Cubs Pitching & Defense Frustrates A's at Fitch Park

Micah Gibbs ripped a solo home run and an RBI single, Danny Lockhart had three hits including an RBI double, and six pitchers combined to throw a five-hit shutout, as the Cubs whitewashed the Athletics 6-0 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.  



20-year old RHP Ian Dickson (Cubs 2011 35th round draft pick out of Lafayette College) made his pro debut today, getting the start and throwing one inning. Dickson pitched-around a first-pitch lead-off double, retiring the next three A’s hitters on a strikeout (swinging) and two 6-3 GO. Dickson missed the 2011 college baseball season after suffering a torn ACL in 2010, but Cubs scouts apparently had seen enough of him in previous years to offer him a contract at the 8/15 deadline once he proved he was 100%.


Besides the Gibbs HR and Lockhart’s three hits, today’s game featured two excellent defensive plays by Cubs players.


Reggie Golden showed-off his plus arm, making an outstanding pinpoint throw from CF to nail an A’s runner trying to score from 2nd base on a line-drive single to CF with two outs in the top of the 2nd inning, and 2B Rubi Silva made a terrific turn on a 6-4-3 DP in the 5th.


Although he played mostly OF this past season at Peoria and Daytona, Silva looks very comfortable at 2B, making four other nice plays on grounders to retire A’s hitters today (each play harder than the previous one), and showing off his plus-arm on two of them. Scouts in attendance were impressed (and apparently surprised) with Silva’s play-making skills at 2B.


While Cubs 2011 3rd round draft pick 2B-LF Zeke DeVoss (U. of Miami) is probably better-suited to play LF, it would appear that Silva does have the skills required to play 2B. So don’t be surprised if the Daytona Cubs 2012 Opening Day lineup features Rubi Silva at 2B.


Silva played for the Cuban Junior National Team and then later for Havana in Serie Nacional (the Cuban major league) prior to defecting, and received a reported $1M bonus when he signed with the Cubs last December.


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


LINEUP:
1. Rubi Silva, 2B-DH: 0-4 (1-3, K, 3-U, 4-3)
2. Danny Lockhart, SS-2B: 3-4 (1B, K, 2B, 1B, R, RBI)
3a. Rafael Lopez, C: 1-2 (1B, 5-3)
3b. Alberto Mineo, PH: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
3c. Mark Malave, C: 0-1 (K)
4. Reggie Golden, CF: 0-3 (K, 1-3, 6-3, BB, R)
5. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (K, 1B, 3-1, 1B, 2 R)
6. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 1-4 (1B, K, F-7, 4-3)
7. Micah Gibbs, DH #1: 2-3 (HBP, HR, 4-3, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
8a. Yaniel Cabezas, DH #2: 0-3 (6-3, 6-3, 5-3)
8b. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-1 (4-3)
9. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 0-3 (1-3, 1-3, K)
10. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 0-2 (K, BB, L-5, R)


PITCHERS:
1. Ian Dickson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 24 pitches (16 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
2. Frank Del Valle: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 BALK, 30 pitches (18 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Dustin Fitzgerald: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 GIDP, 25 pitches (12 strikes), 5/0 GO/FO
4. Austin Reed: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 21 pitches (11 strikes), 3/3 GO/FO
5. Luis Liria: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 9 pitches (5 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
6. Andrew McKirahan: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 16 pitches (11 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO


ERRORS: NONE


CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Rafael Lopez: 0-2 CS


OUTFIELD ASSIST
CF Reggie Golden threw out base-runner 8-2 trying to score from 2nd base on a line drive single to CF


ATTENDANCE: 18 (mostly scouts)


WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags: 
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Micah Gibbs
Reggie Golden
Rubi Silva
Ian Dickson
Danny Lockhart
AZ Instructional League
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 6:35pm
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Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 7:12pm

My favorite time of the year (since the Cubs usually suck) -- AZ Phil Post Time.

Seems like every time I read one of these posts so far this year there's some guy I've never heard of who has signed a huge bonus. I guess Ricketts is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to player development.

I've always kinda wondered what would happen if a team focused on pouring massive amounts of money into player development as opposed to free agency. Instead of signing the Carl Crawfords of the world for $100 mil or whatever it was, pour that money into signing these Latin kids.

Things could get interesting in a few years if I'm still alive to see it. Cough cough.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 7:51pm

Maddon names Matt Moore Game 1 starter, Shields for Game 2

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:47pm

Speaking of Moore, anybody know how an 8th rounder in 2007 becomes the most promising young lefty in the league in 2011? Not only the Cubs, but every other team including the Rays found other players to draft in the first seven rounds.

If you look at Moore's numbers, he's been great at every level since he was 19. It's not like they had to teach him something.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:00pm

only a $115K signing bonus too

seems like they pretty much just got lucky, command was his big issue but has steadily improved year after year.

http://mlbdirt.com/2011/08/09/moore-than-ready/

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:16pm

another writeup mentioning his mechanics and how they improved

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/9/30/2460107/mat...

nonetheless, certainly a lot of teams missed out on his ceiling. I wonder what he was throwing in high school? Command and mechanics issues aside, mid 90's fastballs get drafted in the upper 3-4 rounds regardless in most cases and judging by his signing bonus, college wasn't much of a factor.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:14pm

Plus he's a lefty, that should have gotten him drafted before the end of the supplmental round... who knows though? Ryne Sandberg got drafted late because his brother went to college.

It's also possible his mechanical problems may have resulted in missing velocity as well as control.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 6:19pm

fwiw, Keith Law says on twitter that Moore was smaller at time of draft and didn't have the arm speed.

He seemed to be listed at 6'2" at the draft and that's what he's listed at now.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 8:40pm

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/2010-11...

Pena and Ramirez Type B's, although Ramirez pretty close to Type A

Dempster a Type A, Wood a Type B

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 8:47pm

Rob- how do MLB devise the ratings ?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:15am

It's in the CBA, but I think a healthy dose of Vodka is involved too.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/10/stats-u...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 6:30am

So Aram is type b because his numbers not as good as 1b fa and/or fielding % and time on dl ?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 9:31am

A combination of the missed playing time, and that he doesn't get to as many balls as Placido Polanco or Brandon Phillips while playing third.

I commented the other day how his latest injury probably killed his chances. It looked like he was too far out to make up the ground as of Sept 14th but these rankings (I think)
are weighted, so because he was having a good season this year, he was bearing down on type A (moved up five slots, despite missing time).

The really really really stupid thing is grouping center fielders with DH's and 1st basemen.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:18am

How Ramirez is not a type A is a mystery to me. There are a number of guys who are much less valuable than him who appear to have reached type A status.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:48am

Over the last two seasons.

Ramirez
PA 1133 AVG .277 OBP .320, HR 51, RBI 176, Fielding percentage 94.6%, Total chances 560

Polanco
PA 1125 AVG .288 OBP .323, HR 11, RBI 102, Fielding percentage 98.3%, Total chances 749

Polanco is the better player, obviously. Fangraphs has it Polanco 6.7 and Ramirez 4.0 over the last two years... I think a lot of us are forgetting how crappy Aram was last year.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:02pm

Actually, I was thinking of Jeff Keppinger, Neil Walker, and Omar Infante (BABIP much?), all Type As. I've also been marveling at how Chase Headley could come up one slot ahead of Ramirez in the B rankings.

But none of these guys are free agents this year anyway. It just raises questions about the rankings for me.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:08pm

If you compare middle infielders to banged up 3rd basemen using things like PA's and total chances, it's going to give you some funny results. I'd take Walker over Ramirez in a heartbeat, fwiw.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:45pm

I assume you mean at current price levels?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:15pm

Current price, defense, age, handedness... if you want HR's though, Aram is better.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:39pm

Definitely a tale of Two A-Rams last season:
2010
1st half: .207/.268/.380, 10HR, 32 RBI
2nd Half: .276.321/.562, 15 HR, 51 RBI

Ramirez OPS+ in 2010 95, in 2011 136
Polanco OPS+ in 2010 94, in 2011 85

Polanco is a better fielder, but really produces like a middle infielder.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:48pm

Agreed,

The Aramis hate is a combination of sour grapes and revisionist history at this point. He's in the top 5-7 overall group for 3rd basemen in baseball over the last 10 years.

Arod
Rolen
Wright
Chipper
Aramis
Lowell
Beltre

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:14pm

important things to remember

a) not official yet
b) they group the positions as if they are mentally challenged
c) it's 2 years worth of stats

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:19pm

I think b.) is the most obvious complaint to make. The fact that no one seems to be doing anything to remedy it is the annoying part.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 10:54pm

is it march yet? :(

at least there's playoffs left...wish it was a WBC year...wish MLB network would telecast fall/winter local and international games...i don't even care if they don't have a pbp announcer...wood bat baseball woo.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:18am

Do the winter league games get broadcasted locally?

There should be some team USA games as well.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:34am

hell, team USA is local to me and they don't broadcast games.

well, they have a few times, but rarely once the durham bulls are done (they share a stadium). they pack up things for the year after the playoffs (if applicable...which, being the durham bulls it usually is). this year they started showing the games in HD, too...kinda cool.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 9:32am

That is pretty cool. I don't think I've seen minor league games broadcast locally with any regularity since Bo Jackson graduated from AA.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:55am

didn't they start showing the occasional AFL game last year? And I believe they started showing some of the winter ball games as well on MLB Network. I don't recall how consistently though.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 9:30am

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:55am.
didn't they start showing the occasional AFL game last year? And I believe they started showing some of the winter ball games as well on MLB Network. I don't recall how consistently though.

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

ROB G: Yes.

The MLB network did broadcast some AFL games last year, and they also showed the Carribean Series in January.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:26am

f'n hell...we're going to have to hear about this crap being the next chicago suit for the next few weeks, too, i'd imagine...

"According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosnethal, the Red Sox are expected to part ways Friday with manager Terry Francona."

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:32am

sweet, the next Cubs manager

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 6:25am

Sox rumored interest
Theo Cub rumor also picinkg up steam

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:40am

Red Sox fans say Theo Epstein is the number one reason for the September collapse

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

Lackey second
Crawford third
injuries fourth

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:18am

Good, run them both out of town.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:40am

shit, they haven't won a World Series in 4 seasons, run him out.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:32pm

Well, Epstein is largely responsible for reasons #2 and #3. And Epstein's inability to go out and get another pitcher in September was really, really odd to me.

But I still have him in the top 2 or 3 on my wish list.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:35pm

What other pitchers were available in September?

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:37pm

Zambrano?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:38pm

I'm honestly not sure, but I find it hard to believe that there were no pitchers available that would have been better than Lackey and Wakefield.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 8:06am

LaRussa goes to DL...

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_ext...

(rolls eyes)

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 9:40am

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/703...

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:40am

Hey AZ Phil,

How would you describe Gibbs as a hitter? Does he have a slow bat?

Thanks, as always!

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 9:27am

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:40am.
Hey AZ Phil,

How would you describe Gibbs as a hitter? Does he have a slow bat?

Thanks, as always!

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

CHARLIE: Micah Gibbs has the proverbial "slider speed bat," but he also has an upper-cut swing & has improved his strength to where he can probably at least hit a few home runs. He already is a very good defensive catcher, so anything he can do to make himself more-valuable as a hitter would help improve his chances of making it to the big leagues.

While you would want a fast runner (like Tony Campana) to try and hit the ball on the ground as much as possible to take advantage of his speed, it is preferable for slow-footed catchers like Micah Gibbs to hit the ball in the air, and (if possible) have the power to hit home runs (if not line-drives).

BTW, with Luis Flores on the Restricted List (serving a PED suspension) for at least the first month of the 2012 regular season, it is very possible that Micah Gibbs could start the 2012 season at AA Tennessee (sharing the catching duties with Michael Brenly), at least until Flores is reinstated.

Best comp for Micah Gibbs is Koyie Hill.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 11:45am

Best comp for Micah Gibbs is Koyie Hill.

Ouch.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:52am

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/...

A day later in Chicago, the question became the same one uttered by a player amid the din that night: ‘‘You think [Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein] would leave to come here?’’

If the answer is yes — and one report Thursday suggested he has told friends he would ‘‘embrace the challenge’’ — the next sound could be the cheering coming from the Cubs’ boardroom.

Epstein has a 2012 option that has to be exercised by Oct. 8th

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:10pm

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

I think they fucked this up though, they said players originally drafted or signed, but not those that are past 6 years service time, but their Phillies blurb indicates Utley and Rollins did count.

I asked the dude on twitter if I'm missing something, but here were his rankings regardless

1. Rays (duh) - 28.1 WAR
2. Phillies
3. Brewers
4. Tigers
5. Rangers
6. DBacks
7. Yankees
8. Cardinals - 10.8 WAR

Cubs for 2011 (if I did this right): 5.1 from their hitters, 4.2 from pitching

9.3 WAR

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:17pm

and I was right at least on Utley and Rollins, can't be sure about whom else he may have missed

But that would knock them to 16.7 WAR and just barely ahead of Tigers

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:28pm

Suspect that will be higher in 2012 and probably 2013.

Soto, Castro, Barney, Jackson, Colvin, Campana, LeMahieu, Flaherty, Marwin Gonzalez, Vitters, Marquez Smith, Clevenger, Castillo. 13 position players.

Marmol, Marshall, Cashner, Wells, Carpenter, Russell, Mateo, Samardzija, Dolis, Cabrera, McNutt, Struck, Whitenack. 13 Pitchers.

Would it be a shock to see 12-15 of these 26 names on the MLB roster and contributing positively (if not extraordinarily) by 2013? And, I believe, these are all guys originally drafted or signed out of Latin America by the Cubs. I suppose we could toss Ha, Rhee, and maybe one of the other Pacific Rim pitchers in their, too.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:36pm

more like Soto, Castro and ?

I'd say Brett Jackson probably has the best chance of making an impact.

Campana as a 5th OF isn't bad and probably Clevenger as a backup. I'm probably just wishcasting that Barney isn't in the lineup and if he isn't that likely means Flaherty or LeMahieu, but the rest are all who the fuck know's at this point.

fwiw, the bulk of the 9.3 from above came from Castro(2.2), Soto(1.8), Campana(1.4), Barney(1.0), Marshall (2.5), Samardzija (1.1), Marmol (0.9), Wells (0.5)

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:51pm

Campana(1.4)

LOL, if we could just figure out a place in the lineup and field where he didn't have to hit or throw, he'd be a heckuva player.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:10pm

I'd like to see him get more than sporadic as hell playing time to see if he can get on base enough to be a weapon.
Lol..I mean, I guess he'd prove himself to be a reserve guy, but geting a couple starts every 3 weeks is no way to evaluate a player is it?

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:17pm

Have you watched him swing the bat, though? He's just got very little going for him as a hitter. If he could learn to be an effective punch-and-judy slap hitter he'd be a fringe starter, but he's a guy who doesn't walk, k's too much, and barely has the power to hit the ball to medium-depth outfield.

He's got to learn to walk more or make more contact. A little weight in his shoulders and his forearms might actually help him control the bat a little more.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:29pm

I agree Charlie. Absolutely. My point was just that I'd like to see how he does with 200-300 at bats of regular PT. Hell...it's not like the Cubs are going anywhere in 2012.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:29pm

certainly not if Tony Campana is getting 200-300 PA's.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:49pm

Meh..I'd rather see him full time, than Marlon Byrd. Fewer barely league average vets over 30 please.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:33pm

The problem is that there's no league adjustment required for him.

"Here's a 90 MPH fastball, right down the middle, do your worst."

Walks aren't totally a function of pitcher respect, but they've got to respect you a little.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:51pm

Good point TRN. I don't really think he'd be that great....just saying, I hate to write him off by judging his ultra-sporadic playing time this season.
I guess I'm really hoping for:
LF:Soriano/LaHair platoon
CF:BJax
RF:Byrd/FA Outfielder
Bench: Skinny Dick or Byrd, Campana...someone else?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:54pm

write him off because he's Tony Campana

are you excited to see Joey Gathright play?

that being said, especially if they keep Soriano around, he's a perfectly adequate 5th OF type

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:02pm

Unless the Cubs sign Fielder and Wilson for next year and make like they're trying to compete, I don't have any problem with sticking him out there for a good chunk of the season, unless he totally implodes. He's fun to watch the 30% of the time he gets on base.

Let's not forget that the Tampa Bays model we're all envious of starts with "get a top 10 pick for 8 years in a row". Campana can help there.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:19pm

I'm totally ok with Campana being the 5th Outfielder/Defensive replacement/Late inning strategic tool on the 2012 Cubs.

He's like the white Ced Landrum/Eric Yelding of years past.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:33pm

"I guess I'm really hoping for:
LF:Soriano/LaHair platoon
CF:BJax
RF:Byrd/FA Outfielder
Bench: Skinny Dick or Byrd, Campana...someone else?"

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:55pm

I see the Cubs filling several starting spots with homegrown talent--Soto, Castro, Cashner, Wells, Jackson, Whoever Plays Second--and then having a steady supply of OK-to-Good minor leaguers to fill in for injured players or occupy the majority of the bench roles--Flaherty, Gonzalez, LeMahieu, Campana, Colvin, Clevenger, Castillo, Smith, etc., etc. And then there is the neverending parade of homegrown relief pitchers, who at some points may make positive contributions.

Campana managed a 1.4 contribution as a bench player this season and Samardzija a 1.1 as a middle reliever. Get a handful of solid performances from minor role players, and then you can stack that on top of whatever you get from Castro, Soto, and ?. I don't see the Cubs reaching 14 without a few homegrown stars, but they could get up to 11 or so.

I'm also guessing that Castro, Soto, Cashner, and maybe Wells will improve on their 2011 contributions. On the other hand, Samardzija and a couple others will probably regress a bit.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:10pm

well I like to imagine a World Series win for the Cubs after I win the lottery.

and then having a steady supply of OK-to-Good minor leaguers to fill in for injured players or occupy the majority of the bench roles

that's been the theory for however long I've been on this blog and then Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker play instead.

but sure, it certainly should improve. We'll see what happens...

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:28pm

and then Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker play instead.

Too true. And there is the turd in my HopefulO's.

I've never understood the need for mid-30's free agent bench warmers when you've got a bunch of guys in the minors who could do the same thing. And I guess I am expecting a new manager to agree and replace Hill, Johnson, Baker, etc., with Clevenger, Colvin/Campana, LeMahieu/Flaherty, etc.

Also, I'm not so far into fantasyland that I'm saying the Cubs will be good simply because they may get another WAR or two from homegrown players in the next couple years. I think you'd better have cheap homegrown players giving you more WARs when you've got Soriano giving you 1.3 WAR in return for $17 million, Zambrano giving you .9 in return for whatever he makes, and then you pay Carlos Silva to go home.

Yes, Tony Campana and Darwin Barney provided more WARs this year than Soriano and Zambrano. That is sad. It also seems like a good reason to go all-in on player development at the cost of long contracts to free agents.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:16pm

Nice list and excellent overall point. I took a look recently and came up with this list of NL Central elite homegrown position players: Votto, Bruce, Stubbs, Fielder, Weeks, Braun, Walker, McCutchen, Pujols, Molina. In this group only Stubbs was drafted as recently as '06, which is where Wilken's timeline begins.

You mentioned Ha. I would say his prospecthood arrow is pointing up with his excellent half-season and playoffs in double-A at age 20.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:29pm

there isn't anything elite about Drew Stubbs except how well he misses pitches

he had an elite season last year, elite player that does not make him.

nothing too elite about Neil Walker, although he's at the right age to be a lot better. Corey Hart is one guy that's certainly been better than both.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:52pm

Yeah...I really liked Stubbs..had him on my minor league reserve for a season, then in my lineup in fantasy baseball. I thought he was going to break out this season....not forget how to hit the damn ball. Ugh...205 K's? He's good defensively, and can steal some bases....but he'll have to get back to 2010 numbers...at least.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:56pm

2010 numbers were quite good for a CF'er and plays really good defense. But that K rate is is alarming for his future...still has age on his side though.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:59pm

Bjax appears to have a very similar skill set.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:06pm

indeed.

Jackson showing more power at an earlier age though with a few more walks. Believe Stubbs was considered a really good defender coming up, Jackson merely adequate at center and Stubbs is supposed to be faster.

Jackson does have the advantage of being a lefty though. I can't say for sure of course, but that should give him a bit of an advantage with the K's and batting average.

Jackson has certainly shown more at a younger age than Stubbs in the minors.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:57pm

I actually like both players quite a bit. Contact is a nice skill to have and all. I just think it fits in under Patience and Power on the Hitting skill totem pole.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:06pm

Stubbs didn't really exhibit much of any of those this year.

I think his 2010 is pretty much what most of us expect out of Jackson.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:35pm

You might be right Neal....if the Cubs CF hits 22 HR/Steals 30 bases, and plays decent defense next season, I don't think anyone would be unhappy.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:48pm

Luckily we can look forward to the 4 WAR season that Hayden Simpson is sure to put up in the near future.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:55pm

Someday he'll hit 90 again. And then, o boy, watch out.

Right now he's on the Mark Pawelek path to stardom. Let's hope he finds an effective detour.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:35pm

It is kinda' silly to ignore players who stayed with teams after free agency eligibility. It is still homegrown talent.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:21pm

Danny "I need a new headshot" Knobler indicates White Sox not willing to pay big money for a manager unless it's Tony LaRussa, so don't expect Francona there.

http://twitter.com/DKnobler

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:55pm

Also, "Epstein more likely to stay and 'fix what's broken'"

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:25pm

Don Baylor taken out of clubhouse on a stretcher

http://twitter.com/Haudricourt/status/1198246...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:01pm

good perspective from Brandon McCarthy that isn't your run-of-the-mill analysis

Hardest thing for Moore will be the fact the Rangers don't strikeout. Can really mess with you mentally when Ks aren't there

http://twitter.com/BMcCarthy32/status/1198483...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:31pm

The Rangers don't strike out when they're not facing strikeout pitchers.

Pineda 17K's in 19 innings
Gonzales 12K's in 10 innings
Hernandez 19K's in 25 innings

That's the three top 10 K/inning guys in their division. Price got 13K's in 14 innings off of them.

I like Moore's chances.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 11:50am

Best comp for Micah Gibbs is Koyie Hill.
------
Doctor, I want a second opinion:

OK...and you're ugly too.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 3:42pm

I take that back.

Gibbs has not (yet) sawed-off his fingers.

Submitted by George Altman
on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 4:34pm

I wonder if the Cubs player development people think of Gibbs as organizational filler. If Quade and his people stick around, they probably think they can trade Soto because they now have a backup for Koyie Hill.

Submitted by Charlie
on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 6:24am

I wonder if the Cubs player development people think of Gibbs as organizational filler.

Probably not yet. Wasn't he the third round pick a year or two ago?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:05pm

3rd round pick of 2010 draft...350K bonus

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