2012 Cubs Draft Ticker Tracker - Day Two

2nd ROUND (67):
Duane Underwood, RHP
R/R, 6'3 210, 17 years old
Pope HS - Marietta, GA
COMMENT: Outstanding all-around athlete... Two way player (RHP/OF) in HS... fast runner with plus-power at the plate... throws 91-94 MPH fastball that can touch 96-98, but has had command issues... change-up has been his best and most-reliable pitch... mediocre curve ball needs a lot of work... signed NLI with U. of Georgia...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #67 SLOT VALUE: $769,600

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

3rd ROUND (101):
Ryan McNeil, RHP
R/R, 6'3 215, 18 years old
Nipomo HS - Nipomo, CA
COMMENT: Two sport-star in HS... missed beginning of baseball season because he was on the Titans basketball team... raw talent who needs to refine his mechanics... throws 90-91 MPH two-seam fastball and has touched 93, but body & frame could mean increased velocity with physical maturity... inconsistent slider but very good when he throws it from correct arm slot... change-up is work-in-progress... -signed NLI with Long Beach State...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #101 SLOT VALUE: $471,900

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

4th ROUND (134):
Josh Conway, RHP
R/R, 6'1 175, 21 years old
Coastal Carolina
COMMENT: College Junior... had season-ending Tommy John Surgery last month... was Coastal Carolina's Friday Night Starter (#1 starter) prior to the TJS... features a mid 90's fastball & wipeout slider... change-up needs work... could develop into a closer eventually... was selected by Atlanta Braves in 2009 draft but did not sign...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #134 SLOT VALUE: $343,200

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

5th ROUND (164):
Anthony Prieto, LHP
L/L, 5'11 180, 18 years old
Americas HS - El Paso, TX
COMMENT: Diminutive lefty has only been playing baseball for two years... fastball was clocked in mid-90's earlier this season, but then he was shut-down with a forearm strain... will attend JUCO baseball power-house Howard JC if he does not sign with Cubs...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #164 SLOT VALUE: $257K

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

6th ROUND (194):
Trey Lang, RHP
R/R, 6'3 235, 20 years old
Gateway CC
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... two-way player (OF/RHP)... attended Skyline HS in Mesa, AZ... slugging outfielder in HS... set numerous batting records at Skyline... transferred to Gateway CC in Phoenix after spending freshman year at Northern Illinois... still a big dude, but he has lost 25 pounds since returning home to Arizona from NIU... Two-pitch pitcher (mid-90's fastball and nasty slider)... college closer who also projects as a bullpen arm in pro ball... Will transfer to U. of New Mexico if he does not sign with Cubs...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #194 SLOT VALUE: $192,500

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

7th ROUND (224):
Stephen Bruno, 2B
R/R, 5'9 185, 21 years old
U. of Virginia
COMMENT: College junior... 5'9 might-mite packs a wallop... was Cavs clean-up hitter in 2012 while hitting 362/418/549... mashes fastballs... versatile defender... can also play 3B and SS in addition to 2B...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #224 SLOT VALUE: $148,600

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

8th ROUND (254):
Michael Heesch, LHP
R/L, 6'5 225, 22 years old
U. of South Carolina - Beaufort
COMMENT: College senior... Crystal Lake, IL native attended Prairie Ridge HS... transferred to USC - Beaufort after spending two years at University of Illinois - Chicago... was ace of UIC staff before transferring to USCB... the epitome of a rotation "workhorse," he led NAIA in Innings Pitched and was 5th in walks and 7th in strikeouts this past season... went 9-3 with a 2.21 ERA for Sand Sharks in 2012, with 96/118 BB/K in 122.1 IP...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #254 SLOT VALUE: $138,800

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

9th ROUND (284):
Chadd Krist, C
R/R, 5'11 200, 22 years old
U. of California
COMMENT: College senior... 2011 first-team All-PAC 10, but had subpar 2012 season... did hit 294/325/434 for Golden Bears in 2012 and led team in doubles... solid receiving skills but threw out only 15% of opposing base-stealers in 2012...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #284 SLOT VALUE: $129,600

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

10th ROUND (314):
Chad Martin, RHP
R/R, 6'7 240, 22 years old
Indiana U.
COMMENT: College senior... Split time betwen starting rotation and bullpen for Hoosiers in 2012... Went 2-3 with a 4.79 ERA, 80 hits allowed in 67.2 IP, with a 27/47 BB/K...
SIGNING BONUS POOL #314 SLOT VALUE: $125K

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

11th ROUND (344):
Rashad Crawford, OF
B/R, 6'3 185, 18 years old
Mundy's Mill HS - Clayton County, GA
COMMENT: Two-sport star (baseball & basketball)... 2012 Georgia 4-AAAA Player of the Year in baseball... switch-hitter & lead-off man for the Tiger baseball squad... played 3B and CF... hit .522 with 22 SB in 2012... signed NLI with Savannah State....

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

12th ROUND (374):
Justin Amlung, RHP
R/R, 6'1 180, 22 years old
U. of Louisville
COMMENT: College senior... ace of Cardinals starting staff in 2012, went 9-4 with a 2.31 ERA, with 83 hits allowed and a 26/125 BB/K in 109 IP... 2011 All-Big East... Cape Cod League All-Star Summer 2011... Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 2011 Draft but did not sign...

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

13th ROUND (404):
Bijan Rademacher, OF
L/L, 6'0 180, 20 years old
Orange Coast CC
COMMENT: JC Sophomore... Two way player (LHP/OF)... hit 349/426/582 for the Pirates in 2012... also part-time closer... spent freshman year at Cal State - Fullerton... will transfer to Oral Roberts University if he does not sign with Cubs...

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

14th ROUND (434):
Corbin Hoffner, RHP
R/R, 6'5 235, 18 years old
St. Petersburg JC
COMMENT: JC Freshman... went 5-5 with a 2.52 ERA for the Titans in 2012, with 60 hits allowed in 71.1 IP, and 16/73 BB/K...

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

15th ROUND (464):
Carlos Escobar, C
R/R, 6'2 185, 21 years old
U. of Nevada
COMMENT: College Junior... solid receiving skills... hit 283/368/462 for Wolf Pack in 2012, and defensively had a 32% CS ... hit .345/.433/.533 with 7 HR & 16 doubles in Northwoods League (summer collegiate wood bat league) in 2011... was selected by Houston Astros in 2009 draft but did not sign... played in WAC Tournament at HoHoKam Park a couple of weeks ago...

Tags: 
Rule 4 Draft
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:06pm
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Comments

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:10pm

j.papelbum calls out an ump...another week...another player/manager/coach vs ump thing.

this season has been really heavy on people on the field stepping up to umps and taking fines for it.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:11pm

http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jays...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/120605tri...

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:24pm

man...i hate the castro mental error, too, but people (media) want his blood today.

the "trending" thing now is people (media) upset he's not benched today. meh.

castro's issue doesn't seem to be a flippant "i'm bigger than the game" thing...it doesn't seem to be the result of staying up til 6am partying (that we know of) or some other distraction...

it sucks it happened, but i'm pretty sure castro knows how badly he screwed up.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:26am

Not the first time he's had issues focusing. He seems lackadaisical.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:01am

Well, teaching college with students his age, I can say that people do have widely varying degrees of focusing.

Also with skills in a job requiring endless repeatitive tasks, I can understand some of this.

I don't like it, as its Rony Cedeno-ish, but understand it.

Sometimes learning new tasks help people concentrate more. Or shifting to a new job - ala 2B which I hope he gets moved to to make room for Baez eventually.

AZ PHIL has stated more than once that Barney is a better SS. But that will never happen.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:14am

I'd like to see them go ahead and make the switch now. Might as well let him go through the growing pains in a completely lost season.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:32pm

Focusing is a skill you have to practice, too. It's not going to change overnight, but you can increase your ability to focus with deliberate practice.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:26pm

*golf clap* CJ Nitkowski

https://twitter.com/CJNitkowski/status/209363...

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:03pm

Flea (RHCP) is taking BP @CIN along with C.Smith (RHCP)

sigh.

also, Flea makes good contact for a 90 year old with a body that looks like toothpicks glued together.

Submitted by Newport
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:53pm

I've noticed smith wears a lot of MLB hats and is certainly in better shape than Flea. Did he hit better?

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:57pm

more power for chad, but more swings/misses.

flea was making contact on almost everything. it wasn't going as far, but he wasn't pounding them in the ground, sending them wide-foul, or missing them.

Submitted by artskoe
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:04pm

I'm just happy Cubs have their own ALBERT...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:20pm

Uh...Great?

"My main priority now is college,” Almora said on a conference call. “I just graduated high school and I have a full scholarship to the University of Miami, and that’s all I’m looking forward to right now."

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:27pm

total speculation here...

NONETHELESS...

it seems theocorp had a plan going into the draft and stuck to it based on a few names that flew by the board without getting drafted. any indication of almora going some other direction would be a kinda amateur-mistake for theo and crew. i suspect posturing by player/agent.

Submitted by artskoe
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:57pm

What high school kid from Florida would want to play baseball in freezing April and May in Chicago? Trade him to Minnesota!

Submitted by tem99
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 6:19pm

Nothing more than negotiating tactics.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:35pm

saw a replay of last night's castro-error and it's backlash.

ninja came into the dugout and put his arm around castro after the screwup that ruined ninja's lead. that's pro.

this kid has come so far from the guy who brought his "crew" with him to sing the 7th and live it up Entourage-style right after signing.

i feared he might like the party life a bit too much, but he's put up quiet/solid work even when it didn't translate to numbers over the years. he's earned the good turn his career has taken, imo.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:58pm

Ninja, arm around Castro: "Kid, you do that again, I'm gonna wrap this so tight around your neck you're gonna look like Beetlejuice after his head shrunk"

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:59pm

more of those and that'll be coming.

being young can only get you so far once you have 2-3 years of everyday MLB experience.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 6:09pm

Well, I pretty much agree what you said earlier. I don't get the impression Castro is a slacker, and Brenly talks about how hard he's worked on his defense. It's probably ADD or something. The kid seems to lose focus, but it's almost like he's got some condition. Could be youth I guess. I barely knew which door in the apartment building was mine at that age. I think that this, too, shall pass. Media made a big deal out of it because Sveum did. Sveum needs to focus on getting a better lineup out there, himself. A little more campy, a little more LaHair. A little less Reed Johnson and Baker and Mather. I don't want to watch a team of journeymen, even if they are "proven" veterans. Luckily, I have a feeling Theocorp is gonna blow up this team some more after they're done with the draft.

Submitted by Newport
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 6:30pm

Swaim should be calling out Soriano for not being able to track simple line drives/fly balls after 4-5 years of practice. Same bullshit Q-ball pulled last year.

Submitted by Sonicwind75
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:48pm

At first I thought the whole Cubs considering trading Castro was pretty far fetched, but now that Sveum is working to drive down his value, I am reconsidering. Just an 0-4 with an error away from getting an AA utility infielder, YES! Please note this was written in sarcasm font.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 7:02pm

the quest for win #19 continues...5th time's the charm.

go scrubbies.

Campy CF, Castro SS, DeJesus RF, Soriano LF, LaHair 1B, Clevenger C, Barney 2B, Stewart 3B, Dempster P

aram sits tonight with a sore quad (d2d).

Submitted by artskoe
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 7:10pm

Bob Brenly open mike shout: "Sit down ya little cheesehead!"

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 7:18pm

sori-homer!

a 3 run one...neat.

it's the Nisson Drive of the Game...cuz it's the 1st inning...with 4 outs recorded in the game.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:06pm

lahero homers...solo.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:11pm

Uecker is on with Bob and Len. What a stitch!

Such a classic.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:12pm

you can hear the bitterness in his voice when asked about santo in the hall when he commented on how santo didn't get to enjoy it. i haven't heard him that pissed...ever. it wasn't loud, but it had anger in it.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:14pm

No doubt.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:29pm

Ronnie had a lot of fans and friends.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:34pm

Carrie Muskat‏@CarrieMuskat
Geo Soto making progress and could go on rehab assignment this weekend.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:37pm

dempster perfect through 5

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:44pm

OMFG JINX OMFG U DIE NOW OMFG WTF OMFG PONIES

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:44pm

lead off single 6th

d'oh

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:48pm

Dempster's coming after you Jacos...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:56pm

You're fucking dead, JACOS.

You might consider witness protection program.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:02pm

when i hack the mainframe of the internet i'll get his address from the database and email the docs to the "anonymous" and they'll hack his gibson into oblivion.

jacos, you done goofed up.

also...neil breen is making a new movie and it's going to be awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFgQ34b96_U

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:57pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:40pm

Pretty bitchin' version there -- on Sesame Street, no less!

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 7:03am

Jacos = Bartman?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:22am

No, I'm Alex Gonzalez.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:08pm

AZP or anyone: Is Ben Wells hurt?

Submitted by George Altman
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 10:33pm

Where's Szczur been also?

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:15am

Peoria Journal Star: "Peoria starter Ben Wells pitched the first two innings [Monday], before leaving with an undisclosed injury."

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:11pm

dempster still not perfect through 7, but still has shut out.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:12pm

Dempster in danger of winning a game.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:17pm

His last as a Cub?

Here's a good article on budgeting/drafting college seniors with the new CBA:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/201...

Submitted by springs
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:33pm

Looks like a great athlete....he did get regional player of the year (from local newspaper), hit over .500 with 22 sb, 4 HR. 6'3 205, so perhaps power is projectable.

But he definitely is a great athlete...here is he trying to replicate Jordan's slam dunk contest winner with a slam from the free throw line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AYetUIT4o0

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:14pm

Looks safer than the backflip the White Sox draft pick did.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:35pm

shawn camp is pitching in this situation? really?

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:35pm

needs the work

Submitted by The Joe
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:37pm

He pitches in every situation. I think Sveum is trying to end his career.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:44pm

i know the guy is a workhorse and all, but i know there's some guys in the pen that could use some work in a blowout situation not named shawn camp.

gotta assume b.parker is getting the 9th...or j.asencio, though i dunno much about him except he just showed up.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:42pm

Dolis gives up a two out 9th inning 3 run HR to Brad Snyder to blow save (and game) for the I-Cubs at OKC 3-4.

1B-1B-K-K-1 and 2 count before the HR.

We won't see him for awhile.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:59pm

a no-effort cubs victory...10-0 blowout...awesome.

...and dumpster's 1st win in 3 or 4 seasons.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:59pm

Jeff F'ning Baker

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:38am

8th Round: Michael Heesch, LHP

Cool... my brother was his pitching coach in HS, and I believe continued to work with him while in college.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:02am

Where is he from? What is the inside scoop on his repertoire?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:29am

Played at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake (far NW suburbs of Chicago). I honestly don't know much about his stuff, but will see what I can find out.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:36am

South Carolina-Beaufort head coach Bryan Lewallyn, whose father, Dennis, is the Cubs' Minor League pitching coordinator, said in a statement that Heesch's success stems from his work ethic.

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

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:37am

Oh yes. That's right. Thanks. I believe he transferred from UIC to a small school in S. Carolina.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:03pm

AA: F. Batista, K. Rhoderick, J. Bour and J. Adduci
Hi-A: Szczur, N. Perez, Alcantara, Rohan, A. Kirk
Lo-A: DeVoss, Hoilman, R. Lopez, K. Burke

fun facts: Burke made the Midwest All-Star team in 2009 as a hitter and now does it as a pitcher. Adduci was a Southern League All-Star in 2009.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:39pm

Adduci on the fast track to being a minor league coach, I guess.

Also guessing we'll get to see Rizzo in the AAA homerun derby unless he's not fully recovered or gets called up before then.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:53pm

a little surprised that Michael Jensen or PJ Francescon didn't make the Midwest League All-Star teams.

Burke 1-2, 2.37 ERA, 39 K, 20 BB, 60.1 IP (8th in ERA)
Jensen 5-2, 2.51 ERA, 46/20, 61 IP (10th in ERA)
Franceson, 5-1, 1.86 ERA, 42/14, 53.1 IP (2nd in ERA)

Submitted by DavidP
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 1:10pm

I think that Francescon is now at Daytona. Does that make a difference?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 2:48pm

it does, thanks.

Submitted by JD
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 1:15pm

Doesn't surprise me. Of course, I'm sort of known for being next to impossible to surprise. Some people would be surprised if I got surprised, even. Not me, though. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.

#yoloy

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 2:17pm

Sounds like a Groucho Marx comedy routine.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 3:10pm

Never doubt crunch-

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/801...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 3:36pm

it was all based on what he said to media + various media heads in CHI saying he's good as gone. kaplan put it "100%" and even len kasper was saying he'd be very surprised to see dumpster end his season with the cubs.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 3:44pm

To reiterate, my only issue was that is sounded like you had inside info (he's at peace with it, etc.), when all that was reported (or, I guess I should say, all that I saw) was that they'd talked about the possibility. These comments of today are more in-depth, IMHO.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 3:54pm

yeah, it's cool...i followed with links.

i've been getting lazy about linking/sources, especially non-breaking news.

i dunno if anyone remembers, but pre-season i was talking about how dumpster and his ties to CHI might keep hiim here (kid issues + new house), especially as far as a pre-season trade goes. him actually noting anywhere in public he might be up for leaving was enough of a sea-change for me, especially with others who cover the cubs saying he's probably good as gone.

also, fwiw, almost all my "sources" for anything involve low-level scouts, area scouts, and some stragglers in "the business" i've met over the years. i do trust the aggregate eyes, ears, and opinions of some of them and they do shape some of my views. i don't have anything/anyone inside anyone's MLB clubhouse nor know a major beat writer.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:19pm

Relax, we all know Crunch doesn't know anybody important.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:20pm

this guy gets it.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:39pm

why do I have a strange feeling...

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/6/6/3068862/jami...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:48pm

wooo!

sweet.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:52pm

Precursor to a three-way deal that lands the Cubs Adam Dunn and Brian Roberts?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 8:41pm

That elusive 2008 pennant is right within our grasp!!!!

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