When the Cubs drafted Kyle Schwarber in the first round this June, they did so on the argument that they considered him the best bat in the draft. Now evaluating a draft two months after it happens is a fairly pointless exercise, but just for the fun of it let’s take a look at the first round and see if, so far, the Cubs claim that Schwarber was the best hitter holds.
Baseball America makes such a project easier with this handy account of how all the first rounders are faring so far this season. Perusing that list, for entertainment purposes only, one thing stands out.
So far, the Cubs were right.
Not only is Schwarber outperforming any other bat on that list, but by reaching High A he has already surpassed the level of every other hitter taken in the first round. Only the line posted by Michael Conforto for the Mets at all rivals Schwarber, but Conforto is posting those numbers purely in a Short Season League. You know, the same level where Schwarber OPS’d 1.975 in his short stay.
We are still years away from knowing for sure if the Cubs really did draft the best bat of the 2014 draft, but the early returns are certainly pointing in that direction.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – This game went bad right from the start. Iowa lost 16-4.
Tennessee – The Smokies game was postponed by rain.
Daytona – The Cubs scored six time in the second and seven times in the fifth in this 18-2 win.
Kane County – The Cougars allowed some late runs, and then a later run, and lost in eleven innings 4-3.
Boise Hawks – Boise rallied late, but lost anyway 9-5.
Arizona – In their scheduled game (see the note below), the Cubs won 4-1.
Performances of Note
[Iowa] The Iowa Cubs lost, but Kris Bryant hit his 15th Triple A home run. He also walked twice.
[Iowa] Manny Ramirez also homered and doubled as part of a 2 hit day.
[Daytona] Home runs for the Cubs came from Rock Shoulders (his 10th), Dan Vogelbach (his 13th), and Kyle Schwarber (his 3rd in Daytona). Those three also all walked twice.
[Daytona] Jacob Hannemann and Billy McKinney, along with Schwarber, all finished with 3 hits on the day.
[Daytona] Tayler Scott got all the run support he could ever have dreamed of, but he didn’t need nearly that much. Over 7 innings he allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 7.
[Kane County] Duane Underwood struck out 7 over 6 innings. He allowed a run on 4 hits and a walk.
[Kane County] Shawon Dunston survived his bout with trade rumors and returned to the lineup, hitting his 6th triple. Victor Caratini also tripled.
[Kane County] The unstoppable Chesny Young picked up 2 hits, including a double, in his 5th consecutive multi-hit game.
[Boise] Josh Conway allowed 2 runs, one earned, on 3 hits and a walk over 2.1 innings to start this game. He struck out 2.
[Boise] Mark Zagunis, behind the plate in this game, hit his second homer of the season.
[Boise] David Bote finished with 3 hits. Bryant Flete doubled and finished with 2 hits.
[Arizona] Kevonte Mitchell raised his batting average to .333 with his 3 for 4 day.
[Arizona] Ricardo Marcano and Andrew Ely both doubled and finished with 2 hits.
[Arizona] Carson Sands struck out 2 and walked 2 over 2.2 innings. He allowed 3 hits.
[Arizona] Tanner Griggs allowed nothing in his 2.1 innings on the mound while striking out 5.
Other News
Every player in Daytona’s lineup had two or more hits in that epic hitfest, except one. Gioskar Amaya was nothing for six. Amaya actually has just one hit since going three for four back on July 29th and is now hitting just .067 in August. This is one of his worst slumps in what has been a fairly solid season for the young second baseman.
Arizona yesterday also completed a game started on July 3, losing 5-3. That link will take you to the box score, but keep in mind it is the box score for a suspended game. Jorge Soler appears on there, even though he is in Iowa. Charcer Burks is with Boise now, and Dalfis Ortiz now plays in the Dominican Summer League for the Royals.
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