NEWSLETTER
I do love all the Cubs prospect information and visuals we’re getting this year. Feels like a *LOT* more than usual, which is probably accurate for a number of obvious reasons.
Some bits …
⇒ I mean, his fastball was nearly unhittable at Low-A last year thanks to the ride, angle, and extension. If he added a couple clicks, too? LOL:
DJ Herz says he’s up about 10lbs from last year, he’s around 197lbs right now, 187 in season last year.
Fastball velo averaged 92 mph in ‘21, he has a velo target to sit 95 this year. Curveball spin efficiency up about 15-20%.
As the kids say, sheeshhhhhh. 🔥#Cubs @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/tOdsLszAth
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) March 4, 2022
⇒ More from Lance Brozdowski here at Marquee, including bits on a ton of Cubs prospects. A little section on Kohl Franklin, who will finally face hitters tomorrow for the first time in over a year:
The 2018 6th-round pick will throw 15 pitches live to hitters Saturday, March 5, for the first time in over a year after an injury-riddled 2021 season. His last extended stretch of games came in 2019 when he posted a 2.31 ERA with the Class A short-season Eugene Emeralds. He told me his mix will still be fastball-curveball-changeup.
Franklin also raved about the yoga he and many other Cubs prospects who stayed with the organization for their extended offseason camp have done. He mentioned Ryan Jensen, Joe Nahas, Brandon Hughes and Koen Moreno specifically when asked who partakes. Recently, the group moved into pilates.
⇒ Kevin Alcántara is such a large young man:
#Cubs prospect Kevin Alcántara during BP in which each hitter got one pitch to hit before switching.
Saw Alcántara smack two homers, including one on the last swing in this clip. If he can prevent his swing getting long as he continues bulking up and getting stronger, look out: pic.twitter.com/MOR6IUNjTL
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 4, 2022
⇒ It’s nearly impossible to say which of the many young Cubs hitters has the highest offensive upside because you can make the argument for about five of them. If you absolutely REQUIRED ME to pick someone, though, I’d probably go with Alcántara. I just love the swing so much, especially at his age. He’s huge. And he’s got those extra long levers that *IF* he can avoid getting long and being exploitable inside and up, then he could have uncommon power. There are a lot of similar things you could say about Owen Caissie – again, it’s just about impossible to pick! – but for today, I just like Alcántara’s swing a touch more. (I tend to think Caissie is MORE LIKELY to reach his ceiling, by the way. It’s just that I think Alcántara’s offensive upside is a touch higher right now.)
⇒ Maybe a teeny, tiny positive byproduct of the lockout is that these guys and others can really focus on the minor league crew and help with that currently-very-important process:
@BleacherNation The brain trust is here, watching PCA hit. pic.twitter.com/1zwYfkbDIh
— Illini Fan (@FIBinWI) March 4, 2022
⇒ The Cubs’ other big IFA signing in the Cristian Hernández class, not to be forgotten:
International free agent signee @moisesballest17 in action for the #Cubs during Fall Instructs and Spring Training. The ball seems to jump off of his bat! #CubsProspects #baseball #ST2022 pic.twitter.com/l9o4fhBRxY
— Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) March 4, 2022
⇒ The early read on Ballesteros was that he was a bat-first catching prospect, who may not ultimately be able to stick at catcher (which would be the big dividing line on his potential long-term value). For now, when a guy is barely 18 and is getting his first taste of action in the States, you worry less about that stuff. Just see if the bat plays and has potential. Although he didn’t hit for a lot of power, the then-17-year-old Ballesteros walked more than he struck out in the DSL last year.
⇒ A walk? I’ll still take the highlight:
Owen Caissie draws a walk in a #Cubs live BP vs. righty Chris Clarke: pic.twitter.com/SD3cnHd2PT
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 4, 2022
⇒ Brennen Davis looking strong:
Cubs top prospect Brennen Davis connecting on a ball during live BP in Mesa today. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/DdNHYG7tPI
— Scott Changnon (@ScottyChags) March 4, 2022
More visuals:
A few shots from Cubs minicamp today…
Jed Hoyer chats with dir. of player development Jared Banner, as Ed Howard steps out of the cage. Jordan Nwogu takes a hack in live BP. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy talks shop with Jordan Wicks. Brennen Davis signs for a young fan. pic.twitter.com/ZYPWaThMZd
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 4, 2022
Past meets future. pic.twitter.com/DeXYUIWNsE
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 4, 2022
⇒ Inside of the base or you get nailed by the pole:
https://twitter.com/M_Montemurro/status/1499805934134063109
