I have always wanted to write more about the minor leagues, but whenever I start to do so I have failed to keep it up. As a result, I’ve mostly stopped writing articles about minor league players unless it’s relevant to the big league team. I know there are at least a few of you who closely follow the Cubs minor league system and we’d be appreciative of the occasional post on Unobstructed Views about minor league performances. Any registered user has access to publish their own content. It doesn’t take a great deal of time for those of you who are paying attention. (click the link below to read more)
Anyway, I’m going to use Fangraphs top prospects list for the Cubs because they updated their list after the Cubs traded their farm system for Matt Garza. I am going to look at those players as well.
10. Austin Reed — As far as I know, Reed is in extended spring training and will probably join the Boise Hawks when their season kicks off in June.
9. Reggie Golden — same as Reed. This is easy so far. I should have been doing this every day.
8. Robinson Lopez — The Cubs acquired Lopez when they sent Derrek Lee to Atlanta. After coming over to the Cubs, Lopez threw only 10.1 innings and walked 9 batters. He also hit a batter and allowed 6 hits. His ERA was pretty good, but the FIP was not. This year his control has improved, but in 32 innings he’s allowed 32 hits, walked 14 and struckout just 15. He turned 20 in March so he’s still young enough that he could improve significantly, but the strikeout to walk ratio is not encouraging.
7. Hayden Simpson — The more than a little surprising first round draft pick in 2010 made his professional debut this season and he’s allowed 35 hits in 27 Low-A innings. He’s also allowed 4 home runs, walked 9 and struckout 22. Earlier this week Kevin Goldstein wrote that he didn’t top 90 mph in the start he saw and that he hasn’t done much of that this year. He’s generally sat in the mid to upper 80s. He did have mono last year after signing with the Cubs and reportedly lost 20 pounds. He’s yet to put all the weight back on. He wasn’t a big guy to begin with, but for a guy who pitched 92-93 and could hit 96 or 97, you’d expect better velocity than he’s shown so far. He’s gotten hit around by Low A hitter so far. The Cubs went cheap and saved about half a million dollars when they drafted him. The 3rd to 5th round talent would have been more than worth picking up then, but early returns aren’t impressive.
6. Rafael Dolis — He turned 22 in January, but I swear I’ve been reading and discussing this guy for the last decade. He didn’t play professional ball here in the United States until 2006 so I’m full of shit, but it does seem like he’s been around a lot longer than he has been. Dolis threw an impressive 71 innings in High A last year and was pretty good after his promotion to AA. You look for improvements when you’re sent back to get a little more work at that level, but Dolis has gone the other way. His walk rate is higher this year. His strikeout rate is lower. Even worse, he’s moved into the bullpen and still has posted worse rates than a year ago in AA. He’s gotten a lot of groundouts since moving into the bullpen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him up sometime this season, but his 18 to 14 K to BB ratio will have to improve for that to happen.
5. Jay Jackson — Jackson’s last three starts have been horrific: 13.2 IP, 21 H, 9 BB, 7 K, 15 runs (all earned). When Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells went down a lot of people were calling for Jay Jackson to replace one of them. Jackson was coming off of injury and had made a couple decent starts. He’s probably not very good. In 25.1 innings, he’s struckout only 12. He’s also walked 11. The truth with Jackson is that as soon as his strikeouts declined from about 8+ to 6.5 he just didn’t have much of a chance. He’s a flyball pitcher too.
4. Josh Vitters — Vitters inability to be disciplined at the plate has finally caught up to him. There’s really not much else to say. His OBP is .277 and it’s not like that’s out of line with what he did a year ago at the same level (.292). I never understood the hype for Vitters. I don’t mind the Cubs picking him where they did. From all accounts, he was arguably the best hitter in the draft not named Matt Weiters, but as soon as we saw how he was as swing happy as any player we’ve ever seen, I lost interest. The reality is that if you have horrible patience in the minor leagues then you aren’t going to succeed at the big league level unless you are a gifted fielder or hit for a ton of power. Josh Vitters is neither. Each year I’m shocked at where people put him on their top 10 lists and each year these people act disappointed. Look at the stats, people!
3. Christopher Carpenter — Another one of the Cubs pitching prospects in the top 10 who has been moved to the bullpen is Carpenter. The hard throwing righty was always an injury risk, but had been somewhat effective as a starter in his minor league career. He probably didn’t have much of a future in any rotation so the Cubs moved him to the bullpen in AAA. In Carpenter’s 12 games he’s thrown 19 innings and allowed 19 hits and a couple home runs. He’s struckout 19, but walked 14. He’s been scored on in 5 of his last 6 appearances and 7 of his last 10. Overall he has a 4.74 ERA and an FIP that isn’t any better.
2. Trey McNutt — He’s posted an impressive 2.55 ERA and 2.46 FIP, but he’s been on the 7-day DL twice this season because of blisters. He’s allowed 17 hits in 17.2 innings, walked 5 and struckout 14. He hasn’t pitched since May 1st. It’s hard to know how he’s done this year since he hasn’t been able to get consistent work on the mound. A few too many hits perhaps, but that’s partly luck. The strikeouts are down, but that could be because of the blisters. As mentioned, the ERA is 2.55 and that’s despite a BABIP of .359. McNutt has top of the rotation potential.
1. Brett Jackson — Jackson left the game on May 11th early after injuring his hand. He’s going to miss a week with a strained ligament in his pinkie. He’s hit .295/.420/.518 with a wOBA of .432. When Jackson returns he’s not long for AA. He doesn’t have much of anything to prove there and may not have anything to prove in the minor leagues at this point. He’s easily one of the three best outfielders in the organization (including the big league club) so when healthy and returned to action he should probably be in Chicago. He won’t be for awhile yet. To give you an idea how impressive Jackson is, consider his last 10 games. He’s struggled at the plate and posted a batting average of only .233 (7 hits in 30 at-bats). Despite the low average, his OBP is .410 and he’s slugged .467. Yeah, through the 10 games of struggling, he’s posted an OPS of .867. He’s also stolen 13 bases and been caught just twice. He does strikeout a lot (30 times), but he more than makes up for that with his all around tools. They always say that speed doesn’t slump and that’s mostly true, but speed is useless if you can’t get on base. Bret Jackson gets on base. A lot. He’s probably the only player the Cubs have developed since I’ve been paying close attention who gets on base as frequently as he does. If he can stay in CF, he has superstar talent.
All in all, the performance of these 8 isn’t impressive. One of the starters has been pretty bad while another has been less than impressive in his professional debut. Two of them have been moved to the bullpen (probably should have been done) and neither has pitched that well even in relief. Another has walked as many as he’s struckout. The only one who has really been any good has been on the DL twice. Then there’s the two position players and one of them has sucked. The other has been fantastic, but is currently out with an injury.
The Fangraphs list mentions that Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer and Hak-Ju Lee were all initially in the top 10, but were traded to the Rays along with Sam Fuld for Matt Garza. Archer was the centerpiece in the deal and he’s been pretty bad for the Rays AA team. Hak-Ju Lee has been on fire thanks to a .467 BABIP and Brandon Guyer reached the big leagues and hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. He’s also hit quite well in the minors too. Matt Garza has been outstanding in terms of FIP.
My initial thought was that the Cubs would regret trading Archer, but he has horrible control. Brandon Guyer is likely the guy they regret trading. He posted a .379 wOBA in 2008, .425 wOBA in 2010 and .418 so far this year. In 2009 he posted a .410 wOBA in High A over 300 plate appearances and then was awful over the 200 PA he got in AA (.238 wOBA). He’s been a damn good player for several years now.
Since this is an update of the minor leagues, it’s important to note the MLB Draft is coming up in a few weeks. The Cubs pick 9th and while I’m certain they’ll screw it up, it’s always fun to dream about who they may draft and what kind of player they may become. We’ll cover the draft here. Baseball America updated their mock draft today and they have the Cubs taking the following player:
9. CUBS: Starling has the highest ceiling in the draft, but he also comes with some risk and a high price tag (he has a football scholarship to play quarterback at Nebraska), so he might fall a little further than expected. Chicago isn’t afraid of risk or price tag, not if it means getting a five-tool center fielder. The Cubs have been checking out the same pitchers as everyone else, may like Meyer more than most clubs and also would consider Lindor.
Projected Pick: Bubba Starling.
Starlin also pitches in the mid 90s.
Comments
No way the Cubs pick Starling. He’s too mainstream.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]No way the Cubs pick Starling. He’s too mainstream.[/quote]
But “Bubba” is a good name for the marketing department to have fun with. Plus the Starlin/Starling pairing might be too much for them to resist. Bubba is almost undoubtedly Wally Hayward’s choice.
Aisle424Quote Reply
How often do they update these lists? Rob Whitenack is looking pretty good right now. Although he could just be a big cocktease like Chris Archer was…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This is amazingly thorough, mb. Awesome work.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]This is amazingly thorough, mb. Awesome work.[/quote]I didn’t think it was that thorough.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]How often do they update these lists? Rob Whitenack is looking pretty good right now. Although he could just be a big cocktease like Chris Archer was…[/quote]They’ll update them before next season. We’re only a month or a little more into the minor league season so we don’t really know that much more about the players at this point.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]This is amazingly thorough, mb. Awesome work.[/quote]Thanks. It was more fun than I thought it would be. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban Kid]I didn’t think it was that thorough.[/quote]-1 faget point
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Thanks. It was more fun than I thought it would be. (dying laughing)[/quote]
It was pretty evident from the way you said that everyone but Brett Jackson sucked (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Q re: Cashner to rotation vs. bullpen…so Doug Davis is doing his thing tonight and if he’s successful, that probably means Cashner is more likely to go to the bullpen as you’ve stated before. But last year he pretty much just rotted on the bench when there were no games to set up. If they really view him as a starter, wouldn’t it be wiser to let Cashner just go back into the rotation until he shows he can’t do it anymore, or assign him to Iowa and let him be a regular starter until Doug Davis fucks up?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]It was pretty evident from the way you said that everyone but Brett Jackson sucked (dying laughing)[/quote]That’s sadly true. McNutt has been injured and he hasn’t sucked when healthy, but the other 6 on the list have been disappointing to say the least.
mb21Quote Reply
I’d send him to AAA to be a starter before putting him in the bullpen, but enough scouts have said that he’s a future reliever that it has to be considered.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d send him to AAA to be a starter before putting him in the bullpen, but enough scouts have said that he’s a future reliever that it has to be considered.[/quote]
His only start this season, he looked okay. Wasn’t hit very hard, but it was the D’Backs. I think it’d be stupid to not give him the chance they gave to a guy like Carlos Marmol, or even bloody James Russell, to show that he absolutely can’t do it before banishing him to the bullpen.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I guess Cashner did give up that one homer, but that was it.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]His only start this season, he looked okay. Wasn’t hit very hard, but it was the D’Backs. I think it’d be stupid to not give him the chance they gave to a guy like Carlos Marmol, or even bloody James Russell, to show that he absolutely can’t do it before banishing him to the bullpen.[/quote]I definitely agree.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]His only start this season, he looked okay. Wasn’t hit very hard, but it was the D’Backs. [/quote]I thought he looked great, not just OK, DBacks notwithstanding.
If they saw him as a start to begin the season, and he was good when he started, then I don’t see why another bullpen test would even be under consideration.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban Kid]I thought he looked great, not just OK, DBacks notwithstanding.
If they saw him as a start to begin the season, and he was good when he started, then I don’t see why another bullpen test would even be under consideration.[/quote]
Because it’s the Cubs. Duh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Q re: Cashner to rotation vs. bullpen…so Doug Davis is doing his thing tonight and if he’s successful, that probably means Cashner is more likely to go to the bullpen as you’ve stated before. But last year he pretty much just rotted on the bench when there were no games to set up. If they really view him as a starter, wouldn’t it be wiser to let Cashner just go back into the rotation until he shows he can’t do it anymore, or assign him to Iowa and let him be a regular starter until Doug Davis fucks up?[/quote]I’ve recently been given photographic proof of the method by which Hendry arrived at this decision:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
FWIW, I have it on good authority that Brenly and Sullivan taught Jimbo the method; it’s how they do their best work.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I don’t mind Cashner to the bullpen as much as I once did. There was always the strong possibility that’s where his future was. I hated that they didn’t give him the chance last year, but at this point I don’t really care what they do with him. Either decision would be fine with me. It’s not like Cashner is a top of the rotation starter. He once had the potential, but so did Sergio Mitre.
mb21Quote Reply
Sergio was never a top prospect iirc. He certainly wasn’t a number one draft pick.
SK unpluggedQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t mind Cashner to the bullpen as much as I once did. There was always the strong possibility that’s where his future was. I hated that they didn’t give him the chance last year, but at this point I don’t really care what they do with him. Either decision would be fine with me. It’s not like Cashner is a top of the rotation starter. He once had the potential, but so did Sergio Mitre.[/quote]But if it’s a choice between Doug Fucking Davis and Cashner, you gotta give the kid the chance. Fuck Doug Davis and his female pornstar pubic hair goatee. Let Cashner get his starts in. It’s a lost season and no one this side of Yellon is fooled by trotting Doug Davis out there. This is a bad team. Let the kids play and See What Happens.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
You guys should trademark “Let’s See What Happens” before Mike Quade does.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tal’s Hill has a purpose after all…
http://www.fangraphs.com/not/index.php/video-the-great-fan-escape/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]You guys should trademark “Let’s See What Happens” before Mike Quade does.[/quote]It just might work.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban Kid]It just might work.[/quote]FLAGGED.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Holy facepalmery:
*ahem* Let’s also note Davis compiled a 7.45 ERA in those two losses. Maybe Quade forgot he [Quade] was on the Cubs last year.
And pretty much everything he says here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0514-brite-cubs-giants-chicago20110513,0,7276526.story
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
In Davis’ first start vs. the Cubs last season, he went 3.1 and allowed 6 ER. That was horrible for the Cubs. Just. Horrible.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] Fuck Doug Davis and his female pornstar pubic hair goatee.[/quote]
Be nice. This is a human being we’re talking about.
melissaQuote Reply
I’d love to see Quade chasing butterflies in that gif with Alvin dancing.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]But if it’s a choice between Doug Fucking Davis and Cashner, you gotta give the kid the chance. Fuck Doug Davis and his female pornstar pubic hair goatee. Let Cashner get his starts in. It’s a lost season and no one this side of Yellon is fooled by trotting Doug Davis out there. This is a bad team. Let the kids play and See What Happens.[/quote]I’d just be happy to get some kind of production from Cashner at this point. He’s going to be 25 years old at the end of the season so he’s not really a young guy. He’s been stretched out enough to be a starter for exactly two weeks since 2006. Then he was injured with a serious shoulder injury. The Cubs wasted the draft pick by taking a reliever and turning him into a starter. I just want the Cubs to get something out of him. I don’t care what role it is.
mb21Quote Reply
Stupid FOX
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=SK unplugged]Sergio was never a top prospect iirc. He certainly wasn’t a number one draft pick.[/quote]I used MItre as an example because I’m pretty sure his minor league numbers were nearly the same as Cashner’s.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Stupid
FOXRed Sox and Yankees[/quote].XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Stupid FOX[/quote]Ha. I actually get the game here. First non-pirated game of the year for me.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/cubs-outright-thomas-diamond.html
I thought they had room on the 40 man…
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/cubs-outright-thomas-diamond.html
I thought they had room on the 40 man…[/quote]IIRC, they have/had two spots open on the 40-man.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
So what’s wrong with guys like, say, Marquez Smith that they don’t deserve a spot on the 40-man?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So what’s wrong with guys like, say, Marquez Smith that they don’t deserve a spot on the 40-man?[/quote]
Why throw them on the 40-man before you have to? IIRC you have to pay more to players on the 40-man
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Why throw them on the 40-man before you have to? IIRC you have to pay more to players on the 40-man[/quote]
I did not know that. Learn a new thing every day!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So what’s wrong with guys like, say, Marquez Smith that they don’t deserve a spot on the 40-man?[/quote]
[quote name=Berselius]Why throw them on the 40-man before you have to? IIRC you have to pay more to players on the 40-man[/quote]
Plus Smith isn’t doing much at Iowa, so it’s unlikely the Cubs will use him unless they have to.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] so it’s
unlikely the Cubs willuse him unlesswin because they have to.[/quote]getitrightSuburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Plus Smith isn’t doing much at Iowa, so it’s unlikely the Cubs will use him unless they have to.[/quote]
That’s too bad about Smith sucking.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Stupid FOX[/quote]I don’t get the game here either.
mb21Quote Reply
Southern lady on bus with headache, rummaging frantically through her purse: “Mah asburn, mah asburn!”
Bus driver: “Don’t look at me lady, stick it out the window.”
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s too bad about Smith sucking.[/quote]He’s not sucking, just being mediocre. .271/.327/.417. Not terrible, just nothing to rave about.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
On a whim I decided to time Doug Davis in between pitches to see if he really did take forever. The ones I got to measure were 18.1 seconds, 17.5 seconds, 15.8 seconds and 16.2 seconds. Those were during the
TorresRowand AB and I started the timer as soon as Koyie got the baseball back to Davis. So it seems about right for an average pitcher, and maybe it’s just the way his windup looks that makes people think he takes forever. He’s like reverse-Irabu.Whoops, that was Rowand. My bad.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This would not be a fun game to be at between the rain, cold and Doug F Davis on the mound.
cwolfQuote Reply
Isn’t 13 to 14 seconds about average without a man on base, RC?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Isn’t 13 to 14 seconds about average without a man on base, RC?[/quote]
I don’t know, it just didn’t seem that much longer than usual. You’d know better than I.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t know, it just didn’t seem that much longer than usual. You’d know better than I.[/quote]I wouldn’t say that. I could be completely wrong. Maybe Davis takes a long time between pitches when a man is on?
mb21Quote Reply
A better throw MIGHT have made it close but Soriano should’ve thrown to 2B.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I wouldn’t say that. I could be completely wrong. Maybe Davis takes a long time between pitches when a man is on?[/quote]
He was in the stretch with Sanchez on 2B, but now Posey is on 3B and he’s gone back to his slow-as-hell windup.
DeWitt just had a 5-hole error but Castro backed him up really nicely.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m sick and fucking tired of Castro batting 3rd.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m sick and fucking tired of Castro batting 3rd.[/quote]This comes from someone who literally couldn’t care less about lineup order. It just pisses me off that the Cubs put him in that spot. He should hit 7th or 8th the rest of the season.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m sick and fucking tired of Castro batting 3rd.[/quote]Baldy McGrindy says he’s going to be shaking up the lineup every day, so maybe you’ll get your wish. I don’t know why they started batting him third anyway. He’s not a 3-hitter, and has never really profiled as one. Classic 2-hitter, IMO, although given his age and zone judgment, he oughta be hitting 6th or 7th right now.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Baldy McGrindy says he’s going to be shaking up the lineup every day, so maybe you’ll get your wish. I don’t know why they started batting him third anyway. He’s not a 3-hitter, and has never really profiled as one. Classic 2-hitter, IMO, although given his age and zone judgment, he oughta be hitting 6th or 7th right now.[/quote]Yeah, no higher than 6th. Maybe he becomes a 2-hitter later on, but he’s not a top of the order hitter right now.
mb21Quote Reply
22 BB for Pena. That’s pretty crazy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]22 BB for Pena. That’s pretty crazy.[/quote]He’s probably already walked more times than he’ll HR this year.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ almost TOOTBLAN. I think he was out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube](dying laughing) @ almost TOOTBLAN. I think he was out.[/quote]Me too, RC.
cwolfQuote Reply
Bad call. Shoulda been a TOOTBLAN. And Marlon Byrd has Vitters-esque patience.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
AC must be annoyed with Castro’s baserunning technique too (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Vogelsong has thrown three pitches that on a better day Sori would have sent onto Waveland.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
At least Soriano took more than two pitches to make an out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) no one fucks up more bases-jacked and one out situations than this team.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Soriano shouldn’t even have been up this inning. You could give the Cubs ten outs and they’d fuck it up 90% of the time.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
how did the Cubs not score in that situation?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Soriano shouldn’t even have been up this inning. You could give the Cubs ten outs and they’d fuck it up 90% of the time.[/quote]Yeah. This team is looking pretty damn bad so far.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]how did the Cubs not score in that situation?[/quote]Marlon Byrd walked out to the mound, took the ball from Vogelsong and slapped it to the shortstop because he couldn’t wait for the ball to actually be thrown to him, then Soriano waved at a 4-seamer down the heart of the plate after a decent battle.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]how did the Cubs not score in that situation?[/quote]
Byrd lined out to SS and Castro (almost) got doubled off second. Even with an extra out, Soriano struck out on a full count. ‘Twas lame, especially since he fouled off ball 3.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Fear DeWitt’s beard!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That was a great swing by Davis.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
is doug davis really throwing 79 mph fastballs?
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]is doug davis really throwing 79 mph fastballs?[/quote]Of course. And Mike Quade is excited about it.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
koyie hill is fucking terrible
dylanjQuote Reply
seriously. a backup catcher who can’t play defense needs to hang it up
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]koyie hill is fucking terrible[/quote]He might be the worst MLB player I’ve ever seen.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Fucking Hill. Fucking DeWitt.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
2 groundballs with the bases loaded = no outs and 2 runs for the Giants
dylanjQuote Reply
Throw it with Ryan Theriot’s purse next time, DeWitt.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
At least the fans managed not to jump out of the stands and gang-fellate DeRosa.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I really like Darwin Barney.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I really like Darwin Barney.[/quote]I don’t have a lot of hope for him, but it would be a nice surprise if he could stick at 2B.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I really like Darwin Barney.[/quote]
no homo
dylanjQuote Reply
barney has got to take a walk every now and then but his bat control is = to castro’s
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I really like Darwin Barney.[/quote]His approach at the plate has been really impressive. I didn’t see this coming at all.
cwolfQuote Reply
Heads up running from Barney. That was stung by Castro.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]His approach at the plate has been really impressive. I didn’t see this coming at all.[/quote]Yeah. There’s nothing in his MiLB career that suggests this level of success.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Tejada gives and then takes away. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
The FAILfense strikes again.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Heart Barney.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wow. Great recovery by Barney.
cwolfQuote Reply
What I’ve learned from Karros and Vasgersigan: Zambrano’s bullpen test and control of his emotions are the causes of his “success”
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Fucking nice goddamn snag by Barney!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ the Fox announcers calling Zambrano an early Cy Young candidate.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf](dying laughing) @ the Fox announcers calling Zambrano an early Cy Young candidate.[/quote]Yeah. Also in the running: everyone else.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Quade now breaking his own back to make excuses for the poor man’s Bob Vila.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Quasi-serious question…
How fast can Koyie throw? If he sucks as a catcher and the Cubs are dead-set on keeping him…why not convert him into a pitcher like they did with Marmol and Wells?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I thought I had lost these pictures, but I just found them. This is the van MB drove the the final ACB meet-up:
Berselius drove this one:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Marlon Byrd will never stop swinging. It’s really quite impressive.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
DeRosa FAIL
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Q going to bunt for MO here?
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]barney has got to take a walk every now and then but his bat control is = to castro’s[/quote]The difference between Barney and Castro is that Barney never swings the bat. The guy takes pitches until he gets his pitch. His Swing% is only 42%. Only Soto has a lower Swing% this season. Only 54 players this year have swung at fewer pitches than Barney has. Doesn’t sound that impressive, but add in that not a single qualified hitter has seen more pitches in the zone than Barney and his Swing% is remarkably impressive. His patience is as good as any player on this team. Maybe better. He certainly understands his own strikezone and swings at his pitches. I’m impressed with him so far.
mb21Quote Reply
WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SQUARING AROUND, YOU ASS?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Oh goddammit Koyie.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
so many double plays
dylanjQuote Reply
Why are these dumb fuck announcers continuously surprised that balls in the air are acting strangely? The wind is howling and it’s about 40 degrees -wtf do you expect?
cwolfQuote Reply
Koyie is the worst player on either team, and it’s no even close. Bruce Bochy probably could have had a better AB there.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
just checked the box score. (dying laughing) @ Koyie Hill
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Why are these dumb fuck announcers continuously surprised that balls in the air are acting strangely? The wind is howling and it’s about 40 degrees -wtf do you expect?[/quote]It’s Vasgersigan and Karros. I’m surprised those two knuckledragging mouthbreathers can speak in grammatically correct sentences.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
well jorge posada just ruined his legacy today
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]just checked the box score. (dying laughing) @ Koyie Hill[/quote]It’s possible we’ve found something Koyie is worse at than carpentry.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]well jorge posada just ruined his legacy today[/quote]
?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
he refused to play baseball because the had him batting 9th.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]well jorge posada just ruined his legacy today[/quote]
What happened? Did he break some unwritten Quade baseball rules?
cwolfQuote Reply
Karros is shredding the facilities at Wrigley. I bet Ricketts is shitting a brick.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]he refused to play baseball because the had him batting 9th.[/quote](dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]he refused to play baseball because the had him batting 9th.[/quote]
Ah…I just read that. On the one hand I can understand someone who was a huge part of multiple championships being offended, but on the other hand…it’s just not a very professional thing to do.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Karros is shredding the facilities at Wrigley. I bet Ricketts is shitting a brick.[/quote]Not a true Cubbie. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Karros is shredding the facilities at Wrigley. I bet Ricketts is shitting a brick.[/quote]
So maybe FOX commentators aren’t complete fail.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dlooks like Davis has pitched a decent game
BerseliusQuote Reply
good outing for Davis
dylanjQuote Reply
Looks like F7 to finish off Davis’ start.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Dlooks like Davis has pitched a decent game[/quote]I haven’t seen it, but the numbers are very good.
mb21Quote Reply
let me just add- if the Cubs send Casher to the bullpen i will not be happy. The kid looked electric before he got hurt.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Dlooks like Davis has pitched a decent game[/quote]Not bad. Mostly defense FAILs. But in this weather, you could probably have pitched well. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I haven’t seen it, but the numbers are very good.[/quote]Numbers are good, but the weather was a big factor. Davis’ location has been good, but there’s not a lot of movement and he was mid-low 80’s on everything.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
They are making some good points about Wrigley being old on FOX.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m sorry, but Ricketts is the biggest ass in that park for sitting in that shit. That’s why you have an owner’s box, you ass. I sweart, that guy is so desperate to prove his True Fan cred, there are no depths he will not plumb.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]They are making some good points about Wrigley being old on FOX.[/quote]Karros is destroying the Wrigley myth. Just destroying it.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]They are making some good points about Wrigley being old on FOX.[/quote]Cubs fans just hate FOX more now.
mb21Quote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Pat Burrell. Graceful as a deer. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Karros is destroying the Wrigley myth. Just destroying it.[/quote]What’s he saying?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Cubs fans just hate FOX more now.[/quote]
I am so not a true fan then. This made me like FOX slightly more (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Batting cages, lots of day games, yada yada…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Check out the pics of your sweet van up thread, MB.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I thought I had lost these pictures, but I just found them. This is the van MB drove the the final ACB meet-up:
Berselius drove this one:
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What’s he saying?[/quote]First he ripped the locker rooms, then he ripped the batting cages in the OF, then he ripped the park itself, and now they are ripping the neighborhood for disallowing Fri & Sat night games. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Cubs fans just hate FOX more now.[/quote]
Those who can actually watch the game, that is
BerseliusQuote Reply
Castro has more hit.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Castro back to being good at sports?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]First he ripped the locker rooms, then he ripped the batting cages in the OF, then he ripped the park itself, and now they are ripping the neighborhood for disallowing Fri & Sat night games. (dying laughing)[/quote]
There’s still four innings left, I’m sure they’ve got more.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
will we ever plate one of these baserunners?
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]will we ever plate one of these baserunners?[/quote]
http://www.willweeverplateoneofthesebaserunners.com/no.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wrigley is EMPTY
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Wrigley is EMPTY[/quote]
The weather is pretty foul. Bet lots of them are hiding in the concourses.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I wonder if you can see Mish. He’s probably flipping off the camera.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
we suck
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Wrigley is EMPTY[/quote]they couldn’t even come close to selling out a Cardinals night game when the weather was beautiful and there were $3 beers. Also, cheap-ass seats. Crazy.
mb21Quote Reply
Three straight innings with 2 or more men on base. Zero runs.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Wrigley is EMPTY[/quote]I’m surprised anybody is there. It’s fucking cold here in Chicago. Add in the rain and wind and there is no way I would sit through this shit.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]we suck[/quote]No, we’re awesome. But the Cubs are dreadful.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
captain morgan in to pitch
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]captain morgan in to pitch[/quote]
(dying laughing)
I was thinking Guy Fawkes or a Musketeer.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
F7’s facial hair is farcical. He should put some milk on that shit and let his cat lick it off.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
F7’s alternate nickname: Lord Lackbeard
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I love how Koyie called off the pitcher before making that shittastic toss.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
F7 still has no idea where half his pitches are going.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]F7 still has no idea where half his pitches are going.[/quote]
Maybe we can call him “White Marmol” then.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Damn. That’s deep in the seats for a bat to fly.
cwolfQuote Reply
Oh yeah Miguel Tejada, work that bat.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Seriously, Jeff. Shave that abomination. I went to grammar school with kids who could grow a better mustache.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Cubs Fans: Too stupid to come in out of the rain.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
New drinking game: take a shot when Byrd takes a pitch. You’ll be drunk by September.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I saw a random Indian-looking guy and assumed that was Mish, but Mish seems smart enough to get out of the rain.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ugly AB from Soriano.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cubs Owner: Too stupid to come in out of the rain.[/quote]/
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Cubs Fans: Too stupid to come in out of the rain.[/quote]
With the owner front and center putting his rain poncho on backwards. It’s a way of [L]ife
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I saw a random Indian-looking guy and assumed that was Mish, but Mish seems smart enough to get out of the rain.[/quote]
http://www.ismishsmartenoughtocomeinoutoftherain.com
melissaQuote Reply
Offense goes up = hitters are roiding
Pitching goes up = hitter are no longer roiding
Why do the pitchers get such a pass in the PED talk? Pitchers stand to gain the most benefit from PED usage!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]With the owner front and center putting his rain poncho on backwards. It’s a way of [L]ife[/quote]Tom Ricketts is a national embarrassment as an owner. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
You know, if Koyie had run through the base, he’d have been safe. I doubt anyone will bother to point out that Captain Fundamentals was loafing it, thought.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You know, if Koyie had run through the base, he’d have been safe. I doubt anyone will bother to point out that Captain Fundamentals was loafing it, thought.[/quote]
I think that was his top gear, MO (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think that was his top gear, MO (dying laughing)[/quote]He’d definitely eased up a few steps from the bag. It doesn’t really matter, but if it was Sori, it would’ve been a boo orgy.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
“They’ve played five full, they might as well call the game.”
(dying laughing)
My wife, the weathergirl.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mike Mulligan was talking about how in love Jim Hendry is with Koyie. Said he was at some function Hendry attended and he kept going on about how well the team performs when Koyie catches, great clubhouse guy, yada, yada, yada. So, Hendry believes a guy that cuts off his own fingers is just a born winner.
melissaQuote Reply
Alright, real baseball!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
mb21 out, fuckfaces!
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]mb21 out, fuckfaces![/quote]
Fire up the van and hit the road.
melissaQuote Reply
Game over.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Rich Hill sighting in the Bronx.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Trey McNutt was pulled after 2 innings last night. Another blister? This really is the Josh Beckett story.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Trey McNutt was pulled after 2 innings last night. Another blister? This really is the Josh Beckett story.[/quote]I saw that too, MB. I didn’t seen any reason given yet but I suppose a blister issue would be better than shoulder problems. Although since he’s in the Cub system, it would probably be a career-ending (if not fatal) blister. (dying laughing)
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]I saw that too, MB. I didn’t seen any reason given yet but I suppose a blister issue would be better than shoulder problems. Although since he’s in the Cub system, it would probably be a career-ending (if not fatal) blister. (dying laughing)[/quote]I’m assuming it was a blister since he’s already been on the DL twice with blisters this season. That’s never a good thing. Once you get them they’re almost impossible to get rid of. The Cubs need to contact the Red Sox to see what they did with Beckett.
mb21Quote Reply
5th place, yo
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]5th place, yo[/quote]It’s A Way of (L)ife.
I knew McNutt missed some time earlier this year with blisters but didn’t realize he’d been DL’d twice. That could be a season long problem which sucks at this point in his career. Did Beckett’s blister problem last for more than a season?
cwolfQuote Reply
Is it like a palm blister or a finger-tip blister? That’s got to be an annoying problem to have as a pitcher…you’d think after 150 years of baseball they’d figure out how to make a lotion or something to alleviate those ailments.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Solid fundamentals at work:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14816297
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wow. It looks like Beckett was on the DL six fucking times over a four year period for blisters.
I assume finger-tip blister when I hear of a pitcher injury, RC.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube].you’d think after 150 years of baseball they’d figure out how to make a lotion or something to alleviate those ailments.[/quote]Koyie Hill thought he had the sure-fire solution but it turned out there was some downside to his idea.
cwolfQuote Reply
[quote name=cwolf]Koyie Hill thought he had the sure-fire solution but it turned out there was some downside to his idea.[/quote]
Never heard of the TableSaw (TM) brand ointment before…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
new thread up: scroll down a little bit
mb21Quote Reply