timh815
Feb 25, 2010 May 30, 2012 124 10340
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Draft Prep: How Much Can Theo Spend Version
by timh815 on May 28, 2012 11:18 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
The version of signing amateurs that we have all come to know and... ummm... tolerate for the last few years is out the door. Each draft pick had an acceptable 'slot value'. A team could sign a player to a bonus of or below that value. If the agreed upon bonus was 'larger than slot', it had to be 'run by the Office of the Commissioner' for approval. While the bonus was very rarely denied (see Purke, Matt 2009), a fine could be levied if permission was not requested (see Cerda. Matt 2008). Since teams eventually began to disregard any sort of respect for the old slotting system, a new one begins in 2012.
A Day In The Life Of An A-Ball Minor Leaguer
From player to ump and beyond.
Minor Leagues Question
by timh815 on May 26, 2012 2:31 PM EDT
on Minor League Ball
Since everyone is on-board for the mock, I'll ask this here today regarding Extended Spring Training.
Draft Prep: Pierce Johnson
by timh815 on May 25, 2012 6:02 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
While, in theory, I could go into quite a bit more detail on this game, I was a bit occupied. The question at hand is, "Would I pick Pierce Johnson in the two latter First Round picks?" Three questions that I will ask (that have little to do with Pierce Johnson) precede my assessment.
Draft Prep: Conference Tournament Version
by timh815 on May 23, 2012 9:53 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
The joy of the college tournament season. Much of my viewing is based on what Bristol allows me to see on my computer. This week, they ramp up their coverage. They are (unsurprisingly) running a bunch of SEC games. While the SEC is the best conference there is, I'm not sure how much I will watch it pre-draft. I'm getting familiar with them, and as needed I can check them out as needed in two weeks.
Draft Prep: Reasonable Expectations and MQA
by timh815 on May 19, 2012 1:19 PM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
As the draft is just over two weeks away, I thought I'd look at reasonable expectations for this year's draft. Gauging how well a youngster will develop toward the big leagues is an impressive challenge. When many of the signees report to base camp (Arizona for the Cubs signees), the ragtag bunch of (often) recent signees will be the best players they've played against.
Rule 5 Mea Culpa
by timh815 on May 17, 2012 6:07 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
i don't like making mistakes. I really, really don't like making mistakes. When I do, I like to make good, or at least try to do so.
70 comments
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1 recs |
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Draft Prep: Top 250 For The June Draft
I follow Matt's stuff on Twitter. He knows his stuff. Much better than I do.
Draft Prep: Spycam Edition
by timh815 on May 10, 2012 10:20 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
What do Marwin Gonzalez, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in MLB, added systemic interest in technology, and emphasizing College players in this draft have to do with some potential upcoming trades the Cubs might make this next year or so? Before I get there, I have added some new players to my list of prospects. Don't get too over-hyped if I have a guy you really like ten spots under a guy you don't prefer. I'm trying to come up with seventy-some names I would be comfortable with on our pick in Round Two.
On Minor League Ball, Princeton is 'going all Tim Wilken' and drafting for us for the first three rounds. I will toss in a few ideas, but I think he's doing well so far. Join our sister site if you are intrigued.
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Draft Prep: Raph Rhymes And 11-20
by timh815 on May 1, 2012 8:56 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
Why do I write these? There are a few reasons. It's cathartic for me to write something I feel strongly about. As few things as there are in life I truly believe in, one of them is baseball. It appears we have a front office as committed to putting together a solid organization as Justin Bieber is to putting out pop hits, so it makes it seem worth the effort.
My first BCB draft was 2008. Who's this 'Andrew Cashner' guy? The next year was 'Brett Jackson? Yes or no?' In 2010, I became more familiar with the names. I ran the possibilities. I knew everything about Josh Sale, except how to pronounce his name. (For the record, Sale hasn't done that much either.) The Hayden Simpson pick stung. Not because I had any specific expectations on his career, or that I thought I was better at Tim Wilken's job than Wilken is (I'm not, and that isn't at question.). It was, I was unprepared.
How International Signings Work Going Forward
What you need to know regarding international signing changes.
Draft Prep: Stratton Stars & 1-10
Here is a link to my critique on last night's Mississippi/Mississippi State game. I prefer having my assessments off-board, in case something happens.
I'm also stating my Top 70 for the draft series. I will go through, a few at a time, the people I'm comfy with the Cubs selecting in their first four picks. I encourage discussion, and if you sway me, I will change my numbers. Realistically, though, the difference between my (for instance) 14th and 41st isn't really that much.
1. Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford. Came in as the presumed 1.1. Hasn't hurt his status. I'm comfy with him here.
2. Mike Zunino, C, Florida. Calls his own game catching, which is odd in college. Represents middle of the order as a hitter. Sold.
3. Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU. He has mid-90's gas, and I'm not hearing many negatives.
4. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco. Throws high 90's heat, and has a young arm. I have no idea why I have him below Gausman. May change a dozen times for me by draft day. I like them both.
5. Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico. Javier Baez meets Francisco Lindor.
6. Byron Buxton, CF, HS (GA), My controversial pick, he hasn't homered all year. Really fast. Really good in CF. I tend to not believe rumors on HS hitters.
7. Lucas Giolito, RHP, HS (CA). Still shelved with a UCL strain, he was a potential 1.1 before his injury. I would very much enjoy following a healthy Giolito through the Cubs system.
8. Max Fried, LHP, HS (CA). Mid 90's heat. Hammer curve. Did I mention he's a lefty?
9. Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M. He seems to be a popular pick in this range. I haven't seen him this year, but the 9-40 gap won't likely be Cubs anyway.
10. Albert Almora, OF, HS (FL). He seems to have some helium, so I will slot him here. I haven't seen him, but he might be at ten as well as the next dozen.
11-20 next time.
Draft Prep Q & A
Note to self. Visit these Q&As more often. Interesting stuff about Chris Stratton, Austin Adams (from his father), Ty Buttrey (my new pick for the Rami comp), and some Tyler Mathison stuff.
Don't bother if you aren't a draftaholic.
Draft Prep: Pierce Johnson
I'll call it. Pena pick.
The New CBA And HS Draftees
by timh815 on Apr 22, 2012 11:49 AM EDT
on Minor League Ball
I am not a fan of the new CBA that was unanimously ratified, but it is how things are now. How will it change the order of selection in this and future drafts? As we look to June, I'll fill you in on what I think will happen, with the caveat that I may be very wrong.
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Draft Prep: Be The Scout Edition
by timh815 on Apr 21, 2012 10:56 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
In my last poll, I gave a few options as far as what I should have done in that edition. The early leader was an eliminator poll. I may still do that, but the winner of the contest would be gone by the third pick, so we'd not have a shot at him. The poll winner was one that I am horribly unqualified to talk about. In fact, if any of Theo's superscouts know how to evaluate how well a player will develop regarding off-speed stuff, don't explain it here. I'd much prefer you scan video of a game involving a player you are assigned to and give our higher-ups a proper projection on him.
If any of the regulars have any thoughts on the topic, though, let us know. That said, our scouts haven't done this very well very often.
Baez hits for cycle
Feel free to comment on this, or the Cubs minor league slate tonight. Wind blowing to RF 25 MPH in Peoria. Both teams start 7 LH hitters today.
Monday Morning Phone Conversation
by timh815 on Apr 16, 2012 10:12 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben: "What's up, Theo (agitated tone).
Theo: "Not much. Wanting to check to see how my protege is doing today. Don't you have a few minutes for an old friend?
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Draft Prep: Crystal Ball Edition
by timh815 on Apr 15, 2012 12:46 PM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
Oooooh, Tim's going to give us a mock draft.
No, not yet, at least. But I will look a bit into the future, June and beyond.
Peoria 6 @ Beloit 2 Review
As promised, here is my account. Comment here or at the link. Questions invited.
Chiefs at Beloit 4-7-2012
As promised, my musings from Saturdays game.
Comment here or thee.
about 1 month ago
timh815
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Draft Prep: Stroman, Farmer, And Injury Concerns Version
by timh815 on Apr 7, 2012 1:35 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
I watched a rerack of a Duke/Ga. Tech game from last weekend featuring Buck Farmer and Marcus Stroman. I was very impressed by both. Stroman was flashing a very solid 3 pitch arsenal (mid-90's FB, curve, slider), and Farmer jumped way up my board. He's in the 93 range with his gas, and he was doing very well with his slider. I'm watching a game now with Farmer against Florida State, and he is representing so far. I'm not certain he will be able to put pros away for strikeouts, and he might get hit by pros, but I have no problem grabbing him with a third round pick. Both had double digit strikeouts, and neither walked anyone.
If we were picking in the 12-15 range, I would be very Stroman intrigued, At 5-9/5-10, I imagine Team Theo will look elsewhere (Appel, Gausman, Zimmer, Zunino, Buxton, Correa, Giolito), but wouldn't be too upset with Stroman.
Gausman started against Florida today. Zunino had three hits.
The hits keep on coming for players, especially HS ones, for the upcoming draft. Lucas Giolito's injury has been discussed ad nauseum, but Matt Smoral (a 6-8 LHP from HS in Ohio) will be out 3 months with foot surgery. He has a commitment to North Carolina. Alex Bregman (broken finger), CJ Hinjosa (elbow), and Rio Ruiz (blood clot) have also had health troubles. The most heart-wrenching story of the list is the apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to Vandy commit Stephen Gant. After that, everything else I write is very trivial.
I would imagine the scouting efforts will probably take one of the guys who had a shortened season. Theo likes helium types, but he also will wait through an injury to obtain results. Simply, Theo Inc wants impact players.
ESPN ran a high school game this week. A relative of Michael Bourn was playing. Yeah, he's kind of fast.
Your comments welcomed below. As would be a bump near the top, as I wasn't given the option.
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Beloit Peoria on Saturday
by timh815 on Apr 4, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
on Minor League Ball
Rule 5 Redux: Lendy Castillo Version
by timh815 on Apr 1, 2012 3:18 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
It's that time again to consider the fate of Lendy Castillo, the Cubs Rule 5 experiment for the year. I won't be so brash as to say he is MLB quality yet. He isn't, and not because of a comically errant throw in an early spring appearance. He walks too many hitters for Team Theo. He might rate as a decent Prospect in the system in a year, but he is too raw to put on the 25 man roster.
Draft Prep: Nine Weeks Out Version
I've been a bit slack on updating everyone on Top 80 types for the draft. That clinking noise was me dropping a quarter in the jar.
Kyle Zimmer is continuing to solidify his slot in the top of Round One. I doubt we will have to 'decide' on Mark Appel. Or Mike Zunino. Or Byron Buxton. I've included a Mock Draft so you can see who's hot. I like this version, as we get Giolito.
If you have AT&T computer service, you can watch a fun SEC match-up this weekend. LSU hosts Arkansas in a match-up of Top 12 teams. Gausman goes against Baxendale on Friday. Ryne Stanek (2012 Class that looks Roy Oswalt to me) pitches for the Razorbacks on Saturday.
Miami and Clemson, NC State/Virginia, and Virginia Tech/FSU also are on the ESPN Family Friday. Nine games air Saturday.
UC Davis and Hawaii were on tonight. I nodded off watching, but not before being intrigued by Dayne Quist, from Davis. A senior, the lefty has a funky motion and good control. He probably tops out at 90 or so. I wouldn't mind him in a middle round, or if Team Theo thinks we need an easy sign for cap room, draft him on the cheap in the eighth round. Has LOOGY written all over him.
Is there anyone you've seen that you like? Anyone you've heard of that I should take a look at?
Rumor has it that soon, in addition to all the minor league games starting soon, something called 'the parent club' will start playing soon. Not sure how that will go.
OT: Sawks Carpenter Faces Elbow Surgery
I still have emotions invested in this guy. Cherington won't say it is a new injury. A bit odd.
Cubs Sign Walk-Prone Reliever
I guess to replace the guys lost to Boston? Not sure on this one.
Draft Prep: The Case For Giolito At 6
I am not as attuned to elbow/shoulder injuries as I should be. I had a whole piece mentally brewing on California HS Senior Lucas Giolito. Then, I read this piece, and realized it was better than mine would have been. Arm injury chatter welcomed.
My Six Pack today...
Giolito, Correa, Zunino, Gausman, Buxton, Appel,
Honorable mention Zimmer, Dahl.
De Facto Rule 5 Thread
by timh815 on Mar 15, 2012 3:35 AM EDT
on Bleed Cubbie Blue
I serve two roles on this board. One is to talk about the upcoming June Draft. I have an idea for a piece on Lucas Giolito and the Sixth Pick, but that can wait a week or so. The other is to talk about Rule 5 action. From David Patton and Mike Parisi, I've been more than willing to write a post to create discussion on those guys that will probably never have positive WAR values, but may require a year on the big league roster to stick around.
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