Star Development, the Lessons of David Bote, Thanks Padres, and Other Bullets

Aug 08, 2018

We’ve been borrowing a gait trainer (this big rolling walker thing) to help The Littlest Girl explore her world and practice taking steps for a long time now, but today – finally – insurance came through and she got her OWN gait trainer delivered. The Wife just sent me video of her cruising around in her shiny new set of wheels and I’m over the moon right now.

David Bote has been many things this year, and I think you already know and appreciate most of them. But the one I’d like to point out right here is that he is a reminder of just how long it can take for the farm system development process to bear fruit. While there may be some draft picks and signings that demonstrate value within two or three years – either by way of promotion or trade – that isn’t necessarily the rule. Bote was an 18th round draft pick all the way back in this front office’s first draft with the Cubs in 2012. When we talk about “how they’ve done”, it’s important to remember that very long tail of farm development. And that isn’t just about the ages of guys who follow a typical development curve – Bote, who was drafted out of junior college – didn’t really establish himself as a legitimate prospect until some five years after he was drafted!

(Heck, the Cubs’ farm system pitcher of the month in July was a guy the Cubs acquired for Tony Campana five and a half years ago! And that guy – Erick Leal – is still only in High-A!)

The Padres didn’t use up all their offense on the Cubs, as they put up an 11-spot on the Brewers last night, helping grow the Cubs’ NL Central lead back to a much-more-comfortable 2.5 games. And I’m worried about Kato:

Kato is getting unnervingly serious in his done-ness. Don't do it, Kato. We need you. pic.twitter.com/9a8cb369eb

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 8, 2018

You probably know this to be true, anecdotally, but it’s fun to see Javy Baez’s development demonstrated in this way:

A couple things about Javy from the game tonight. Until this year, he was mostly dead-pull with his power. This year, he's hitting a bunch of absolute bombs out to center. Here are his spray chart heatmaps for all home runs from 2014-2017 and then for this year: pic.twitter.com/81ctsBOKU1
— Aaron Kennelly (@aaron_kennelly) August 7, 2018

What’s especially interesting there is that Baez was a very whole-fields guy in 2015, but the power wasn’t there to the opposite field. Then he became very pull-inclined in 2016, started adjusting in 2017, and is now going the opposite way the most he has since that 2015 season. He still pulls the ball a lot, but it’s not like you’d want him to stop that completely – that’s where your easiest power is always going to be.

Speaking of Javy being awesome, this is unbelievable:

Wow, #AtCardinals showing respect. I really appreciate that. pic.twitter.com/AbIFMXKMZO

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 8, 2018

And I mean it is literally unbelievable, because it’s a joke picture I made, but a lotta folks thought the Cardinals were just being weird. Instead, the Cardinals were trolling the Cubs in response to their excellent trolling:

Some people say this is the finest view in the entire state of Missouri. pic.twitter.com/s5kWCvXmZ6

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 6, 2018

Some people say this is the finest hitter in the entire National League. pic.twitter.com/Wdz19HLqUG

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 8, 2018

Raise your hand if you’re the MVP:

Good job, Cubs fans:

KC's Keller on having so many #Cubs fans at Kauffman Stadium: “You definitely notice. I throw a pickoff and got booed at home. Never had that happen before. They travel well.”
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 8, 2018

Happy birthday, Rizzo:

Happy birthday to Anthony Rizzo! May he blow out all his candles, hit a lead off dinger, and then pitch a perfect 9th! #Cubs #EverybodyIn

A post shared by Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation) on Aug 8, 2018 at 5:05am PDT

I don’t know, man – someone’s getting in before Trubisky?

Devin Hester? Olin Kruetz? Lance Briggs? Finding the Bears’ Next Hall of Famer is Hard Work https://t.co/E37NI9RwCC pic.twitter.com/0isV0CTyr7
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 7, 2018

Coffee makers, computers, and slime are among the Deals of the Day Amazon today.

Nike and Under Armour gear is 25% off at the MLB Shop today, so get after that:

Nice – Cubs Nike and Under Armour gear is 25% off today at the MLB Shop, and you can get free shipping, too: https://t.co/W9P4Tk6UB4 pic.twitter.com/7qXgRcEY4d
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 8, 2018

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

Chicago Cubs Catching Prospect Pablo Aliendo Getting Some Love

When I saw that The Athletic had written up 20 "underrated" prospects with a Chicago Cubs tag, I just assumed the prospect was going to be Jefferson Rojas, and I was going to mutter to myself that it's pretty silly...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 29, 2024: Weekend Wrap

Kevin Alcántara cooled off over the weekend while the rest of Tennessee's offense followed suit. Thankfully for the Smokies, they were able to sprinkle a Cade Horton gem in there on Saturday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report....

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Staying East: Cubs vs Mets Series Preview

Cubs vs Mets — The Cubs are starting a fresh four-game series tonight in New York against the Mets. And, of course, they'll do it without Justin Steele, Jordan Wicks, Kyle Hendricks, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, or Julian Merryweather. A...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Riding the Roller Coaster, Cubs Optimism on Wicks, Pinch-Hitting for Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

This weekend sure was a roller coaster, eh? We were riding high Friday night, with a convincing win against the Red Sox following a series sweep of the Astros. But just 48-hours after that, the Cubs had lost twice (once...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

REPORT: The MLB Uniforms Are Being Addressed

I imagine it was a fire drill for all involved ever since it became clear that the new Nike-designed, Fanatics-manufactured MLB jerseys (and pants) were a problem for many players. What was intended to be an improvement turned out to...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

$Cody Bellinger out with a rib fracture to the injured list.$

Chicago Cubs

Cody Bellinger Already Playing Catch, Taking Swings

When a guy fractures his rib(s), that's not an injury where we have a pretty well-set idea in our minds about how long he'll be out. It depends on the extent and location of the fracture(s), the natural healing speed...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Red Sox 5, Cubs 4 – April 28, 2024

Yeah, I don't know how that could have ended any other way....an in-between blooper that bounces of Dansby Swanson's glove*, which simultaneously leads to the first earned run Mark Leiter Jr. has allowed this year and a walk-off win for...

Michael Cerami

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman Ties the Game with an 8th-Inning, Three-Run BLAST!

Nothing about this game so far had been enjoyable. From the broadcast, to the Cubs prouduction, to all the luck seemingly going the Red Sox way. But after finally chasing Tanner Houck out of the game, the Cubs were able...

Michael Cerami

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Red Sox (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — Before today's finale, the Chicago Cubs have won three of four Rubber Matches this season: Dodgers (win), Padres (loss), Mariners (win), and Diamondbacks (win). Let's see if they can make it four out of five. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Jordan Wicks (IL) and Luke Little (Iowa) Replaced by Two Relievers Out of Triple-A

As expected, Jordan Wicks is hitting the injured list with the always-dreaded left forearm strain. But he's not the only Cubs lefty on his way out the door this Sunday afternoon. Sahadev Sharma has the scoop on the three other...

Michael Cerami

Apr 28, 2024

NFL

Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade: Falcons Fumble Draft with 8 Shocking Picks Starting with Michael Penix

The 2024 NFL Draft was supposed to be a turning point for the Atlanta Falcons. I couldn’t imagine anyone giving a positive Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Grade after what we witnessed. With the 8th overall pick, hope fluttered in the...

Connor Allen

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

After winning four games in a row, the Philadelphia Phillies (19-10) play on the road against the Los Angeles Angels (10-18) at 9:38 PM ET on Monday.The Phillies will give the ball to Cristopher Sanchez (1-3, 2.59 ERA), who is...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

The Los Angeles Dodgers (18-12) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (13-16) face off at Chase Field on Monday at 9:40 PM ET, starting a three-game series.The Dodgers will call on James Paxton (2-0) versus the Diamondbacks and Tommy Henry (1-1).Dodgers vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Reds vs. Padres Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

The San Diego Padres (14-17) begin a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds (15-13) with a Monday meeting at PETCO Park. First pitch is at 9:40 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Nick Lodolo (2-0) for the Reds and Matt Waldron...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mariners Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

The Atlanta Braves (19-7) visit the Seattle Mariners (15-13) on Monday to kick off a three-game series at T-Mobile Park. The matchup starts at 9:40 PM ET.The Braves will give the nod to Max Fried (2-0) against the Mariners and...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Pirates vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – April 29

The Oakland Athletics (12-17) kick off a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (14-15) with a Monday matchup at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. First pitch is at 9:40 PM ET.The Pirates will give the nod to Bailey Falter (2-1) versus the...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Cavaliers vs. Magic Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 5 – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 4.5-point favorites for Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Tuesday, beginning at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The series is tied 2-2. The...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Pacers vs. Bucks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 5 – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 3.5-point favorites for a decisive Game 5 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, beginning at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The Pacers have a...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, April 29, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers (17-10) and Tampa Bay Rays (13-16) meet Monday at American Family Field, starting at 7:40 PM ET on BSSUN. The Brewers are -111 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Rays are favored against the spread of...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, April 29, 2024

The Minnesota Twins (14-13) are -163 favorites to extend their seven-game win streak when they face the Chicago White Sox (6-22), winners of three in a row. The game begins Monday at 7:40 PM ET on Fox Sports 1, live...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Star Development, the Lessons of David Bote, Thanks Padres, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular