Farm System

[funkster]

Law said Maples will be a reliever if healthy.  Wonder how you can possibly be that definitive after once start.

[chshdsck]

Almora's first game in KC.

3-4, double, RBI

That'll do.

[chshdsck]

This kid isn't fooling around. Almora followed up Wednesday's performance by going 4-7, 2 2B, 1R, 1 RBI, and 0 Ks yesterday. The game went 14 innings, hence the 7 ABs. I guess his hand/wrist is feeling good.

Our pitching in the minors really is bleak at best. Maples (supposedly our #2 pitcher) was shelled yesterday:

3.2 innings
8 runs (5 earned)
6 hits
4 Ks
3 BB
2 WP

Ouch!!

[rok]

I think Maples still needs time to get used to pitching on a regular basis again, but other than that I have my doubts that he will stick as starter long-term.

[rok]

So Vizcaino apparently had another surgery and is possibly done for the year, maybe.


http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs-talk/cubs...s-vizcaino

[Coach]

<p style="font-size:11.666666030883789px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/i...seball-mlb

Here is a portion from ESPN's Keith Law's latest prospect rankings:

 

<p style="font-size:11.666666030883789px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>21. Jorge Soler, OF | Chicago Cubs (age 21)

Current level: High Class A (Daytona)

Preseason ranking: 42</b>

<p style="font-size:11.666666030883789px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 

<p style="font-size:11.666666030883789px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 

<p style="font-size:11.666666030883789px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The power is already showing up thanks to Soler's tremendous bat speed, and he's drawn more walks (18 in 173 PAs) than I would have guessed given how long he had gone without facing live pitching before last summer. He's been only fair in right field and his arm has looked average, both disappointments relative to what I saw from him last year.

[funkster]

Is he our highest ranked player on the Law's list?  Who else was on there?

[1060Ivy]

Is he our highest ranked player on the Law's list?  Who else was on there?

Soler is the only Cubs rep on Law's list of Top 25 or his additional 4 - 5 "other prospects"

[funkster]

 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="funkster" data-cid="204842" data-time="1369804218">
Is he our highest ranked player on the Law's list?  Who else was on there?

Soler is the only Cubs rep on Law's list of Top 25 or his additional 4 - 5 "other prospects"
 


</blockquote>
Bleh.  Baez's slow start really hurt him.

[rok]

And I'm pretty sure that now that he's healthy, Almora will be right up there after another month or so of continued asskicking.

[funkster]

Almora destroyed it his first week back.  Hoping his hamstring isn't a big issue.  Would be surprised if Pierce Johnson isn't in Daytona soon, his K/BB rate is pretty nice.  Had another nice outing today.

[Scarey]

 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="1060Ivy" data-cid="204843" data-time="1369818587">
<div>
 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="funkster" data-cid="204842" data-time="1369804218">
Is he our highest ranked player on the Law's list?  Who else was on there?

Soler is the only Cubs rep on Law's list of Top 25 or his additional 4 - 5 "other prospects"
 


</blockquote>
Bleh.  Baez's slow start really hurt him.

 

</div>
</blockquote>
 

He's really turned it around in his last 50 or so plate appearances. I get the feeling that they are tweaking with both his offensive and defensive approaches. His errors are off the charts this year after getting high praise for his defense last year.

[CubbieBlues]

If he can keep up this K% he's had the last couple weeks for another month, he will be right back on track in everybody's minds. I wonder how much he was just swinging for the fences and how much the staff was letting him flail to lower his ego a bit. Just speculating, but I wonder if his ego got out of hand and became unteachable.

[funkster]

Holy shit...Baez 5-5.  HR/ three 2B/single.  Not a bad days work.

[rok]

I think he'll be just fine.