Minor League Roundup

[Jody]

Because Butcher is a hopeless optimist.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=60000:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59999:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I don't know how you guys can care about these minor leaguers. None of them will amount to dick.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why?

Cause we're the Cubs? Cause we have the minor league curse? What's the reasoning here? What possible reason do you think our minor leaguers won't develop?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because we hardly ever develop good players -- especially good position players. I'm not seeing anything that would lead me to believe that anything is different now.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=60012:date=Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60000:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59999:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I don't know how you guys can care about these minor leaguers. None of them will amount to dick.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why?

Cause we're the Cubs? Cause we have the minor league curse? What's the reasoning here? What possible reason do you think our minor leaguers won't develop?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because we hardly ever develop good players -- especially good position players. I'm not seeing anything that would lead me to believe that anything is different now.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->



Oh, hi there! My name is Tim Wilken. You may remember for drafting and/or developing players such as Roy Halladay, Aaron Hill, Chris Carpenter, Shawn Green, Orlando Hudson, Alex Rios, Shannon Stewart, Vernon Wells, Jeff Niemann, and others. It's nice to meet you Geoff!

[Butcher]

I know who he is. Until he does something other than draft Smardjiza as an employee of the Cubs, I'm not impressed.

[Kid]

<b>August 25:</b>


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                      R  H  E
New Orleans (57-72)   8  13 0
Iowa (66-65)          1  6  0
WP: Brian Lawrence (6-4)
LP: J.R. Mathes (12-7)
HR: NO - John Lindsey (19)

Mathes; GS, 4.1 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (3.60 ERA), 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K, WP, HBP
Casey Lambert: 2.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (7.07 ERA), 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Steve Clevenger: 2-4 (.268), PB (5)<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                    R  H  E
Tennessee (31-28)   6  11 0
Carolina (21-38)    7  11 3
WP: Camilo Vazquez (5-4)
LP: Hung-Wen Chen (7-10)
SV: Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette (3)
HR: CAR - Kris Negron (1,2)

Chen: GS, 6.0 IP, 5 R, 5 ER (4.75 ERA), 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K
Welington Castillo: 3-4 (.226), 2 2B (13), RBI (39), R
James Adduci: 3-5 (.311), R<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                   R  H  E
Lakeland (22-32)   4  9  1
Daytona (25-31)    6  11 1
WP: Craig Muschko (6-2)
LP: L.J. Gagnier (9-10)
SV: Luke Sommer (2)
HR: DAY - Nate Samson (2), Josh Vitters (3)

Muschko: GS, 5.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (3.38 ERA), 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K, HBP
Vitters: 2-4 (.245), 2 RBI (17), R
Tony Campana: 3-5 (.278), RBI (23), R, SB (49), CS (15)<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                      R  H  E
Quad Cities (25-32)   9  12 1
Peoria (35-22)        6  12 1 (F/12)
WP: Joel Pichardo (3-1)
LP: Erik Hamren (3-4)
HR: QC - Ryde Rodriguez (2), Xavier Scruggs (5), Richard Racobaldo (2); PEO - Ryan Flaherty (20), Brett Jackson (6)

Jeffry Antigua: GS, 5.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER (3.76 ERA), 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Flaherty: 3-6 (.274), RBI (73), 2 R
Rebel Ridling: 3-4 (.309), R, K<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                  R  H  E
Boise (30-34)     4  9  2
Spokane (31-33)   6  10 1
WP: Ben Henry (2-3)
LP: Eduardo Figueroa (3-3)
SV: Reinier Bermudez (3)

Figueroa: GS, 3.0 IP, 4 R, 1 ER (8.02 ERA), 6 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 WP
Kenneth McNutt: 3.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (1.29 ERA), 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Greg Rohan: 2-3 (.263), 2 2B (13), 2 RBI (19), BB<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                R  H  E
Cubs (12-13)    5  8  1
Angels (17-8)   4  6  0
WP: Austin Kirk (1-0)
LP: Ariel Pena (5-4)
SV: Steven Grife (2)
HR: CHC - Alvaro Sosa (1), Dwayne Kemp (1)

Larry Suarez: GS, 4.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER (6.23 ERA), 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K
Sosa: 2-3 (.237), RBI (10), 2 R, BB, K
Wes Darvill: 2-3 (.227), R, BB, 2 SB (6)<!--c2--><!--ec2-->

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=60055:date=Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I know who he is. Until he does something other than draft Smardjiza as an employee of the Cubs, I'm not impressed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So you judge him on one of many prospects he's drafted for the Cubs? A prospect that was rushed to the majors and has been flipped back and forth between starter and reliever? A prospect that has had very limited action at the MLB level so far? And you're judging him on this one prospect when he's had over a decade of success before coming to the Cubs?

Makes sense.

[Coldneck]

From everybody's favorite reporter.

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs' top prospects will join roster of Mesa Solar Sox

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

08/25/09 4:46 PM ET

CHICAGO -- <b>Andrew Cashner</b>, the Cubs' No. 1 pick in the 2008 Draft, and third baseman <b>Josh Vitters</b>, the top pick in 2007, will play for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.

Cashner, who is pitching for Double-A Tennessee, will be joined by lefties <b>John Gaub </b>and <b>James Russell</b>, and right-hander <b>Blake Parker</b>, who were all pitching for Triple-A Iowa.

Catcher <b>Welington Castillo </b>and shortstop <b>Starlin Castro </b>also will play for the Solar Sox. Castro, 19, who played on the World team in the All-Star Futures Game, will be the youngest player in the league. He has hit .300 at every level since he was signed by the Cubs in October 2006, and through Monday, was hitting .300 in 19 games at Tennessee with nine RBIs.

Vitters has been slowed by a hand injury this year, and was batting .237 with two homers, five doubles, two triples and 15 RBIs at Class A Daytona.

Castillo spent time with the big league team in Spring Training, and was batting .218 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 87 games for Tennessee.

Cashner began the season at Daytona, where he posted a 1.50 ERA in 12 starts, and was moved up to Tennessee in early July, where he has a 2-3 record and 3.57 ERA in 10 starts, striking out 38 over 45 1/3 innings.

Bo Porter, who played for the Cubs and is currently a coach on the Florida Marlins, will manage the team, which will play its home games at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz., while Dennis Lewellyn, who has been a coach in the Cubs system, will be the Solar Sox pitching coach.

The 18th annual Arizona Fall League season begins Oct. 13 and runs through Nov. 19 with the Rising Stars game on Nov. 7 and the championship game set for Nov. 21. Every game can be followed live on Gameday on MLB.com and MLBFallBall.com.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Coach]

Cubs minor leaguers in Arizona Fall League:
P Andrew Cashner
P John Gaub
P Blake Parker
P James Russell
C Welington Castillo
SS Starlin Castro
3B Josh Vitters

I thought Colvin might go since he is playing well lately and needs to be added to the 40 man roster.


(overlooked Coldneck's post)

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=60068:date=Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60055:date=Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I know who he is. Until he does something other than draft Smardjiza as an employee of the Cubs, I'm not impressed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So you judge him on one of many prospects he's drafted for the Cubs? A prospect that was rushed to the majors and has been flipped back and forth between starter and reliever? A prospect that has had very limited action at the MLB level so far? And you're judging him on this one prospect when he's had over a decade of success before coming to the Cubs?

Makes sense.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
None of the players he has drafted have done much for me. Vitters could maybe end up as something, but I doubt he'll be an All-Star. All I've seen so far are middle relievers, fourth outfielders, bench players, and a whole lot of busts.

Until he proves me wrong, I'm going to assume he sucks. I hope like hell he proves me wrong.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=60202:date=Aug 26 2009, 02:52 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 26 2009, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60068:date=Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60055:date=Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I know who he is. Until he does something other than draft Smardjiza as an employee of the Cubs, I'm not impressed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So you judge him on one of many prospects he's drafted for the Cubs? A prospect that was rushed to the majors and has been flipped back and forth between starter and reliever? A prospect that has had very limited action at the MLB level so far? And you're judging him on this one prospect when he's had over a decade of success before coming to the Cubs?

Makes sense.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
None of the players he has drafted have done much for me. Vitters could maybe end up as something, but I doubt he'll be an All-Star. All I've seen so far are middle relievers, fourth outfielders, bench players, and a whole lot of busts.

Until he proves me wrong, I'm going to assume he sucks. I hope like hell he proves me wrong.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Has Wiliken even been around long enough to expect any of his draftees to make a difference on the MLB level? Hasn't he only been with the Cubs for 3 years?

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=60226:date=Aug 26 2009, 03:25 PM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Aug 26 2009, 03:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60202:date=Aug 26 2009, 02:52 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 26 2009, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60068:date=Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 26 2009, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60055:date=Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I know who he is. Until he does something other than draft Smardjiza as an employee of the Cubs, I'm not impressed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So you judge him on one of many prospects he's drafted for the Cubs? A prospect that was rushed to the majors and has been flipped back and forth between starter and reliever? A prospect that has had very limited action at the MLB level so far? And you're judging him on this one prospect when he's had over a decade of success before coming to the Cubs?

Makes sense.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
None of the players he has drafted have done much for me. Vitters could maybe end up as something, but I doubt he'll be an All-Star. All I've seen so far are middle relievers, fourth outfielders, bench players, and a whole lot of busts.

Until he proves me wrong, I'm going to assume he sucks. I hope like hell he proves me wrong.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Has Wiliken even been around long enough to expect any of his draftees to make a difference on the MLB level? Hasn't he only been with the Cubs for 3 years?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He's had 4 drafts, I believe. And yes -- most of his picks haven't been around long enough to be sure about either way.

But I'm going to assume that none of them are going to make much of an impact until I see otherwise. Maybe that isn't fair, but it's how I'm approaching it.

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=60012:date=Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60000:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59999:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I don't know how you guys can care about these minor leaguers. None of them will amount to dick.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why?

Cause we're the Cubs? Cause we have the minor league curse? What's the reasoning here? What possible reason do you think our minor leaguers won't develop?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because we hardly ever develop good players -- especially good position players. I'm not seeing anything that would lead me to believe that anything is different now.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Butch, I need a HUGE favor. Can you develop an avatar for me? I need it to show you and Carol Slezak making out.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=60235:date=Aug 26 2009, 03:41 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Aug 26 2009, 03:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60012:date=Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=60000:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Aug 25 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59999:date=Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Aug 25 2009, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I don't know how you guys can care about these minor leaguers. None of them will amount to dick.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why?

Cause we're the Cubs? Cause we have the minor league curse? What's the reasoning here? What possible reason do you think our minor leaguers won't develop?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because we hardly ever develop good players -- especially good position players. I'm not seeing anything that would lead me to believe that anything is different now.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Butch, I need a HUGE favor. Can you develop an avatar for me? I need it to show you and Carol Slezak making out.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That shouldn't be hard. I already have footage of that.

Wait...

[Kid]

<b>August 26:</b>


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                        R  H  E
Oklahoma City (65-65)  
Iowa (66-65)            (PPD/Rain)<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                    R  H  E
Tennessee (32-28)   2  7  1
Carolina (21-39)    1  5  0
WP: David Cales (1-0)
LP: Greg Atencio (1-1)
SV: Brian Schlitter (20)

Casey Coleman: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (3.73 ERA), 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Ty Wright: 3-3 (.299), 2B (22), R, BB
Russ Canzler: 1-3 (.267), 2B (13), 2 RBI (31), BB, K<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                   R  H  E
Lakeland (23-32)   7  13 1
Daytona (25-32)    1  4  3
WP: Mark Sorensen (1-1)
LP: Jay Jackson (2-2)
SV: Lester Oliveros (2)

Jackson: GS, 5.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER (1.27 ERA), 5 H, 1 BB, 11 K, HBP, 2 E (2)
Billy Muldowney: 2.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (7.36 ERA), 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K
Josh Vitters: 1-3 (.247), R, BB<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                      R  H  E
Quad Cities (25-33)   3  6  2
Peoria (36-22)        7  11 1
WP: Alberto Cabrera (8-2)
LP: Jorge Rondon (1-4)
SV: Ryan Buchter (5)
HR: PEO - Andrew Rundle (3)

Christopher Archer: GS, 4.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER (2.91 ERA), 3 H, 5 BB, 5 K, HBP
Rundle: 2-3 (.222), 3 RBI (18), 2 R, BB, SB (3)
Mario Mercedes: 2-4 (.258), 2B (7), R<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                  R  H  E
Boise (30-35)     1  4  0
Spokane (32-33)   7  12 0
WP: Trevor Hurley (6-2)
LP: Robert Whitenack (0-4)

Whitenack: GS, 3.2 IP, 6 R, 6 ER (5.10 ERA), 9 H, 3 BB, 1 K, BK
Andres Quezada: 2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER (4.84 ERA), 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K
Daniel Keefe: 2.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (9.31 ERA), 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, HBP<!--c2--><!--ec2-->


<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->                    R  H  E
Athletics (11-14)   5  4  0
Cubs (12-14)        2  3  3
WP: Christopher Mederos (3-1)
LP: Brooks Raley (0-1)
SV: Daniel Tenholder (1)

Raley: GS, 2.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER (6.23 ERA), 0 H, 2 BB, 1 K, WP
Dae-Eun Rhee: 2.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER (7.71 ERA), 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K, WP
Gian Guzman: 2.0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER (5.23 ERA), 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K, HBP<!--c2--><!--ec2-->

[Coach]

Even though he took the L, that's a nice 11K/1BB outing in 5IP for Jackson.