|
Post by batman66 on Jan 16, 2023 11:01:22 GMT -5
01/15/23 Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Jostin Florentino to a minor league contract. 01/15/23 Chicago Cubs signed free agent C Daniel Campos to a minor league contract. 01/15/23 Chicago Cubs signed free agent 3B Grenyerbert Velasquez to a minor league contract. 01/15/23 Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Miguel Cruz to a minor league contract. 01/15/23 Chicago Cubs signed free agent 2B Omar Ferrera to a minor league contract. I guess those guys are the other IFA free agents they signed ? I came across this list, which I see 3 of the 5 Chicago Cubs ($5,284,000) Derniche Valdez, SS, Dominican Republic Ludwing Espinoza, SS, Venezuela Angel Cepeda, SS, Dominican Republic Brailin Pascual, SS, Dominican Republic Omar Ferrera, SS, Dominican Republic Jostin Florentino, RHP, Dominican Republic Albert Gutierrez, 3B, Dominican Republic Miguel Cruz, LHP, Dominican Republic
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 16, 2023 12:50:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by lu13cubbie on Jan 16, 2023 13:30:42 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing that. I'm so pumped for the 2023 season!!
|
|
|
Post by bryzzobrist on Jan 16, 2023 13:58:27 GMT -5
Not sure Amaya is 100% - just about to start doing baseball activities again
“They just gave me the green light to start jogging, to start running on the ground, to start moving, to start weightlifting. Probably in the next couple weeks, I’ll start doing my defensive work and getting back on track. I’m excited for it.”
Excellent news about Davis.
James Triantos sounds like he's gonna give us some backflips on the way to the field *crosses fingers*
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 17, 2023 11:45:14 GMT -5
Jim Callis just ranked the top ten minor league left handed pitchers. #6 on this list sure looks familiar… 1. Kyle Harrison, Giants (2023) 2. Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays (2024) 3. Ken Waldichuk, Athletics (2023) 4. DL Hall, Orioles (2023) 5. Dax Fulton, Marlins (2024) 6. Jordan Wicks, Cubs (2023) 7. Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (2023) 8. Jake Eder, Marlins (2024) 9. Brandon Barriera, Blue Jays (2026) 10. Blake Walston, D-backs (2023) www.mlb.com/news/top-left-handed-pitching-prospects-2023?partnerID=web_article-share
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Jan 17, 2023 13:38:56 GMT -5
Jim Callis just ranked the top ten minor league left handed pitchers. #6 on this list sure looks familiar… 1. Kyle Harrison, Giants (2023) 2. Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays (2024) 3. Ken Waldichuk, Athletics (2023) 4. DL Hall, Orioles (2023) 5. Dax Fulton, Marlins (2024) 6. Jordan Wicks, Cubs (2023) 7. Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (2023) 8. Jake Eder, Marlins (2024) 9. Brandon Barriera, Blue Jays (2026) 10. Blake Walston, D-backs (2023) www.mlb.com/news/top-left-handed-pitching-prospects-2023?partnerID=web_article-shareI really think people are sleeping on Jordan Wicks, he is just not a high floor/low ceiling type guy.
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 17, 2023 15:19:44 GMT -5
Jim Callis just ranked the top ten minor league left handed pitchers. #6 on this list sure looks familiar… 1. Kyle Harrison, Giants (2023) 2. Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays (2024) 3. Ken Waldichuk, Athletics (2023) 4. DL Hall, Orioles (2023) 5. Dax Fulton, Marlins (2024) 6. Jordan Wicks, Cubs (2023) 7. Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (2023) 8. Jake Eder, Marlins (2024) 9. Brandon Barriera, Blue Jays (2026) 10. Blake Walston, D-backs (2023) www.mlb.com/news/top-left-handed-pitching-prospects-2023?partnerID=web_article-shareI really think people are sleeping on Jordan Wicks, he is just not a high floor/low ceiling type guy. I feel like I really only know what I’ve read, which always suggested that similarly to Cade Horton he’s a high floor guy. I generally rely on some stuff from BleacherNation and of course all the legendary contributors to the Minor League Thread over here for my insight into our farmhands. The most recent read on Wicks I caught was raving about his change up and his command. From a lefty I don’t know how he couldn’t be viewed as a real high potential arm with that makeup.
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Jan 17, 2023 15:51:35 GMT -5
I really think people are sleeping on Jordan Wicks, he is just not a high floor/low ceiling type guy. I feel like I really only know what I’ve read, which always suggested that similarly to Cade Horton he’s a high floor guy. I generally rely on some stuff from BleacherNation and of course all the legendary contributors to the Minor League Thread over here for my insight into our farmhands. The most recent read on Wicks I caught was raving about his change up and his command. From a lefty I don’t know how he couldn’t be viewed as a real high potential arm with that makeup. People have Wicks as a Strong #3 type starter as his ceiling and floor is a solid #3 starter which is nice, but he had a run last year that he looked more like a TOR type like a Cole Hamels in his prime and I really believe he will hit that level. I bet he will be in the starting rotation by August this year and never look back.
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 17, 2023 16:35:00 GMT -5
There is a huge emphasis on the Cubs minor league system right now, and rightfully so. I’ve seen countless videos like the above coming out (okay, I can count and it isn’t an infinite amount, but it’s certainly been a lot!), we all felt that rush of last year’s minor league thread, and now rvn noted that the Cubs convention also had a huge presence of the farmhands as well.
The hype is absolutely real and these kids are all having a ton of fun.
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 18, 2023 11:17:09 GMT -5
BA top 100 prospect list is out. I’m not a subscriber but I did catch the Cubs have 3 on the list: PCA making the jump to 25, Davis falling way back to 84 and Alcantara at 91. We probably have a ton of guys not far behind that but the lists are still not quite buying into the farm’s depth beyond PCA quite yet.
Brewers (3-Chourio), Cardinals (4-Walker), and Reds (8-De La Cruz) all have big impact talent knocking on the door. Oof.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 19, 2023 14:56:20 GMT -5
Mash getting some love finally. MLB Pipeline top 10 1B prospects ranks him 4th behind 3 guys already in the top 100 The Top 10 (ETA) 1. Triston Casas, Red Sox (2023) 2. Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics (2023) 3. Kyle Manzardo, Rays (2023) 4. Matt Mervis, Cubs (2023) 5. Jordan Diaz, Athletics (2023) 6. Michael Toglia, Rockies (2023) 7. Grant Lavigne, Rockies (2024) 8. Ivan Melendez, D-backs (2025) 9. Xavier Isaac, Rays (2026) 10. Niko Kavadas, Red Sox (2024) www.mlb.com/news/top-first-base-prospects-2023?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 19, 2023 15:10:03 GMT -5
Mash getting some love finally. MLB Pipeline top 10 1B prospects ranks him 4th behind 3 guys already in the top 100 The Top 10 (ETA) 1. Triston Casas, Red Sox (2023) 2. Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics (2023) 3. Kyle Manzardo, Rays (2023) 4. Matt Mervis, Cubs (2023) 5. Jordan Diaz, Athletics (2023) 6. Michael Toglia, Rockies (2023) 7. Grant Lavigne, Rockies (2024) 8. Ivan Melendez, D-backs (2025) 9. Xavier Isaac, Rays (2026) 10. Niko Kavadas, Red Sox (2024) www.mlb.com/news/top-first-base-prospects-2023?t=mlb-pipeline-coverageMash, aka one half of the dynamic THUNDER and LIGHTNING duo (and while Mervis might claim to be the lightning we all really know who brings the thunder in that pairing), could be such an unanticipated blessing for this franchise and our quick turn around hopes. I think there’s still too much talk about “what if he doesn’t hit like he did last year, then what?” still going around and not enough of recognition for the change in his approach that led to such great success in 2022 and if he can even be half of that player for the Cubs it’d be a big win. I personally think guys like Mervis are much more impactful to the Cubs chances going forward than even a guy like PCA. At this point we expect PCA to be good and all the time everyone references his floor is elite defense which he already brings to a defense-first position. But when you can help get the most out of guys like Mervis through your development infrastructure, that’s when you create a sustainable farm system. Can’t wait to see him in (hopefully) the WBC and then at Wrigley in the first couple months of the season. Also, can’t wait to see all the fan made videos this year of PCA getting on base, stealing a bag, and then Mervis blasting one to to the bleachers with Imagine Dragons “lighting and then the thunder” playing in the background.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 19, 2023 15:53:13 GMT -5
Mash getting some love finally. MLB Pipeline top 10 1B prospects ranks him 4th behind 3 guys already in the top 100 The Top 10 (ETA) 1. Triston Casas, Red Sox (2023) 2. Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics (2023) 3. Kyle Manzardo, Rays (2023) 4. Matt Mervis, Cubs (2023) 5. Jordan Diaz, Athletics (2023) 6. Michael Toglia, Rockies (2023) 7. Grant Lavigne, Rockies (2024) 8. Ivan Melendez, D-backs (2025) 9. Xavier Isaac, Rays (2026) 10. Niko Kavadas, Red Sox (2024) www.mlb.com/news/top-first-base-prospects-2023?t=mlb-pipeline-coverageMash, aka one half of the dynamic THUNDER and LIGHTNING duo (and while Mervis might claim to be the lightning we all really know who brings the thunder in that pairing), could be such an unanticipated blessing for this franchise and our quick turn around hopes. I think there’s still too much talk about “what if he doesn’t hit like he did last year, then what?” still going around and not enough of recognition for the change in his approach that led to such great success in 2022 and if he can even be half of that player for the Cubs it’d be a big win. I personally think guys like Mervis are much more impactful to the Cubs chances going forward than even a guy like PCA. At this point we expect PCA to be good and all the time everyone references his floor is elite defense which he already brings to a defense-first position. But when you can help get the most out of guys like Mervis through your development infrastructure, that’s when you create a sustainable farm system. Can’t wait to see him in (hopefully) the WBC and then at Wrigley in the first couple months of the season. Also, can’t wait to see all the fan made videos this year of PCA getting on base, stealing a bag, and then Mervis blasting one to to the bleachers with Imagine Dragons “lighting and then the thunder” playing in the background. Here is the unfair thing though , people should NOT expect him to hit like he did in the minors last season , if he does he's an all star and getting serious MVP votes, we should not expect that from a rookie who started last season in A ball. Like you said if he's half that player for the Cubs it's a big win. All he really needs to do it show that he can hit major league pitching and fans need to be patient and not expect 30+ homers 100+ rbi's right out of the gate.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 20, 2023 10:52:04 GMT -5
Just looking at the top prospect lists coming out and damn , although I like Cade Horton , it would have been nice if the Cubs picked Brooks Lee , already deep into all 2023 top 100 lists and landing in the top 20 already . Would have made the future 3b piucture look a lot more promising.
|
|
|
Post by rvn11 on Jan 20, 2023 11:45:57 GMT -5
Just looking at the top prospect lists coming out and damn , although I like Cade Horton , it would have been nice if the Cubs picked Brooks Lee , already deep into all 2023 top 100 lists and landing in the top 20 already . Would have made the future 3b piucture look a lot more promising. The Q&A session of CubsCon that I saw, somebody kinda grilled Hoyer & Hawkins with that very question.
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 20, 2023 12:09:18 GMT -5
Just looking at the top prospect lists coming out and damn , although I like Cade Horton , it would have been nice if the Cubs picked Brooks Lee , already deep into all 2023 top 100 lists and landing in the top 20 already . Would have made the future 3b piucture look a lot more promising. I’m not saying this to criticize Jed and Co or anything, for I don’t know jack about evaluating prospects and talent like that. But one of Jed’s things seems to be that he has a game plan and doesn’t deviate much from it. I think we have seen that a little bit in free agency as well as the trade market by now. I wonder if there is anything to them going into the draft committing to drafting Horton and Ferris 1-2 and not expecting a guy like Lee or Parada to still be available, but they had their game plan and stuck to it. That was a question somebody asked some time ago, don’t remember where from. And of course taking a guy like Lee or Parada might well have meant no Ferris as well. But anyways, time will tell. I won’t complain about accumulating a mass of super quality pitching prospects, as they can always be used to help fill other positions via trade. But Lee does look really exciting right now, and I’d say the same of Parada.
|
|
|
Post by fine09 on Jan 20, 2023 12:21:54 GMT -5
Just looking at the top prospect lists coming out and damn , although I like Cade Horton , it would have been nice if the Cubs picked Brooks Lee , already deep into all 2023 top 100 lists and landing in the top 20 already . Would have made the future 3b piucture look a lot more promising. Although it looks like that on the surface if you remember they signed Horton underslot & used all of the savings on signing Jackson Ferris with the 2nd. round #47 pick but gave him a tick under double the slot value of 1.6 million so we ended up with TWO first rounders for the price of 1. Only time will tell on the 2 for 1 swap but I sure understand the reasoning. But yes, Lee sounds great to me too.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 20, 2023 12:23:48 GMT -5
Just looking at the top prospect lists coming out and damn , although I like Cade Horton , it would have been nice if the Cubs picked Brooks Lee , already deep into all 2023 top 100 lists and landing in the top 20 already . Would have made the future 3b piucture look a lot more promising. I’m not saying this to criticize Jed and Co or anything, for I don’t know jack about evaluating prospects and talent like that. But one of Jed’s things seems to be that he has a game plan and doesn’t deviate much from it. I think we have seen that a little bit in free agency as well as the trade market by now. I wonder if there is anything to them going into the draft committing to drafting Horton and Ferris 1-2 and not expecting a guy like Lee or Parada to still be available, but they had their game plan and stuck to it. That was a question somebody asked some time ago, don’t remember where from. And of course taking a guy like Lee or Parada might well have meant no Ferris as well. But anyways, time will tell. I won’t complain about accumulating a mass of super quality pitching prospects, as they can always be used to help fill other positions via trade. But Lee does look really exciting right now, and I’d say the same of Parada. That's a great point . Not so much that Jed doesn't stray from a plan , but I forgot they kind of looked at Horton and Ferris as a package type deal and they were clearly going pitching heavy but as much as I like Horton and Ferris I could have loved with them going for the bat and maybe signing a couple less picks. But then again , drafting some over slot also saved money for a kid like Mule , who I'm really excited about that was looked at as a very tough sign going in..
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 20, 2023 12:25:13 GMT -5
Baseball Prospectus has their top 100 out. Three Cubs on it, but looks a little different than some of what we’ve seen thus far.
28. PCA 80. Caissie 88. Mervis
Interesting. This tells me two things, that of course every evaluator/ranking system has its own methodology behind it, so outside of the top 20 or so things can look wildly different from one list to the other. And the other? The Cubs are knocking on the door. PCA, Alcantara, Mervis, Caissie all getting love in the top 100, while Davis and Canario are likely to make their re-appearance after they can prove they are healthy and back on the field. And those are just the position players. Lots of pitchers hopefully start cracking these lists as they promote to AA-AAA.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 20, 2023 12:58:46 GMT -5
Baseball Prospectus has their top 100 out. Three Cubs on it, but looks a little different than some of what we’ve seen thus far. 28. PCA 80. Caissie 88. Mervis Interesting. This tells me two things, that of course every evaluator/ranking system has its own methodology behind it, so outside of the top 20 or so things can look wildly different from one list to the other. And the other? The Cubs are knocking on the door. PCA, Alcantara, Mervis, Caissie all getting love in the top 100, while Davis and Canario are likely to make their re-appearance after they can prove they are healthy and back on the field. And those are just the position players. Lots of pitchers hopefully start cracking these lists as they promote to AA-AAA. Interesting , and glad to see Mervis in a top 100 and surprised to see Caissie higher than him at this point because he did not have a great 2022 but BBP does love them some Caissie, they had him at # 67 last season so it was a bit of a drop for him.
|
|