Our farm system

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=66048:date=Oct 8 2009, 09:33 PM:name=savant)-->QUOTE (savant @ Oct 8 2009, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66045:date=Oct 8 2009, 08:28 PM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ Oct 8 2009, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66032:date=Oct 8 2009, 08:01 PM:name=savant)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (savant @ Oct 8 2009, 08:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66028:date=Oct 8 2009, 07:53 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Oct 8 2009, 07:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66026:date=Oct 8 2009, 07:19 PM:name=savant)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (savant @ Oct 8 2009, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66019:date=Oct 8 2009, 04:26 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Oct 8 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66018:date=Oct 8 2009, 04:21 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 8 2009, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Yeah, that's a pretty good approach. The other type of player we need to develop are the up-the-middle types. It's so hard to acquire a good catcher, shortstop, and to an extent centerfielder. Second base isn't very easy either.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I agree with that 100%. If you look at all the best teams in baseball, they are all solid up the middle. You really can't have a good defensive team without emphasizing C, SS and CF, and if you have a lot of turnover in those areas, it makes it doubly tough to win year in and year out. I like the direction the organization is going in that regard.
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It is a small pet peeve of mine, but there is almost no difference defensively between a shortstop and a secondbaseman. The amount of chances on a year to year basis is very similar, and really the only difference is that the shortstop has to have more arm, although a secondbaseman needs a lot of arm for making plays to his right.
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To me it isn't just having a stronger arm, but the SS needs to be athletic enough and have the right instincts to be able to turn some of the tougher DPs on a daily basis. For example, Theriot blows at that.
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Agree, I just don't think Theriot would be a much better second baseman.
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I sorta disagree. His shitty arm is made for 2b, plus the second baseman has a lot more leeway when it comes to bobbling balls, or knocking them down. SS usually has ONE shot at making a play. Pretty much everywhere else on the IF can screw up and still get the guy out.
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That is a very good point BT, my main problem with Theriot is I don't understand his total lack of range. I really don't think his arm is as bad as the reputation it has. If he can be the .380 OBP guy, I can live with him, but at .330 I have a hard time with him being a starter.
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Blame Lou for any reductions in Theriot's OBP this year.

[Coach]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->#Pirates LHP Donald Veal retired all six batters he faced in #AFL, including 3 Ks while getting up to 95 mph. 18 pitches, 14 strikes<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Scarey]

In two games in AFL, Castro is 4/10 with a double and 3 RBIs. Vitters is 3/4 with a double in one game.

[Coach]

<!--quoteo(post=66407:date=Oct 15 2009, 01:50 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 15 2009, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->In two games in AFL, Castro is 4/10 with a double and 3 RBIs. Vitters is 3/4 with a double in one game.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Keith Law's Twitter:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Whatever the #Cubs paid for Starlin Castro, it was a bargain.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Coach]

Another one from Law:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->John Gaub hitting 95 from the left side #cubs #indians #derosa'd<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[funkster]

I am watching Starlin Castro's progress with a lot more interest these days...hope he keeps it up.

[Mikey]

Cubs prospect Welington Castillo hit a two-run homer in a five-run seventh inning to spark the Mesa Solar Sox to a 6-4 win Saturday night over the Peoria Saguaros in Arizona Fall League play. John Gaub, whom the Cubs acquired in the Mark DeRosa trade with Cleveland, picked up the win in relief, and Blake Parker, who had 22 saves at Triple-A Iowa, notched a save.

The Solar Sox have Sunday off and resume play Monday, playing host to the Peoria Javelinas at HoHoKam Park.

[Mikey]

Right-hander Thomas Diamond, whom the Cubs claimed off waivers from the Rangers, struck out five, did not walk a batter and gave up one hit in three innings early Saturday at Fitch Park in Mesa against the Angels. It was the last Instructional League game for the Cubs' Minor Leaguers.

The next step for Diamond, who had Tommy John surgery in March 2007, is to go to Mexico to pitch for Mexicali. That's where Jeff Samardzija has been pitching. In his second start on Thursday, Samardzija gave up one run on six hits over six innings and struck out four. He did not walk a batter. Samardzija has been working on developing a curveball.

"He's putting them away with splitters and spotting his fastball," Cubs player development director Oneri Fleita said of Samardzija. "We've tried to throw as much as we can at Jeff and, in fairness to him, he's starting, he's relieved, he's had to sit around six or seven days between outings. It's tough to learn his craft at the Major League level that way.

"This will be a great opportunity for him to go Mexico, get his legs under him, really work on his second and third pitches, learn command," Fleita said. "Guys who are great athletes and have the determination he has, I'm betting on those guys every day of the week."

* The Cubs have released outfielder So Taguchi, 39. He batted .248 at Triple-A Iowa, and was 3-for-12 in six games with the big league team when called up in September.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=66597:date=Oct 18 2009, 10:41 AM:name=Mikey)-->QUOTE (Mikey @ Oct 18 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->We've tried to throw as much as we can at Jeff and, in fairness to him, he's starting, he's relieved, he's had to sit around six or seven days between outings. It's tough to learn his craft at the Major League level that way.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm glad they've identified the problem. Hopefully they can get him turned around before he hits free agency. I believe he has 2 years left as a Cub.

[Ace]

You can't copy and paste stuff like that, Mikey. Please, use quotes and add a link.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=66405:date=Oct 15 2009, 11:29 AM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Oct 15 2009, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->#Pirates LHP Donald Veal retired all six batters he faced in #AFL, including 3 Ks while getting up to 95 mph. 18 pitches, 14 strikes<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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All credit to the Pirates for recognizing their place in the league, and stashing a high upside youngster.


Meanwhile, we stashed David Patton.

[Mikey]

<!--quoteo(post=66622:date=Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You can't copy and paste stuff like that, Mikey. Please, use quotes and add a link.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
sorry?

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=66659:date=Oct 19 2009, 06:13 AM:name=Mikey)-->QUOTE (Mikey @ Oct 19 2009, 06:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66622:date=Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You can't copy and paste stuff like that, Mikey. Please, use quotes and add a link.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
sorry?
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Why the question mark?

[rok]

I know this is just a Muskrat fluff piece, but still has me a little optimistic. I really hope this kid makes it by 2010 and is around for a long time.

Castro on the fast track to big leagues

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"I haven't had a player go through the system who has done what he's done," said Cubs player development director Oneri Fleita. "I think we would've been happy if he hit .250 in Daytona. He's certainly surpassed any expectations we've had. To finish at Double-A and get a chance to play in the [Southern League] playoffs -- and he contributed to them winning.

"It seems like it takes some guys a year before we see any gains. We're seeing gains in Castro weekly, monthly, if not daily. Who knows?"

Sitting in the HoHoKam Park dugout prior to a AFL game in Mesa last week, Castro admitted he still needs to work hard. Once the AFL is finished, he'll return home to Monte Cristy in the northern part of the Dominican Republic, and continue to play. His father, a fisherman, is ill, and Castro, the eldest of five children, has taken on the responsibility of being the family's provider.

"He told his father, 'You don't have to work any more. I'll take care of you,'" said Cubs Minor League catcher Welington Castillo of Castro. "To me, that will make him work harder every day. He has a reason to work hard to help his family. He's the man."

That's not uncommon, and not just for the kids from the Dominican, Fleita said.

"You see a lot of these young kids and they have a burden of a lot of things on their shoulders," Fleita said. "[Castro] has shown he can balance a lot of things that have been thrown at him."

Castro said his father made sacrifices to provide his son with shoes and a glove so he could pursue his dream of playing Major League Baseball. Because his father worked so hard, the son is trying to return the favor. Castro has one goal.

"I want to be the best shortstop in the Major Leagues," he said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Andy]

<!--quoteo(post=66659:date=Oct 19 2009, 06:13 AM:name=Mikey)-->QUOTE (Mikey @ Oct 19 2009, 06:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66622:date=Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Oct 18 2009, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You can't copy and paste stuff like that, Mikey. Please, use quotes and add a link.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
sorry?
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As tangent from this...

We have to watch the content we copy and paste here. Try to put everything in the quote brackets and leave a link. If you're getting it from a subscription site, then you really have to be careful.

I'm certainly not going to police it heavily, but it is the law (technically).