Official Minor League News Thread

[The Sheik]

Fear no more...Starlin Castro's 3 game slump is over. He went 3-5 with 2 rbi. He got caught stealing again, which isnt to big of a deal. At this rate he will be promoted by late may/early june to AAA.

[The Sheik]

Starlin Castro is stroking the ball well in Double-A. After another big game, he's hitting .377/.417/.610 with seven doubles, four triples, four steals, 18 RBI, 14 runs and four steals in 18 games. The Cubs' 20-year-old top prospect plays shortstop, but a move of Ryan Theriot to second base to make room for Castro would improve the Cubs defensively. It would appear that if he can hit the ball well in the bigs, the move would make the offense better as well. Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker are currently sharing duties at second, but the two would make for very solid bench infielders (Baker, a righty, can backup at the corners or second while Fontenot, a lefty, could backup up the middle or at third). This would likely enable the Cubs to part ways with Chad Tracy, who isn't doing much of anything for the team. Don't expect a move within the next few weeks, but mid-summer wouldn't be shocking by any stretch. After the Zambrano-to-bullpen play, we know Lou Piniella isn't going to be shy this season.

http://fantasybaseball.fanhouse.com/201 ... o-is-back/

[GYBE]

In addition to the big Castro promotion, there was some other news on the farm. Cashner got promoted to Iowa and Vitters was promoted to AA.

[Posey H8er]

It's great to see a bunch of quality young players developing at one time.

[The Sheik]

Is Jay Jackson on his way to Wrigley?....I think so.

He was moved to the bullpen recently and has thrown 5.1 innings giving up one ER, seven hits and three Ks. I think the Cubs will be close to calling him up.

Its kinda crazy to imagine so many of our top prospects close to the Majors. Cashner will likely get a call up in September, B Jackson and Flaherty should join Vitters in AA soon and if Vitters continues to play well at AA he could even move to AAA.

[SportsWorld]

And the Cubs sent Andrew Cashner to the bullpen in Iowa. Idiotic.

[WAYSA]

I have wet dreams about the potential of a Cashner/Marmol 8th-9th inning combination.

Would prefer Cashner stayed at SP to get a full 100 innings or so to build up arm strength/durability before being called up to the pen however.

I don't mind the move to be honest.

I really like Cashner. He's gotta be one of the most underrated prospects in baseball.

[GYBE]

He's underrated because he became a starter. No one thought he could start in the majors when he was drafted, but credit the scouting staff for trusting him and making the transition.

That's why I don't like adjusting his role. Relievers just aren't that valuable. If there's even a slight chance this affects the development of Jackson and Cashner, it's a mistake. Trade Lilly and Silva and put them in the rotation if they're ready for the big leagues.

I'd rather them move Thomas Diamond to the pen. He's been pitching well but has nowhere near the future or upside of Cashner/Jackson. Cashner threw 100 IP last year. If the Cubs want him to start, he needs to build up his stamina. Something like 130 IP this year, 160 IP the following year. That;s why I hate this move.

[The Sheik]

Its a (Please Use More Appropriate Word) move. Cashner has been dominant in three starts and now similarly to Jay Jackson he will get 10-15 IP in the pen before moving back to the rotation. BTW, isn't a shocker that Jay Jackson got hit up, as did Cashner in their new role debuts. The Cubs rationale for this move is hilarious. Let them know what it feels like to be in the pen...lol.

[The Sheik]

Brett Jackson hit for the cycle tonight, including a 2-run walk off homer to win it. He was 4-6 with 3 rbi.

[The Sheik]

Every year we have a prospect that comes out of nowhere. This year it is Trey McNutt. 32nd rd pick from last year, he is beast for Peoria.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... pid=571939

In other news Brett Jackson has been on fire of late and he and Ryan Flaherty should be getting a call-up to AA soon.

Jackson has been hitting .391 with 1 hr and 15 rbi in his last 10 games.

[SportsWorld]

McNutt is an interesting name.

[GYBE]

McNutt and Archer are our next two big pitching prospects. They're both arguably in our top 5 prospects now with Cashner and Castro graduating.

[The Sheik]

and Jay Jackson continues to be inconsistent as a starter, keep in mind he was doing well, then he was moved to the Pen where he was close to dominate and then moved back...we have dumbass' running our minors.

IMO, it shoul've been Jackson that got called up and Cashner should have stayed in the AAA rotation until we found a spot open for him.

[GYBE]

I agree. Neither Cashner nor Jackson should have ever come out of the bullpen.

[The Sheik]

Brett Jackson promoted to AA
Trey Mcnutt promoted to Daytona

[GYBE]

Brett Jackson went 2-4 with a homer in his first AA game.

[The Sheik]

Jackson went yard again. 2-5 2 r 2 rbi

Vitters homered as well, his 4th.

[GYBE]

Jackson didn't go deep today...he only went 3/5 with a walk and another stolen base. Two doubles.

What an amazing start at AA.

[The Sheik]

DHed today and went 3-4 with 3 rbi. He is batting .474 with 2 HRs 6 rbi and 2 SB in 4 games.