The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Sounds like(and it all guesses) that even if Kolek is there, the Cubs wont draft him.

I dont want Nola at 4. Seems like a reach to me.


It's Rodon or bust for me, which means they'll draft a college bat then select an arm with every other pick in the draft.

We're in a tough spot at #4, especially after the injuries to Hoffman and Fedde. I agree that Nola is a bit of a reach at 4, and I unintentionally left out the most important part of my reasoning from my last post. If we can get Nola to sign under slot value, I wouldn't think of that as a bad pick at all. Plus, we'd save some money for later rounds. I think Nola is a "safe" pick, a kind of high floor guy who will be there to help if we're competitive in 2016.

I've read that we've been linked to Max Pentecost, a catcher from Kennesaw State. Most guys have him going in the teens, so who knows.

I'd love to have Rodon too, that would be the ideal pick. But like you said, I wouldn't be surprised if we went bat then pitching heavy for the next five to ten rounds or so like they've done the past couple of years.

[skywalkah]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

http://www.shermanreport.com/end-of-an-era-with-wgn-cubs-radio-headed-to-wbbm/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

Change is in motion

Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Reactions to the Schwarber pick? I'm curious to see how other Cubs fans feel about it. We were pretty high on this guy. High as in had him ranked above Rodon and Kolek.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Reactions to the Schwarber pick? I'm curious to see how other Cubs fans feel about it. We were pretty high on this guy. High as in had him ranked above Rodon and Kolek.

Wait-and-see approach for me. Bryant was an advanced college bat and that seems to be working out. While I'm not a huge fan of taking players who will probably not be able to play the same position in 5 years, and in the Top 5 no less, the bat might be special.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

. High as in had him ranked above Rodon and Kolek.

I believe that Theo and Co talked themselves into believing that, but yeah I call Bull****.

But they were screwed once the other pitchers starting going down with injuries.

[ThreeKing]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I believe that Theo and Co talked themselves into believing that, but yeah I call Bull****.



But they were screwed once the other pitchers starting going down with injuries.

I agree, but Schwarber crushed a 3-run bomb in first game at Boise tonight.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Valbuena...quietly putting up good numbers...I love doubles guys in the 6 spot.


I wouldn't mind him getting a real look...I like him more than a lot mor than Olt...


I mean, is it a safe bet Bryant will be moved to the OF?

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Valbuena...quietly putting up good numbers...I love doubles guys in the 6 spot.


I wouldn't mind him getting a real look...I like him more than a lot mor than Olt...


I mean, is it a safe bet Bryant will be moved to the OF?

I don't see Valbuena as a long-term option, and Olt looks completely lost the majority of the time at the plate. He's a very poor man's Adam Dunn, and that might be his ceiling.

I don't see them moving Bryant due to those two. If Christian Villanueva turns it around at AAA and proves his worth with the MLB team later this year, that might be a reason.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...albulu01.shtml


Just for the sake of argument...


Career trend seems up...he might have been rushed to majors at 21...age 28 now, all offensive numbers improving, gets on base, strikeout rate no higher than usual, plus glove. Can hit 2, though I think 6 would be ideal.


I don't think 15-20hrs, 20+ doubles, OPS in low to mid 800s is an unreasonable expectation over the next couple of years.


Would be a great compliment to Rizzo, Castro, and Bryant (presumably).


Long term? maybe not...2-4 years, though? Maybe not a bad idea. Makes 1.7mil this year, though.


Olt? no, thanks...

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't see them moving Bryant due to those two. If Christian Villanueva turns it around at AAA and proves his worth with the MLB team later this year, that might be a reason.

I agree, Olt and Valbuena aren't going to be the reason Bryant moves off of third. That is unless Mike Olt magically starts hitting like an all-star (which is unlikely). Villanueva coming up and playing well would be an awesome "problem" to have. To add to that though, I think Arismendy Alcantara's development is the key to where Bryant ends up.

If Alcantara proves he can play 2B in the majors, Baez will probably move to 3rd. That would push Bryant to the outfield. I don't see Castro moving to 3B for Baez to play SS.

Alcantara has been playing some outfield in the minors, so he could be following the Junior Lake plan. If he can play well enough to stick out there, I can see Bryant staying in the infield.

If Bryant does stay at 3B, he's going to need to improve his defense drastically.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Then I'll say I hope Valbuena sticks around as an insurance policy on the development of some of the prospects.


I wasn't suggesting Valbuena was superior and that's why he would move BRyant off third...I just get the feeling a move to the OFf for Bryant is more likely than not, in the first place.


Question is...do you want that 6'4" frame running into the occasional wall, or taking abuse at the corner? idk...I do wonder what kind of range he has at third...

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Then I'll say I hope Valbuena sticks around as an insurance policy on the development of some of the prospects.


I wasn't suggesting Valbuena was superior and that's why he would move BRyant off third...I just get the feeling a move to the OFf for Bryant is more likely than not, in the first place.


Question is...do you want that 6'4" frame running into the occasional wall, or taking abuse at the corner? idk...I do wonder what kind of range he has at third...

Can't say that I've ever watched more than the Bryant home run highlight videos, so I can't tell you about his range. But man, those home run blasts are a thing of beauty. He makes it look way too easy.

In 62 games this year at 3B in AA, he has 14 errors. That's good for a .923 fielding percentage. That's definitely below average, so as long as he keeps that up, there's always going to be talk of him moving off of third. He's got plenty of time to figure it out though and as of right now, we're playing him exclusively at 3B.

Honestly, I hope he can stay at 3B, but I'm not sure if he will. I just hope that he can be average defensively, whether that's in RF, LF or at 3B.

As for Valbuena, I'm pretty sure we still have two years of control left. Last year, when the same scenario came up for Nate Schierholtz, we decided to keep him. I think that's going to happen again with Valbuena, unless we're blown away by an offer.

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Oh hey, speaking of that Kris Bryant guy, he's headed to AAA

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24591640/cubs-promote-power-prospect-kris-bryant-to-triple-a

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

My god, Baez/Bryant in the same lineup. Might be time to make a road trip to Iowa

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Pretty good stuff with Bryant and Baez in the same lineup. Hoping Bryant offers Baez some protection, since Javier has been a bit aggressive at the plate in Iowa - hoping he learns to be a bit more patient while getting better pitches to see now. Either way, should be fun to watch these two in the same line up. Now we just need Soler to get(and stay) healthy -