Convention "Down on the Farm" Session?

craig · January 16, 2006

I don't have any info. But I was hoping that somebody may have been able to go, or to find links to somebody(s) who did and might share some info from that. Thanks in advance.

UK1679666180 · January 16, 2006

Hopefully, within the next couple of days there will be some reports. I can try and find out.

DeuceBaseman · January 16, 2006

Here's the post I posted on the Cubs message board about the event:

Just got back from the last day of the convention. Very boring day, only stayed for 3 hours, and went to only 1 session. I went to the minor league info session, here were some tidbits:

-Matt Murton was nicknamed "The Orange Guy" by Greg Maddux as soon as he arrived on the team.

-Felix Pie had a bad winter ball, but it was humbling and could be good for him, cuz they would rather have him fail in the winter league than majors. And he got bigger, up to 200 lbs. and still is just as fast, and should be ready to go in the spring.

-Mark Pawelek (cubs 1st pick) is looking great. Averaged like 2 K's an inning this past year.

-Sean Gallagher (cubs minor league pitcher of the year) was at the convention, and everyone is very high on him. He is only 20 and looks like a cool guy. He pitched 40 straight scoreless innings in the beginning of this past year. He will be a good one.

-Angel Guzman is just about 100%. He is throwing in the mid to upper 90's, and they say he looks as good as ever now, he just needs to fix his command to make it 100%, and he still has all the stuff..

-Cedeno won the batting title and was MVP of minor league, and now did great in winter league, and if it wasnt for like 2 players becoming eligible by the # of atbats at the end of the winter leagues, then Cedeno would have won the batting title there too, and that would be a first.

-Also they said Dopirik had a bad year, but everyone has bad years and he will be good. And they are trying to make Sing and outfielder cuz they have a feeling DLee will be a Cub for a while.

-Adam Greenberg was sent through waivers earlier, but cleared and now is ready for spring, he's 100% and will be in AAA Iowa this year.

-Eric Patterson had a great year, and doesn't K a lot, has a great strike zone. The new guy Perez or whatever his name is that we got for Corey is also a good 2B. They said him and Eric Patterson are very similar and they will compete for the 2B job in the minors.

-Also, I forgot to mention that they talked about Andy Sisco.... hes 6 foot 10 by the way... they said that he is a great talent, but he was just a big problem around the clubhouse, and off the field. Also, he had a bad year, and plus wasnt following the rules of the team, and so they got rid of him, and he is still causing trouble in KC.

fiver · January 16, 2006

Also, he had a bad year, and plus wasnt following the rules of the team, and so they got rid of him, and he is still causing trouble in KC.

Yep..there are probably several disgruntled players that aren't very fond of him for taking their roster spot. :lol:

BTW, thanks for the info.

Transmogrified Tiger · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

fiver · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

Balsa · January 16, 2006

Good news on Guzman. Interesting that they're trying to move Sing to the OF.

This is what I found most interesting though.

The new guy Perez or whatever his name is that we got for Corey is also a good 2B. They said him and Eric Patterson are very similar and they will compete for the 2B job in the minors.

How ironic is that. Eric Patterson might lose his job to the guy we got when we traded his brother.

craig · January 16, 2006

Thanks much, deuce. Anybody else who was there or had gotten reports from elsewhere, would be great to get more info. Was the new draft boss Wilken there, and did he sound smart or have anything interesting to say?

Of those comments, probably the most interesting to me are:

*Pie up to 200

*Plan for Sing to work in outfield. (With Jacque Jones as a LH RF, there's a chance that an opportunity for a power-hitting platoon partner might arise in the next year or two, if Sing advanced well...)

*Positive Guzman stuff

*Weird idea that EPatt isn't a K-king, which is contrary to his 2005 season. (K'ing over 100 times in the shortened minor-league season, 22% K-rate against mostly low-A pitching, that's liability, not asset).

CaliforniaRaisin · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

I'd guess low A Peoria.

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

Thanks, Deuce!

rawaction · January 16, 2006

Thanks much, deuce. Anybody else who was there or had gotten reports from elsewhere, would be great to get more info. Was the new draft boss Wilken there, and did he sound smart or have anything interesting to say?

Of those comments, probably the most interesting to me are:
*Pie up to 200
*Plan for Sing to work in outfield. (With Jacque Jones as a LH RF, there's a chance that an opportunity for a power-hitting platoon partner might arise in the next year or two, if Sing advanced well...)
*Positive Guzman stuff
*Weird idea that EPatt isn't a K-king, which is contrary to his 2005 season. (K'ing over 100 times in the shortened minor-league season, 22% K-rate against mostly low-A pitching, that's liability, not asset).

I think Pie getting up to 200 means the Cubs will look to re-sign Pierre, with the belief that Felix can play a corner (most likely RF with his arm). I'd still like Pie to be the CF in 2007. I would like to see him get some ABs in the 2-hole next season. I'd start him at AA again, and call him up to AAA about midseason.

fiver · January 16, 2006

Thanks much, deuce. Anybody else who was there or had gotten reports from elsewhere, would be great to get more info. Was the new draft boss Wilken there, and did he sound smart or have anything interesting to say?

Of those comments, probably the most interesting to me are:
*Pie up to 200
*Plan for Sing to work in outfield. (With Jacque Jones as a LH RF, there's a chance that an opportunity for a power-hitting platoon partner might arise in the next year or two, if Sing advanced well...)
*Positive Guzman stuff
*Weird idea that EPatt isn't a K-king, which is contrary to his 2005 season. (K'ing over 100 times in the shortened minor-league season, 22% K-rate against mostly low-A pitching, that's liability, not asset).

I think Pie getting up to 200 means the Cubs will look to re-sign Pierre, with the belief that Felix can play a corner (most likely RF with his arm). I'd still like Pie to be the CF in 2007. I would like to see him get some ABs in the 2-hole next season. I'd start him at AA again, and call him up to AAA about midseason.

Agreed..after a subpar winter, I think it will be important for him to have some success early in '06. Hopefully he would pickup where he left off for the Jaxx, and then we could let him test the AAA waters later in the season. BTW, do we give him some playing time in RF this season in the minors if Pierre plays well for the big club?

Balsa · January 16, 2006

I should think so, what with hitting different cutoff men and longer throws...

Again, very positive news all around.

biittner77 · January 16, 2006

Good news on Guzman. Interesting that they're trying to move Sing to the OF.

This is what I found most interesting though.
The new guy Perez or whatever his name is that we got for Corey is also a good 2B. They said him and Eric Patterson are very similar and they will compete for the 2B job in the minors.

How ironic is that. Eric Patterson might lose his job to the guy we got when we traded his brother.

Nate Spears is the infielder. I'd liken him to a supersized Augie Ojeda. If he really presses Patterson for a starting job that means Patterson isn't very good. Spears may be a good utility player but from what I saw he looks like minor league roster filler. Of course I've only actually seen him play twice. He did have a couple hits in one of the games but it was one of those nights when people in the stands were getting hits off the opposing pitcher.

DeuceBaseman · January 16, 2006

Wilken was there. He seemed pretty smart. He says he doesn't have a specific drafting policy. It depends on the year. He likes to draft middle infielders because those guys are the best players. Wilken's 1st round pick made it to the majors something like 16 years in a row. And about EPatt not K'ing much.... I dont think they said that specifically, the guy said something like he has a really good eye for the strike zone. So he might K a lot, but he doesn't swing at pitches no where near the zone like Corey does. And they said they still hope that Pie will be a CF in the future and not a corner OF.

don_kessinger_was_good · January 16, 2006

E-Patterson looks better than he really is, because he comes to the Cubs as an experienced college player, unlike his brother. When a college kid puts up big numbers in A-ball, count me as unimpressed.

craig · January 16, 2006

Thanks again, deuce. Do you recall if Fleita talked at all about unfamiliar Latin players, or whether he thinks they might have some significant Latin guys we haven't heard about yet?

Do you know if he made any comments about Ryu or Marshall?

And do you recall if anybody talked enthusiastically about any prospects that might not be as familiar as the Pie/Cedeno/Dopirak/Guzman types?

Somebody we might not know about as a prize prospect, but Fleita thinks is pretty good or has a chance to emerge soon?

(Last year none of us thought Murton was super special. Two years ago who'd have guessed Cedeno was going to be hitting .300, and even last year who'd have guessed he'd be figuring to be a starter? Just wondering if Fleita gave any indications of guys they are excited about or think may be ready for some kind of a Murton/Cedeno/Hill-like breakthrough....)

Transmogrified Tiger · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

I'd guess low A Peoria.

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

Thanks, Deuce!

Sisco wasn't terrible, but saying he had a bad year isn't a stretch at all. He set career worsts in ERA(4.21), WHIP(1.45), walk rate(4.64/9 IP), HR rate(0.79/9), hit rate(8.43/9), basically everything was worse except his K rate, which stayed the same. He also broke his hand, and wasn't young for his (pitcher's) league.

Ding Dong Johnson · January 16, 2006

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

I didn't realize they still played ball in KC. :D

Thanks for the update, especially the part about Guzman. Awesome news!

CaliforniaRaisin · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

I'd guess low A Peoria.

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

Thanks, Deuce!

Sisco wasn't terrible, but saying he had a bad year isn't a stretch at all. He set career worsts in ERA(4.21), WHIP(1.45), walk rate(4.64/9 IP), HR rate(0.79/9), hit rate(8.43/9), basically everything was worse except his K rate, which stayed the same. He also broke his hand, and wasn't young for his (pitcher's) league.

Not bad enough to use as justification not to protect him, especially given his ceiling.

Transmogrified Tiger · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

I'd guess low A Peoria.

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

Thanks, Deuce!

Sisco wasn't terrible, but saying he had a bad year isn't a stretch at all. He set career worsts in ERA(4.21), WHIP(1.45), walk rate(4.64/9 IP), HR rate(0.79/9), hit rate(8.43/9), basically everything was worse except his K rate, which stayed the same. He also broke his hand, and wasn't young for his (pitcher's) league.

Not bad enough to use as justification not to protect him, especially given his ceiling.

Using it in conjunction with his injury, attitude, and weight problems probably is. Someone a while back(maybe Bruce?) also brought up that the Cubs didn't want to send the message to the system that they rewarded that type of performance/behavior.

CaliforniaRaisin · January 16, 2006

EPatt doesn't K a lot? Okay....

I noted that as bs as well...(from whomever said that at the convention..not you, Deuce).

Also, Felix Pie having a tough time in winter ball isn't good news no matter how you spin it.

Here's to hoping that Pawelek has another great year...where will he be pitching this season? high A?

I'd guess low A Peoria.

Andy Sisco did not really have that bad a season in his last year in the Cubs system. Interesting justification for not protecting him. Anyone hear of Andy causing problems in KC?

Thanks, Deuce!

Sisco wasn't terrible, but saying he had a bad year isn't a stretch at all. He set career worsts in ERA(4.21), WHIP(1.45), walk rate(4.64/9 IP), HR rate(0.79/9), hit rate(8.43/9), basically everything was worse except his K rate, which stayed the same. He also broke his hand, and wasn't young for his (pitcher's) league.

Not bad enough to use as justification not to protect him, especially given his ceiling.

Using it in conjunction with his injury, attitude, and weight problems probably is. Someone a while back(maybe Bruce?) also brought up that the Cubs didn't want to send the message to the system that they rewarded that type of performance/behavior.

Ehh, somewhat understandable. I didn't have that big a problem with them not protecting him at the time, I just disagree with the reasoning they're using now. I really wonder what he did in KC.

Jon · January 16, 2006

Using it in conjunction with his injury, attitude, and weight problems probably is. Someone a while back(maybe Bruce?) also brought up that the Cubs didn't want to send the message to the system that they rewarded that type of performance/behavior.

Yeah, it was Bruce.

burnt out cubbie fan · January 17, 2006

Interesting that they're trying to move Sing to the OF.

Not really. He had been splitting time between there and first base all of last year.

Outshined_One · January 17, 2006

(Last year none of us thought Murton was super special. Two years ago who'd have guessed Cedeno was going to be hitting .300, and even last year who'd have guessed he'd be figuring to be a starter? Just wondering if Fleita gave any indications of guys they are excited about or think may be ready for some kind of a Murton/Cedeno/Hill-like breakthrough....)

When we had that Q&A with Fleita, I asked him some questions about some of the guys down in Mesa who made positive impressions (I believe it was Puello, Gallagher, and Andy Santana). As memory serves me, he said that Gallagher had a great curve and was going to move fast and that Puello had a nice ceiling as an IF, but needed some time to develop. Santana he didn't say much about...I think.

Still, kinda fun to see how his predictions are coming about. :)

WrigleyinEngland · January 17, 2006

Would really like to know more about sean gallagher?SP? Is his stuff going to be good enough for the bigs? IS it MLB or bust for the GUz this year?. thanx in advance

Convention "Down on the Farm" Session?

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