2018 Chicago Cubs

[WaitTilNextYear]

I just noticed we didn't have one of these team threads yet. Wanted to post about the weird vibes among Yu Darvish, Jim Hickey, and Willson Contreras in this article. These guys are definitely not on the same page. lol

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2...ely-my-problem

[WaitTilNextYear]

One thing I noticed recently about Quintana and Darvish is both have been fly ball pitchers throughout their careers (41.1% GB rate for Darvish, 44.4% GB rate for Q). With homers being as prevalent in today's game as they are, I am beginning to wonder if Theo made the right call on acquiring these dudes in this context. To some extent you think things might neutralize upon coming from HR friendly parks in the AL like Arlington and Comiskey, but something to watch out for maybe.

[Jr.]

Quote: Originally Posted by WaitTilNextYear

One thing I noticed recently about Quintana and Darvish is both have been fly ball pitchers throughout their careers (41.1% GB rate for Darvish, 44.4% GB rate for Q). With homers being as prevalent in today's game as they are, I am beginning to wonder if Theo made the right call on acquiring these dudes in this context. To some extent you think things might neutralize upon coming from HR friendly parks in the AL like Arlington and Comiskey, but something to watch out for maybe.

I wonder if that's why they both are seemingly so contact-averse in their pitching styles?

[WaitTilNextYear]

Interesting article by Carrie Muskat: https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/theo-e...18/c-275703816

It sure has felt like we suck with RISP, but how about .218 (14th in the NL)? Yikes.

[WaitTilNextYear]

I'm gonna try one more time to get this thread going...and if it dies, it dies.

Maybe a resurgence in the Cubs' farm system? This Richard Gallardo kid sounds like he'll be a top prospect before long. Theo's regime has been wildly successful with position players, but still has yet to hit on an IFA pitching prospect, ahem Gerardo Concepcion.

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/5-cubs...ch/c-285464354

[CBoller1331]

Anthony Rizzo has as many career leadoff HR's as Juan Pierre in approximately 1000 less PA

[WaitTilNextYear]

Was looking at the Cubs' top 30 prospect list on MLB dot com and there seem to be some quality guys on there despite it being a pretty thin system overall.

The prospects that look most promising? RHP Alex Lange (22 y/o having a nice year for A+ Myrtle Beach), SS Aramis Ademan (19 year old in high A ball), RHP Adbert Alzolay (23 y/o in his 1st go 'round at AAA Iowa), C Miguel Amaya (19 y/o catcher who is having a stellar year at A ball and selected for the Futures Game), RHP Michael Rucker (24 y/o having a breakout season at AA).

This time next year, I bet either Amaya or newly signed IFA Richard Gallaro is the #1 prospect in the system.

[CBoller1331]

I think Lange is going to be pretty good. Maybe only a #3 or #4, but that would still be welcome as the Cubs haven't really developed a pitcher that they drafted in a while