Cub Bats Mostly Silent at Talking Stick

Micah Gibbs tripled and singled, scored a run, and drove-in another, but the Rockies scored five unanswered runs to overcome an early 2-1 deficit and defeated the Cubs 6-2 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick east of Scottsdale.

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


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


PITCHERS:
1. Starling Peralta: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 24 pitches (12 strikes), 2/4 GO/FO
2. Christopher Pieters: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 29 pitches (13 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Alexander Santana: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 32 pitches (17 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
4. Tayler Scott: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 31 pitches (18 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Michael Jensen: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 14 pitches (8 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
6. Tarlandus Mitchell: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 26 pitches (15 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO


ERRORS: 1
C Rafael Lopez - E-2 (overthrow at 2nd base on SB allowed runner to advance to 3rd base)


CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Justin Marra: 0-1 CS, 1 PB
2. Rafael Lopez: 0-3 CS, 1 E (see above)


ATTENDANCE: 24


WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 70’s

Tags: 
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Micah Gibbs
AZ Instructional League
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 10:10pm
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Comments

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:36am

Hope you are having fun watching the future.

Quick Question on Marco Hernandez - BA's write up on him for their AZL list said plus speed and plus arm (along with good range at short). On paper, that seems to suggest potential plus defense at short.

That said, I recall, at some point (can't seem to find it right now), you had questions about his arm and thought that he might end up at 2nd base. I'm just curious about your take on BA's write-up.

Also, what's your take on Marco and Jeimer's power ceilings? And is there a reason Penalver seems to be listed at short every game? I thought he was viewed as a guy who would get PT at short.

Oh, one final question, if I might - how did Starling Peralta's velocity and command look?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:28am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:36am.
Hope you are having fun watching the future.

Quick Question on Marco Hernandez - BA's write up on him for their AZL list said plus speed and plus arm (along with good range at short). On paper, that seems to suggest potential plus defense at short.

That said, I recall, at some point (can't seem to find it right now), you had questions about his arm and thought that he might end up at 2nd base. I'm just curious about your take on BA's write-up.

Also, what's your take on Marco and Jeimer's power ceilings? And is there a reason Penalver seems to be listed at short every game? I thought he was viewed as a guy who would get PT at short.

Oh, one final question, if I might - how did Starling Peralta's velocity and command look?

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

TOONSTER: Marco Hernandez does not have a plus-arm. Arismendy Alcantara and Junior Lake have plus-arms (though not always accurate), and Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro have stronger arms, too.

Hernandez bounces throws to 1st base from the 5.5 hole. He doesn't have to make that long throw from 2nd base, and he has good range, and he's a good fielder, so he should be a very good 2B. I would compare him to Logan Watkins in that respect. He can play SS, and if he hits a lot and you need a SS he can play there, but ideally he would play 2B.

As for his HR power potential versus Candelario, both drive the ball hitting LH and punch the ball RH. While both show loft-power LH, Candelario has a bigger frame and should be able to eventually become a significant HR hitter from the left-side.

As I mentioned last week, Candelario hasn't shown the plate discipline or patience I expected after seeing his walk total from the DSL. He has been more of a hacker so far, but while I can't say this for sure, I suspect it has to do with the Cubs probably viewing Candelario as a future middle-of-the-order guy and wanting him to be more aggressive hitting strikes, and he hasn't quite figured out what that means, so he just swings at everyting. (BTW, the guy who is REALLY patient is Garrett Schlecht).

Carlos Penalver is a flashy SS with enough arm to play there (a "true" SS), but he has been playing more (or as much) 2B & 3B as SS at Instructs because Javier Baez ALWAYS plays SS when he is in the lineup (and is not the DH). And Danny Lockhart is a very good defensive SS, too. But Penalver looks just so much more comfortable at SS than at either 2B or 3B. He looks like he's got that Venezuelan Aparicio-Concepcion-Guillen thing going where "I just want to play SS and don't ask me to play anywhere else."

Starling Peralta struggled with his control yesterday. The problem with pitchers at Instructs is a lot of them are learning a new pitch or a different way to throw a pitch or a different arm slot or their throwing mechanics are being revamped, so they struggole in the process and get less than ideal results. That appears to be the case with Peralta right now.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:37pm

thanks. As a side question, what's your take on Schlect's power potential? Any more hope than all the pre-draft scouting reports suggested?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 7:21am

Thanks PHIL.

Was wondering about you feelings on the younger Dunston?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:32am

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 6:21am.
Thanks PHIL.

Was wondering about you feelings on the younger Dunston?

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

E-MAN: Dunston had his best game offensively in his first pro game and he has struggled since. He is in a slump right now, and has been really showing his frustration both verbally and with his actions.

He is a more-patient hitter than his dad, but he runs the bases very aggressively.

His defense in CF is VERY good. He has plus-range and takes good routes, and he has a strong arm.

He appears to have been well-coached in the fundamentals of baseball.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 7:23am

Has Epstein zeroed in on by Ricketts FWIW

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/re...

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 8:05am

Hey AZ Phil,

Thanks for these writeups! Quick question: Do you think Zeke DeVoss has a future as a full-time Left Fielder, or is his value likely tied up in the possibility of him sticking in CF? Thanks!

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:37am

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 7:05am.
Hey AZ Phil,

Thanks for these writeups! Quick question: Do you think Zeke DeVoss has a future as a full-time Left Fielder, or is his value likely tied up in the possibility of him sticking in CF? Thanks!

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

CHARLIE: If DeVoss can maintain a high OBP by walking a lot and if he can steal bases at a high pe4rcentage, he could be an everyday lead-off hitter. And then he could play either LF or CF (as needed). However, B. Jackson, Ha, Szczur, Easterling, Chen, Na, and Dunston are all better defensive CF.

Right now DeVoss reminds me a lot of Dwaine Bacon.

If I had to predict where DeVoss will be on Opening Day 2012, I would say he will be the lead-off hitter and LF at Peoria (figuring Pin-Chieh Chen will play CF and bat #2 and Reggie Golden will play RF and hit somewhere 4-5-6).

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:45am

Sorry, but I refuse to believe anyone named their child Dwaine. Hopefully DeVoss hits a little more than that guy you just made up.

What do you think about Easterling's plate approach so far? He was marked by us Hendry haters as a hackastic football player when we drafted him, but I noticed he did take a few walks. Seems like Peoria was pretty agrresive place for him to be.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:52am

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 9:45am.
Sorry, but I refuse to believe anyone named their child Dwaine. Hopefully DeVoss hits a little more than that guy you just made up.

What do you think about Easterling's plate approach so far? He was marked by us Hendry haters as a hackastic football player when we drafted him, but I noticed he did take a few walks. Seems like Peoria was pretty agrresive place for him to be.

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

REAL NEAL: Taiwan Easterling is an aggressive player in all facets of his game.

An aggressive fielder who lays his body out to make a play, an aggressive base-runner who is always looking to take an extra base, and an aggressive hitter who doesn't have a lot of patience.

One thing Easterling probably has to do to ultimately be successful is hit HR and lots of doubles and triples. Because he is NOT a lead-off hitter.

I suspect Easterling will begin the 2012 season at Daytona, playing LF (and some CF when Szczur is the DH) and hitting maybe 6th.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:23am

Too bad. Let's hope some power develops.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 2:08pm

"Sorry, but I refuse to believe anyone named their child Dwaine."

How do you feel about Dwyane?

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:23pm

Or D'Wayne?

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:14am

Cubs should aim higher on BoSox
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblo...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:27am

He writes like Navigator... and you owe me three minutes of my life.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:46pm

HaHa

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:29am

According to Mike Francesa

http://m.deadspin.com/5847268/caller-wants-to...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:27pm

with Athletics Nation, talks about Moneyball

http://www.athleticsnation.com/2011/10/6/2469...

Yeah. I'm not sure that would be the right word, but the feel of the movie, the feel of the clubhouse, the feel of the meetings, the feel of the conversations you have, is probably the most general way I could say it. I thought they did a good job of doing that. And listen, they're making a movie and I thought they did a good job of taking the subject matter that you mentioned and turning it into something that was entertaining and thoughtful.

I finally saw it last night, from a moviemaking standpoint, some really great editing and storytelling. The last 20 minutes from winning the 20th game on are absolutely fantastic. From a truth telling standpoint, there's some eye rollers, but you have to expect that coming in.

I also have no fucking clue what Keith Law was talking about in regards to Carlos Pena's character "as a sullen Latino player". Dude says 5 words in the movie when he's traded and none of it comes of as anything other than, that's how the business goes.

Submitted by George Altman
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:46pm

Years ago, I met the real Pappy Boyington at the Oshkosh, WI Airshow/Fly-in. The TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep was on still or in re-runs. I asked him how realistic the show was. He stared at me for a second, signed his book for me, and then said in a deadpan voice, "You know, they weren't making a documentary."

That experience always stuck with me when I'm watching a TV show or movie "based on real life events".

I liked the movie Moneyball.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:49pm

Wish they would have delved more Into Ron Washington's drug abuse.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:58pm

cause that seemed pertinent

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 2:04pm

Damn sarcasm font

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 3:18pm

how about the oakland A's drug and roid abuse in every level of their system?

there's a story in a AAA triple crown winner being one of the biggest drug dealer in baseball. they could fabricate him passing out needles dripping with liquids in dark alleys rather than just throwing it into people's lockers or mailing it to them.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:02pm

No mention of Zito, Mulder or Hudson either.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:39pm

If you stay after the credits there is a flashback scene of Tony LaRussa shooting up Mark McGwire in a bathroom stall. As McGwire ducks out of the camera view, we just hear LaRussa, who keeps mumbling..."I got yer Moneyballs right here."

It made me feel dirty and confused.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:44pm

i'm now on board for the 'best picture' premature hype.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 2:41pm

I also have no fucking clue what Keith Law was talking about

That's something you and Keith have in common.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 2:36pm

The Cubs don't have to ask permission to talk to Andrew Friedman, right?

In his blog yesterday, Bruce Miles cited an article in the St. Petersburg Times quoting an obviously demoralized team owner Stuart Sternberg following the Rays' ALDS loss. "Eventually, major-league baseball is going to vaporize this team," etc.

Miles calls this "pretty powerful stuff," and says it's relevant to the Cubs' search for a GM.

I think that's absolutely right. How can everybody in management be happy as clams down there if the team is dying? Sternberg may not be able to get his hands on another team but the other people, including Friedman, can get a job. The Cubs may not have won since 1908 but they have another 100 years to try.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 2:44pm

A big part of ticket sales is about expectations. If you let some of your "star" players go, and replace them with Scott Hatteberg, expectations are going to go down, and pre-season ticket sales are going down.

Let's keep in mind that in large part the fans were correct about the team. It just took an epic Red Sox collapse to get them into the playoffs, they didn't seem to be in contention a month ago.

Also, the ballpark is a dump.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 5:15pm

Unfortunately I have the Cubs' logo stamped on my forehead or I would be a Rays fan in a heartbeat. They let Garza go and replace him with Matt Moore. Wrigley-ites would go nuts for that team, as is, don't you think?

Come to think of it, some of your favorite Cubs (one, for sure) went over to the Rays last winter.

Let's just grab Friedman (and anybody else over there who isn't nailed to the floor). He can learn how to spend money.

Submitted by garsky
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 9:33pm

I just read The Extra 2% -- a decent read, by the way -- and Friedman approached building a winner like a Wall Streeter: Take a long-term view; improve incrementally and continuously; and don't be afraid to admit a mistake and move on. He put a ton of money into development -- including facilities and scouting -- and used statistical analysis extensively. He's Ricketts' wet dream, but as a friend of Sternberg's, he's probably not going to move on.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:36pm

Did Friedman get a bailout and use lobbyists to change laws so he's not accountable for multiple brazen thefts dating back decades? Otherwise the Wall Street comparison isn't fitting.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 12:43pm

Levine said yesterday in his chat that Friedman might be waiting for his dad to assemble a group to buy the Astros.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 12:49pm

Can Friedman's dad buy the Cubs?

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 1:05pm

Somebody else's dad already did that.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 3:59pm

Apparently the White Sox have named Robin Ventura manager.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:02pm

Soxtown!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:02pm

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/19/sport...

dated June 2011...

he is a volunteer assistant baseball coach at Arroyo Grande High. This week, he's in Omaha working as an ESPN analyst at the College World Series.

I know this makes me a bad Cubs fan, but I'm kind of hoping the White Sox do well with him. It would be an awesome fuck-the-system moment.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:04pm

heh

@bigleaguestew 'Duk
Ryne Sandberg just looked at Robin Ventura's coaching experience and went into a corner to cry.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:17pm

OldHossRadbourn Old Hoss Radbourn
It is good to know that K. Williams and R. Ventura will have a rock-solid relationship when the team goes 5-157 next year.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:03pm

wow...and why?

i don't recall him coaching on any level...or even an office job.

...and is bo porter this year's "token black interview" for every team?

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 6:42pm

Seems the White Sox believe that major league managers are over rated. When was the last time they hired a manager with prior managerial experience?

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 6:58pm

heard...it's just well, robin's been out of a mlb clubhouse for quite a while. it's just a "woah" pick.

i was kinda shocked at k.gibson getting a managerial gig...then again i was shocked that k.gibson even wanted to be a coach. though he's been a part of some great baseball postseason history (twice, at least) he was known as being a guy who would rather be playing football. he did, though, have so much respect for playing hard and playing it right.

r.ventura never even wanted to coach...now he's back to lead a dugout. i wonder what he has that put him up at the top of the candidates...hell, or even on the list...

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 7:00pm

Just coaching experience with Ventura would be a plus.
Ozzie was under Cox for awhile.

Six continue to show why they are the stepchild in Chicago.
Ventura hire just a smoke screen for rebuild they are going to go through.

Kenny would never hire Ryno due to his Cub ties.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 8:50am

Do you think he'd wear them in the dugout?

http://www.fansedge.com/Chicago-Cubs-Ties-_24...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 9:03am

It's the Cubs thongs that are the deal breakers.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 5:12pm

Adam Dunn, bench coach?

...oh wait, I thought that was his role this year. "Stoopid bench, won't listen to it's coach."

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 5:56pm

gammons on theo situation on mlb network: "I don't think he even knows"

...did mention that he didn't think theo would stick around in BOS after his contract runs out after 2012, though.

...also he's supposedly "not money driven at all."

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 9:46pm

Phil:

Tell us more about Golden and Vogelbach, they seem to always appear in your writeups. Two geniune power hitters in the Cubs system, at the same time and at the same level, when's the last time that happened? I mean, based on your descriptions of prodigious blasts and their apparent HR frequency, it sure seems like these two have 30+ HR potential each. Which would be nice.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:40pm

Cubs should hire Carl Everett as manager. He would make Ozzie look like a Rhodes Scholar.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:46pm

kevin mitchell would be nice, too.

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