in September too. We've been waiting for this ever since Theo took over. Even though Baez is part of Hendry's legacy lol...

karch34 · Post #431 » by **karch34** » Tue Aug 5, 2014 4:23 am

Wow. Was not expecting this! Very excited.

Posey H8er · Post #432 » by **Posey H8er** » Tue Aug 5, 2014 7:56 pm

Assuming these young guys start playing consistently at the major league level, how are the positions going to work out?

Castro, Baez, and Russell are all shortstops. It's been implied that Castro may move to 2B, and Baez could move to 3B. That would free up SS for Russell who by all means is the best fielder and athlete fit for SS. But if that's the case, we have a certain best prospect in baseball named Kris Bryant who plays 3B too. I thought the plan with him was that he'd eventually be moved to the outfield.

Also, is Castro truly in our long term plans? He did sign that extension last season. It would seem Alcantara will play more center with the likely crowded infield.

2016 opening day roster?
C - Schwarber (it seems the Cubs project him to play in the outfield)
OF - Bryant
OF - Soler
OF - Almora
IF/OF - Alcantara
2B - Castro
SS - Russell
3B - Baez
1B - Rizzo

Other later names...
OF - McKinney
C - Caratini

I'm likely overthinking this. Baseball happens and players do not produce and injuries arise. My only 'concern' is my own uncertainty. Our farm is LOADED with offensive depth. That's a good problem to have. Enjoy this gentlemen.

Post #433 » by **GYBE** » Tue Aug 5, 2014 8:42 pm

Yeah, my dream roster has Alcantara as a supersub, playing IF/OF and taking over for whoever needs a day off. Between injuries and normal rest, he could get 300-400 AB's as our primary backup for everyone.

I mostly agree with your roster, though I'd switch Baez and Castro. Baez will play 2nd this year, so I figure he sticks there. Castro can move to 3rd. It would be so amazing if Schwarber could handle everyday catching, but I really doubt it works out.

We better start throwing gobs of money at pitchers soon, like next offseason. Because we're going to have a really good offense and it's going to be so, so cheap for the first few years.

karch34 · Post #434 » by **karch34** » Tue Aug 5, 2014 9:28 pm

Agree. I think Baez stays at 2B with Castro shifting to 3rd when Russel is ready. Assuming no moves, and that's a big assumption, I could see Alcantra and Schwarber being super subs. Don't think the D is going to let Schwarber play c full time, but he could fill in there, 1B, and other spots and still get quite a few at bats. Basically AA the up the middle utility guy and Schwarber the corners.

rimjobprotector · Post #435 » by **rimjobprotector** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:09 pm

When people are talking young pitchers lets not forget pierce johnson and corey black. They have a bright MLB future in my mind and aren't far off..

Kizz Fastfists · Post #436 » by **Kizz Fastfists** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:33 pm

Pierce Johnson could be a solid starter if he could stay healthy and log innings. I can't get excited about a guy who can't even manage 120 innings in the minors. C.J. Edwards has great stuff, but has the same issue.

Corey Black has an issue with walking guys, 4.9 BB/9 this year after 4.6 BB/9 last year. It's hard to get excited about a guy with a WHIP over 1.3 in AA

Jen-ho Tseng is the pitching prospect I'm most excited about. He's 19 with a 5.53 K/BB, 0.899 WHIP and 2.45 ERA in A ball. Hopefully, he continues to dominate next year in high A.

NW7 · Post #437 » by **NW7** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:55 am

Oh, look who is coming up:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/thekapman/status/504112476829388800[/tweet]

edit: Looks like Jorge will join the team Wednesday:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/504115126707183619[/tweet]

1. Coghlan, LF
2. Baez, 2B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Castro, SS
5. Soler, RF
6. Alcantara, CF
7. Valbuena, 3B
8. Castillo, C
9. Pitcher

With Bryant coming up in April and Russell should be called up sometime in the first half next season.

SportsWorld · Post #438 » by **SportsWorld** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:22 am

IbreakNeckZ101 · Post #439 » by **IbreakNeckZ101** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:30 am

So excited for the cubs future right now. Back after five years!

hermes · Post #440 » by **hermes** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:14 pm

wooooooooo

slowly everyone is coming back, nice to see