2008 33rd round pick Sean Hoorelbeke (Central Michigan) roped a two-run double into the left-centerfield alley on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, driving in the tying and winning runs and giving the AZL Cubs a 4-3 victory over the AZL Giants at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning in Mesa.
box score
The AZL Cubs are now 1-2 in AZL league play.
3B Junior Lake gave the AZL Cubs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning when he blasted a towering HR onto 8th Street, but the lanky 18-year old Dominican infielder got yanked out of the game by Manager Franklin Font after he failed to run out a ground ball in a later AB.
Just a typical Day in the Life of AZL baseball.
Prior to the AZL game, LHP Rich Hill threw a two-inning (35 pitches - 22 strikes & 13 balls) simulated game on Field #1 under the watchful eye of Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins (who stood at various vantage points around the infield and home plate area during the session, including behind the mound).
0-7 with 3K soriano vs chapman brought on to pinch hit with 2 on, 2 out, in the 9th.
make that 0-8 with 4K...cubs lose by 3.
...not like there was much better options, fwiw. meh.
Return of CRUNCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jGpauNUaWY
c.granderson (NYY) broken left pinky after HBP...unbelievable.
no hitter gone after 8.1
a.sanchez (
CHCDET) no hitter through 7scott feldman 2r HR (1st career)
...cubs pitchers are rather awesome hitters this season. a few doubles, a couple homers...15 rbis for cubs pitchers.
cubs up 3-0, top 2nd.
Phil,
Will you give us a scouting report on the young Latino pitchers at Fitch. Do any of them impress? Thanks.
Hot Sheet Chat:
What is Jorge Soler's upside and or MLB comp? Thanks
Jim Shonerd: Scouts do worry about his swing mechanics a bit, but overall he’s got plenty of power and blends it with a feel for hitting. His offense was in a bit of funk after he got back from his suspension, but now he’s hitting .324 in May and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end the year in Double-A.
Soler and Baez at #11 & 12 on Baseball America's weekly hot sheet.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot...
Give jd a few years and put one of his kids in the Cubs system, then compare them.
Soriano's lack of awareness carries on past the diamond....
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/24/alfonso-soriano-is-tired-of...
says he's tired of losing, doesn't want to be on a team with a bad record
yet is still on team with bad record after not wanting to be traded to Giants last year
a bit hard to hear...and a heavy on "bad" language (and humor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Q8xga6P_0
Black Like Me By Mark Grace
http://deadspin.com/old-scouting-report-on-mark-gr...
a little less than 2 weeks til the draft...
M.Appel - 98.1ip 77h 21bb 121k - 2.20era
J.Gray - 110ip 69h 21bb 127k - 1.55era
K.Bryant - 203ab 69h 12db 30hr 60bb 38k 7/11sb - .340/.504 avg/ob% (9 errors/55 games playing 3rd)
Glad the love wasn't directed toward Gracie. Slumpbuster or jail bait.