World champion Chicago Cubs thread. (Chicago is titletown)

[Tiduwho]

Originally Posted by bonzo48280

And almost right when I say that, Soler left the game in Tenn. hopefully it's nothing.

Just you nailing it is all.

[gocubsgo3822]

We see Baez and soler this year me thinks. Bryant in May.

Think good chance of an opening day lineup with

Castro Rizzo Baez soler and alcantara.

[DMBZeppelin]

Olt getting sent down to AAA. So his historically low BA for a guy with double digit HR's should hold.

[DMBZeppelin]

Per Patrick Mooney:

Soler, 22, is expected to be a September call-up, according to two sources familiar with the team’s thinking. The Cuban outfielder is already on the 40-man roster with a $30 million major-league contract.

@sahadevsharma: Argh, got scooped by Mooney! Damn life of a free lancer... had that ready to go for tomorrow when I cover the game.


So two different Cubs guys saying they're both hearing that. It was expected he may be a Sept. call up but I'm happy people are hearing it.

[DMBZeppelin]

Originally Posted by gocubsgo3822

We see Baez and soler this year me thinks. Bryant in May.

Think good chance of an opening day lineup with

Castro Rizzo Baez soler and alcantara.

Baez is the one that confuses me the most. He's the one who took the biggest step back at Triple-A, but he's also been there longer than all the other top prospects.

I don't think they'll call him up just to call him up, but if he continues to improve his approach then I think they should. Even if they give Baez/Soler a Sept. call up I don't think it makes them 100% locks for opening day next year. I think they'll still want them to earn the job in spring training. These kids are so talented it shouldn't be hard.

I'm just hoping Russell makes it to Iowa before season's end. We know that Thoyer likes a prospect to get a full season's worth of AB's at AAA in most cases. I'd just like as many of these guys to be on track for 2015 as possible. Though I'm more than willing to wait. Whatever it takes to develop these guys correctly I'll support. Just getting antsy because shit is getting close.

[DMBZeppelin]

This is starting to feel like 2006/2007 off-season to me. Cubs coming off a bad year, but I know things are about to get better in a hurry. Except I'm a lot older and smart now, and I expect some sustained success this time. Not two seasons of hit it and be bad for 10 years.

[gocubsgo3822]

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin

Baez is the one that confuses me the most. He's the one who took the biggest step back at Triple-A, but he's also been there longer than all the other top prospects.

I don't think they'll call him up just to call him up, but if he continues to improve his approach then I think they should. Even if they give Baez/Soler a Sept. call up I don't think it makes them 100% locks for opening day next year. I think they'll still want them to earn the job in spring training. These kids are so talented it shouldn't be hard.

I'm just hoping Russell makes it to Iowa before season's end. We know that Thoyer likes a prospect to get a full season's worth of AB's at AAA in most cases. I'd just like as many of these guys to be on track for 2015 as possible. Though I'm more than willing to wait. Whatever it takes to develop these guys correctly I'll support. Just getting antsy because shit is getting close.

i think they are happy that baez has progressed every month. I feel they will treat him the same way they treated almora.

[Bron Yr Aur]

Baez still has a lot of work to do to lower the strikeouts. A lot of work. Don't think we see him this year at all in the majors, maybe mid-season next year.

[gocubsgo3822]

[DMBZeppelin]

@CSNMooney: Theo says Jorge Soler, just promoted to Triple-A Iowa, is "on a mission." Soler told him: "Now is my time."

[Bron Yr Aur]

It's amazing to think that Soler just put up better numbers in AA than Kris Bryant did this year. Only like 20 games, but....still, that's insanity.

[Bron Yr Aur]

It's just utterly hilarious and ridiculous to hear folks in the mainstream media clamoring for a Bryant call-up and suggesting that the front office is not "rewarding guys for their play" by keeping him in AAA. He has played a little over a month in AAA and his K rate there is 30+%. Like Baez, there is definitely room for improvement. Those strikeout numbers don't magically improve in the majors. I don't want to rush a bunch of guys and end up with a team of Adam Dunn-lites.

[bonzo48280]

Originally Posted by Tiduwho

Just you nailing it is all.

Yeah, I pretty much did nail that didn't I? Haha

This team is turning the corner and the light is getting brighter. Next year could really be a surprise.

[Tiduwho]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/23/cub...cancer-patient

Anthony Rizzo is asked to hit a home run by a cancer patient, hits two instead.



Completely reminded me of this.

[DMBZeppelin]

Originally Posted by Tiduwho

Completely reminded me of this.

I said the same thing last night at work. Rizzo is crazy.

[DMBCardinal]

Baez hit a 3 run HR in each of the 2 games today. Russel hit another HR and finished 3-5.

[DMBZeppelin]

MLB Pipeline updated their Top 100.

8 Cubs made it. Soler should be higher IMO.

4. Kris Bryant

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 75 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 70

Bryant began his incredible run in 2013 by winning the Golden Spikes Award at the University of San Diego, and he ended it by winning the MVP Award in the Arizona Fall League. In between, the Cubs made him the No. 2 overall pick, and he crushed pitching everywhere he went. That has continued this year, as Bryant has battled for the Minor League home run lead all season long.

Bryant has well-above-average power, and he drives the ball to all fields. There is some swing-and-miss in his game, but he has worked to eliminate some of the holes in his swing, and he projects to be able to hit for a good average.

Bryant has a strong arm, and he's more athletic than his large frame would suggest. He should be able to stay at third base, but he played some outfield in college, and he'd be able to handle a move to right field if necessary. Bryant wowed in his professional debut, and Chicago likely won't have to wait long for him to get to Wrigley.

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

6. Javier Baez

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 65

Baez has lived up to his lofty expectations since the Cubs selected him eighth overall in 2011. He reached Double-A Tennessee two years later as a 20-year-old, and his 75 extra-base hits and 111 RBIs led the Minor Leagues.

Baez generates incredible bat speed, resulting in big power. He also has the ability to hit for average, if he is able to develop more plate discipline. But Baez is a good bad-ball hitter, and he often finds a way to get his bat on the ball in spite of his aggressiveness.

Baez isn't as advanced defensively. His average speed begets solid range, and he has a good arm, but he still commits too many errors. Some scouts feel Baez is destined for a move to third or second base, which would be eased by Starlin Castro's presence in Chicago. No matter where he plays, Baez's bat has the ability to make him a star.

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

7. Addison Russell

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 65

Russell rose up First-Year Player Draft boards in the spring of 2012, and he has continued that upward trend in the Minor Leagues. He began this season with Double-A Midland, where he was the second-youngest player in the Texas League. While Russell missed most of the first half of the year with a hamstring injury, he returned to health in time to headline the package the Cubs acquired in exchange for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel on July 4.

Russell has established himself as one of the best shortstop prospects in baseball, and he's erased any concerns about his long-term future at the position. He has the hands, range and arm strength needed to make stunning plays in the field.

Russell uses the whole field to hit, and his quick hands enable him to make consistent hard contact. He has surprising pop, and he could develop above-average power in the future. Russell isn't a speedster, but he gets the most out of his solid speed, and he's aggressive on the basepaths.

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

37. Arismendy Alcantara

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

Scouts had long waited for Alcantara to put together his exciting package of tools. That finally happened in 2013, and he earned a spot in the All-Star Futures Game as a result.

Alcantara has a short compact swing from both sides of the plate. His swing is more suited for line drives, but he does have some pop in his bat. Alcantara is athletic, and he has well-above-average speed, making him a stealing threat.

In the Minors, Chicago used Alcantara primarily at second base and shortstop. He has a strong arm, and he's a good defender at both positions, but the Cubs have a logjam of burgeoning talent at both spots. Alcantara began to see some time in center field this year, enhancing his versatility.

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

41. Albert Almora

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 75 | Overall: 55

Almora was more polished than most high school hitters, and Chicago happily took him with the sixth overall pick in 2012. Injuries limited him somewhat in his first full professional season, but he made up for the lost time with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he was the second-youngest player.

Almora has a loose easy swing, and he sprays line drives to all fields. He is an aggressive hitter, but he doesn't strike out a ton, thanks to his feel for the bat. Almora has more power than his lithe frame would suggest, and he projects to have average power. He is an excellent center fielder, and he has a strong arm.

Almora has five-tool potential, and his makeup and baseball instincts allow his tools to play up. If he can avoid further injury troubles, he has the skillset to start moving quickly.

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

54. Jorge Soler

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 65 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Soler joined fellow Cuban natives Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig in signing big contracts with Major League teams in 2012. While Cespedes and Puig have already made their impact felt in the big leagues, Soler -- the youngest of the three -- continues to progress toward Chicago. His development was stalled in '13 by a stress fracture in his left tibia and in '14 by hamstring strains, but his tools are still obvious.

Soler has big raw power, and he drives the ball to all fields. He has a good approach at the plate, and he shows a willingness to take a walk.

Soler has a strong arm, and he covers ground well in right field. While his makeup has been questioned at times, he is still young, and he profiles well as a prototypical right fielder.

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

60. C.J. Edwards

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

Texas nabbed Edwards, who was lightly scouted in high school, in the 48th round of the 2011 Draft. He quickly developed into much more than a typical 48th-round pick, and he was a key component to the package the Rangers sent to the Cubs in exchange for Matt Garza in July '13. Edwards has shown electric stuff with his new organization, though shoulder inflammation has limited his innings this year.

Edwards throws his fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, and it can touch 97 mph. He does a good job of keeping his fastball down in the zone, and he only gave up one home run in 116 1/3 innings in 2013. Edwards' best offspeed pitch is his 12-to-6 curveball, and his changeup has improved as a professional.

Edwards is skinny, and some scouts question his long-term durability as a result. If he can prove that won't be a problem, his stuff is good enough to make him a front-line starter.

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

79. Kyle Schwarber

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 40 | Arm: 40 | Field: 40 | Overall: 55

Undrafted and relatively unknown coming out of a high school, Schwarber powered Indiana to its first College World Series appearance and first outright Big Ten Conference regular-season championship in 81 years in 2013, slugging a school-record 18 homers. He established himself as the best all-around college hitter in the '14 Draft class, and he signed with Chicago as the No. 4 overall pick for $3,125,000. Though Schwarber went that high in part because he would sign a below-market deal, his fast start in pro ball showed that the Cubs didn't sacrifice much, if anything, in the way of talent.

Schwarber combines strength and bat speed from the left side of the plate, giving him well-above-average power. He's also more than a masher, as he repeatedly barrels balls and controls the strike zone, so he should hit for a high average, as well.

Schwarber's offensive ability could make him a star, regardless of his position. He primarily played catcher, but he also saw time in left field for the Hoosiers, and he split time between both spots as he broke into pro ball. Schwarber moves well for his size, and scouts love his work ethic, but they question whether he can throw or receive well enough to stick behind the plate.

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[Bron Yr Aur]

Soler should be far higher. Will be very interesting to see how Bryant/Soler/Baez finish this season now Baez has figured it out and Soler is in AAA. We could be talking about Soler as the best hitter (power and walks!) in the Cubs' farm system at the end of the season. Doesn't mean he is a better prospect than the infielders, but yeah. Soler could be the one who looks most ready to face MLB pitching by the end of the season.

[DMBZeppelin]

@MDGonzales: Darwin barney to dodgers should be finalized soon

Edit: Wittenmeyer just tweeted it's for the infamous PTBNL.

[bonzo48280]

Really need the Cubs to lose these games to the Rockies

[Tiduwho]

Rockies are must losses.

[Tiduwho]

Vortex of Horse Crap going tonight. So that's good.

[DMBZeppelin]

Hope the Cubs get him. Why not?

@sahadevsharma: Talked to a longtime scout who got eyes on Castillo for first time Saturday, was really impressed by bat, especially opposite field power. Scout said after seeing the bat that if speed, which he said is 70, played in game (in CF & base paths), then he could be a special player

@sahadevsharma: And yes, it appears Cubs are interested in a private workout. Still nothing scheduled as of yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

[FromTheMorning]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=112...goryid=2378529

[Tiduwho]

Cubs blew it in 16 innings. Itiots.

[Tiduwho]

At least our backup catcher pitched the win. First position player pitching victory since 1902.

[DMBCardinal]

It's hard to lose to the Rockies without Tulo. You would think with Jackson pitching we would have a good shot though.

[DMBZeppelin]

Theo gonna Theo.

@TonyAndracki23: Jason Hammel has a 9.82 ERA with the A's. Ouch.

[pathetic]

jsut heard you guys are getting doubront

[rickyh24]

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin

Theo gonna Theo.

@TonyAndracki23: Jason Hammel has a 9.82 ERA with the A's. Ouch.

NL pitcher going over to the AL and getting shelled? I'm shocked.