13 replies to this topic

[Tommy]

Hey Luke,

Was wondering how Sappelt and Torreyes were doing for the Cubs, and if you see them making the major league club anytime soon or not? Would love to hear any info you have on them, as well as any opinions you have on their progress.

[MichiganGoat]

Worse trade ever, we suck because we don't have Marshall anymore. Theo screwed us over and these two are turds in the Theo Bowl. MOAR

[Luke]

Torreyes might be the best pure hitter in the system, but none of his other tools are exceptional (some put his defense in that category; I'm not one of them). He got off to a very slow start in Daytona, but has heated up very impressively of late. Last time I wrote about him in the Daily (a week or two ago, I think) I said he'll keep moving up the system so long as he can keep hitting for average, and I still believe that to be the case. He has that one exceptional tool, but that just about his only tool. That said, there is no reason to think he won't continue to hit for average he moves up the system. He is definitely one of the best second basemen in the farm system. He could be in Chicago in late 2014.

Sappelt is a prototypical defense minded fourth outfielder, and in that capacity he could come up if someone is traded out of the current outfield mix. He also got off to a slow start and has started hitting better of late. He won't win a starting job for the Cubs, but I think he could out hit Tony Campana (although Sappelt is no where near that fast).

[hansman1982]

Worse trade ever, we suck because we don't have Marshall anymore. Theo screwed us over and these two are turds in the Theo Bowl. MOAR

noooo, trading Colvin was the worst trade ever - clearly Theo didn't see the 2nd coming of Babe Ruth was on the Cubs...

[Tommy]

Thanks Luke - that's encouraging. I was really excited about these two guys when we got them, but I hadn't heard too much about them recently. That's real good news about Torreyes. Barney has done a nice job at 2nd, but it's good to know we've got some options down there that can hit for the future.

Thanks for the update!

[Tommy]

Do you think that Torreyes is a better prospect at 2nd than Zeke DeVoss? I've seen him play and really like his speed and effort in Peoria (though I know it's only low A ball).

[Stinky Pete]

I've never actually seen either play, (And I have no scouting ability anyway.) but what I have read about Torreyes reminds me of Corey Wimberly. I'm not saying Torreyes is on the same career path, but I am legitimately curious what happened to Wimberly.

[Cubbie Blues]

I've never actually seen either play, (And I have no scouting ability anyway.) but what I have read about Torreyes reminds me of Corey Wimberly. I'm not saying Torreyes is on the same career path, but I am legitimately curious what happened to Wimberly.

Wimberly is currently in his 3rd year at AAA (age 28) with the Mets (his 4th team). His numbers do look decent this year though (as they should given his age at AAA).

[Luke]

Do you think that Torreyes is a better prospect at 2nd than Zeke DeVoss? I've seen him play and really like his speed and effort in Peoria (though I know it's only low A ball).

No. But I am in the minority on this. I have more confidence in DeVoss's ability to get on base than I do in Torreyes's ability to hit for a high average. And I think Gioskar Amaya beats them both.

Though in the case of Torreyes, I do have to admit that age is significantly in his favor.

[Spriggs]

I was really surprised when I saw Torreyes in person this spring. You will see him listed at 5'9" in most publications, but he isn't that tall in my opinion. I would say 5'7" and 135 would be pushing it from what I saw. He looks so tiny out there that you are surprised he can hit the ball as hard as he does. I find it hard to get excited about a guy that small, with no power, so-so speed with no real base stealing skills, average defense, and around a 6% walk rate. He'd have to maintain a VERY high average to be of any value. Color me skeptical. Much higher on Amaya.

[Carew]

From what I saw from Sappelt when he was with Cincy last year, he is pretty fast and he aint afraid to make diving plays in the outfield. Pretty solid. Campana may wanna step up his game

[Crockett]

Jose Altuve. That's Torreyes ceiling. They have reasonably similar numbers in the minors at the same ages, but Torreyes has a better eye, it seems...with less power.

I think we can all safely say we'd be thrilled with an Altuve-type player at 2B.

[Rated Rookie]

Despite the dismal line, Torryes still remains a very high ceiling prospect. Reports were that he was making a lot of weak contact early on, though he has been improving lately. I think he's 19, so I'm still high on him.

Sappelt is what he is. He looked to be a decent 4th OF when we got him, but he's been pretty bad this year. His ceiling is Reed Johnson, which is OK for the 3rd piece in a deal.

The bottom line is that Mashall was an impending free agent in 2013, but the Reds gave him a 3/16.5 extension. I can't imagine that our guys would have given him that, and he likely would hae walked after the season. I remain happy with the trade.

[Cubsin]

Torreyes, Amaya, DeVoss and Logan Watkins all have a chance to become the Cubs 2B someday. My personal ranking right now would be Amaya, then Watkins, then DeVoss, then Torreyes. Torreyes' hit tool is overshadowed by his diminutive size and lack of other plus tools.