SB Nation - Brad Snyder

Fire Everyone! - The Farm System

APV — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:28:49 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Travis Hafner, soliciting coaching advice from outside the organization

This is the eighth installment in a 12-part series.

Part of the Tribe's failure this year can be blamed on the reality that when players were failing to perform in April and May (and there were many), no one was there in Akron or Columbus to step up and provide at least temporary relief. When Fausto Carmona was busy allowing 4+ runs in 10 of his first 12 starts, who was there to step up? Sure, David Huff was there to step in and promptly allow 13 earned runs in his first 6 innings of pro ball, but who was there behind him? And behind that guy? And when the bullpen was busy reading up on seppuku rather than "how to record a major league out" for the first two months, was there really no one better than Matt Herges and Greg Aquino available to fill the holes? Mark Shapiro has said nothing more frequently than the need for depth - the need to prepare for individual failures (which are inevitable) and insure against collective failures. So where was the depth when it was needed to keep the season alive?

One explanation is that it was a failure to acquire the right talent. This is a well hashed argument, and one which might have some validity. There is another possibility, however, that perhaps it is not that we have failed to acquire the right talent, but instead failed to develop the talent we have properly. Perhaps our developmental system, again one of Shapiro's trademarks on the organization has failed. Shapiro has been lauded for installing a system based on combining traditional scouting data with rigorous quantitative assessment and emphasizing consistency throughout the system. Players are supposed to enter into the organization and hear the same things at every level. Maybe some have been hearing the wrong things.

Trying to assess how good a developmental staff the Indians have is probably going to be a failed effort on my part. To really do it right, you would have to compare how the Indians fare relative to other organizations. The best hitters get out 60% of the time. Their greatness is only visible when assessed against everyone else, who get out 69% of the time. The success rate for prospects is much lower than either of the numbers. I don't have time for a thorough comparative analysis, sadly. But we can look internally at what the Tribe has done.

I consider the goal of the developmental staff to accomplish two things:

A good system should help players achieve the potential they were viewed to have when they were drafted/signed (with obvious injury caveats).
A great system should strive to raise the ceiling of their players, and strive to turn them into better players than other teams thought they could be.

How do they do this - I have no idea. But I would like to think they identify weaknesses in a player's game and seek to improve on them. Have the Indians done that? Here are some significant minor leaguers, either assessed by performance, draft or reputation, and how they've progressed (or regressed) while in the Indians system.

2003

Michael Aubrey - Injuries make his development impossible to assess

Brad Snyder - I think Snyder's failures are viewed as a contact problem. I think it is more that he didn't hit for enough power given his high strikeout rate. Here are his K/BB rates from A+, to AA, and two years in Buffalo - 2.5, 2.5, 3, +4...that's not good.

Adam Miller - see Michael Aubrey

Javi Herrera - college defensive catcher (and 3rd round pick), never learned to hit at AA

Ryan Garko - Seems like a success story. He's never developed a lot of power, but aside from his senior year at Stanford he never had a lot of power.

Juan Valdes - Injuries (too much coffee, no doubt)

Kevin Kouzmanoff - Kouz is a developmental success for Cleveland, a guy who raised his ceiling to the point of being trade worthy for future superstar Josh Barfield

Aaron Laffey - Big developmental success. While he's always gotten groundballs in bunches, his improving K-numbers throughout his minor league career attest to his improved secondary stuff, particularly his slider.

2004

Jeremy Sowers - I think it is hard to argue Sowers as a developmental failure. He has consistently dominated the minors. The translation to the big league level is not something I feel justified in blaming the minor league staff entirely for. An argument could be made that more of an effort should have been extended to improve his fastball velocity, but that is tough without incurring all sorts of other mechanical issues.

Justin Hoyman - never got started

Scott Lewis - I think a success story from a developmental perspective. Always did well, but was always described as likely having trouble at the next level. He kept doing well at the next level, up until his injury derailment in the majors.

Chuck Lofgren - Hard to know exactly what has happened or who is to blame for Lofgren, but losing the ability to throw strikes is something I'm happy to assign partial blame to the staff.

Mike Butia - Bad pick

Chris Gimenez - The Tribe turned this 19th round pick into a guy who can play multiple positions including catcher. He's not great, but that's not a bad job for a guy not many people probably thought much of.

Carlton Smith - Another guy who the Indians are trying to turn into something useful. They've managed to take his naturally sinking stuff and turn him into an extreme groundballer out of the pen in Akron this year. I say small victory.

Wyatt Toregas - selected in the 24th round, Wyatt's performance has been up and down, but at various points they've managed to get his plate discipline and/or power up to levels that made his appearance on the big league team this year not surprising. Success.

Tony Sipp - he was a late round flyer who I think we're all glad signed. A success obviously, but it is a little troubling that Sipp's control never showed any improvement.

2005

Trevor Crowe - After looking like he was nothing in 2007 in Akron, he did rebound more towards a reasonably projection given his college performance. Not worth a first round pick, but not the developmental staff's fault.

John Drennen - Haven't been able to put together a solid approach at the plate for Drennen. It's either mediocre power with huge K-rates, or zero power with mediocre plate discipline.

Stephen Head - they really should have worked on his mustache more, or tried to put together a coherent set of skills

Nick Weglarz - projectable big guy from Ontario with limited baseball experience turned into a top prospect...Yes!

Jensen Lewis - Again, from the minor league side of things, this looks like a success

Jordan Brown - Following his 2007 season in Akron, it looked like all he needed to do was add a little power and he'd be a good guy at the plate. Instead he fell apart, losing power, discipline and contact skills. He has rebounded a lot this year, but hasn't recovered his discipline at the plate and given his defensive liabilities, isn't viewed as part of the future. In terms of development, I think Brown is probably a draw.

Kevin Dixon, Joe Ness, James Deters - These three consecutive picks from 2005 all reached Akron and promptly had their careers end, I think we can assign a little failure.

Ryan Edell - Edell, the next pick in that draft, actually made it past Akron this year. Edell is not anything special, but he has followed an advance and struggle, then come back and improve trajectory to the point where he is a depth rotation option for next season. I say success from the development perspective.

Roman Pena - Toolsy, but failed to learn how to not strike out

Neil Wagner - Once viewed as a relief prospect sleeper, Wagner's control has gotten worse as he has moved through the system

2006

David Huff - similar story to Jeremy Sowers. He really looked like he was ready in 2008, but in 2009 his stuff has been lacking. I have a hard time saying this is a failure of the minor league development staff, though.

Steven Wright - he's not a guy we talk much about, but he has slowly and steadily progressed through the system and will likely be a major part of the Columbus bullpen next year. Not a glowing victory, but not a developmental failure.

Josh Rodriguez - Rodriguez has dealt with some injuries, but this seems like a failure. He was highly thought of and got off to a nice pro start in 2007.

Wes Hodges - Again injuries have played a role, but Hodges' power and discipline have deteriorated at each level to the point where now he is a deserved after thought.

Matt McBride - Here I largely question the developmental choices the organization has made. McBride was at catcher, but got moved to corner outfield. He had enough of a projectable bat to be a major league catcher, but it would have and will take a minor miracle to make him a serviceable outfielder. I say development fail.

Adam Davis - He got worse each of his final two seasons at Florida, so I don't blame Cleveland for him not being any good, just for drafting him.

Ryan Morris - A big high-school lefty who the Indians have been unable to teach how to throw strikes

Jared Goedert - Apart from a now legendary 46 game stretch in Lake County, he is 9th round organizational fodder

Paolo Espino - Espino has been moved back and forth from rotation to bullpen, but his improved control this season was a positive step forward for him. I say one for the plus column.

Josh Tomlin - a 19th round pick, Tomlin has been steady in his performance across levels, last season as a stalwart in Akron's pitching staff, to the point of being an interesting guy. Development win.

Vinnie Pestano - Enough marginal improvement in his BB-rate to call this a minor victory.

Chris Nash - Big and raw high school firstbaseman, the Indians have never been able to translate his strength into power or any kind of plate performance. Fail.

Ryan Miller - late round flier who showed signs of life for Lake County in 2008, totally blew up in 2009.

Others

Jon Meloan - not drafted, but clearly a developmental failure. Were never able to right his once promising ship.

Asdrubal Cabrera - huge victory. Cabrera was a hugely underrated guy when we acquired him, but he has been able to translate that potential into actual performance.

Fausto Carmona - huge victory....turned huge failure? But this also involves the major league staff.

Frank Herrmann - Transition to bullpen was successful this season and might prove to be a very smart developmental move. That said, he didn't actually improve any of his numbers in the process.

Hector Rondon - Definitely looks like a victory in progress, has been getting better as he has advanced (at least until the final month of this season).

Rafael Perez - Another victory in terms of his minor league performance. Was a borderline starter turned into a momentarily great reliever.

Jeanmar Gomez - Another seeming victory in progress. His stuff has become more effective as he has moved through the system.

Josh Judy - 34th round 2007 pick, his numbers have also shown steady progress. Could warrant a bullpen look in 2010.

Carlos Rivero - was looking good, but had a definite set back this season in his AA debut

Summary

There are lots of guys I have no doubt missed, and I have intentionally left most of the guys acquired from 2007-present out, because for most of them development is still a work in progress. Generally, I think the Indians developmental system has been adequate, if not extraordinary. We have had pitching successes (Aaron Laffey) and failures (Jon Meloan), hitting successes (Asdrubal Cabrera) and failures (Brad Snyder), college successes (Ryan Garko) and college failures (Wes Hodges), high school successes (Nick Weglarz) and high school failures (Chuck Lofgren). Again, a real study would try to assess this quantitatively and comaratively, but I don't have time for that.

I will say the Indians success with pitchers have seemingly been with developing downward movement on their fastball and/or the development of a slider in particular as an effective secondary pitch. There aren't a ton of changeup success stories in the system, or guys who have developed great power fastballs.

At the plate, it is my sense that certain players who have struggled have gone back and forth between trying to achieve their power potential, while also maintaining a reasonable plate approach. Beau Mills seems to be a case of this in progress, where last season he was showing some signs of actually improving in both areas (following a half-season debut with good power and bad discipline), only to come crashing down in many ways this season. I always find it disappointing when guys who showed plus defensive skills, like Brad Snyder, could not ever quite work it out at the plate enough to get a shot at the major league level. Fire everyone! - mabe. But I'd probably rather see an easing of the constraints on the system. Not an abandonment of the over-arching organizational philosophy on player development, but an openness to the reality that Cleveland is not the greatest organization on the planet and does not have all of the answers.

Just about any individual performance success story or failure can be viewed either as a result of the player's contribution or that of the coaches - so it is impossible to really get at the latter. Only systematic problems give reasonable evidence of organizational failings in this regard. By and large I don't think the Indians system has those. I question sometimes whether the one size fits all approach to development and advancement works for everyone, but some of the player development decisions made this year (Abner Abreu, Lonnie Chisenhall, Zach Putnam) suggest a more flexible approach on behalf of the front office. The bottom line is that I think the Indians do a good job of getting players to perform to the level that is expected of them. There are not that many examples of guys turning into something more than was ever thought possible, but I would guess these are rare in every organization. There are also not a lot of total failures which don't have some major injury component to them. Fire everyone! - maybe. But I'd probably rather just see more humility in the current organizational philosophy towards development. The Indians are not the greatest organization on the planet and do not know the answers to every (or these days any) question. Allowing a little flexibility and opening the channels of communication regarding development up to a few more smart voices might not be a bad idea.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--September 6, 2009

Josh77 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:41:52 -0000

For some teams, the season ended today. For others, the good stuff is just starting.

We're going to start with the good news today.

Tennessee Smokies (38-31)

Cover the furniture with plastic, Ryno, because you've just led the Tennessee Smokies to a second-half division title with a 7-0 shutout of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.

Starter Hung-Wen Chen has been much better in the second half than the first half, and his improvement has played a role in the Smokies turnaround. So it's only fitting today that he shut down the Diamond Jaxx for seven innings. He gave up only three hits and issued only two walks, although he plunked another two batters as well. Chen fanned six Diamond Jaxx.

Left fielder James Adduci broke the game open with a two-run home run in the sixth, which made the score 3-0 at the time. It was Adduci's fourth home run of the season. Adduci later added a two-run single. Adduci was 2 for 4 overall with four RBI and two runs scored.

Center fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with a double. He had one RBI and scored twice. DH Blake Lalli and first baseman Russ Canzler were both 2 for 4 with a run scored. One of Canzler's two hits was a double.

The Smokies have one more game tomorrow and then will face first half champion Huntsville in a best of five series that will start in Alabama on Thursday.

Iowa Cubs (72-71)

The Iowa Cubs ionized the Albuquerque Isotopes, 3-1.

Well, Jay Jackson never got a chance to pitch again for Tennessee, but today he got his first start for AAA Iowa. He was pretty good as gave up only one run over six innings to get the win. Jackson gave up five hits, including a solo home run that accounted for all the Albuquerque scoring. Jackson walked three and struck out four.

Blake Parker pitched the ninth and got save number 22. He didn't allow any hits but he walked one and struck out one.

Third baseman Matt Camp went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Right fielder Brad Snyder was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Catcher Mark Johnson has been injured most of the season. The last time he made the Minor League Wrap was May 29. Today he makes it one more time before the season ends by going 2 for 4 with an RBI triple.

The I-Cubs will play their final game tomorrow. The only thing they have left to play for is to see if they can finish the season with a winning record.

Daytona Cubs (30-38, 64-71 overall)

The Daytona Cubs finished their season today with a 7-4 loss to the Clearwater Threshers.

Oswaldo Martinez started but only went two innings as the D-Cubs were giving several pitchers one last time on the mound. Martinez allowed one run on one hit, which was a triple. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Ryan Searle got the loss in relief. Searle gave up three runs on two hits over 1.2 innings of work. He walked two and struck out one.

Shortstop Nate Samson went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI. DH Jericho Jones was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (42-26)

The Chiefs lost to the Clinton LumberKings, 5-4.

Starter Chris Archer was solid today, allowing only one run on four hits over five innings. Even better news is that he struck out six and only walked one.

Kevin Kreier took the loss with a rough inning of relief. Kreier allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out one.

Right fielder Kyler Burke hit home run number 15 today with a man on in the first inning. Burke was 2 for 4 with a walk.

DH Jovan Rosa was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Nelson Perez went 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Michael Brenly has had a nice season. Today he went 2 for 4 with a double.

The Chiefs finish their regular season tomorrow and play Cedar Rapids in a best-of-three series starting on Wednesday.

Boise Hawks (34-42)

The Hawks season ended today with a 7-6 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Yohan Gonzalez got the win with three innings of relief. He gave up only one run on one hit. He walked one and struck out two.

Steven Grife got the save. He went one scoreless inning. He walked one and struck out one. He did not allow a hit.

Catcher Richard Jones was 2 for 3 with his second home run of he year. He scored twice and also walked once.

Left fielder Runey Davis was 2 for 3 with a triple. He scored once and had two RBI.

We'll see the Hawks again next June.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 28

Josh77 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:59:54 -0000

Believe it or not, the D-Cubs threw another no-hitter tonight, less than two weeks after the last one. It was another one of the seven-inning no-nos.

Generally good news from the farm tonight, although Brett Jackson went on the DL with a sore right wrist.

Iowa Cubs (69-65)

The Iowa Cubs moved into second place with a 4-2 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Jeff Samardzija dominated tonight for six shutout innings tonight. He gave up only three singles and one walk. The Shark struck out six.

Jeff Stevens threw two perfect innings of relief, striking out three.

The I-Cubs were paced tonight by a pair of solo home runs. The first as a third-inning shot by right fielder Brad Snyder, his 14th on the season. Snyder was 1 for 3 with a walk overall. The second one was an insurance run in the eighth inning by DH Matt Craig. It was his fourth home run for Iowa, seventh in the PCL and 11th overall. Craig was 2 for 4 on the night with two runs scored.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with two stolen bases. Barney had one RBI and scored once. Left fielder John-Ford Griffin was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Iowa Cubs are two games behind the Memphis Redbirds in the standings with ten games to play. They have no games left with Memphis, however.

Tennessee Smokies (33-28)

The Smokies late-inning heroics just keep on coming. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Mobile Bay Bears, 3-2 and move back into a tie for first place.

Starter Chris Carpenter allowed one run on five hits in his six inning start. He didn't walk a batter and struck out two.

David Cales got the win with two innings of relief. Cales gave up two hits and a walk, but didn't allow any runs. He did not strike anyone out.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin had the big blow, an RBI double that tied the score in the two-run ninth. He later scored the winning run on Doug Deeds' pinch-hit single. Colvin was 1 for 4.

Center fielder James Adduci was 2 for 4. Catcher Welington Castillo went 2 for 3.

Daytona Cubs (27-33)

The Daytona Cubs split a double-header tonight, losing the first game, 3-2 in nine innings and winning the second game, 3-0 as the D-Cubs staff tossed their second seven-inning no-hitter in less than two weeks.

In the first game, Ryan Searle started and allowed two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. Searle walked one and struck out six.

Chris Siegfried pitched the ninth inning and took the loss, allowing a run on two hits. He struck out one.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Jake Opitz and center fielder Tony Campana were both 2 for 4.

The no-hitter was in the second game, as starter Oswaldo Martinez pitched the first four innings, walking two and striking out one. Martinez has now pitched in four games since signing out of the Mexican League: two of those games were no-hitters. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in his Cub debut on August 15.

Mike Perconte finished the no-no and got the win since Martinez didn't go five innings. Perconte walked one and fanned three.

Jake Opitz was the DH for the second game and was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Peoria Chiefs (37-23)

The Peoria Chiefs were knocked on their ears by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 8-3.

Justin Bristow started but only lasted two innings. He allowed three runs on four hits. Bristow walked four and struck out two.

Jeff Beliveau pitched much better in relief, but got the loss anyway. Beliveau allowed one run over his four innings of relief. He surrendered five hits. He didn't walk anyone and he struck out four.

Center fielder David Macias had a two-run double in a 1 for 4 game. The Chiefs did not have a hit after the second inning tonight.

Boise Hawks (30-37)

The Hawks were officially eliminated from the playoffs tonight with a 7-2 loss to the Spokane Indians.

Chris Rusin started and took the loss. He went four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha hit his second home run in the second inning. The solo shot was his only hit in a 1 for 4 game. Shortstop George Matheus went 2 for 5 with a double.

AZL Cubs (13-15, 29-27 overall)

Beat the Brewers, 3-0.

The rookie league team's season is now over.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--August 10

Josh77 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:04:14 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Esmalin Caridad has been waiting for the Cubs to call him up to the majors all season.

Browse more photos »

Boy, I'm glad I didn't hang around for much of the Cubs game tonight.

Congratulations to Esmailin Caridad, who had to make his major league debut under some tough circumstances and didn't do terribly, all things considered. For those who don't know or who didn't read my post in the Caridad story, Caridad actually got into two games with the Hiroshima Carp in 2007, as he was signed out of the same Dominican baseball academy that Alfonso Soriano came out of. You got a good sense of his stuff tonight and his biggest problem--leaving pitches up.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of good news to report tonight either. Chicago native David Cales was promoted to Iowa from Daytona. Congratulations, David, although . . .

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were abducted and probed by the Las Vegas 51's, 16-8.

Casey Lambert got the start because it was Caridad's turn to pitch, and he lasted three innings, allowing three runs on five hits. One of the runs was unearned. Lambert walked one and struck out three.

David Cales AAA debut didn't go well, as he gave up two home runs and five runs total in the 1.2 innings he pitched. However, only one of the five runs was earned as the Cub defense made four errors tonight. Backup infielder Matt Matulia came off the DL yesterday and got into his first game in a month (and only his second since Memorial Day) by pitching two innings. He allowed three runs too.

DH Matt Craig had a good game though. He was 2 for 5 with a grand slam and five RBI. The home run was his sixth of the year. Right fielder Brad Snyder also homered and doubled in a 2 for 5 effort. Snyder's home run was a sixth inning solo shot and he had two RBI total.

Left fielder So Taguchi was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 5 with a double. Shortstop Darwin Barney went 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The only good news today came from the Smokies, as they blitzed the Birmingham Barons, 11-4.

Casey Coleman got the win tonight, improving his record to 12-5. This was despite having allowed four runs on seven hits in only five plus innings. Coleman walked two and struck out two.

Brian Schlitter managed to notch a save in a game the Smokies won by seven runs. He retired all four batters he faced, two by the strikeout.

Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Center fielder James Adduci was 3 for 5 with a stolen base, and RBI and a run scored.

DH Blake Lalli had a double and two RBI in a 2 for 4 game. He also walked and scored three times. First baseman Russ Canzler also had a double and two RBI, although he went 3 for 4. Canzler also scored three times.

Daytona Cubs

The Cubs lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 2-1.

Starter Jay Jackson continues to serve his penance by blowing away the Florida State League. Jackson threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits and one walk. Jackson struck out four.

Dan McDaniel walked a man and allowed a two-run home run in the one inning he pitched to take the loss. He did strike out the other three batters he faced, though.

Center fielder Brandon Guyer was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Third baseman Josh Vitters got in two at-bats tonight, going 0 for 2.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs were snakebit by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 1-0.

Aaron Shafer took the hard-luck loss tonight. He went six innings and allowed the one run on five hits. Shafer walked one and struck out three.

Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 4 with a double. Right fielder Kyler Burke was 2 for 4.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks were mauled by the Yakima Bears, 5-0.

Starter Robert Whitenack allowed all five runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The Hawk hitters had two hits and 12 strikeouts tonight.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the Giants, 10-3.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- August 8

Josh77 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:19:08 -0000

If you're the type who doesn't click on the "keep reading" button, the Chiefs had a big offensive night.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs used a five-run sixth inning to shoot down the Reno Aces, 10-7.

You know you're living right when you give up seven runs as a starting pitcher and don't get the loss. Tonight that's what Mitch Atkins did, giving up the seven runs in 5.1 innings. One of the runs was unearned. Of the seven hits that Atkins gave up, three of them were home runs. Atkins walked two and struck out three.

Casey Lambert only faced two batters, but he retired him both and that was good enough for his first win in AAA.

Blake Parker pitched a perfect ninth inning to collect his twelfth save. He struck out one.

Right fielder Brad Snyder was 3 for 4 with a double. He scored three times. First baseman Matt Craig was also 3 for 4. He scored twice and had one RBI. Second baseman Nate Spears went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were humiliated by the Birmingham Barons, 15-0.

I'm just going to ignore this game other than to say that Andrew Cashner had a really, really bad start.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 3-1.

Starter Craig Muschko took the loss. Muschko allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out four. He really only made one mistake, a third inning two-run home run.

The D-Cubs only managed five singles on offense tonight.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs pounded out 19 hits while skewering the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 14-5.

Starter Alberto Cabrera got the victory with five shutout innings. He gave up only three hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Eight Chiefs had at least two hits tonight.

For the second night in a row, right fielder Kyler Burke went 4 for 5. Burke had two doubles tonight. He scored twice and had three RBI.

First baseman Rebel Riding was 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Center fielder Brett Jackson was 2 for 6 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored twice and had an RBI. DH Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI. He scored once and knocked one in. Catcher Mario Mercedes went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. He also scored once and had one RBI.

Left fielder Nelson Perez had the only Chief home run tonight, a three-run jack in the fourth inning. Perez was 2 for 3. It was his ninth homer of the year.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks hung on to trap the Yakima Bears, 5-4.

Josh Whitlock started and threw three shutout innings. He allowed two hits. He neither walked nor struck anyone out. Eduardo Figueroa got the win in relief. He gave up one run over three innings.

Center fielder Jose Valez had a big night, going 4 for 4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Valdez only scored once though. Second baseman Logan Watkins was 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

DH Derrick Fitzgerald had a double and a triple in a 2 for 4 game. He scored once.

AZL Cubs

Crushed the Giants, 13-3.

Billy Muldowney threw two more shutout innings in his rehab appearance.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 18

Josh77 — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:36:24 -0000

A seriously weird night tonight. Players out of position, pitchers pinch-hitting for outfielders, first basemen pitching, ejections and phantom errors (at least according to the boxscore). Some big prospects had big nights and some didn't. Some big guy in Iowa continues to lead all of baseball in home runs.

I do believe this may be the longest Minor League Wrap ever tonight.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs colonized the Salt Lake Bees, 12-3.

Starter J. R. Mathes improved his record to 6-3 with a textbook "quality start": three runs over six innings. Mathes gave up eight hits, walked one and struck out five.

Kevin Hart impressed and picked up his third save by pitching the final three innings. Hart didn't allow a hit or a run. He didn't walk anyone, although he did hit two batters. Hart struck out five. Hart also had an RBI double.

Catcher (yes, catcher) Jake Fox hit his baseball leading 17th home run tonight in the Beehive State. It was a three-run home run in the 7th inning. Fox was 2 for 4 tonight with a double, the homer and four RBI. Fox scored twice and walked once. Defensively, Fox had two passed balls and was 1 for 3 throwing out base stealers; nailing first baseman Matthew Brown trying to steal third on a busted hit and run play.

Shortstop Andres Blanco also homered in the seventh inning, a solo shot that was his fourth of the season. Blanco went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Second baseman David Macias got promoted from Peoria a few days ago and got his first hits in AAA tonight. Macias went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored three times and had one RBI.

Right fielder Brad Snyder was 1 for 3 with a triple and a run scored, but he must have hurt himself because I can't think of any other reason why he would be pinch-hit for by pitcher Mitch Atkins.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies split a double header with the Chattanooga Lookouts, winning the first game 8-7 and losing the nightcap 5-4.

In the first game, starter Casey Coleman got battered around a bit. He allowed four runs on six hits over four innings. Coleman walked one and struck out one.

Reliever Jake Muyco returned to the Smokies tonight for the first time since quitting catching for pitching last summer. Unfortunately, his return was not a happy one as he allowed three runs in the only inning he pitched.

John Gaub was awarded the win by pitching a scoreless inning of relief. He didn't allow a hit but he did walk two. Gaub failed to record a strikeout. Brian Schlitter got his fifth save with a perfect seventh inning. Schlitter struck out one.

Third baseman Marquez Smith hit his first AA home run of the season in the first game. He went 3 for 4 in the game with two RBI and three runs scored.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Richie Robnett was 2 for 4 with two RBI and a stolen base. Catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

In the second game, James Russell was masterful for five innings, allowing only one run on a solo home run. Russell gave up three hits total, walked only one and struck out seven. It was easily Russell's best appearance of the year.

He didn't get the win though because David Cales got rocked for three runs in the one inning he pitched. Cales gave up four hits, walked two and struck out two.

The loss went to first baseman Blake Lalli, who took the mound in an emergency capacity and allowed a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Third baseman Marquez Smith continued his big night in the second game by going 3 for 4 with a home run again. Smith scored twice and knocked two in. His solo home run in the seventh tied the game.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. However, he struck out in the top of the seventh and both he and manager Ryne Sandberg were then ejected for arguing the call. In the bottom of the inning, Gameday then claimed that Barney made the error that led to the winning run after he had been ejected from the game. I notice the boxscore has now been updated to show the error was made by Marquez Smith playing out of position at shortstop.

Second baseman Tony Thomas hit his eighth home run in the second game. Thomas was 1 for 3 with a walk and the solo home run. Thomas has now homered in three of the past four games. He went 2 for 7 for the evening in both games.

Right fielder Jonathan Mota was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Daytona Cubs

The Cubs raided the nests of the Dunedin Blue Jays, 10-3.

Andrew Cashner had his worst appearance of the season, allowing two runs in his two-inning start. Cashner gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four.

Henry Williamson got the win in relief. Williamson allowed one run on three hits over 3.1 innings. Williamson showed great control as he didn't walk (or hit) a batter and fanned six.

Center fielder Tony Campana was back in the field after his collision and went 2 for 4 with two walks. Second baseman Nate Samson had a 2 for 3 night with two walks. Samson had a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 2 for 3 with a double, a triple and two runs scored.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs knocked the Beloit Snappers out of their shell, 10-6.

Marcus Hatley didn't have a good start, but it was good enough for the win. Hatley allowed six runs, three earned, in his five-inning start. He was rocked for six hits, two of which were home runs. But the worst mark was the five walks he issued as compared to only two strikeouts. Still, it was good enough for the win.

Chris Huseby is finally starting to show some of the promise that made the Cubs give him that 1.3 million dollar bonus a few years ago. Huseby picked up the save with two shutout innings. He did allow three hits, but he didn't walk anyone and struck out four.

Josh Vitters continues to pummel the MWL. Tonight he was 3 for 5 with his sixth home run and his third in three games. Vitters also had a double. Vitters had three RBI and scored twice.

Kyler Burke was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Shortstop Ryan Flaherty was 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Left fielder Josh Harrison had a 2 for 4 night with a double two runs scored and an RBI.

DH Cliff Andersen had his first big game since returning from the disabled list and went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

Right fielder Nelson Perez hit his sixth home run of the season. Perez was 1 for 3 with two RBI.

Boise Hawks and AZL Cubs

Don't even think about it. They're on hiatus until late June.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 17

Josh77 — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:44:08 -0000

Tonight's wrap may not be up to its usual standards. When it's over 100 degrees outside and inside (my body), it's a little hard to concentrate. I'm so hopped up on medicine that I'm seeing three keyboards but I'll just type on the one in the middle and see if that works.

I do have a superstition question though. I wore my Derrek Lee jersey today to get him out of his slump and of course, it worked. But the Cubs lost. So should I keep wearing it figuring that it will get Lee going, or stop wearing it, blaming it for breaking the Cubs five game winning streak?

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs lost their nectar to the Salt Lake Bees, 7-4.

Esmailin Caridad got pounded for seven runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. Two of the runs were unearned. He had some control problems as he walked five, but struck out six. Two of the hits were home runs.

Third baseman Matt Matulia, right fielder Brad Snyder and shortsop Andres Blanco provided all the offense for the I-Cubs by each going 1 for 4 with a home run. Blanco's homer was with a man on.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies didn't see the Chattanooga Lookouts coming, 7-2.

Hung-Wen Chen got hit hard for five runs in only 1.2 innings. Chen gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out three.

Alex Maestri struck out four in 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. Maestri allowed two hits and two walks.

First baseman Russ Canzler and second baseman Tony Thomas each hit solo home runs in 1 for 4 afternoons. It was Thomas' seventh home run on the year and it was Canzler's first in AA and third overall.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were shut out by the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-0.

Al already handled Carlos Zambrano's appearance, so I won't repeat him. Thanks Al!

Shortstop Starlin Castro batted in the #2 hole for what I believe is the first time this season. Castro went 2 for 4. Right fielder Dylan Johnston was 2 for 3.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs completed the Cubs' (and my) miserable day by losing to the Beloit Snappers, 9-6.

Aaron Shafer's record fell to 4-2 as he got hammered for seven runs in only 2.1 innings. Shafer allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out two.

Third baseman Josh Vitters hit his fifth home run and his second in as many days in the first inning. Vitters had a big day as he was 3 for 5 with two doubles and the home run. Vitters scored twice and he had two RBI.

Center fielder Kyler Burke was 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Burke also stole a base. Second baseman David Macias went 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--May 14

Josh77 — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:54:38 -0000

Just want to remind everyone that we need to keep the scouting reports coming. After an initial burst, we haven't heard much recently about people seeing Cubs farm teams in person. You can contact me through the sidebar if you want further instructions or if you want to mail me a report rather than posting it yourself.

It's the everyone wins edition tonight! (OK, Peoria lost too.)

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs topped 15 runs for the third day in a row while running the Colorado Springs Sky Sox through the wringer, 17-4.

Jeff Samardzija got the start tonight and, after allowing a two-run home run in the first, settled down despite pitching in the thin Colorado air. The Shark pitched four innings and allowed only the two runs on six hits. He struck out three and best of all, didn't walk anyone. Samardzija was also 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Vince Perkins got the win after allowing two runs in 3.2 innings of relief. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out five.

Jake Fox added to his minor-league leading HR total by jacking his 15th bomb tonight. Fox had a 4 for 6 night with a double and the home run. Fox scored three times and batted two in.

Right behind him in the home run chase is right fielder Brad Snyder, who went yard twice tonight for his tenth and eleventh homers of the season. Snyder went 3 for 6 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Think I forgot about Jason Dubois? Nope the left fielder also blasted two home runs tonight in a 2 for 5 evening. Dubois also walked once. He scored twice and batted three in.

Second baseman Matt Camp was "only" 2 for 4 and he didn't go deep, but he did have five RBI tonight. Camp doubled and scored once.

Center fielder Sam Fuld was 3 for 6 with a triple. Fuld scored twice and had two RBI. Catcher Chris Robinson was 2 for 6 with a run scored. Third baseman Kyle Reynolds went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk. Reynolds scored twice.

Shortstop Andres Blanco was the only person in the starting lineup who didn't have two hits. Blanco was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies burned down the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 7-1.

Starter Casey Lambert was magnificent for six innings. Lambert shut the Diamond Jaxx out on only one hit and one walk. Lambert struck out two.

Second baseman Tony Thomas led off the bottom of the first inning with his sixth home run of the year. Thomas was 3 for 5 tonight.

Third baseman Marquez Smith doubled three times in a 3 for 4 evening. Smith scored once and batted one in.

First baseman Blake Lalli was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Brandon Guyer went 2 for 4 with a double.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs harpooned the Clearwater Threshers, 7-4.

Starter Ryan Searle pitched four innings and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks. Searle struck out two.

Jose Piña got the win in relief with 2.1 shutout innings. He allowed one hit, walked no body and struck out three. And yes, Piña did deserve the win in this situation.

Henry Williamson entered the game with two out in the ninth and the bases loaded. He struck out the only batter he faced to record his first save on the year.

Left fielder Jonathan Wyatt was been hot lately, and tonight he added to his totals by going 3 for 5 with his first home run on the season. Wyatt scored three times, batted two in and stole a base.

Center fielder Francisco Guzman was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Second baseman Nate Samson went 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI.

First baseman Ryan Keedy went 2 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs split a double-header with the Quad City River Bandits, winning the first 7-3 and losing the nightcap 4-1 in eight innings.

In the first game, Jeff Beliveau started and allowed only one run on one hit over three innings. Beliveau walked two and struck out six.

Chris Huseby got the win in relief. Huseby gave up one hit in two shutout innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

The Chiefs hit three home runs in the first game. One was by catcher Michael Brenly, who was 2 for 3 with a two-run home run, his first on the year. I bet you'd never know about Brenly's homer if you didn't read about it here.

First baseman Rebel Ridling's solo home run was his fourth of the year. Ridling was 2 for 3. The final home run went to second baseman Ryan Flaherty. It was his third homer. Flaherty was 1 for 3 with two RBI.

In the second game, starter Chris Carpenter was very good in a six-inning start. Carpenter allowed one run on four hits and two walks. Carpenter struck out four.

Reliever Erik Hamren took the loss in relief. Hamren allowed three runs in two innings.

Rebel Ridling doubled his pleasure in the second game by going deep for the second time today. It was a fifth-inning solo home run. Ridling went 2 for 3 with a walk in the nightcap and was 4 for 6 on the day.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was 3 for 3 in the second game and 4 for 6 total for the day.

Cubs Minor League Wrap--May 12

Josh77 — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:10:39 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

You're gonna make it after all! (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Browse more photos »

Just had to say congratulations to Bobby Scales tonight.

Iowa Cubs

If there's a game in the Pacific Coast League played east of California and west of Omaha, you gotta expect some nights like tonight. The Iowa Cubs lost a wild one to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 16-15 in ten innings.

Starter Esmailin Caridad gave up eight hits and five runs in his five-inning start. Caridad walked three and struck out one.

Let's give some credit to Blake Parker, who not only made his first appearance this season in AAA, but was the only Cub pitcher to not allow a run. He pitched two innings and allowed three hits. He struck out a batter and didn't walk anyone.

Most of the carnage came in a nine-run Colorado Springs' bottom of the eighth. Jason Waddell only lasted a third of an inning and gave up five runs on four hits and a walk. Jesse Estrada didn't get anyone out, but allowed two hits and hit a batter. All three of his baserunners would eventually score. Jeff Stevens got the last two outs in the inning, but not before allowing two singles and a walk. Stevens allowed two inherited runners to score and one of his own. Stevens pitched one more inning to leave his line for the night a 1.2 innings pitched and one run on two hits and two walks.

Kevin Hart got the loss in the tenth inning after the Cubs had taken the lead in the top of the tenth. Hart allowed two runs on three hits. He only retired one Sky Sox hitter.

Jake Fox got back in the groove tonight with two home runs. They were his first in May and his 13th and 14th of the season. Overall, Fox went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and five RBI. Fox also walked twice.

Right fielder Brad Snyder also hit his ninth homer of the season tonight. Snyder had a 2 for 5 night with a home run and three RBI. He also walked once.

Last season, third baseman Matt Camp hit two home runs in 482 at bats in AA. Tonight, he hit his second home run in three games for Iowa. Camp hit his two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie the game up at 14. Camp went 2 for 6 with two runs scored and three RBI.

Catcher Mark Johnson was 3 for 5 with a walk. Center fielder Sam Fuld went 2 for 5 with a double and two walks. Fuld scored three times and had one RBI. Jason Dubois was 2 for 3 with a triple, and RBI and a run scored.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies game tonight was pretty much a mirror opposite of the I-Cubs game. The Smokies were shut out by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 1-0.

Starter Casey Coleman didn't allow a run over six innings. He gave up two hits, walked three and struck out two.

Jeremy Papelbon got the loss after allowing the lone run in the top of the ninth. Papelbon threw two innings and allowed three hits. He struck out three batters and didn't walk anyone.

The Smokies only managed three hits. Two of them were by center fielder Brandon Guyer, who was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs edged the Tampa Yankees, 6-5.

Starting pitcher Dan McDaniel gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. McDaniel walked three and struck out six.

Jake Muyco got the win without retiring a batter. He entered the game with two out and a runner on first in the top of the ninth inning. The runner was thrown out stealing and the Cubs pushed the winning run across in the bottom of the inning.

Shortstop Starlin Castro was 2 for 4 with a two-run triple. Castro also scored once. However, Castro did make two errors in the field.

Center fielder Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with two RBI, including the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs split a double-header with the Quad City River Bandits, winning the first one 8-2 and being one-hit in the second game, 4-0.

In the first game, Marcus Hatley recorded the win by pitching five innings and giving up two runs on four hits and three walks. Hatley struck out four.

DH Josh Harrison had a 2 for 4 game with a run scored. Shortstop Junior Lake went 2 for 4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Kyler Burke went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

In the second game, Justin Bristow took the loss after allowing two runs in a four-inning start. He was touched for four hits, including a home run. He struck out three and walked no one.

David Macias had the lone hit for the Chiefs in the second game.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- May 11

Josh77 — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:43:49 -0000

Iowa Cubs

The I-Cubs downed the Memphis Redbirds, 6-2.

Greg Reinhard got the "emergency" start because of Jose Ascanio's promotion to the majors, and gosh-darn it if the former Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawk didn't throw a no-hitter. OK, it wasn't a no-hitter because he only threw four innings, but he didn't allow a hit or a run before leaving the game after only 41 pitches. Reinhard did walk one and struck out three.

Because Reinhard didn't go five (cue my rant on how the five-inning win rule shouldn't apply in the minors), the win was awarded to Vince Perkins. Perkins allowed one unearned run on one hit over three innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Right fielder Brad Snyder hit his eighth home run in a 2 for 4 afternoon. Snyder also had a double, scored twice and batted three in. Center fielder Sam Fuld was 1 for 2 with two walks and two stolen bases. Fuld scored twice.

First baseman Jake Fox returned to the lineup after missing most of the weekend after getting speared by the remains of a broken bat. Fox was 1 for 3 with a two-run triple. He scored twice and was also hit by a pitch.

Third baseman Kyle Reynolds was promoted from AA Tennessee and went 0 for 4. Reynolds was hitting .088 in AA prior to his promotion, just in case anyone thinks Reynolds could be a stopgap replacement for Ramirez.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies were edged by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 4-3 in 13 innings.

Hung-Wen Chen spent most of his five-inning start trying to dodge trouble. Chen gave up nine hits but only three runs. He struck out three and walked only one.

After that, the bullpen settled down until the 13th inning, allowing only one hit and one walk until then. James Russell threw two perfect innings, followed by David Cales retiring all four batters he faced. Jon Gaub allowed a single in 1.1 innings and Alex Maestri walked a batter in his two and a thirds innings pitched.

Finally, Jeremy Papelbon took the loss in the 13th inning. He allowed one run on two hits and two wild pitches in his inning.

DH Russ Canzler was promoted from Daytona and made a big splash by going 3 for 4 with a walk and two RBI. Third baseman Marquez Smith had three hits in six ABs. He also scored twice.

Right fielder James Adduci went 2 for 6 with a run scored, but he did strike out thre times, including to end the game in the bottom of the 13th inning with the tying and winning runs on base.

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs were crushed by the Tampa Yankees, 8-3 in six innings. I'd like to say that the game was called by the mercy rule, but of course it was rain.

Starter James Leverton was battered around for four runs on five hits in only three innings. He walked one and struck out two. Henry Williamson gave up a run over two innings and Steve Vento got rocked for three runs in the one inning he pitched.

Right fielder Dylan Johnston was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. DH Ryan Keedy and center fielder Francisco Guzman made their 2009 debuts tonight. Keedy was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Guzman was 0 for 1 with a walk.

Peoria Chiefs

Off-day.