Our Stud's Better Than Your Stud

 

A betting man would have to like the Omaha Storm Chasers to successfully defend their title in the American North Division of the Pacific Coast League this year. The stretch drive of the season may be reminiscent of Secretariat’s in the Belmont Stakes. But just who are those also-rans way up the track behind the young Royals? Why, besides the I-Cubs it’s the young Cardinals and young Brewers! I like the affiliations of not only my hometown team but also their divisional opponents.


Who cares, one might ask, how our prospects stack up against the Royals’? St. Louis and Milwaukee are more immediate battlefronts than Kansas City. So, any clogs in those pipelines?

Whereas the Cubs’ system is lacking in high-end pitching prospects, both the Cardinals and Brewers feature starting pitchers as their crème de la crème and both Shelby Miller (STL) and Wily Peralta (MIL) have had sour seasons thus far.

As pleased and relieved as the Cardinals must be about the emergence of Lance Lynn, who this time a year ago was toiling in Memphis while Chris Carpenter was still going strong in St. Louis, they might be a little chagrined about Miller’s struggles so far in the PCL. In 2011, he was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. Rick Ankiel was the last to accomplish that feat.

But  he’s recently been given a no-shake edict, meaning he’s to throw whatever pitch he’s told, and the organization’s pitching coordinator was dispatched to work directly with Miller in hopes of improving on his stat line which includes warts like a 6.00 ERA, 82 hits in 66 IP and a .306 BAA. 

In Nashville the touted Peralta has been similarly roughed up. He was originally signed by the Brewers as an outfielder in 2005 before being converted to pitcher. He had his Tommy John circumcision in 2007 so that’s out of the way. But he’s struggling at 2-8 with an ERA and other peripherals almost as stratospheric as Miller’s. Peralta’s built along the lines of Fartolo (typo intended) Colon at 6’2” and 240. 

So while the prime prospects of two of their NL Central rivals are scuffling at Triple A the Cubs are rearranging the deck chairs in their lineup to make room for their own. They may be short on topflight arms but they appear to have at least one bat riding to the rescue. Looks like he may arrive any day now.

Tags: 
Iowa Cubs update
Submitted by Mike Wellman on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 12:29pm
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 1:16pm

Jacob Turner shutting out Cardinals through 4 innings.

They're certainly not gonna move him if he comes out of the gate pitching well.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 2:21pm

Well they won't be too excited about 5 walks in 5 innings. They should trade him for Dempster. He'll clearly never throw strikes in the big leagues.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 4:31pm

it hasn't been much of an issue until this season.

you'd probably need a garza type to get the guy, anyway. he's much loved in their system...well, was up until this season...no idea how they feel since he starting losing a touch of his control.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 2:10pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Jae-Hoon Ha only Cub representative in 2012 Futures Game.

past Cubs that played...
http://wiklifield.thecubreporter.com/Cubs_tha...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 4:30pm

i love fernando tatis...so much...

http://deadspin.com/5918919/fernando-tatis-ha...

also, i love the power glove...it's so bad.

Submitted by rokfish
on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:06pm

So do we do cartwheels when we get rid of Baker when Rizzo comes up or
is it oh well nice to see you Adrian Cardenas,welcome back to Iowa.

Submitted by George Altman
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:21am

Oh, come on! How do you get rid of 'Bake'?

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 10:55am

my guess is that, assuming no surprise trade happens in between, either Valbuena or Cardenas go down, so they can get consistent AB's, and Baker gets kept around as a "time-share" (not a platoon, though) guy with LaHair in RF.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:31am

Valbuena's out of options.

Interesting that he comes up and gets regular pt, while Cardenas sits.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 12:51pm

One of those eternal baseball mysteries that is solved the minute you invoke the concept, "glove."

At SS in the minors, Valbuena's FP is .975, while Cardenas is at .945.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:06am

from Thursdays milb cub activity: Note J Lake played 3B, Torreyes flashes some extra base hits and H Simpson actually had a really good outing.

CHC AA Lake, Junior 3B 5 1 4 0 .318 2B (8), SB (7)

CHC AAA Vitters, Josh 3B 4 1 1 1 .280 HR (11)

CHC HiA Torreyes, Ronald 2B 4 2 2 1 .227 2B (10), HR (2), BB (15)

CHC SS Candelario, Jeimer 3B 4 1 3 2 .357 HR (2), BB (2)

CHC SS Simpson, Hayden 4 1 1 0 1 7 3.00 W (1-0)

Submitted by springs
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:14pm

Simpson did almost get the loss though....gave up the go ahead run in top of 9th, Boise Hawks scored two (with Candelario getting his third hit for the tying run) in the bottom half.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:20pm

Nicholas Struck (6 IP, 7SO, 2BB, 2H, 1ER) and Austin Kirk (7 IP, 3SO, 2BB, 4H, 0ER) had nice days as well.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:07am

Kevin Goldstein on Kyler Burke in the MW league all star game:

Cubs left-hander Kyler Burke was a story for becoming the first player to make the league's All-Star game as both a position player and a pitcher. The former toolsy outfielder has a 2.31 ERA as a left-handed starter for Low-A Peoria, but he was hammered on Tuesday, and retired just two of the eight batters he faced while never getting out of the upper-80s with his fastball. As a 24-year-old in Low-A, he's already a long shot, and there wasn't much in this game to provide any room for optimism.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:09am

and Goldstein brief comments on J Candelario:

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI. Challenged with assignment to Northwest League as an 18-year-old and responding; .292/.320/.458 in six games.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 11:20am

If only to hear people whine about him the way they do about Castro, expecting a guy who has had little time playing in the minors to play like he's had lots of time receiving instruction in the minors.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:28pm

Dear Goldstein,

Every Cubs questions ever.

Sincerely,

Cubs fan twitter user

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 2:32pm

Fukudome designated for assignment by the White Sox.

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:22pm

He wasn't quite Ichiro, was he?

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:52pm

Who was the Japanese MLB player who had anal fissures ?

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 4:02pm

kaz matsui...around the same time felix pie had his testicular torsion

...a very tainted year.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 4:07pm

You can hear an audible groin from the crowd

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 8:32pm

*high five*

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:00pm

Several of the rehab guys who pitched well over the first two AZL Cubs games have been moved up

LHP Zac Rosscup (!.1 IP with four strikeouts Wednesday night) and Su-Min Jung (three shutout inings of one-hit ball with three K's last night) go to Boise, and Zach Cates (3.1 IP allowing one run on four hits, a walk, and two HBP with five strikeouts Wednesday night) goes to Peoria.

SM Jung's outing last night was especially noteworthy, because he was probably on the verge of getting released about a month ago (absolutely could not throw his fastball for strikes) after walking nine and hitting two batters in 1.2 IP (6.60 WHIP - 27.00 ERA - .286 OpBA) in EXST games.

But he has worked hard to overcome the mental block, doing so while throwing mainly in Fitch Park "sim" games and a couple of intrasquad games over recent weeks.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:53pm

Hendry' kid playing ball

http://m.deadspin.com/5920621/if-you-are-a-ca...

/cheap shot I know

Submitted by Newport
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 4:20pm

Coincidence? The Rangers DFA'd Mark Hamburger today.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 4:49pm

Bill Murray: Baseball's Best Boss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNKh6QrRxoY

murray cubs-love included...

Submitted by springs
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 7:41pm

Daytona's Frank Del Valle, goes 6 innings and, other than 2 HBP, is perfect with 11 k. This being the minor leagues where development is more important, he was replaced in the 7th.

Other than he came from Cuba, I don't know much about Del Valle's stuff. He's had a decent season (ERA slightly above 4), but nothing approaching anywhere near his performance in this game.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 8:53pm

Kevin Goldstein‏@Kevin_Goldstein
not a big prospect. “@OffAirOnPoint: @Kevin_Goldstein Frank Del Valle having good night for Daytona, what u know about him?”

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:34pm

AZ Phil,

What's the story on Scott Weismann and Luis Liria, who look to be having very good seasons out of the pen at Daytona and Peoria, respectively?

Thanks!

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:10am

I'm sure AzPhil can provide a lot more info, but Weismann was a former Clemson closer whose fastball is in the low 90's and has a slider.

I had high hopes for Liria entering the year. Last year, there were some reports of him topping out mid-90's (granted, sitting more low-mid 90's), with a decent-solid breaking ball (want to say slider off the top), and a usable-decent change. I was really intrigued with him as a possible starter, but they've had him in the pen, and the reports on velo this year are more 89-92, I believe, and the command issues are still there. (as a side note, that whole Latin American grouping of Cruz, Liria, Peralta, Paulino have largely been disappointing so far ... but they are still young enough, particularly Paulino. Here's hoping Arias doesn't run into problems, and Rosario somehow develops (still think he's probably a pen arm long run).

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 11:38pm

I can't believe a team with Jeff Baker batting 4th had 1 run!!!!!!
WTf?!?!?

/drunk
// but not that drunk

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:11am

I can't believe Sveum kept his lefty lineup despite a righty starting at the last minute.

/drunk Sveum

At least Soto is starting to hit

Submitted by tem99
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 8:57am

And if Soto can go on a streak here he might be able to bring something halfway decent in return before the trading deadline. Not that I've looked to see if anyone really needs a catcher.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:26am

Soto>>>> Castillo

Just saying.

Submitted by rokfish
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:30am

Baker = failure
The most important at bat in game when it was still a game ,it was the 4 hole and we have Baker there.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:31am

Wells = L

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 7:59am

some of Kevin Goldstein's notes on minor leaguers...

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 3-for-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB. Home runs in back-to-back games and 17 total bases in seven games as a 18-year-old in college-heavy league.

Junior Lake, SS/3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 4-for-5, 2B, R, K, SB. Scouts have noted big progress offensively; 17-for-41 in last ten games and .318/.370/.480 overall.

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-for-5, 2B, R, K, SB. Hitting .303 with 10 stolen bases in June; .249/.316/.319 overall, so need to stay hot.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Submitted by springs
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:18pm

Candelario homers again...back to back to back games.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:50pm

That power potential seems to becoming less projection and more reality--or at least he's showing a flash of it this week.

Submitted by springs
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 3:06pm

He also homered to opposite field on Thursday and pulled one yesterday (not sure of Wednesday). I believe all three were hitting lefty, so it will be interesting to see if he is as consistent as a righty.

The other Boise Hawks of note:

Dong Yub-Kim (I am a big fan, so he is first) has been inconsistent, but has hit some hard outs (I have been watching a few games online). Looks like he is getting better, but still strikes out often.

Rock Shoulders: Showing a good eye at bad pitches, but missing some good ones. 32 plate appearances, 11 K and 10 BB (next highest number of walks on the team is 3) ]...and 4 hits (with a HR and a 2b).

Gioskar Amaya: Went 4 for 5 last night to raise his average to .375 (12 for 32). He may be one to watch for 2b.

Shawon Dunston Jr.: Hasn't done too much yet, 5 for 24 with a double, 3K, 2 BB and a CS.

Jose Arias: The opening day pitcher and he has done pretty well. 8 IP, 9 H, 2 runs (1 earned), 3K and 0 BB.

Taylor Scott: Dominated in his first game, struggled some last night. Looks like he has some issues being consistent with delivery at times. 8.2 IP, 7 H, 4 runs (3 earned), 6K and 4BB.

Rafael Diplan: Has come in as long reliever in three games and been dominant. 9 IP, 2 H, 0 runs, 10K and 4BB.

Willengton Cruz: He is someone I've been watching since 2010, when he pitched at DSL and had a 1.90 ERA with 52 IP and only 25 H and 59 K (but with 32 BB). He struggled quite a bit at Peoria earlier this year, but was strong in his first start at Boise (5 IP, 3 H, 1 unearned run, 6 K and 2 BB).

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 3:40pm

One of Candelario's homers was batting right handed.

http://www.minorleaguecentral.com/player.php?...

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 7:38pm

Jeimer Candelario hits OK RH, but he really mashes the ball when hitting LH.

Kind of similar to Lance Berkman in that respect.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 9:34am

So who gets bounced from the 25 man roster if Rizzo comes up on Monday?

Does Campana or Cardenas head back to Iowa? Is Baker given his walking papers? Or will Soriano finally be traded?

Submitted by George Altman
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 10:04am

If I were a betting man - Cardenas optioned to Iowa

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:25am

Ian Stewart is back later in the week too. So that's another spot.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 11:32am

Ugh.

Valbuena >>> Stewart

Just sayin'

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 1:42pm

Ian Stewart is back later in the week too. So that's another spot.
---
Stewart may be eligible to come off the DL around June 28th (he went on the DL Wed evening 6-13 but it might have been made official on the 14th) but I doubt he'll be ready then. He got his wrist cortisone injection, for the diagnosis of Dorsal Wrist Impingement, Monday 6-18 and they usually let that take effect for 2 weeks (July 2nd) before any serious activity will resume. I'd expect him to need a brief rehab stint to test the wrist out before he returns. At best, it makes sense to think he'll return after the All Star break. If he's not back by then, I'm pretty sure he will agree to the wrist arthroscopic surgery which probably ends his season (or a brief end of September test of his wrist).

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 2:17pm

Thanks Doc.

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