SB Nation User Blog: Josh77

Cubs AFL Update

Josh77 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:18:33 -0000

I hadn't done anything with the Arizona Fall League so far. I thought that the fanposts you all were doing was handling the situation pretty well. But the AFL is a little over two weeks old now, so it's probably time for an update.

Just some few basic information to start. The Arizona Fall League is a post-season league for minor leaguers. mostly from AA and AAA teams. The six teams play in the Spring Training complexes in the Cactus League. The Cub prospects are on the Mesa Solar Sox, a team that is also stocked with players from the Angels, Red Sox, Marlins and Twins.

Generally, the AFL is considered a hitters league. Usually teams don't send their top pitching prospects to Arizona, preferring to let them rest their arms. This year the pitching is a little better, with hurlers such as the Yankees' Ian Kennedy, the Reds' Mike Leake, the Rangers' Tanner Schleppers, our Andrew Cashner and some guy who plays for the Nationals named Stephen Strasburg. Still, the league continues to favor offense by a large margin, so take that into account when looking at the stats.

Also, don't forget that the Mesa Solar Sox have 37 players from six teams (they've got one lone Blue Jay for some reason) on their roster. So if it doesn't seem like a Cub player is playing much or playing out of position, don't forget that other teams want to get their players into the game as well.

So having said that, the Cubs prospects are mostly having a strong Autumn down in the Valley of the Sun. I'll summarize all seven players' season after the jump.

Starlin Castro: 12 Games. 18-43 .419 AVE. 2 2B. 2 SB 3 BB 3 SO.

Castro is making it tough to determine who the top prospect in the Cubs system right now. He's turning the heads of a lot of scouts down in Arizona. Even more important, he's only made one error in Arizona after making a bucketload of them in the minors this past season. There is very little doubt now that he'll play SS in the majors one day soon. No, not this April. The only question is whether he'll develop either the power or the OBP skills to be an all-star.

Josh Vitters: 9 Games. 13-37 .351 AVE 3 2B. 2 BB 5 SO.

While Castro is showing some impressive talents in Mesa, Josh Vitters is showing that the wrist problems that hindered him in the second half of the season are behind him. He still isn't walking much, which is troubling, but he is there to work on his swing and testing his wrists. If Castro has passed him as the #1 prospect in the system, it's not because Vitters is disappointing anyone in Arizona.

Welington Castillo: 4 Games. 5-14 .357 AVE 1 HR. 2 BB 5 SO.

Castillo hasn't played much, but he's been fine when he gets into the game.

Andrew Cashner: 3 starts. 1-2 record 3.72 ERA. 9.2 IP 6 Hits. 3 BB 7 K.

Cashner has made three starts. In the first one, he got rocked for three runs in two innings, including a home run. In the second game, he allowed only one run in 3.2 innings and didn't walk anyone. In the third game this past Wednesday, Cashner threw four no-hit innings, walking two and striking out four. He reportedly hit a high of 96 mph on his fastball and was throwing a wicked slider. Someone is going to call Cashner the top prospect in the system this off-season, too.

James Russell: 5 Games 0-1 2.57 ERA. 7 IP 8 Hits. 2 BB 6 K

The lefty has been pitching out of the bullpen in the AFL and has been effective. After his first appearance when he gave up thre runs in two innings, he's thrown five shutout innings.

Blake Parker: 5 Games. 1-1 5.40 ERA. 5 IP 7 Hits. 2 BB 3 K

Parker's been going in the opposite direction of Russell, having started out the season strong but he's given up three runs total in his last two relief appearances. He gave up two solo home runs last Saturday in the one inning he pitched.

John Gaub: 5 Games. 1-1 14.40 ERA. 5 IP 10 Hits. 1 BB 8 K

Gaub is the one Cub having a really miserable AFL experience. He's given up at least one run in four of the five games he's pitched, including one game where he allowed four runs on four hits in his one inning. At least the strikeout-to-walk ratio is nice.

If anyone actually cares, the Mesa Solar Sox are 5-10, which is the worst record in the AFL. All I can say is that it's not the Cub players fault.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 4

Josh77 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:33:03 -0000

The Jacksonville Suns won the Southern League Championship tonight as they blinded our Tennessee Smokies, 7-3.

Today's game got off to a good start, as the Smokies scored two runs in the bottom of the second on a double by second baseman Tony Thomas.

But Smokies starter Andrew Cashner couldn't hold the lead. Cashner gave up one run in the top of the third, which Tennessee promptly got back in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by left fielder Ty Wright. But Cashner got into real trouble in the fourth inning. He walked two men and then allowed a three-run home run to the opposing pitcher to give Jacksonville a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish.

For the evening, Cashner threw four innings and allowed four runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out only one.

After the fourth inning, the Smokies offense couldn't do anything. They never even got a man as far as second base again before the ninth inning. Meanwhile, the Smokies defense made three errors in the sixth inning which led to two runs. Shortstop Starlin Castro muffed a ground ball and pitcher Jayson Ruhlman moved the runner to second base on a wild pickoff throw. The next batter bunted, and Castro made a throwing error which allowed the original runner to score. That runner would eventually score later in the inning.

The Suns tacked on their seventh run in the seventh inning off of reliever Alex Maestri.

The Smokies did mount a threat in the ninth when the first two batters reached on a single and a walk. But after right fielder Tyler Colvin grounded into a force out, he then inexplicably got picked off first base with a man on second and one out.

Wright was the big bat for the Smokies tonight--he went 3 for 4 with the home run. Catcher Welington Castillo was 2 for 3.

It was a disappointing finish to the season, but congratulations anyway to Ryne Sandberg and the Smokies as they had a very successful season.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 3

Josh77 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:58:32 -0000

Shortstop Starlin Castro singled home Brandon Guyer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Smokies a 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns. The win keeps the Smokies title hopes alive. They now trail Jacksonville two games to one.

There was a lot of scoring early in this game, as Smokies starting pitcher Casey Coleman allowed a run in the top of the first after a one-out double, a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly. But the Smokies came roaring back for three runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring on singles by first baseman Blake Lalli, third baseman Marquez Smith and catcher Welington Castillo.

Coleman couldn't hold the lead, however, as he allowed a two-run home run in the second inning and another run in the third to give the Suns a 4-3 lead. Coleman's final line for the evening was four innings pitched, allowing four runs on five hits. Coleman walked three and struck out four.

The bullpen then stepped in and kept the game close. David Cales pitched two shutout innings in relief of Coleman. He allowed only one hit and one (intentional) walk. Cales struck out two.

The Smokies tied the game in the fifth inning when right fielder Tyler Colvin doubled home left fielder Ty Wright. The score would stay knotted at four until the ninth inning.

Pitching in his third inning of relief, Marcos Mateo allowed a one-out triple in the ninth inning. With the Smokies season on the line, Mateo got a shallow fly out and a strike out to get out of the inning with no damage. Mateo, who was credited with the win tonight, went three innings and allowed two hits. He struck out three and isssued one intentional walk in that ninth inning.

With one out in the ninth, Guyer pinch-hit for Mateo and singled to left. He then stole second base and was singled home by Castro to end the game and keep the season going for the Smokies.

Castro was 2 for 5 with that one huge RBI. Wright went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Lalli was 1 for 1 with one RBI and three walks.

Andrew Cashner takes the mound for the Smokies tomorrow night as they look to stave off elimination one more time and even the series. This has been an exciting series, as two games were ended on singles in the bottom of the ninth and all three games were one-run affairs.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 2

Josh77 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:17:57 -0000

The Tennessee Smokies were outshined by the Jacksonville Suns, 2-1. The Smokies now trail the best-of-five series two games to none.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon started out strong tonight, throwing five shutout innings. However, Suns pitcher Graham Taylor matched him zero for zero, and the game was still scoreless when Papelbon got into trouble in the sixth inning. He only retired one batter in the sixth, via the sacrifice bunt, and allowed two runs on two singles and a double. He exited with men on second and third and one out. Although reliever Alex Maestri pitched out of the jam by striking out two batters (after walking the bases loaded first), the damage had been done.

Papelbon pitched 5.1 innings, allowing the two runs on five hits. He walked only one and struck out seven. Maestri threw 1.2 innings, allowing no runs and no hits.

It seems like the Smokies have answered every time the opposition has scored in the postseason, and they did again tonight, although it wasn't enough. In the top of the seventh inning, right fielder Tyler Colvin reached on a strikeout/wild pitch. A single by shortstop Starlin Castro put runners on first and third with nobody out. Unfortunately the next batter, catcher Robinson Chirinos, hit into a double play which scored Colvin, but ended the only Smokie rally of the game.

Castro was the top Smokie hitter of the game, going 2 for 4.

Tomorrow is a travel day and Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year Casey Coleman will try to keep the season alive on Friday as he starts game three in Tennessee.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- Game 1 Sept. 15

Josh77 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:20:17 -0000

It was a topsy-turvey game with a controversial finish, but in the end the Smokies ended up on the wrong end of a 6-5 loss in ten innings to the Jacksonville Suns. The Smokies now trail the best-of-five series one game to none.

Starter Chris Carpenter got off to a terrible start in the bottom of the first inning, giving up a bases-loaded triple that put the Smokies down 3-0. After that he settled down and Carpenter went 4.1 innings, allowing the three runs on four hits. Carpenter walked four and struck out five.

But the Smokies struck back in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on a double by catcher Welington Castillo. The Smokies would go on to tie the game in the fourth inning when first baseman Blake Lalli and right fielder Tyler Colvin led off the inning with back-to-back doubles.

The score would remain tied at three until the bottom of the eighth, when reliever David Cales allowed a run. A leadoff single ended up on third base with nobody out. after a stolen base and a bad throw by Castillo. A strikeout and a line out made it look like Cales might pitch out of the jam, but a two-out single put the Suns up 4-3.

The Smokies have been fighting back the whole post-season, and tonight was no different. In the top of the ninth, the Smokies tied the score when second baseman Jonathan Mota singled home third baseman Marquez Smith. However, the Smokies failed to take the lead later in the inning when Mota was thrown out trying to score from third on a fly ball to center field. Smokies manager Ryne Sandberg was ejected arguing the call.

Cales pitched 1.2 innings tonight. He gave up one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out two.

The game then went into extra-innings and the Smokies fortunes looked bright when Smith singled home center fielder James Adduci to give the Smokies a 5-4 lead. Unfortunately, left fielder Ty Wright was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the same play.

Looking to get his fourth save in as many games, Smokies closer Brian Schlitter struck out the first two batters he faced. But he then fell behind 3-1 to Suns catcher Brad Davis, who deposited the next pitch over the left-center field fence. Schlitter did not retire another batter, allowing singles to the next three batters and ending the game.

The third, game-winning, single was highly-controversial. The batter was initially called out at first base after hitting a slow-roller to third. But after an argument and the Suns manager asking the first base umpire to ask the home plate umpire for help, the call was overturned and first baseman Lalli was ruled to have been off the bag, allowing the winning run to score.

Marquez Smith was the big hitting star for the Smokies, going 3 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and had one RBI. Right fielder Tyler Colvin was 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Smokies will try to even the series tomorrow night as Jeremy Papelbon will take the mound against Suns pitcher Graham Taylor, who started at Wrigley against the Chicago Cubs on May 1st and who was almost traded to the Cubs for Jacque Jones two years ago.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- September 13

Josh77 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:20:30 -0000

The Smokies are going to the Southern League Championship Series after outshining the Huntsville Stars, 3-1 this afternoon.

The game started out as a pitcher's duel as starter Hung-Wen Chen got into trouble in the first two innings, but pitched out of it each time. In particular, after a walk and an error in the second inning, Chen threw a wild pitch to put men on second and third with only one out. But a strikeout and a line out got Chen out of the inning with no runs scoring. Chen went five innings and allowed no runs on only one hit. He walked three and struck out four.

The Smokies took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when infield singles by Starlin Castro and James Adduci put two on with nobody out. After a failed sacrifice bunt erased Castro from the basepaths, first baseman Blake Lalli singled home Adduci.

That's the way it stayed until the seventh inning. Reliever Jayson Ruhlman allowed a solo home run to tie up the game in the top of the inning. Ruhlman gave up one run on two hits over 1.1 innings before giving way to Marcos Mateo.

The Smokies answered in the bottom of the seventh. They scored two runs, the first on a single by Castro and the second when pinch-hitter Russ Canzler reached on an error.

Mateo picked up the win after striking out both batters he faced in the seventh inning after relieving Ruhlman. Brian Schlitter entered the game in the ninth inning and got his third save in as many games to clinch the series. Schlitter allowed a lead-off single, but a pop out and a double play put the Smokies into the Southern League Championship Series.

Shortstop Castro was 3 for 4 today, and was the only Smokie with more than one hit.

The Smokies will play either Jacksonville or Birmingham for the Southern League Championship. Jacksonville currently leads the series 2-0. Yesterday's game 3 was suspended in the bottom of the first with Birmingham leading 1-0. They will finish that game tonight, weather permitting.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- September 12

Josh77 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:17:55 -0000

Pinch-hitter Russ Canzler stepped up in a big way with a bases-loaded double in the fourth inning that propelled the Tennessee Smokies to a 5-2 victory over the Huntsville Stars. The Smokies now have a two games to one lead in the best-of-five playoff series.

Starter Andrew Cashner faced off against the Huntsville starter, former Smokie Mark Holliman. For three innings, the two pitchers held the batters scoreless. In the fourth inning, Cashner gave up a two-run double with one out and the Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

But the Smokies answered in the bottom of the inning. After Holliman retired the first two batters easily, third baseman Marquez Smith doubled and catcher Welington Castillo walked. An infield single by Jonathan Mota loaded the bases for Cashner, who manager Ryne Sandberg removed for Canzler, who cleared the bases with a double.

Cashner finished the night having pitched four innings and he allowed two runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out one and got the Stars to ground into two double plays.

The Smokies bullpen shut the Stars down the rest of the way. Alex Maestri allowed three hits but no runs over 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out one. David Cales was awarded the win with 2.1 perfect innings, striking out two. Finally, Brian Schlitter pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.

The Smokies tacked on insurance runs on a Tyler Colvin sac fly in the fifth inning and a James Adduci walk with the bases loaded in the eighth.

Adduci was 2 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base tonight. Mota was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Smokies will try to end the series tomorrow afternoon when Hung-Wen Chen takes the mound.

Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- September 11

Josh77 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:58:03 -0000

The Smokies tied up their best-of-five series at a game apiece as they eclipsed the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

The Smokies won on some dominating pitching tonight, led by starting and winning pitcher Casey Coleman. Coleman went 7.2 innings tonight and allowed only one run on four hits. He actually had a two-hitter going with two out in the eighth, but he then allowed a single and a double to put the tying run on second. He was removed for closer Brian Schlitter, who got out of the inning on a fly out and then pitched the ninth to pick up the save.

For the record, Coleman went 7.2 innings and allowed the one run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and only struck out one. He left the game having tossed only 77 pitches, so he was very effective pitching to contact.

Schlitter threw 1.1 innings for the save. He walked one batter in the ninth, but was otherwise untouched. He did not strike out anyone.

The Smokies scored two runs in the top of the first inning, which was all their pitchers would need. First baseman Blake Lalli singled home center fielder James Adduci, who had doubled earlier. Then third baseman Marquez Smith scored on a passed ball after having earlier reached on an error.

The Smokies scored and insurance run in the sixth inning when Adduci scored on a Starlin Castro sac fly.

Adduci was the hitting star of the game, going 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

The Smokies return home tomorrow for Game 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) of the series.

Cubs Minor League Wrap -- September 10

Josh77 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:55:43 -0000

Sad night tonight as a couple of bullpen meltdowns led to disaster for our minor league teams.

Peoria Chiefs

I'm going to lead with the Chiefs tonight because their season ended with a 9-8 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Things looked pretty good early as the Chiefs got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on four consecutive two out hits. First baseman Rebel Ridling singled, then right fielder Kyler Burke doubled, putting runners on second and third. Shortstop DJ LeMaheiu singled home both of them, and scored on DH Jovan Rosa's double. The Chiefs added another run in the second inning on doubles by third baseman Junior Lake and catcher Michael Brenly.

Staked to a 4-0 lead, starter Jeffry Antigua gave most of it back, allowing three runs on nine hits over his five innings. Antigua didn't walk anyone and struck out two.

The Chiefs got another run in the fifth inning on another Rosa double, and then exploded in the seventh inning for three runs to make it 8-3. The big blow in the seventh inning was a two-run single by Rosa.

Rosa was 4 for 5 with two doubles and four RBI this evening.

But with an 8-3 lead, the Chiefs bullpen melted down. Aaron Shafer allowed four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 8-7. Shafer pitched 1.2 innings and allowed four runs and four hits. He struck out one.

Closer Chris Huseby picked a bad time to develop Steve Blass (or maybe Rich Hill?) disease. Entering the game with the Chiefs leading 8-7 in the ninth, he completely melted down. Huseby walked the first two batters he faced. He then settled down and retired the next two batters on a foul out and a strikeout. But with the game on the line and two on and two out, Huseby threw a wild pitch. He then walked the next two batters to tie the game. Finally, the Chiefs season ended when Huseby hit the final Kernels batter with the game tied and the bases loaded.

Beyond Rosa's big game, Ridling was 3 for 5 and scored three times, although he did hit into an inning-killing DP in the second. Burke was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored the one time. LeMaheiu went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored twice and had two RBI. Finally, Michael Brenly went 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Chiefs had a great season, but it came to a quick end. We wish them well next April and hope the players have the same success next season in Daytona and Tennessee.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies' bullpen also blew a late lead and they lost 4-2 to the Huntsville Stars. They now trail the best-of-five series zero games to one.

Starter Jeremy Papelbon gave the Smokies a good four innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He walked only one and struck out four.

The Smokies took the lead in the fifth inning. Right fielder Tyler Colvin led off the inning with a home run, and later on second baseman Jonathan Mota singled home shortstop Starlin Castro to give the Smokies a 2-1 lead.

David Cales pitched two shutout innings in relief of Papelbon. He was touched for only one hit. Cales walked one and struck out two.

Marcos Mateo pitched the seventh and eighth innings. Unfortunately, with two out in the eighth inning, Mateo allowed a three-run home run that ended up as the game-winner. Mateo pitched two innings and allowed three runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Unlike the Chiefs, however, the Smokies season continues tomorrow with Game Two of the best-of-five series.

Peoria Chiefs Wrap -- Game 1

Josh77 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:32:27 -0000

A home run in the bottom of the ninth tied the score, but the Chiefs couldn't add on and they lost the first game of the best-of-three series to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6-4 in ten innings.

Starter Austin Biebens-Dirkx got the honor of starting game one after having been dominating down the stretch after getting signed out of the independent leagues mid-season. Tonight he allowed four runs in a game for the first time since July 22. Biebens-Dirkx fell behind early when he allowed a solo home run in the second inning. The Kernels added solo tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to make the score 4-1 going into the bottom of the sixth. Biebens-Dirkx was not helped by his defense, as errors by shortstop DJ LeMahieu and first baseman Rebel Ridling led to runs in the fourth and fifth innings, although only one of those two runs was unearned. Biebens-Dirkx final line was six innings pitched and four runs, three earned on seven hits. He walked two and struck out one.

But after the Chiefs fell behind 4-1, they began a comeback. A single and a stolen base by center fielder Jose Valdez in the sixth inning led to a 4-2 deficit going into the bottom of the ninth. Then, Kyler Burke led off with a single and after he was exchanged on the basepaths by a fielder's choice by LeMahieu, DH Jovan Rosa tied the game with a two-run home run. Third baseman Junior Lake would double with two outs in the ninth and steal third, but pinch hitter Mario Mercedes couldn't get him home.

Rosa was 3 for 4 with three RBI tonight. Lake was 3 for 4 with two doubles. Valdez and Burke were 1 for 4.

But unfortunately reliever Kevin Kreier, who had been perfect in the top of the ninth, was anything but in the top of the tenth. His wildness did him in as he allowed the first batter to reach on a strikeout/wild pitch and then after a double, he threw another wild pitch to allow the go-ahead run to score. Kreier allowed one more run on an RBI single before finishing out the inning. Kreier went two innings and allowed two runs on two hits. He struck out three and didn't walk anyone, but the two wild pitches did him in.

The Chiefs actually had a chance in the bottom of the inning as Valdez led off with a walk and second baseman Ryan Flaherty singled to put two on with nobody out. But after Ridling hit into a double play and Burke flied out to left, the Chiefs found themselves on the brink of elimination.

The Chiefs now go to Cedar Rapids where they will have to win the next two games to avoid going home for the winter. They play at 6:35 central time tomorrow.