Friday Funnies: Anthony Rizzo, Devin Mesoraco, and the play at the plate.

 

It's always been my favorite play, the play at the plate.


When Starlin Castro blasted one off the wall with Darwin Barney on 2nd and Anthony Rizzo on first, you knew it was gonna happen.
Not really that big an explosion, but if I'm Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco I'd be thinking about lots of stuff including Rizzo's size, the collision that's about to happen, holding onto the ball, and...my health.

Rizzo slid.
Safe.
Cubs end up winning on Alfonso Soriano's 2-run blast in the 8th.
Victory over the first place Reds.
Not that I'm supposed to care about wins this year, but it just makes for a better evening, don't you think?

Submitted by CubbyBlue on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 10:21am

Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 11:17am

Plays at the plate are fun. But I also saw The Franchise flash before my eyes for just one second, in anticipation of the next round of Cubbery.

BTW, the eyes on the part of the catcher are great.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 11:22am

it's the Reds newest hot marketing item: Devin Mesoroco goggles

http://www.spriceangels.com/UploadFiles/spric...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 2:33pm

Vogelbach and Peralta on Baseball America's Hot Sheet.

Starling Peralta
Team: low Class A Peoria (Midwest)
Age: 21
Why He's Here: 1-0, 1.29, 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 14 SO
The Scoop: It took Peralta three years in the Dominican Summer League to show the Cubs enough to earn a visa to the States. It's taken him another two years to establish himself as a legitimate prospect, but these days Peralta has proven he's one to keep an eye on. He's still somewhat inconsistent, but what was once an 89-92 mph fastball is now a 92-94 heater that tops out near 96. His slider comes and goes, but on days like Tuesday it's a plus pitch. Clinton sure couldn't hit it, and Peralta put together one of the biggest strikeout nights (14) we've seen this year. His previous career high was eight.

Dan Vogelbach
Team: short-season Boise (Northwest)
Age: 19
Why He's Here: .333/.429/1.000 (8-for-24), 6 R, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB, 7 SO
The Scoop: Scouts said Vogelbach's bat would have to carry him, and so far it has—and in a big way. The ultra-stout Vogelbach went deep in four straight games, including a pair of solo blasts last night against Everett to run his yearly total to 13 in just 39 games. (Note that he spent his first 24 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League.) He also has 32 extra-base hits in 161 at-bats this year, good for a rate of one every five at-bats. Possessing plus-plus raw power to all fields, Vogelbach has shred 30 pounds since high school and has proven he's ready to handle full-season ball next year.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 2:39pm

And from the Hot Sheet chat:

Will Don Vogelbach be a BA top 100 player at the end of the year?
J.J. Cooper: Probably not. He's a power-hitting first baseman who has yet to play full-season ball. The margin for error on those kind of guys is pretty small because of the lack of position versatility. I like Vogelbach as a prospect, but he's likely to have to do it at higher levels to crack the Top 100.

It was a pleasent surprise to see Starling Peralta put together a nice game, especially with the cubs lack of pitching depth, I know he doesn't have Ace stuff, but could he be a mid rotation type guy? and how does he rank compared to other Cubs pitching prospects?
J.J. Cooper: He still has a long ways to go with consistency, but the stuff is there that when he has his slider, he can be a solid prospect. I think he's more of a 20-30 guy in the system right now, but he's taken some nice strides.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospect...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 4:49pm

Don was never much of a prospect, but that Dan kid can hit.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 5:13pm

good thing he shredded 30 lbs (post above)...

Submitted by George Altman
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 10:18am

How much does Don, I mean Dan, weigh now?

Submitted by Newport
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 5:42pm

Deuce, deuce and a half?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 5:52pm

Can anyone run down the 5 error circumstances? Rizzo with 2?! And, "Sure-Hands-Vitters"? Jackson? Castro's I would expect.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:06pm

i can't, but i can tell you the wind was really crazy today...dunno what that has to do with the IF errors, though.

i was only partially "checked in"...messy game all around.

errors aside, chapman's velocity made rizzo's hitting setup look extremely foolish. he couldn't get through his long-setup/timing mechanism quick enough to swing with enough time to do anything with the ball being pitched.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:13pm

Rizzo caught a tough hop on a sharp low-sinking liner that bounced six inches in front of him. I thought it was a tough error. Ditto Vitters,except he should have made the play. Castro was just a mental gaffe, good timing on a grounder but just raised his glove a moment too soon, too worried about getting the runner.

Didn't catch the last two.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:18pm

@ESPN_MLB: Report: Cubs hire new scouting director http://t.co/6019CrBs

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:20pm

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?b...

Try that link, Jaron Madison from Padres. No word on Wilken.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:25pm

awesome...the system will be packed to the brim with quality 1ip relievers and little else.

=p

PS - minority hire, fwiw...still not many black scouts in the scouting community even on the lowest levels

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:24pm

Wilken allegedly staying on in "expanded role".

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:35pm

Special assistant to Theo and contract extension for Wilken.

Some more links and info in twitter box.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:39pm

he's 1 step away from being in the GM/asst-GM market at this point...almost 100% chance it's not with the cubs since those roles are very filled.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 6:52pm

"CubsDen Found this interview on Scout website. Interview with Jaron Madison, sounds like he fits right in padres.scout.com/2/1190168.html"

http://padres.scout.com/2/1190168.html

good info here.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 7:01pm

incredible work by CubsDen finding that article...they must have some incredible space research tools at their disposal. :)

oh look, it's the first hit on google when you type in "jaron madison" interview

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 8:19pm

They were feeling lucky.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 11:09pm

jeff bagwell threw out the 1st pitch at the HOU game...left handed.

ow...dat right shoulder.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 9:33am

getting a mention in baseball prospectus/K. Goldstein:

Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, 2 HR (6), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Beefy 19-year-old first baseman has impressed with hitting skills and power; five home runs in last four games and .356/.415/.746 in 15 overall since promotion.

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

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 11:04am

Do I really get the scoop on this? Vogelbach with two more bombs last night, 8 in 70 PAs for Boise, 15 overall.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 11:56am

Vogelbach with two more bombs last night
---
Meet your 2015 Cubs left fielder

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 11:59am

Not unless he drops another 30 fromw what I'm hearing

Az Phil

Could he make the transition to third?

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 1:30pm

I believe Phil said he had an iron glove.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 8:00pm

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 10:59am — jacos

Not unless he drops another 30 fromw what I'm hearing

Az Phil

Could he make the transition to third?

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

JACOS: Dan Vogelbach is a bad defensive 1st baseman.

He's a DH if there ever was one.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:57am

There really isn't a spot for him with Rizzo there anyway. I suspect if he keeps clobbering like this he'll be part of a trade involving a high end pitching prospect at some point in the future. Hopefully, not a guy just off the TMJ operating table.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 10:04am

Good point. I would also say this:Let's not assume there wouldn't be a spot for Vogelbach either. Rizzo's month of August is .231/.279/.333. I'd like to see him have a solid full season at the MLB level before I anoint him "THE MAN"
That said, I am hopnig that he is the man, and that he bounes back the rest of the year.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 10:16am

One thing I've noticed is that because he's always trying to go to left-center, the shortstop plays near second base and often has a good beat on all those balls he crushes straight back up the middle.

Maybe trying to pull it once in a while to keep the defense honest would help a bit.

Still, I'm not complaining. I'm still in Rizzo-crush mode.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 11:24am

Given that Vogelbach is still in A ball, I'm not too worried about him competing with another player at the MLB level. Plenty of time to wait and see what happens. I'm not in favor of an NL DH, but that might be what happens.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 11:37am

Small sample size. I'm not too worried about him. With his batting style he probably won't get a lot of hits off Arnoldis Chapman, but who does?

He's bound to face some adjustment. Problem with my Alfred E. Newman approach to this is that I also didn't worry about LaHair. I really liked what I saw up there early on and now he is hitting as if he needs glasses.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:43pm

after watching rizzo set up vs chapman i have serious questions about his ability to hit anything in the high 90s. i wanna see more.

there's being late and there's being shut down...you get shut down when you can barely get your bat into the zone before the ball is hitting the mitt.

he starts with his hands near the middle of his chest and his motion never caught up with chapman's velocity on stuff he swung at.

Submitted by tem99
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:46pm

Chapman is averaging almost 2 strikeouts per inning pitched. Everyone is having trouble hitting him.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:50pm

yeah, but they manage to get the bat through the zone. he was -very- late on committed swings. hopefully it's the lefty+velocity combo...or just a bad day.

rizzo is due up vs chapman in a few minutes...fwiw.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:55pm

he looked better today...even with the out...good stuff.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 2:06pm

When's the CBA expiring? That'll be when the NL gets the DH, FWIW.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 12:41pm

Lendy Castillo activated from his rehab stint. Scott Maine back to Iowa

other tidbits from Bruce Miles:

Sveum had a long talk with Starlin Castro

BJax upper body is sore from collision with Castro yesterday (hockey injury report?)

Lineup: DeJesus, Barney, Rizzo, Sori, Castro, Valbuena, LaHair, Clevenger, TWood

http://twitter.com/BruceMiles2112

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 7:56pm

Jason Marquis has a no-no through 6 vs Pirates

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 9:00pm

Jorge Soler hit a two out Grand Slam HR in the 3rd. Chiefs ahead of Beloit 4-3 in the 6th.

http://peoria.chiefs.milb.com/milb/stats/stat...
---
Peoria Top of the 3rd
Bijan Rademacher reaches E6.
Zeke DeVoss grounds out.
Pin-Chieh Chen reaches on a fielder's choice out. Bijan Rademacher out at 3rd.
Dustin Geiger reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Miguel Sano. Pin-Chieh Chen to 2nd.
With Paul Hoilman batting, wild pitch by Taylor Rogers, Pin-Chieh Chen to 3rd. Dustin Geiger to 2nd.
Paul Hoilman walks.
Jorge Soler hits a grand slam (1) to center field. Pin-Chieh Chen scores. Dustin Geiger scores. Paul Hoilman scores.
Wes Darvill doubles (14)
Sergio Burruel grounds out. 3-1.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 12:07am

Looking at the Iowa Cubs game in Las Vegas...

Casey Coleman was removed in the bottom of the 2nd with 2 outs. Gameday says injury delay but not sure what happened. Smiley Caridad relieved. The game was suspended in the 5th because of rain (in Vegas).

Greg Rohan played 3B. Anyone have an opinion about his abilities at third? Certainly he can hit.

...also, Almora had 3 hits in the AZ Cubs game. Hopefully, we'll get an AZ Phil recap.

Submitted by Hagsag
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 5:10am

Slightly off topic but, did Mike Quade get a job in baseball? Just askin.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 5:31am

quade is going to be in OAK next week for the 10th anniversary of the "moneyball" featured 2002 team...other than that he's supposedly taking a break from baseball.

he's drawing a paycheck this year doing nothing...fishing...living the dream.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:54am

As much as he annoyed me, especially, really, with all those damn nicknames, the guy deserves it. He did the baseball lifer thing in anonymity for a long time and earned his shot.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:02am

He did the baseball lifer thing...
---
For those keeping track, don't forget the $1M that went to Quade this year is coming off the books for 2013. Add to the list: Zambrano, CPena, Soto, Dempster, Maholm, MByrd, RWells.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:55am

from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Bob O'Brien:

Maholm’s night: Just a couple of notes to follow up on Maholm’s three-hit shutout, which included five strikeouts and no walks. He did it in 95 pitches (64 strikes), the fewest by a Braves pitcher in a shutout since future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux threw back-to-back four-hitters in September 2000, in 90 pitches against Arizona and 89 pitches against Florida.

...and some crowing about how cheaply Wren has fixed the Braves rotation (getting Sheets and Maholm for $4M) plus moving Medlin from the pen and having 6 starters once Hanson comes of the DL. Apparently the cubs threw in come cash in the Maholm/Johnson deal. This offseason they are more likely to do a Maholm II deal for July flipping into more pitching prospects. I guess Thedstein eventually can do this (Braves) kind of deal if the club were in contention. All you need is waves of prospects.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012...

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:06am

http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/71...

tribune video of Jason McLeod interview on the scouting changes

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 12:49pm

@BruceMiles2112: #Cubs sign pitcher Seth McClung to a minor-league deal and assign him to Class AAA Iowa

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 1:17pm

Coleman was taken out from his last Iowa start after 1.2 IP...

The Cubs will likely use their roster exemption to add a reliever. That additional bullpen piece isn’t expected to be Casey Coleman, though, after the right-hander left Saturday’s start at Iowa early because of discomfort in the back of his right shoulder.

Apparently there is a new MLB rule where the roster can go to 26 for makeup DH's.
---
@ESPNChiCubs: Cubs blog: Cubs' to put new MLB rule to the test http://t.co/zSMNFFgI

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 1:20pm

On a somewhat related note, it's amazing there hasn't yet been a rainout at home this year.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 1:21pm

Miguel Cairo playing 1B today... Reminds me of Dusty playing Todd Walker at first to get Neifi Perez in the lineup.

Cairo hitting .154, check.

Submitted by champsummers
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 1:31pm

Dusty & Neifi. The golden days...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 1:34pm

5 pitch first inning against Cueto... Some things never change.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 2:52pm

well Raley started off well...

retired first 13 batters

but now 3-0 in the 6th after 2 HR's.

Submitted by artskoe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:09pm

I don't like the way he curves the bill of his cap...but he'll learn...

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:51pm

Has Soriano done enough to win NL comeback player of the year? Who else is in the running? Ludwick?

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:53pm

carlos beltran...aj burnett

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 3:54pm

throw Ben Sheets and Johan Santana in there as well...

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:36pm

Oh yeah, good point on all of them. I'd go with Burnett, myself.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 4:02pm

...and the cubs lose.

1-10 since the trade (and garza injury) smackdown. so much for the best post-allstar game record...that was a fun few weeks.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:31pm

b.hamilton up to 139sb...the record (145, v.coleman) is going to be broken and then some.

also, vogelbum failed to homer today ending his 5-game-7hr streak. what a jerk.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:36pm

there was a wedding in the stands @wrigley today...during the game.

way to maximize revenue ricketts family...now spend some...

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