A's Rough Up Cubs Cuban Connection at Papago Park

Rob Whitenack (rehabbing from June 2011 TJS) threw two innings (27 pitches) of shutout ball with three strikeouts, but Cuban southpaws Gerardo Concepcion and Frank del Valle allowed a combined seven runs on 10 hits, five walks, a HBP, and two wild pitches over the next six innings, as the Athletics defeated the Cubs 7-4 in Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #2 (AKA “Connie Mack Field”) at the Papago Sports Complex in Phoenix, AZ.

After throwing three innings of shutout ball and looking like a major league veteran in his EXST debut last Monday versus the Brewers (when he threw 75% strikes and kept the opposing hitters off-balance by effectively mixing-up his pitches), Concepcion showed today what happens when he pitches from behind in the count and has to throw a fastball over the plate.

He had an excellent first inning of work, striking out the side (including the first two hitters on six pitches), but then began to pitch from behind starting with his second inning, eventually allowing six hits (including three wall-banger doubles), and even walking the bases loaded at one point.

Concepcion's strength is throwing strikes (especially "strike one") and then working the hitter, so when he struggles with his command (as he did in his later innings today) he can get nailed, and it isn't pretty.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF: 1-4 (1B, 4-6 FC, F-9, L-4, SB)
2. Anthony Giansanti, DH #1: 0-4 (K, K, F-8, P-3)
3. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-3 (BB, K, 2B, 4-3)
4. Jeimer Candelario, 3B-DH: 1-3 (1-3, 2B, 5-3, R)
5. Xavier Batista RF-DH: 1-3 (F-8, 1B, L-3, RBI)
6. Wilson Contreras, DH-C: 1-3 (3-U, 5-4-3 DP, 2B, R)
7. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 2-3 (1B, K, 2B, R)
8. Wilfredo Petit, C-DH: 0-2 (F-7, 6-3, BB)
9. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-3 (K, 4-3, 5-4 FC, R)
10. Garrett Schlecht, LF: 2-3 (1B, K, 1B, RBI)
11a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
11b. Delbis Arcila, RF: 1-2 (K, 1B, RBI)
12a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
12b. Mark Malave, 3B: 0-2 (6-3, 3-1)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Rob Whitenack: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 27 pitches (20 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
2. Gerardo Concepcion: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 69 pitches (41 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Frank del Valle: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 77 pitches (36 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Roderik Pichardo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 17 pitches (10 strikes), 0/3 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 2
1. SS Carlos Penalver - E-6 (overthrow to 1st base on infield single allowed batter-runner to advance to 2nd base)
2. C Wilson Contreras - E-2 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed base-runner to advance to 2nd base)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Wilfredo Petit: 0-1 CS
2. Wilson Contreras 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)

ATTENDANCE: 12

WEATHER: Partly cloudy and VERY breezy with temperatures in the 60’s

Tags: 
EXST Cubs
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Frank Del Valle
Gerardo Concepcion
Rob Whitenack
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 4:04pm
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Comments

Submitted by tim815
on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 4:08pm

Baez out. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 4:18pm

TIM: I believe today was a pre-scheduled "Camp Day" at Fitch Park for most of the guys who played yesterday (including Javier Baez).

Submitted by George Altman
on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 6:47pm

Phil, two questions: (1) any chance you have seen or will get a chance to look out the manual the Cubs are giving each minor league player? (2) I personally don't mind a player like Baez showing what HS/College players around here call 'swag'. Do you think any of these 'incidents' would prevent Baez from moving up to Peoria, or will they just wait until June and send him to Boise?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 9:10pm

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 5:47pm — George Altman

Phil, two questions: (1) any chance you have seen or will get a chance to look out the manual the Cubs are giving each minor league player? (2) I personally don't mind a player like Baez showing what HS/College players around here call 'swag'. Do you think any of these 'incidents' would prevent Baez from moving up to Peoria, or will they just wait until June and send him to Boise?

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

GEORGE A: The Cubs are guarding The Cubs' Way like it's a state secret, so I am not expecting to ever see a copy of it (at least until it's made into a feature film).

As for Javier Baez, I think the Cubs have planned all along to have him spend April and May at Extended Spring Training and then go to Boise. If that's the case, I don't know if the plan can be changed, or if it's written in stone, and I don't know how his on-field demeanor might affect the Cubs decision if the plan is subject to change.

The fact that he wasn't removed from the game after yesterday's verbal outburst could be a sign that they intend to let him be Javier Baez, but at the same time I'm sure they don't want him to develop into the next Carlos Zambrano or Milton Bradley, either.

Submitted by George Altman
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 1:03am

Thanks, Phil. I'm sensing this administration has less urgency to aggressively advance high profile prospects which I'm OK with that.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 7:06am

I wonder if it's simply unique to this year. I don't recall theo or jed as xconservative in their previous stops. This, though, is such a clear rebuilding year.

Submitted by tim815
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 10:35am

I'm very intrigued as to what the draft will bring in.

Submitted by DavidP
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 10:53am

The draft has always been a gold mine for Epstein, because he always ended up with the equivalent of 4 or 5 first round choices, because of the ability to pay large prices to lower round choices, as the Cubs did last year.

But the new labor agreement makes that extremely difficult to do, and Epstein is likely to end up with a draft that is more in line that of the rest of baseball.

That said, the number 8 choice should bring in a really good pitching prospect, and the two extra draft choices should also help a lot.

Submitted by tim815
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 11:53am

We draft sixth, but yeah. A large part of Theo's success is that he tends to figure out which hitters will be able to hit off-speed stuff before draft day. The Cubs usually wouldn't find out until their third year in the bigs.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 10:12pm

well, b.wilson (SF) throwing 90mph lately makes more sense...torn elbow...fun.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 7:08am

Az Phil:

At the Cubs convention in January they had a "family" session with the Brenlys, the Dunstons and the Lockharts. Although Danny Lockhart seemed pretty quiet and mostly is a 2B prospect, I'm wondering what your thoughts are as to his "prospect" status after seeing him a few times now.

Thanks.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 9:51am

Sun, 04/15/2012 - 6:08am — Cubster

Az Phil:

At the Cubs convention in January they had a "family" session with the Brenlys, the Dunstons and the Lockharts. Although Danny Lockhart seemed pretty quiet and mostly is a 2B prospect, I'm wondering what your thoughts are as to his "prospect" status after seeing him a few times now.

Thanks.

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

CUBSTER: Danny Lockhart is a good defensive infielder with the versatility to play SS-2B-3B, a decent hitter but without much power, runs OK (though not particularly fast) and is a very good baserunner, and he's well-schooled in baseball fundamentals (bunting, situational hitting, turning the DP, etc).

I think he certainly will move up the pipeline, but his ceiling may be as a AAA or MLB utility infielder.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 7:20am

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

Byrd to Boston rumors pick up due to Ellsbury subluxing his shoulder (early estimate, out 6-8 weeks)

Wittenmeyer also says Sveum is considering using the LaRussa pitcher bats 8th gimmick. Seems doubtful as the Cubs don't even have one real leadoff man let alone two.

and the Cubs are looking for veteran relievers...

‘‘We worked to acquire starting pitching depth over the course of the winter, but we traded out of the bullpen,’’ Hoyer said, ‘‘so replenishing that depth is something we’re going to be looking to do throughout the summer.’’

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 10:11am

Maybe they'll have to shop some starters to do so. Or shop your bats, then trade from the rotation when you realize you don't have bats. /fun

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 6:34pm

The RedSox designated Michael Bowden for assignment. I wonder if Theo & Co. would have an interest in bringing him over.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 6:38pm

-michael boden + nate spears....wtf?

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 7:56am

no cubs stuff in Cafardo's sunday baseball notes...but he went on a food tangent:

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

8. If you can afford a few calories, try the “Moby Dick’’ offered by the Lake County Captains of the Single A Midwest League for 20 bucks. It’s about 4,000 calories of five quarter-pound fish filets, eight slices of cheese, 6 ounces of clam strips, a third of a pound of french fries, and a cup of cole slaw topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and, of course, tartar sauce on a 15-inch hoagie roll. At least it’s healthy fish.

From the Bill Chuck files: “The Washington Nationals are offering the ‘StrasBurger’ - an all-beef burger (combination of ground brisket, chuck, and short ribs) served on a large bun with secret sauce, American cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, pickle chips, and weighing 8 pounds total.’’

------------
if the Cubs go into that kind of promotion, I'd expect to see the Soto Brownies (instead of the hot chocolate and cookie vendors).

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