Cubs Prospect Notes: The Special Prospects, Upper Level Arms, Changing Pitching Approach, More
Thanks to significant transportation problems and concurrent site issues, I missed one of the best panels at Cubs Convention this morning, ‘Down on the Farm.’ It’s where we get to hear from Cubs execs in the scouting and player development machine about the state of things in the farm system, various prospects, and where things can go from here on that front.
Thankfully, although I couldn’t take it in live, plenty of lovely chunks of information trickled out to share with you fine folks.
- The big names to keep an eye on, as offered by the panel, should not be a surprise to you:
Asked for some players to keep an eye on, director of player development Jaron Madison mentions Nico Hoerner. Jason McLeod (senior vp of PD and amateur scouting) cites group of prospects in Dominican, mentions catcher Miguel Amaya, says team "bullish" on many taken in 2018 Draft.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) January 20, 2019
Madison/McLeod on 5-6 players worth paying attention: INF Nico Hoerner (“he has a chance to be a special player’), C Miguel Amaya, OFs Brennen Davis, Cole Roederer, P Brailyn Marquez.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 20, 2019
- Some hard truths from scouting and player development chief Jason McLeod, but also some optimism and process change:
That said, McLeod says team had more volume of potential starters at AA than since they’ve had. “This is the best I’ve felt — as I should after 7 years.” https://t.co/Z7Sx0RyjtZ
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) January 20, 2019
Cubs’ Jason McLeod on change in philosophy on developing pitching prospects: pic.twitter.com/R3cSwrG7Mm
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 20, 2019
- Some of Jordan Bastian’s takeaways, and more on the pitching prospects:
Some takeaways from the Cubs player development panel:
• Based on MLB roster, most help via prospects will come in bullpen
• SP Adbert Alzolay might be an MLB bullpen option this year
• Keep an eye on SP Duncan Robinson
• RP Dakota Mekkes (Go Green) on MLB radar— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) January 20, 2019
McLeod/Madison were asked what pitching prospects could help the Cubs in majors in 2019 and they mentioned Alzolay, Dakota Mekkes, Duncan Robinson and Duane Underwood Jr.
Said Robinson is in the Kyle Hendricks mold as a guy who pitches to the gameplan very well.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) January 20, 2019
- Robinson was a quick-riser last year, so it’s not a surprise that he might already be considered a depth starting option. With Alzolay having missed most of last year, it’s also not surprising to see him getting bullpen consideration – for example, I could see him starting out at AAA Iowa as a starter, and then transitioning to the big league pen later in the year in order to (1) save his arm a bit, (2) get him exposed to the big leagues, and (3) take advantage of that arm.
- To the extent Cubs pitching prospect come up to make an impact, it’s very likely going to be in the bullpen this year, given that Mike Montgomery and Tyler Chatwood already exist as probably the 6th and 7th starting options for the big league team, which has a rock-solid-locked-in-place first five.
- Relatedly, someone like James Norwood establishing himself at the big league level would be huge for the bullpen:
I’d love if Norwood took that step. His 97.7 avg FB was the best on the team last year. Been looking for the system to find and develop someone with high-end velo for the pen.
Throw hard and hope good stuff happens is basically the motto of modern MLB bullpens. https://t.co/hjeNfiDOGq
— Luis M. (@lcm1986) January 20, 2019
- Ah, the trade that’s probably going to sting the heart even more this year:
We've now had 3 questions to McLeod/Madison about Cease and Eloy, including 2 in the last 5 mins.
General consensus from Cubs execs hasn't changed: They loved those guys but really felt like it was worth it to go get a proven SP to help augment the MLB rotation for years.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) January 20, 2019
- And, of course, we’ll see how they do when they reach the big league level. I sure liked the Jose Quintana trade at the time, even as I knew it was going to suck to watch Eloy Jimenez develop into an offensive monster in another organization.
- It’s been a very mixed development process for the Cubs’ two first-round pitching prospect selections from the 2017 draft:
Madison touted "upside" for both top picks from a couple drafts ago – Alex Lange and Brendon Little. Said Lange needs to get more consistent in the zone and Little has been working hard in Arizona to rebound after injury-shortened 2018.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) January 20, 2019
"He has all the upside in the world. He spent nearly the entire offseason in Arizona working his butt off and showing us what he can do." – Madison on 2018 #SBCubs lefty Brendon Little #CubsCon
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) January 20, 2019
- Of course, even Brendon Little’s season looks like a Cy Young effort compared to the utter disaster of 2018 for former top Cubs pitching prospect Jose Albertos:
Down On The Farm talking about Jose Albertos: Completely healthy, down in Mesa preparing for the season and working hard. He has taken time to mature and move forward from frustrations and we hope to see him back next year. pic.twitter.com/jQmaNs18MU
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) January 20, 2019
RHP Jose Albertos is 100 percent healthy, in instructional league in AZ. (Overcoming) Injuries and frustration will end up helping him long-term – Madison.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 20, 2019
- It seems like there is always at least one hilarious story at the panel, and this year’s is fantastic:
McLeod told story about Cole Roederer (draft pick out of HS last summer) who introduced himself to a group of players this winter in Arizona and asked one guy where he played in 2018.
The response? "Chicago…Wrigley Field…"
It was Ben Zobrist. Roederer didn't recognize him.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) January 20, 2019
