Fresh off the Cubs fruitful forays into scouting and signing players in baseball powerhouses like Korea, Morocco, Mongolia, and the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, the Cubs will further advance their reputation of being on the cutting edge of emerging talent markets. They didn’t need to travel far to find it – just think of how embarrassed all of the other MLB teams will be when they find out the Cubs are getting top prospects from their own back yard.
He already has an Angels cap on, so the Cubs need to make sure to pick him in the first round before they can snatch him up. I don’t think a talent like this could fall to the second….or fifth round.
Comments
Does he come with the raccoon?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sorry but I am (dying laughing) at “Seventh Inning Fetch.”
MishQuote Reply
Someone has to chase down all those balls hit on Waveland and Sheffield. Those ballhawks are costing the Cubs money with every ball they steal.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Well, I just spit up my lunch when I saw that picture. Thanks. (dying laughing)!
doc_blumeQuote Reply
is there a consensus as to whom the Cubs SHOULD take as if Starling is not there? I’ve seen Lindor, Baez, Archie Bradley, and Taylor Guerriri associated to them at one point or another this weekend. I think I’d prefer Baez but i’m sure we’ve never heard of the player they end up taking.
JManQuote Reply
(dying laughing), I just looked up the imdb synopsis of this movie
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
So….we don’t want the raccoon then?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So….we don’t want the raccoon then?[/quote]No way. Character issues.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Once again, I think everyone at my work is wondering what I’m cracking up about. Well done, sir.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/06/bob-brenly-calls-cubs-another-dead-ass-team/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/06/bob-brenly-calls-cubs-another-dead-ass-team/[/quote]
Every time I see the way Z was so composed and calm in that interview, I want to give every beat writer in Chicago except Bruce Miles an atomic wedgie.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I really wish the Cubs would win like 10 in a row now, just to shut Sullivan up. They can lose for the rest of the season, I don’t care, it would just be fun to see Z’s speech light a fire under their asses. That has been Baker”s job until recently and he obviously hasn’t been very successful this year (rimshot)
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
i’ve had plenty to say about zambrano’s behavior in the past, but i have to say his restraint in that interview was professional. you can tell he’s fired up and wants to let go, but doesn’t and stops himself before he does. and of course he’s dead fucking right, isn’t he?
gaius mariusQuote Reply
btw, 65 wins. (dying laughing)
gaius mariusQuote Reply
oh yeah — and paul sullivan can go fuck a patch of poison ivy. what do you guys think he gets paid by the cubs to run these hatchet jobs on players the cubs management decides are not coming back? maybe $2k per job? he can’t be expensive.
gaius mariusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Sorry but I am (dying laughing) at “Seventh Inning Felch.”[/quote]
Why? There’s no shame in what you and Alvin are doing in the bathroom under the bleachers.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
You won’t hear me say this often, if ever again, but Bob Brenly is spot fucking on:
Good for Bob for saying what needs to be said. Hendry has built two straight stinkers in a row, and Carlos is just doing what team leaders are supposed to do: air out the motherfuckers that aren’t putting in their work.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Only the Cubs would pick the worst year draft-wise to suck this bad.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=gaius marius]oh yeah — and paul sullivan can go fuck a patch of poison ivy. what do you guys think he gets paid by the cubs to run these hatchet jobs on players the cubs management decides are not coming back? maybe $2k per job? he can’t be expensive.[/quote]I’m pretty sure they pay him in lembas bread.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You won’t hear me say this often, if ever again, but Bob Brenly is spot fucking on:
Good for Bob for saying what needs to be said. Hendry has built two straight stinkers in a row, and Carlos is just doing what team leaders are supposed to do: air out the motherfuckers that aren’t putting in their work.[/quote]
Cue the “Fuck Yeah even a blind squirrel finds a nut once a year” image
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I realize Al and Ed Hartig probably don’t lurk here, but does anyone know how someone could authenticate an original Wrigley Field turnstyle that they bought from the Cubs in 1986 but don’t have any proof it’s from Wrigley?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Holy shit! Every time I leave for awhile something happens and Z is always to blame. Good God Man!!
LukasQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Cue the “Fuck Yeah even a blind squirrel finds a nut once a year” image[/quote]
BerseliusQuote Reply
I heard from unnamed sources that we’ve been offered Z for Air Bud, but only if we take back Rocky the Raccoon.
Another name to keep an eye on prior to the deadline is Henry Rowengartner. He has said he wants to finish his career here. Although he doesn’t have the velocity anymore, he still has a mean eephus pitch. Pitch f/x gives it a nasty factor of 88.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]I realize Al and Ed Hartig probably don’t lurk here, but does anyone know how someone could authenticate an original Wrigley Field turnstyle that they bought from the Cubs in 1986 but don’t have any proof it’s from Wrigley?[/quote]I would think as long as you have proof that you bought it from the Cubs, you could probably contact them about providing provenance.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I would think as long as you have proof that you bought it from the Cubs, you could probably contact them about providing provenance.[/quote]They don’t have any kind of receipt or anything. But I think contacting the Cubs is the first piece of advice I will give them.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Only the Cubs would pick the worst year draft-wise to suck this bad.[/quote]This draft is bad?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
i wonder if we’ll start to hear about marmol’s work ethic being a problem. would put a motive beyond simple frustration behind zambrano’s coments. the MLB hacks were spreading this pablum http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16926790&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc earlier this year, and really have no need to unless there’s a perceived issue they want to get in front of.
gaius mariusQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]They don’t have any kind of receipt or anything. But I think contacting the Cubs is the first piece of advice I will give them.[/quote]Yeah. There used to be a place by Wrigley that sold all kinds of stuff like that, and they would do authentications for a fee (I had a buddy get seats from old Soldier Field authenticated by them) but I think it’s gone now.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]This draft is bad?[/quote]
I think he means that they should have sucked last year, not this year
BerseliusQuote Reply
I think Z was pointing out a sloppy mental error (in his opinion), not lack of effort.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think he means that they should have sucked last year, not this year[/quote]They didn’t suck last year?
(dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=gaius marius]i wonder if we’ll start to hear about marmol’s work ethic being a problem. would put a motive beyond simple frustration behind zambrano’s coments. the MLB hacks were spreading this pablum http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16926790&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc earlier this year, and really have no need to unless there’s a perceived issue they want to get in front of.[/quote]I don’t think it’s a work ethic issue, as much as a “not doing his homework” issue. When Z throws 10 FB and 1 change to a guy, and he comes again and the OF shifts and Marmol shakes off the FB sign, that strikes me as a guy that’s just not doing his film and meeting study. And honestly, when he shook off Koyie, that probably would have been a good time for Koyie to call time and visit the mound, if for no other reason that to let the defense reset.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t think it’s a work ethic issue, as much as a “not doing his homework” issue. When Z throws 10 FB and 1 change to a guy, and he comes again and the OF shifts and Marmol shakes off the FB sign, that strikes me as a guy that’s just not doing his film and meeting study. And honestly, when he shook off Koyie, that probably would have been a good time for Koyie to call time and visit the mound, if for no other reason that to let the defense reset.[/quote]That would require Koyie doing something above replacement level.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
This guy thinks differently about what should have been thrown to Theriot
http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/6/6/carlos-zambrano-we-stink.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think he means that they should have sucked last year, not this year[/quote]
Correct.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t think it’s a work ethic issue, as much as a “not doing his homework” issue.[/quote]
right, that’s just what i mean, tho. work ethic at this level is not just about the weight room, particularly for pitchers.
gaius mariusQuote Reply
After reading Haugh’s Trib article I’m actually kind of concerned Hendry is going to do something stupid like suspend Z.
In fact, with back-ass way this organization functions, I’m pretty positive there’s going to be some type of inane moronic punishment.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]After reading Haugh’s Trib article I’m actually kind of concerned Hendry is going to do something stupid like suspend Z.
In fact, with back-ass way this organization functions, I’m pretty positive there’s going to be some type of inane moronic punishment.[/quote]I, too, fear something stupid is coming.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Even Phil Rogers thinks Z shouldn’t be disciplined
http://twitter.com/#!/ChiTribRogers/status/77786053196525569
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]After reading Haugh’s Trib article I’m actually kind of concerned Hendry is going to do something stupid like suspend Z.
In fact, with back-ass way this organization functions, I’m pretty positive there’s going to be some type of inane moronic punishment.[/quote]Bullpen for 2 weeks and has to carry the pink backpack.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
You’re not a true Cubs fan if you don’t have the fear of something stupid always on the horizon.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]This guy thinks differently about what should have been thrown to Theriot
http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/6/6/carlos-zambrano-we-stink.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed%5B/quote%5D
beside the point, tho, i think. zambrano is talking from both experience and the cubs scouting report, which must be as good on theriot as anyone in the majors because they had him for a long while. you can disagree with the cubs’ perception of theriot (as this guy does), but that zambrano and marmol should be reading from the same hymn sheet is a given. if the cubs think theriot can’t hit the heater, then marmol should not be throwing him sliders except as waste pitches.
gaius mariusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]This guy thinks differently about what should have been thrown to Theriot
http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/6/6/carlos-zambrano-we-stink.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed%5B/quote%5D
A) the sample size of this year is going to be friendly to almost any Theriot stat, because he’s been hot as shit recently. I’m Z sure is remembering when Theriot was with the Cubs.
B)
Marmol doesn’t throw a changeup, does he?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/chicago-cubs-mess-just-getting-worse-ken-rosenthal-notes-analysis-060611
MishQuote Reply
Last mock I saw had the Cubs taking an OF from UConn that I previously had never heard of.
GBTSQuote Reply
I don’t think Marmol throws a change but I don’t study pitch types of pitchers that closely. Not my bag, baby.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Last mock I saw had the Cubs taking an OF from UConn that I previously had never heard of.[/quote]
George Springer – Sickels has him 20th on his big board and KG’s latest had him being drafted 10th right after the Cubs. Seriously though, as long as MLBN/MLB.com actually has a picture of the guy drafted, it’ll be a win for Cubs fans.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Last mock I saw had the Cubs taking an OF from UConn that I previously had never heard of.[/quote]
9. CHC – George Springer, OF (U of Connecticut)
A fairly raw college player, Springer kind of reminds me of Cincinnati’s Drew Stubbs: a five-tool player who might struggle with consistency and the ability to hit for average because of holes in his swing and his approach. The comparison is not meant to be an insult because I’m a pretty big Stubbs fan, but it’s more of a warning because players like the Reds outfielder carry a risk of failure.
–FanGraphs last Mock
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Marmol doesn’t throw a changeup, does he?[/quote]No. It was a slider.
To your first point, MB went back and looked at the Pitch F/X data. Theriot was 0-4 vs. Carlos. In those 4 AB, Carlos threw Theriot 10 FB (6 sinkers, 4 two-seamers) and 1 offspeed pitch. Not a single breaking ball.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
WWDC is going on now for any Apple product owners. Engadget has a live blog for it.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]as long as MLBN/MLB.com actually has a picture of the guy drafted, it’ll be a win for Cubs fans.[/quote].
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/2011/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&page=LawMockDraft4.0&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fdraft%2f2011%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dlaw_keith%26page%3dLawMockDraft4.0
6) Starling
7) Hultzen
8) Jed Bradley
9) Baez
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I think it’s pretty much conceded that Starling doesn’t make it past Washington, unless something weird happens up top, which won’t happen since the Cubs aren’t picking up top.
MishQuote Reply
What are your thoughts on Baez Ryno?
MishQuote Reply
Apparently Matt Barnes is another name to watch.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]What are your thoughts on Baez Ryno?[/quote]
Meh. Seems to be a reach to me at this point. I’d take him over Lindor based on his offensive potential, but that’s not saying much.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I’ll put it this way: If Baez doesn’t sign with the pro team that picks him, he’ll honor his commitment to a JC.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Apparently Matt Barnes is another name to watch.[/quote]Just not that excited about him. I’d rather they go for Guerriri, Baez or maybe even Lindor if available. Interesting draft for the Cubs since it could be the last one under the Cubs for Wilkens and Hendry.
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Just not that excited about him. I’d rather they go for Guerriri, Baez or maybe even Lindor if available. Interesting draft for the Cubs since it could be the last one under the Cubs for Wilkens and Hendry.[/quote]
Not my choice, but I’d take him over Baez and Lindor.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Not my choice, but I’d take him over Baez and Lindor.[/quote]
you are in the jungmann camp?
GWQuote Reply
I’d rather see Springer than Baez. Wouldn’t mind Lindor. Would love an arm – whether Barnes/Jed Bradley falls or someone like Guerriri.
MarcoQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]you are in the jungmann camp?[/quote]
I was until I saw his velocity down. I’d like confirmation that it’s dead arm or a minor injury. But yeah, I think he’s being severely underrated.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Last year’s “first round pick”:
Feh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=gaius marius]i wonder if we’ll start to hear about marmol’s work ethic being a problem. would put a motive beyond simple frustration behind zambrano’s coments. the MLB hacks were spreading this pablum http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16926790&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc earlier this year, and really have no need to unless there’s a perceived issue they want to get in front of.[/quote]Interesting. Z might be frustrated with Marmol specifically especially if he thinks he’s not working as hard as he should be. Like Miles said, were it not for Marmol Z would be 7-2 and looking at an all-star bid. He’d also have nearly twice as many wins as any other starter on the team. Yeah, I know wins suck as a metric, but dumbass teams like the Cubs still use it. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
I wonder if Z gets an All-Star bid anyway.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
SweetSpot blog:
Nice.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=gaius marius]beside the point, tho, i think. zambrano is talking from both experience and the cubs scouting report, which must be as good on theriot as anyone in the majors because they had him for a long while. you can disagree with the cubs’ perception of theriot (as this guy does), but that zambrano and marmol should be reading from the same hymn sheet is a given. if the cubs think theriot can’t hit the heater, then marmol should not be throwing him sliders except as waste pitches.[/quote]Not just what the Cubs know about Theriot from his days in their uniform, but what they’ve learned from the advanced scouts as well. Pitch f/x is a terrible tool to answer the question in my opinion. It’s obvious as you said that the scouts the Cubs have were convinced he can’t hit fastballs. Perhaps that’s based on a specifically located fastball. Maybe it’s something their advanced scouts have noticed over the last few weeks. Theriot even admitted he was looking slider. If a hitter looks slider he can’t catch up to a fastball. Maybe he’s been doing that lately and teams haven’t caught up. I don’t know, but I do know that pitch f/x doesn’t answer the question.
All that said, I still trust Marmol to throw the pitch he thinks he needs to throw. The only argument I really have is the defensive shift. The defense was obviously looking fastball as Z threw them all night. Clearly the team went over this before the game and before the series I’m guessing.
mb21Quote Reply
i would bet the team went over the fastball thing in pregame meetings. And that the defense was shifted to expect the fastball and that Marmol just did it on his own and thats what got Z pissed.
dylanjQuote Reply
Week prior to Cardinals series, Theriot saw nearly 60% fastballs: http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/batter/444135/?pitchers=A&count=AA&pitches=AA&from=5%2F28%2F2011&to=6%2F2%2F2011
Season percentage is just a bit under 50%. So all teams are loading up on fastballs right now. That’s something teams have tried to do and I’ll trust the scouts on this one.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]i would bet the team went over the fastball thing in pregame meetings. And that the defense was shifted to expect the fastball and that Marmol just did it on his own and thats what got Z pissed.[/quote]Agreed. The defense wouldn’t be shifted like that if they thought an off-speed pitch was coming.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21and looking at an all-star bid.)[/quote]
Isn’t he still? Who else on this shitpile of a team is gonna make the All-Start team?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle][quote name=mb21and looking at an all-star bid.)
Isn’t he still? Who else on this shitpile of a team is gonna make the All-Start team?[/quote]Oh yeah. I forgot one player from each team has to make the team. Right now it’s a tossup between he and Fukudome. Add Z’s bat into it and Z’s easily the most valuable Cub this season.
mb21Quote Reply
What do people think of Sonny Gray?
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]
Isn’t he still? Who else on this shitpile of a team is gonna make the All-Start team?[/quote]
I wouldn’t be surprised if Castro gets the nod
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Agreed. The defense wouldn’t be shifted like that if they thought an off-speed pitch was coming.[/quote]That’s more on the catcher, though, right? Isn’t the catcher responsible for relaying the defensive signals from the dugout? I mean, obviously Koyie had them set up for FB, as that’s the sign he gave, but ti seems to me that once Marmol shook him off, he might have needed to call time and get things straight, both with Marmol and the defense.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]What do people think of Sonny Gray?[/quote]
They think he’s a short faget.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]They think he’s a short faget.[/quote]
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I’m guessing Marshall will be the Cub’s representative for the All-Star game. Isn’t Castro blocked by Tulo and Hanley?
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
As far as Cubs all-star candidates go, I lean towards Marshall, personally, but it’s hard as hell for a set-up man to make the team (Kuo made it last year, but that just shows how good you have to be).
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I’m guessing Marshall will be the Cub’s representative for the All-Star game. Isn’t Castro blocked by Tulo and Hanley?[/quote]Reyes is having a great year..
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I wouldn’t be surprised if Barn gets the nod[/quote]fyp
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Reyes is having a great year..[/quote]
Him too. Fukudome isn’t a stretch, along with Marshall. I don’t think Zambrano will make it, not with his ERA (not an ace).
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Z is having a weird year. He’s been a finesse pitcher, really. He’s been somewhat above average, but I don’t know if he can keep it up.
ACTQuote Reply
Fuke’s numbers are also inflated from facing a disproportionate number of righties. His all-star chances may also be hurt from his (undeserved) rep as someone who fades in the second half (people will still remember his struggles after making the all-star team in 2008).
ACTQuote Reply
.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
So CHC is being quiet.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
My guess is tonight by TEX.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]So CHC is being quiet.[/quote]
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
FYI
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
shit: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/cubs-first-round-picks-since-1991.html
mb21Quote Reply
There’s a new thread.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply