The "Other" Baez a Big Hit at Papago

Jeffrey Baez had three hits including a two-run triple that drove-in the go-ahead run in the top of the 6th, Micah Gibbs laced a two-run double, and Jeimer Candelario had two RBI doubles, as the Cubs outslugged the Athletics 12-8 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Connie Mack Field at the Papago Park Baseball Complex in Phoenix.  



The Cubs took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st, as Reggie Golden (two-run single to left) and Jeimer Candelario (double off CF Batter’s Eye) collected two-out RBI, and Micah Gibbs (batting RH) made it 5-0 in the 4th when he hooked a double into the LF corner to drive-in two more runs.


The A's came back with three in the 4th and two unearned runs in the 5th (thanks to three errors by 2B Zeke DeVoss), however, to tie the game at 5-5.


And then it was Jeffrey Baez who got the big clutch hit in the top of the 6th to give the Cubs back the lead, as the 17-year old Venezuelan clubbed a two-run two out triple over the centerfielder’s head.


Baez received a reported $350K bonus when he signed with the Cubs as a 16-year old in the first days of the International Signing Period in 2010, and he hit 282/353/408 with 32 SB in 68 DSL games in his rookie year this season. He is built like a running back or an outside linebacker, and in fact he plays OF and runs the bases like a football player. Which is to say he’s going to need a lot of polish.


The Cubs added a five-spot in the 9th to take a 12-5 lead, as Justin Marra ripped an RBI double into the left-center alley, Rafael Lopez doubled to drive-in Marra, Garrett Schlecht ripped a two-out two run RBI single, and sweet-swingin’ Jeimer Candelario roped another two-out RBI double (his second of the day) to knock-in Schlecht.


Cubs MLB Hitting Instructor Rudy Jaramillo is at Fitch Park this week working with the young Cubs hitters, and he had to be happy with today’s results (12 runs on 13 hits, seven walks, and an HBP, with eight of the 12 RBI coming with two outs).


25-year old LHP (ex-OF) Matt Spencer made his Instructs game debut, throwing 1.1 IP of perfect four up/four down ball (strikeout-swinging, F-8, F-8, strikeout-swinging). Although this was his Instructs game debut, it was not his pro debut as a pitcher, because he has thrown an occasional AA and AAA inning in blow-outs.


Spencer is no stranger to the mound, having been a two-way player (LHP/OF) in HS and at the U. of North Carolina prior to transferring to Arizona State.


In AZIL Cubs roster news, OF Trey Martin (Cubs 2011 13th round draft pick out of Brookwood HS - Snellville, GA) has been placed on the Active List after missing the first couple of weeks of Instructs with a left shoulder strain. He was in uniform today, but did not play. (Martin hit 243/289/357 in 18 AZL Cubs games after signing).


Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only):


LINEUP:
1. Zeke DeVoss, 2B-CF: 1-5 (K, K, F-9, 1B, 3-1)
2. Danny Lockhart, SS: 0-4 (E-3, F-8, 4-3, 4-6-3 DP, HBP, 2 R)
3. Rafael Lopez, 1B: 1-2 (BB, BB, P-5, BB, 2B, 2 R, RBI)
4. Dan Vogelbach, DH #1: 0-5 (K, K, P-3, E-6, P-5)
5a. Reggie Golden, RF: 1-3 (1B, 6-4 FC, 6-3, R, 2 RBI, CS)
5b. Garrett Schlecht, RF: 1-2 (5-3, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
6. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (2B, E-5, 3-1, BB, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
7a. Taiwan Easterling, CF: 2-2 (1B, 1B, BB, 2 R, SB)
7b. Carlos Penalver, 2B: 0-2 (5-4 FC, 5-3)
8a. Micah Gibbs, C: 1-2 (3-6 FC, 2B, BB, R, 2 RBI)
8b. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (6-3 DP)
9. Jeffrey Baez, LF: 3-4 (1B, K, 3B, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
10. Justin Marra, DH #2: 1-3 (BB, K, F-8, 2B, R, RBI)


PITCHERS:
1. Ian Dickson: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 34 pitches (15 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
2. Matt Spencer: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 11 pitches (9 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
3. David Henrie: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 27 pitches (14 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
4. Jose Rosario: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 26 pitches (15 strikes), 1/3 GO/FO
5. Charles Thomas: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 28 pitches (18 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
6. Scott Weismann: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 26 pitches (14 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
7. Tony Zych: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 30 pitches (17 strikes)


ERRORS: 4
1. 2B Zeke DeVoss - E-4 (errant throw attempting to turn a potential 6-4-3 DP allowed batter-runner to advance to 2nd base)
2. 2B Zeke DeVoss - E-4 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely and runner who was on 1st base to advance to 3rd base)
3. 2B Zeke DeVoss - E-4 (bobbled relay throw after double into RF corner - allowed runner who had stopped at 3rd base to score)
4. 3B Jeimer Candelario - E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)


CATCHERS DEFENSE
Mark Malave: 1-1 CS, 1 PB


ATTENDANCE: 94 (mostly students & instructors from MLB Scout School)


WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags: 
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Matt Spencer
Micah Gibbs
Reggie Golden
Zeke DeVoss
Garrett Schlecht
Rafael Lopez
Jeffrey Baez
Jeimer Candelario
AZ Instructional League
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 7:41pm
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Comments

Submitted by chuck
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 8:59am

Good to see Candelario and Baez adjusting to US. thanks for the reports.

Submitted by Hrubes20
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 9:27am

Most definately. I am trying to stave off the Candelerio excitement due to his age, experience, level of competition, etc. But the kid is really making it tough on me with games like this. 2 doubles and a walk from a 17 year old is extremely sexy.

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:22pm

Pedophile!

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 9:24am

How does Spencer look as a pitcher? MLB potential? Who would you say looks like a better pitcher, him or Kyler Burke?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 10:42am

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 8:24am.
How does Spencer look as a pitcher? MLB potential? Who would you say looks like a better pitcher, him or Kyler Burke?

==============================================

K-BANSAW: Matt Spencer looked very good yesterday. He threw strikes and showed a plus-curve.

A couple of the A's instructors remembered him from when he was in the A's organization (he was traded to the Cubs in the Jake Fox deal post-2009) and they gave him a big hug before the game when they found out he was converting to pitcher.

Kyler Burke is definitely the better pitching prospect of the two. He's 23 going on 24 (Spencer is 25 going on 26) and was a legitimate LHP prospect in HS (some scouts had him rated higher as a pitcher than as a hitter).

Burke throws 94 with a solid change-up and curve, and if he can develop some stamina he could possibly even be a rotation starter. At the very least he should be a good LHRP (like Gaub-Maine-Beliveau) as he gains more experience on the mound.

One thing to keep in mind about Burke is that he is eligible to be a Six-Year Minor League FA post-2012, so the Cubs will have to evaluate him very carefully next season and decide if they should add him to the 40-man roster him by the 11/20 deadline (even if he hasn't progressed above Daytona) or else let him walk away as a FA. My guess is he will be added to the Cubs 40-man roster post-2012.

Spencer benefits from making his transition to LHP in Instructs (Burke made his move at Extended Spring Training) so he will be able to be a pitcher from the start of Minor League Camp next year. Spencer probably projects as a LHRP, and a good comp (at this point) might be Luke Sommer (an OF converted to LHRP by the Cubs in 2008 who made it all the way to AAA before getting released this season).

The Cubs are a bit short in LHRP below Iowa, so Burke and/or Spencer could get promoted very quickly next season if they show they have mastered a given level.

I expect Burke to begin the 2012 season at Peoria (although Daytona is a possibility) and Spencer to begin the season at Extended Spring Training, with one or two in-season promotions possible for both.

Burke needs to rack up innings, so starting or piggy-backing at Peoria is the fastest way to do that, although ideally he would get to Daytona by mid-season, even if he has been moved to the bullpen by that time.

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 2:50pm

Thanks as always, AZ Phil!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 11:54am

AZ Phil,

How did the Cubs pitchers handle the spotty defense behind them? Are you firmly in the DeVoss is going to have to play outfield camp now? It seemed like they had him playing mostly 2B this year.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:42pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 10:54am.
AZ Phil,

How did the Cubs pitchers handle the spotty defense behind them? Are you firmly in the DeVoss is going to have to play outfield camp now? It seemed like they had him playing mostly 2B this year.

===================================

REAL NEAL: All three of the DeVoss errors happened over the course of two innings with Jose Rosario on the mound. Other than extending his innings, making him throw more pitches, and allowing two runs to score that otherwise would not have scored, I doubt that Rosario cared. And he probably wasn't too surprised, either, since Rosario and DeVoss were teammates at Boise this season.

As for DeVoss, he is just a terrible second-baseman. I understand that he has more value at 2B than he would playing LF or CF, but he has no aptitude for 2B.

On the other hand, Rubi Silva (the other 2B-OF at Instructs) CAN play 2B.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:51pm

Good to know. It seems like your original assesment was "pattersonesque" at second, and six weeks haven't seemed to change that much. Too bad.

Any idea about his arm as a centerfielder?

Silva seems interesting. He's a LH hitter, right? It doesn't seem like Latin America in general produces very many lefty-righty hitter-throwers.

Thanks as always.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:11pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:51pm.
Good to know. It seems like your original assesment was "pattersonesque" at second, and six weeks haven't seemed to change that much. Too bad.

Any idea about his arm as a centerfielder?

Silva seems interesting. He's a LH hitter, right? It doesn't seem like Latin America in general produces very many lefty-righty hitter-throwers.

Thanks as always.

========================================

REAL NEAL: DeVoss has a LF arm that could play in CF because of his plus-speed. He's played both LF and CF (in addition to 2B) at Instructs, and he looks best in LF.

Rubi Silva is indeed a LH hitter, and he was member of the Cuban Junior National Team as a teenager and played for Havana in the Serie Nacional (Cuban major league) prior to defecting with teammate Yaniel Cabezas. And then the Cubs gave him a $1M bonus to sign.

BTW, at one point in today's game, the pitcher (Del Valle), the catcher (Cabezas), and the 2B (Silva) were all Cuban defectors. I did not see Fidel in the crowd, however.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 1:48pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects...

14th at 349-342 between 6 affiliates

As one would expect, organizations with six affiliates (.504 winning percentage, 22 orgs) outperformed those that had to spread players over seven farm clubs (.490, eight orgs). The Blue Jays and Diamondbacks added additional rookie clubs for 2011, giving the seven affiliates, to join with the Astros, Cardinals, Mariners, Mets, Rays and Royals in the lucky seven club.

historical records
http://wiklifield.thecubreporter.com/Cubs_Org...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 1:52pm

MettaWorldPeace aka Ron Artest just tweeted, "Yay, No lock out"

http://twitter.com/MettaWorldPeace/status/121...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 1:59pm

Casual NBA fans all over the metta world just yawned.

Starting the season around Jan 1 would have been fine with me.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:57pm

and apparently he was just fucking around...

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:37pm

You believed that idiot?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:39pm

I turned off my BS filter for a minute there.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 2:09pm

Matt Garza's "replacement" going for the Rays, down 2-1 in the top of the 4th. Make that 3-1 on Beltre's 2nd solo HR of the game.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:53pm

3 outs from Friedman being able to take the Cubs job.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:05pm

with the season on the line, Rays go with Fuld to start the 9th and K's looking.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:10pm

followed by a Rodriguez BB and Kotchman single to bring him in. Tying run on with 1 out.

Fun times.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 2:32pm

AFL starts today, LeMahieu at 3B batting 4th, Vitters at 1B batting 5th, Lake DH'ing and batting 7th

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2010/index.js...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:26pm

in their 2nd AB's, LeMahieu BB'd and Vitters hit a 3-run HR

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:28pm

Keith Law at the game: "Of course, it was on a first pitch fastball."

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:31pm

He should have taken it for a strike, that would make him a better prospect.

Submitted by W Flag
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:59pm

+1

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:19pm

you can't doubt Vitters bat speed, hits another HR on the first pitch...2-run shot with LeMahieu on 1st after being HBP

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:39pm

Lake 0/2, 1 R with a BB and K so far
Hatley went 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:44pm

Good that Lake got his weekly BB out of the way in the first game...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 4:55pm

Lame-hue worked a BB on a ton of pitches, took 2nd on a PB and then got thrown out at 3B on a grounder by Vitters to the SS.

#readyfortheCubs

Submitted by Charlie
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:07pm

Hopefully he's got it in his head to add some patience to his offensive arsenal. And hopefully power will follow, since he's apparently a 3B now.

Submitted by Jace
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:10pm

While we're hoping, let's hope that he learns not to try to advance to third on a grounder in front of him...

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:21pm

screw you guys, i'm hoping for 40+ HR power production and a pony.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 7:58am

+1

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:27pm

dodgers decline $6m option on the cubs future 3rd baseman casey blake =p

the cubs/blake part isn't true, but it very well could be in a few months.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 11:20pm

I think Blake would have been appealing to Hendry. Hopefully our next GM thinks otherwise.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:29pm

...and they're doing the wave in TB.

i would be facepalm, but at least there's enough people to actually do it...i guess. woo casuals.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:43pm

Speaking of throwing fastballs to hitters. Maybe they should have quit pitching to Beltre.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:45pm

http://youtu.be/NpkVJTXJ5xw

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 3:51pm

lol.

that was more inspiring than a toddler stuck in a well.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:25pm

to interview Epstein

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/...

Red Sox meeting this afternoon on how to respond

on that note
@NotTomRicketts Etiquette question: Does one wait a day to call a GM that just lost a playoff series? Asking for a friend.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:44pm

my offseason wish list:

a $5 million GM, a $5m manager, a new $2m hitting coach, c.pena 1st, j.garland SP, lemahieu at 3rd, jd drew RF, k.wood 10yr contract

...actually, i wouldn't mind drew...as long as he had r.johnson or someone else around to make the duo actually worth something. drew's not much of a RF'r anymore, though...or healthy much, ever =p

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:47pm

I am pretty sure the cubs won't pay any GM twice as much as the current highest salaried one, but you and Dave Cameron agree on something, so that's cool.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:52pm

fine...$2m and ownership stake...that's what all the kids are doing nowadays.

beane innovated it, boo-urns got him some in ARZ, and so it goes...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 6:32am

The ownership stake for a cash poor team (like the A's allegedly were) makes a lot of sense. It's pretty rare that any $2 million salaried top executive, isn't offered an ownership stake (usually in the form of stock or stock options) across all industries. Sort of odd that baseball hasn't seen more of it.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:39pm

Who will answer the siren's call?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:56pm

Trying to barehand a squirrel down the third base stands...smart.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 5:56pm

f'n morans.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:27pm

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/705...

Ricketts also has made a commitment to player development, and he indicated that he won't just spend, spend, spend to bring the Cubs a title.

"I think that's out the window at this point," Ricketts said, according to FBN. "Traditionally, teams that have a little bit more financial resources may be more consistent at getting to the playoffs but once you're there anything can happen and there's a good mix this year."

also more on Epstein from Levine
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:46pm

all kinds of "if they want Epstein, they have to take Lackey" jokes out there

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:26pm

http://twitter.com/John_W_Henry

some tweets about Theo and Ben briefing him on manager search if anyone cares to read into that

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:44pm

4/4 today

#not_a_typo

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:15pm

C'mon...you're pullin' our legs!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 8:02am

Did any of them go more than 150 feet?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 12:17pm

The two that I remember was a swinging bunt down the third base line they let roll to a stop, and a opposite field bloopish liner.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 12:53pm

Therotian

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:07pm

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...

Vitters says he'll be working on corner infield and corner outfield positions in AFL.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:11pm

i hope he has the arm/accuracy for RF...otherwise...sigh.

Submitted by Charlie
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:37pm

Hope he's working on 25 HRs a year and getting on base 33% of the time, too.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:51pm

Yet, with a chance to keep the 9th alive, and the tying run on base, Theriot dribbles 4-3 to end the game.

There IS justice in the world.

Go Phils!

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:52pm

Man, rough day for Zych today, eh PHIL?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 7:57pm

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:52pm.
Man, rough day for Zych today, eh PHIL?

=====================================

E-MAN: Zych did strike out the side (eventually), but 3B Jeimer Candelario made an error that extended the 9th inning and made all of the runs unearned when Zych surrendered a two-out two-run triple.

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