Dallas Beeler’s Big Start and Other Bullets

Jun 29, 2014

dallas beeler cubs feature July is just around the corner, which means it will soon be time to start granting some wishes for young Cubs fans. Details coming this week …

So, that was just about as well as you could have hoped Dallas Beeler’s debut would go yesterday, eh? The young man, whose delivery is evocative of Roy Halladay, went 6 innings, allowing one unearned run (on a wild pitch), four hits, three walks (one intentional), and striking out six. It was just one start, and you don’t do him any favors by trying to take too much out of it, but I can tell you what I saw with my eyes. I saw four big-league caliber pitches: a sinker/two-seamer in the 90/91 mph range, a cutter at around 88mph (that had great lateral movement about 50% of the time, and stayed kind of straight the other 50%), a split-change in the low-to-mid 80s with great diving movement, and a playable overhand curve in the upper-70s. There was no wipeout pitch, but he could throw all four for strikes, seemingly in any count. That kind of repertoire, if he continues to be able to command it, looks to me like a classic big league 4/5 innings eater – a guy who could have some good seasons and some down seasons, but pitch in the big leagues for several years. I mean that as a serious compliment, because we’re talking about a guy who is already on the doorstep of the bigs, but was not considered a top 20 Cubs prospect. Also, I really dig Beeler’s calmness yesterday. It’s an important skill, it’s not really something you can teach, and it’s also not necessarily something you’ll know a guy truly has until he faces a big league lineup in a big league ballpark.

Again: it’s just one start, but I’m trying to focus on what I saw, rather than the results. (There were a couple of hard hit balls right at Cubs players in the latter innings, but even if you tack on a couple earned runs, that start still looks great, in terms of the results, for what that’s worth.) It’s totally fair to be impressed by what you saw yesterday, but I’d suggest keeping your excitement in perspective (so as not to crush Beeler under the weight of your own unrealistic expectations). What we saw yesterday, in terms of results, looks to be the very high end of what Beeler could get in some of his starts. But, as I said, that’s totally plenty to feel really good about. I already can’t wait to see if he gets the nod in the second half (together, perhaps, with Tsuyoshi Wada (both are already on the 40-man)) to fill in the rotation.

You can read more on Beeler’s start here, including thoughts from Beeler, Rick Renteria, and John Baker. Renteria put it well when he said, simply, that Beeler looked like he belonged.

It was a pretty fantastic day for Cubs positional prospects yesterday. You already know that Kyle Schwarber had a huge game, including two homers. But also, Kris Bryant had three hits, Arismendy Alcantara had a couple hits, Javier Baez took a couple walks (no strikeouts), Albert Almora had three hits, Dan Vogelbach had a couple hits (including a homer) and a walk, Jacob Hannemann (who is scorching hot, by the way) had three hits, including a double.

Read this fantastic interview of Jason McLeod at FanGraphs. I still want to figure out a way to highlight and discuss specific portions, but, for now, the whole damn thing is just so good that you’ve got to read it. (And, as you read it, try no to worry about what might happen to McLeod in the future.)

If you’re still wondering why the Cubs have a scheduled off-day today, the first such Sunday in something like a million years, it’s because the Cubs honored a request from Alderman Tom Tunney (good neighbors, eh hem) to have a doubleheader on Saturday (which is a business hit for them) so that the neighborhood wouldn’t be overwhelmed with traffic and parking insanity for the annual Pride Parade, which takes place today in Lakeview. It was absolutely the right move by the Cubs (and a poor move by the MLB schedule-makers in the first place), because it would have been absurd to try and have both in the neighborhood at the same time, but I think the Cubs deserve another nod – this one – for doing right by Tunney’s request.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Departs the Rotation By Way of the Injured List

The Chicago Cubs were in a rough spot with starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, whose performance this year has featured a worst-case-scenario mix of execution struggles, too many balls in play, and a sprinkling of bad luck. And since no one...

Brett Taylor

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with Jordan Montgomery on the hill and aiming to avoid a sweep, visit the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) who will start Kyle Gibson, at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

The New York Yankees (15-8), with Clarke Schmidt on the mound, host the Oakland Athletics (9-14) who will hand the ball to Joseph Boyle, at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Twins (8-13), with Joe Ryan on the mound, host the Chicago White Sox (3-19) who will hand the ball to Garrett Crochet, at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Minnesota-Chicago matchup below.When...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cubs vs. Astros: Live Stream or on TV

In a series opener on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon will start for the Chicago Cubs (13-9) against Spencer Arrighetti and the Houston Astros (7-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.See how to watch the Chicago-Houston matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Blue Jays vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Yariel Rodriguez will take the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) when they visit starter Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals (13-10) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 7:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs