Farm System

[Scarey]

 

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So, I saw Iowa play the last 4 games. They are awful. We better pray Soler, Baez, etc are as good as advertised. No hope in AAA.

Future prospects hardly ever play in AAA.  Usually the best talent in any organization is in AA and high A

 

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I don't think that's true.  Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. It depends on the organization. "Hardly ever' is definitely an overstatement. 

 

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I'm going stand by my statement.  AAA is not really the place for developing future prospects.  It's where you put the remains of your 40 man roster and recovering vets.  For the most part, a AAA roster has major league ready talent, obviously the word "talent" is relative.  So unless the player is being blocked by someone on the 25 man roster, any prospect with real potential at that level is probably already going to be on the major league roster.

 

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I think that's generally true. However, when you have guys on the 40 man that are kind of at an inbetween stage who have option flexibility, that's where AAA is used. That's not to say those guys don't have value. Welington Castillo is a good example of that. He was seen as the future catcher, but spent most of last year in AAA.

 

That being said, I think there is a bit of a reluctance on the current regime to put the organizations top talent at AAA. The Iowa Cubs are in the PCL which, as a league, is an extremely offense biased league. Putting a position player there and watching his numbers blow up can have an effect on his approach. Pitchers can question their ability after getting shelled. I see Iowa as a place where prospects go when they are pretty much done with the developmental stage of their minor league career and are more or less "staying warmed up". At least, that's how it is in the Cubs organization. That's not necessarily true of other organizations.

[Scarey]

More bad news. 4th round steal Josh Conway was injured due to shitty mound conditions (thanks AZ grounds crew). Sounded as though he was on the verge of getting promoted to either KC or Daytona. Anyway, it appears to be throwing arm related, and also keep in mind he already had TJS before being drafted. Should know more next week.

 

Conway has a stress fracture in his elbow.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...8275.story

 

 

Arizona Phil reported that he saw him with a shoulder-to-finger cast on. The Cubs have already stated that he's done for the year.

 

I understand that the Cubs made the decision to let the guy pitch in those conditions, but I can't help but feel(probably irrationally) that the Brewers should be held responsible for this in some way. The field they were on was for a Brewers affiliate.

[CubbieBlues]

 

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More bad news. 4th round steal Josh Conway was injured due to shitty mound conditions (thanks AZ grounds crew). Sounded as though he was on the verge of getting promoted to either KC or Daytona. Anyway, it appears to be throwing arm related, and also keep in mind he already had TJS before being drafted. Should know more next week.

 

Conway has a stress fracture in his elbow.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...8275.story

 

 

Arizona Phil reported that he saw him with a shoulder-to-finger cast on. The Cubs have already stated that he's done for the year.

 

I understand that the Cubs made the decision to let the guy pitch in those conditions, but I can't help but feel(probably irrationally) that the Brewers should be held responsible for this in some way. The field they were on was for a Brewers affiliate.

 

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They could send Herpes down to AAA for a year and I think everyone would call it even.

[funkster]

Looks like Maples made his debut in Kane County over the weekend.

[rok]

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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rok" data-cid="204115" data-time="1367779329">

More bad news. 4th round steal Josh Conway was injured due to shitty mound conditions (thanks AZ grounds crew). Sounded as though he was on the verge of getting promoted to either KC or Daytona. Anyway, it appears to be throwing arm related, and also keep in mind he already had TJS before being drafted. Should know more next week.

 

Conway has a stress fracture in his elbow.

 
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bas...8275.story

 

 

Arizona Phil reported that he saw him with a shoulder-to-finger cast on. The Cubs have already stated that he's done for the year.

 

I understand that the Cubs made the decision to let the guy pitch in those conditions, but I can't help but feel(probably irrationally) that the Brewers should be held responsible for this in some way. The field they were on was for a Brewers affiliate.

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They could send Herpes down to AAA for a year and I think everyone would call it even.</blockquote>
Braun is always willing to lend his services in that regard.

[chshdsck]

Soler was named player of the week in the Florida State League. He's going to be an exciting fella to watch in a Chicago uniform.

[Dirk]

Soler was named player of the week in the Florida State League. He's going to be an exciting fella to watch in a Chicago uniform.

When I look at Soler I see a perennial .260/35 hr/100 k type...which is damn fine by me.

[rok]

I see a champion.

[funkster]

Soler's gotta get promoted here soon.  And don't look now, but Jackson's K rate has dropped significantly.  Hope he can keep it up.

[chshdsck]

 

And don't look now, but Jackson's K rate has dropped significantly.  Hope he can keep it up.

I didn't believe it until I saw for myself. You're right, he's only had one multi K game in his past 10 games. During that same time span he's hitting .317

Same kind of goes for Beaz. He only has 1 K (and 2 BB) in his past 5 games.

[Andy]

Too small of sample, but I like the trend for both.  Soler has been beastly lately.  He did get yanked from a game on Sunday though.  Haven't heard the specifics yet.

 

Now to see Almora back in action.  Apparently Almora has been back in the AZ Ext for a handful of games.  Good to see him back. 

[CubbieBlues]

I heard Soler got yanked after a pop-up. I wonder if it was a lack of hustle issue again.

[rok]

Per BN, it sounds like Almora will head to Kane County soon. Need to get a SOITOKC organized soon.

[chshdsck]

I wonder if the coaching staff has gotten through to Baez recently. Maybe teaching him to quit swinging for the fences each pitch. He hasn't hit a HR in a while, but he's making some good contact.

He had two more hits yesterday (both doubles) and struck out only once.

[chshdsck]

 

Per BN, it sounds like Almora will head to Kane County soon. Need to get a SOITOKC organized soon.

 
The Cubs Reporter posted the same thing. Looks like Almora played his final game in extended spring training yesterday.