January 2012
Jim Hendry a Yankee Now
Even though I thought things got out of hand towards the end of Jim Hendry’s tenure with the Cubs I was happy to read today that he will be working for the Yankees as a special assignment scout. Good move by the Yankees and glad to see Jim is back in baseball. He had some good years with the Cubs, but it was definitely time for change.
Best of luck to Hendry in his new role.
Fearing Bud Selig
Okay, I didn’t really know what to title this post. First, let me say that I am not a fan of Commissioner Bud Selig. As a matter of fact, I think he is the worst commissioner of all major sports in this great country of ours. He turned a blind eye during the whole “steroid era”, helped create inter-league play, was acting commissioner during the strike in 1994 and is a former owner. My list of negatives could actually go on and on, but that’s not the focal point of this post. You see, I am afraid of what Selig is going to do with the upcoming compensation that the Red Sox will get from the Cubs for hiring Theo Epstein. The Red Sox didn’t have to let the Cubs talk to Theo, but I think after the epic collapse in September their organization was ready to wipe the slate clean. This allowed for the exits of Terry Francona and Theo.
Anyway, I fear that Selig is going to force the Cubs to give up one of their better minor league prospects. As a former owner, I can see him punishing the Cubs and Epstein for leaving an organization before his contract was up. I really hope I am wrong on this and my fear is not warranted. However, I do not trust Selig to make a legitimate and fair decision for either team.
When it’s all said and done, I don’t have a say in this at all. All I can do is share my thoughts and feelings on this simple blog. I hope Selig doesn’t punish the Cubs and force us to give the Red Sox someone like Brett Jackson. If he does, it will be just another reason for me to not like him as Commissioner of baseball.
Forgotten Cub?
There’s been a lot of talk this off-season about several different players involving the Chicago Cubs. Matt Garza, Carlos Zambrano, Prince Fielder, Alfonso Soriano and Anthony Rizzo have all received a ton of media attention surrounding the Cubs. All of them deserved that attention as well. However, one Cub I have read or heard little about this winter is RHP Jeff Samardzija. So, here’s my tribute to the “Shark”.
He’s just turned 27 just a few days ago, so belated “Happy Birthday”! I felt the Cubs organization really messed up the progression of his development early in his career. In 2008, he was a late season call up and had decent success posting 2.28 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched as a reliever. That was after making 21 starts between AA & AAA. In 2009, Samardzija made 17 starts for AAA Iowa and pitched 34.2 innings with the Cubs primarily as a reliever with the big league team posting a 7.53 ERA. He did manage to to make 2 starts for the Cubs in 2009 as well. In 2010, the Cubs had him both start and pitch from the bullpen in Iowa and with the Cubs. If you haven’t noticed, the Cubs couldn’t decide whether to make him a starter or reliever. I believe this hurt his progression. Plus, he did bounce back and forth from Iowa to Chicago. Last year, 2011, the Cubs defined his role as a full time reliever and he had his most successful season yet. He pitched 88 innings with 87 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA. I think he will only get better and will build off this season. While there is a part of me that still thinks he could convert back to the starting rotation, I believe he is best suited for the bullpen and could eventually become a closer making Carlos Marmol available to trade. The reason I even bring up Marmol is the fact he has control issues with the strike zone and his delivery makes me think that Tommy John surgery is a part of his future.
In 2012, I look for Samardzija to work as a setup man and middle reliever. If he can put together another strong season I would be extremely pleased. Remember, he’s still young and valuable.
FANDOM, THE SUPER BOWL AND THE WORLD SERIES
Now that the Patriots and Giants have punched their tickets to the big game it got me thinking about comparisons with the World Series and people’s fandom.
First, let me make my own personal categories of fans within a fandom. These apply to all sports. There are your superfans/diehards. These fans not only have a favorite team they loyally follow, but they tend to follow the sport as a whole. Often times, superfans/diehards like multiple sports and are pretty knowledgeable in all of them. Then you have your casual fans. You know these people. They follow sports when the playoffs begin, March Madness or maybe Monday Night Football. They know a little bit about a sport or two, but don’t have a favorite team. However, they do appreciate the sports they casually follow. Next are your “homers”. These guys drive me nuts. They only follow one team within a sport and don’t know much about the game or even their own team. Yet, their team is the best!!!! Yes, these fans drive me nuts. Every sport and every team has them. Finally, there’s your “sports fan” in general. These fans don’t necessarily have a favorite team, but follow multiple sports and are almost as knowledgeable as your superfan. Some of these categories can overlap too. For example, sometimes a “homer” can also be a “superfan”.
Anyway, when the big game is played between the Giants and Pats there will be all kinds of fans and even non-fans watching this event. I call it an event on purpose too. Heck, some people only watch the game for its commercials and we all know that’s true. There is also a lot of hoopla around the halftime entertainment as well. Let’s hope for no wardrobe malfunctions this year. So, the game can sometimes become overshadowed and it does not seem to bother fans all that much.
When I think about the World Series I know it doesn’t get the tv ratings football does, but I enjoy it more, personally. It’s not about all the hoopla surrounding the game…..it’s about the game itself. Two teams trying to become Champions. As you probably know, I am not a Cardinals fan and cannot stand them. However, the World Series between the Cards and the Rangers was one of the best I’ve watched in years. I felt every game was exciting for various reasons. I was amazed, though I probably shouldn’t have been, by Albert Pujols’ 3 homer game. The back and forth competition between the Cards and Rangers was fantastic. However, since the World Series is not an event like football is many non-fans did not witness this great series. It’s too bad too. They missed out on something much better than any commercial or half time show.
Please Trade Alfonso Soriano
When the Cubs signed Alsonso Soriano prior to the 2007 season I was really excited. He had just posted a 40 HR/40 SB season. Things have not worked out as I had hoped but Soriano still has value in the right situation. He is still capable of hitting 25 HRs in a season and would make a good DH/OF for an American League team. I know that Cubs still owe $18 Million a year through 2014, but I hope Theo & Jed are able to eat a majority of that contract and trade him. It would open up a spot for Brett Jackson hopefully. We already have Marlon Byrd and newly signed David DeJesus in our outfield. I think we need to find a way to get this done before the season starts.
MY 2012 TOP 10 PITCHING PROSPECTS
Okay, the other day I posted my personal top 10 hitting prospects in the Cubs system for 2012. Some of my choices were obvious and a couple were not. Logan Watkins is a young kid that is steadily progress and I think has the potential to be a valuable utility player in the major leagues someday. Anyway, I have prepared my top 10 pitching prospects for the Cubs and that was a little bit harder to do. In case you are interested, here is a link to the list I made last off-season.
http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com/2010/11/24/my-top-10-cubs-pitching-prospects/
Please remember, these are just my personal picks. I combine some stats, experience, age(try to keep them under 25) and make my own list. Hope you enjoy!
1. Trey McNutt 22 RHP-SP McNutt is still young and pitched in AA Tennessee in 2011. He still has some progress to make, but I think he’s the best, young and experienced pitcher we have in our system.
2. Rafael Dolis 24 RHP-SP/RP Dolis is a big kid that converted from starter to reliever last season at AA Tennessee and had decent success. He posted a 3.22 ERA with 17 saves in 72.2 innings pitched. I ranked Dolis 6th last year when he was a full time starter. With his move to the bullpen I think he may have a better chance of getting called up sooner.
3. Jay Jackson 24 RHP-SP I ranked Jackson 2nd last year but he disappointed me with his performance at AAA Iowa. He pitched 146.2 innings but posted a 5.34 ERA. This was his second full season at Iowa and I anticipated he would have a much better season. If he can turn things around this year I think he can still make the big leagues.
4. Dillon Maples 19 RHP This kid was drafted last year and the Cubs were fortunate he signed. He had the chance to play football for the University of North Carolina, but instead opted to sign with the Cubs. He has a real high ceiling, but I anticipate him starting the season in A ball at Peoria or Boise.
5. Hayden Simpson 22 RHP-SP Simpson was drafted in 2010 and struggled in his first year of professional ball last season. 25 of his 27 appearances last year were starts so I think he will continue to work as a starter. I hope he improves this year.
6. Alberto Cabrera 23 RHP-SP The Cubs kept Cabrera on the 40 man roster for a reason. Cabrera pitched in AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa last season as a starter but struggled with a combined ERA of 6.16. I’m hoping he can turn things around in 2012 or make a successful switch to the bullpen. I had Cabrera ranked 7th last year and I still think he is young enough to become a solid pitcher.
7. Dae-Eun Rhee 22 RHP-SP/RP He had Tommy John surgery in 2009 and is finally turning into the pitcher I hope he can be. He pitched at high A Daytona last year and finished with a 4.02 ERA in 127.2 innings. I think he will start the year at AA Tennessee. I had him ranked 9th last year so I am hoping that he keeps improving.
8. Ben Wells 19 RHP-SP Wells was drafted in 2010 and pitched 77.1 innings at low A Boise in 2011. With his size and fastball I can see him being a front of the rotation pitcher or even a closer.
9. Austin Kirk 21 LHP-SP Drafted in 2009, Kirk is slowly working his way up the minor leagues. He started off in rookie ball, then low A Boise and A ball in Peoria. He spent all of 2011 in Peoria posting 4.29 ERA in 151 innings.
10. Jeffry Antigua 21 LHP-SP/RP I ranked Antigua 10th last year and decided to keep him in that position despite having other players equally worthy. He had decent success in 2011 at high A Daytona posting 2.92 ERA in 83.1 innings. I anticipate he will start the season in Daytona or Tennessee.
That’s my top 10. I left off several players based on age, experience and production. The guys that have me really excited are Wells, Kirk and Maples. I look for these guys to have great success in 2012.
Theo & Jed Hit a Homer!
This is a simple post. Just one quick topic. The Theo & Jed show have brought Kerry Wood back to the Cubs. Smart move guys!!!! Cubs fans want someone like Wood on the team. Fans of other teams may not understand how much love many Cubs fans have for Wood, but there is no doubt that he is probably the best liked player on the team currently.
So, with that said, Theo & Jed hit a homerun getting Woody back. If he were to go anywhere I would have wanted him in Cincinnati. I like what the Reds have to offer in 2012. But thank God he is still a Cub!
MY 2012 TOP 10 HITTING PROSPECTS
In November of 2010 I wrote a post of my personal top 10 minor league position players for 2011. Here’s a link to that post. http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com/2010/11/10/my-top-10-future-cubs-position-players/
Here’s my new list of Top 10 Hitting Prospects for the Cubs in 2012. I base my rankings on stats, potential, age and level of minor league experience. This is just my opinion though.
#1. Anthony Rizzo, 22, 1B. The newly acquired lefty slugger has a lot of Cubs fans extremely excited. I didn’t like giving up Andrew Cashner in the trade to get him, but I like the upside that Rizzo has. He’s young and had great success at AAA last summer hitting .331 with 1.056 OPS, 26 HRs and 101 RBIs in only 356 at bats. He’s got a bright future ahead of him and his power should play well at Wrigley Field.
#2. Brett Jackson, 23, OF. I am really high on the guy! Jackson throws right and bats left. Between AA and AAA last year he managed to hit .274 with an .869 OPS, 20 HRs, 58 RBIs and 21 SBs in 431 at bats. He’s capable of playing all three outfield positions and reminds me a bit of Grady Sizemore. I had Jackson ranked second last year behind shortstop Hak-Ju Lee who was traded to the Rays for Matt Garza.
#3. Josh Vitters, 22, 3B. Vitters was drafted out of high school with lots of raw talent. The talent is still there, but he hasn’t progressed as quickly as some Cubs fans had hoped. Last summer he played in AA and managed to hit .283 with a .770 OPS, 14HRs, 81 RBIs in 449 at bats. He’s also played a little outfield and firstbase in the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League. I anticipate him to start the season at AAA Iowa and play thirdbase. I ranked Vitters third last season as well and I still have faith that he will become an everyday player in the big leagues.
#4. Matt Szczur, 22, OF. This guys is an athlete! He played football at Villanova before choosing to be a full time baseball player with the Cubs. The right hander is capable of playing all three outfield positions and hit well last year in Peoria and Daytona. He combinded for a .293 average, .758 OPS, 10 HRs, 46 RBIs, 24 SBs in 447 at bats. I anticipate he will start the season in AA Tennessee. At least I hope he does. He has a ton of talent and I think he can move up the ladder quickly.
#5. Junior Lake, 21 (will be 22 in March), SS/3B. Lake is primarily a shortstop at this point, but may make the move to thirdbase if Josh Vitters moves to another position or is unable to progress any further. He put up decent numbers between high A Daytona and AA Tennessee. Here’s his combined stats. .279 average, .750 OPS, 12 HRs, 51 RBIs, 38 SBs in 445 at bats. I see him starting the year at AA and could quickly move up to AAA Iowa. Keep your eye on this kid!
#6. Welington Castillo, 24 (will be 25 in April), C. Here’s a guy that I like but is blocked by Geovany Soto at the catcher position. His minor league totals from last year were .286 average, .876 OPS, 16 HRs and 42 RBIs in 275 at bats. Very respectable numbers. I think he will be Soto’s backup this season. His age is a factor for me too. I am trying to keep the players I rank under the age of 25. That knocks out fellow catcher, Steve Clevenger who will be 26 in April. Last season I had Castillo ranked 4th, but he was stuck behind Soto and Koyie Hill. Hill is gone so I really think Castillo will make the big league team out of spring training.
#7. Logan Watkins, 22, 2B/SS. Here’s a guy that seems to not be on very many people’s radar, but I like him. He’s a light hitting lefty with tons of speed. He can play both middle infield positions and I think he’s even capable of playing in the outfield given his speed. His first season, 2008 was in the Rookie League. 2009 was in low A Boise. 2010 was A ball in Peoria and 2011 was high A in Daytona. He hit .281 last year with a .756 OPS, 12 Triples, 45 RBIs, 21 SBs in 441 at bats. I hope he keeps progressing. The Cubs could use his speed as a backup infielder. Watkins fell from 6th last year to 7th this year.
#8. Reggie Golden, 20, OF. Here is a real young kid with a high ceiling. He played at Boise in 2011 hitting .242, .752 OPS, 7 HRs, 39 RBIs, 5 SBs in 231 at bats. Golden turned down the opportunity to play baseball at the University of Alabama to play for the Cubs organization. I plan on keeping a close eye on Golden this year to see how he progresses.
#9. Javier Baez, 19, SS. This kid was drafted last year in the first round by the Cubs. It’s still way too early to know where this kid will play, but he projects as a shortstop or thirdbaseman. I am curious to see where the Cubs start him at this season and how he performs. I am guessing Boise or Peoria.
#10. Daniel Vogelbach, 19, 1B. This hoss was drafted last year as well. He’s supposed to possess a lot of power. I think he will start the year in Boise or Peoria just like Baez. He’s young and this will be his first full season in minor league baseball.
It was tough for me to choose only 10 players that I liked. Some of the guys that missed the cut were D.J. LeMahieu (#8 last year) who was traded to the Colorado Rockies in the Ian Stewart deal, Zeke DeVoss (drafted in 3rd round last year) and Ryan Flaherty (#7 last year, but will turn 26 in July). I really like DeVoss and contemplated leaving Castillo off the list this year and placing Zeke in his place. Last year, I gave an honorable mention to Darwin Barney and Tony Campana and both players made significant contributions to the big league team with Barney as the everyday secondbaseman.
That’s it! My 2012 Top 10 Hitting Prospects for the Cubs.
Bringing Back Wood
For me, Theo Epstein & Jed Hoyer have 2 strikes against them when it comes to personnel moves this off-season. Strike one was not finding a job for Ryne Sandberg in the organization. Strike two was not finding a way to keep Greg Maddux in the organization. Now that the count is 0-2, I’m hoping they hit a homer and bring Kerry Wood back. From what I’ve read today, it appears they will. I understand that Theo & Jed are trying their best to build a winning franchise, but Ryno, Maddog or Woody would sure be nice to have in Cubbie blue.
Here’s hoping they get a deal done soon and move on to more pressing matters such as trading Alfonso Soriano.
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