Cubs Prospect Watch

[Trendy Bastard]

Rizzo is still absolutely destroying the PCL. There was a twitter craze last night when he left the game and went into the clubhouse. Turns out he has soreness in his right wrist.

First round pick Javier Baez will start for Class A Peoria here in 15 minutes. Very exciting.

[realmofotalk]

My cat can destroy the PCL. The fact that Juan Castro had a respectable .284 batting average in his career at the PCL should tell you all about the league.

[Trendy Bastard]

Yeah, because having 43 home runs, 147 RBI, 340+ BA, 400+ OBP, 1.000+ OPS in 141 games at the age of 22 is insignificant because Juan Castro had a career .284 batting average in the league.

[realmofotalk]

The Juan Castro reference was hyperbole of course, but the point was you don't have to be a stud to tear the ball up in the PCL. It's the best hitting environment in all of pro baseball in the U.S., and for that reason MLB teams affiliated with the PCL often opt to have their best pitching prospects skip AAA. Even the can't-miss prospects like Greg Brock and Billy Ashley couldn't make the jump from the PCL to the Majors.

[Trendy Bastard]

I know the PCL is a pure hitters league, but those numbers at that age are nothing to cough at.

[HollywoodLeo]

Greg Brock.... I think I had more of his baseball cards than anybody else's. It seemed like everytime I opened a pack there was a Greg Brock card inside.

[realmofotalk]

Sure, but he's been a .815-ish OPS guy league neutral, rather than the 1.000+ OPS stud that you view him as.

[realmofotalk]

Greg Brock.... I think I had more of his baseball cards than anybody else's. It seemed like everytime I opened a pack there was a Greg Brock card inside.

> Greg Brock

» Dodger debut: 1982

» Finally given up on: 1986

» The low-down: Showing outstanding power in the minor leagues, the Dodgers banked on Greg Brock to be their starting first baseman and let Steve Garvey go. However, Brock never could fill Garvey's shoes, and was finally traded to Milwaukee for Tim Leary and Tim Crews... probably one of the better deals the team has made.

[Trendy Bastard]

Sure, but he's been a .815-ish OPS guy league neutral, rather than the 1.000+ OPS stud that you view him as.

And I called him a stud, when? I'm sorry for showing a bit of excitement about a 22 year old prospect hitting as well as he is right now. One that missed an entire season from cancer.

Listen Mofo, as a Cubs fan, I know just as well as anybody to not overvalue PCL stats. Just because I said he's destroying the league, doesn't mean I think he's going to be the savior at first base for the next 15 years. However, I do think he has a good shot at being an above average MLB 1B.

[Trendy Bastard]

The Cubs are killing it with the draft signings. A lot of underslot signings. Now if we could get Almora and Underwood done, I'll consider this draft a big success.

Baez is doing well in Single A Peoria so far. .296/.390/.507 line with 4 HR, 11 RBI, and 8 SB in 20 games.

Vitters is also doing well in his first go around in the PCL. It's the first time in his career where he hit the ground running in his first shot at a level.

On the other hand, Brett Jackson has been striking out way too much. It's looking like he's going to be staying in AAA all season with the possibility of a September call-up. He needs to get the K's under control if he wants a shot at CF/LF in Wrigley.

[Trendy Bastard]

Just got a tip at another message board that Almora is signed, but the paperwork will not be pushed through until after the all-star break.

[Kingdom]

Ha took Gerrit Cole deep (future's game)

[Trendy Bastard]

Ha is impressive defensively. He has an absolute cannon for an arm. Unless he develops his offensive game, chances are he won't be more than a 4th OF.

Still cool to see he homered in the futures game. Thanks Koz.

[Trendy Bastard]

Almora has been signed with a 3.9M bonus.

[Kingdom]

Ha is impressive defensively. He has an absolute cannon for an arm. Unless he develops his offensive game, chances are he won't be more than a 4th OF.

Still cool to see he homered in the futures game. Thanks Koz.

It's funny that you state this because he looked good offensively, he had no problem handling Cole and Bundy but he also misplayed Hamilton's eventual triple. Jinx.