A Look at What the Cubs Got Back on Monday Night
So we know the Cubs have traded away Geovany Soto to the Rangers and packaged Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson to the Braves, but what did we get back. The Cub got back three pitchers, which we knew they wanted to get deeper at as an organization. Here is a quick look at the pitchers we go back.
Starting with the Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson to the Braves deal.
Arodys Vizcaino
Vizcaino is 21-year old right-handed pitcher who has missed the entire season due to Tommy-John surgery was ranked #3 in the Braves system and #54 prospect in baseball according to Jonathan Mayo. Last year Vizcaino was said to be one of the four untouchable arms in the Braves system. The Cubs are taking a big gamble that he will come back healthy and be durable, but for Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm it is a great chance to take in my opinion. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90′s with a plus changeup and good curve ball. Hope he comes back healthy and at 21, he should have a great chance to. Until he does the Cubs will hope he can be a starter, but time will tell.
Jaye Chapman
Chapman is a 25-year old RH relief pitcher who is currently in Triple-A. He is 3-6 with 7 saves and a 3.52 ERA this season. He also has 60 strikeouts in 29 walks in 53.2 innings. He is not a huge prospect, but hope he can be a quality arm at sometime out of the pen. I like that he is averaging over a strikeout an inning. We will see, he obviously wasn’t the centerpiece of the deal with the Braves, but to get some quality out of the pen would be nice.
Now to the Soto deal.
Jacob Brigham
Brigham is a 24-year old RH starting pitcher who is currently pitching in Double-A. He is currently 5-5 with 4.28 ERA. He has started all 21 games he has pitched in striking out 116 in 124 innings. His last two outing have been really good and the Cubs obviously see something there. He hasn’t had great numbers yet, but we will see what happens. As we know the pitching depth is not great for the Cubs so getting a pitcher for Soto, who has been a disappointment the last couple years is a fine return in my mind.
The Cubs needed to get more pitching depth and they did that with these deals. They didn’t move any of their big names, although Maholm has been pitching really good and it seems they got decent return, especially with Vizcaino coming over even though it’s after Tommy-John. When you work with prospects you never know if it was a good return or not for a few years. I’m sure there will be more coming tonight or tomorrow, so we will as always keep you updated.
Thanks for Reading,
-Mark
Matt Szczur is Headed to Tennessee
After an unfortunate injury to Jae-Hoon Ha last night, the Cubs have promoted Matt Szczur to Double-A Tennessee. Sczcur has put together a solid season thus far hitting .295 with an OBP of .394. He has stolen 38 bases and has scored 68 runs. He also has 19 doubles, four triples, and two home runs while driving in 34. Coming into the year Szczur was the Cubs number four prospect and 94th overall according to Jonathan Mayo and MLB.com. Here’s hoping continued success for Matt Szczur and a speedy recovery for Jae-Hoon Ha.
Thanks for Reading,
Mark
Soler Monster Shot Number Two!!
We are obsessed just like you, so we are posting when the Cubs future hits and absolute bomb! Soler did it again tonight, he is 2-for-3 with his second home run of the season, and three RBI’s. I hope to get video of it soon, once I do you will see it here.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Vogelbach to Boise
According to Daniel Vogelbach’s twitter he is… “Off to Boise tomorrow!” The 2011 2nd Round draft pick has been crushing the ball since the AZL Cubs season started. Here are how his numbers shape up thus far. In 102 Ab’s he is hitting .324 with 7 home runs and 31 RBIs. He also has 12 doubles and two triples with an OBP of .391 and a slugging of .686 bring his OPS to 1.078. It has been a good start for Vogelbach and hope he has much success as he continues his way through the system.
Thanks for Reading,
Mark
Albert Almora Hits His First Professional Home Run! [VIDEO!]
Another night and another first. Last night it was Jorge Soler with his first professional home run, tonight it is Albert Almora. Almora hit a two run shot for the AZL Cubs in the 5th inning against the AZL Brewers. As soon as we get the video we will post it for your viewing pleasure. Congrats Albert!
Here is the video of Almora’s home run. Via Cubs Den!
Thanks for reading,
- George
Jorge Soler Just Hit a Monster Home Run – VIDEO
I know it’s just one hit, but felt like I had to post about it because of all the hype surrounding the super prospect. Also, not many people have access to or follow the AZL Cubs team as they start so late so I felt an update would be nice. Soler launched a monster two-run home run tonight, his first as a professional, as soon as I get video I will post it, hopefully soon! We will have more on Soler’s night when we post the minor league recap for today, stay tuned.
Here is the video of the blast! Via CubsDen
Thanks for reading,
- George
Jeff Beliveau Called up; Dolis Down
I reported it last night and the Cubs made it official today. Jeff Beliveau has been called up and Rafael Dolis was sent down to Iowa. Beliveau is a left hander who is used primarily out of the bullpen, he had an outstanding spring and almost made the team. This year for Iowa Beliveau was 4-5 with a 4.05 ERA, he has 47 strikeouts in 40 innings.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Jeff Beliveau Called Up?
Late night blogging is not always the best idea, especially when you’re not on a lot of sleep to begin with, but here goes. The awesome rumor source that is twitter is at it again, per Sosnick Cobbie Sports, Jeff Beliveau has been called up to the Cubs.
The organization, and twitter account are legit. Per the company’s website…
Sosnick Cobbe Sports is dedicated to forwarding the career of every player, while promoting a healthy climate in which each player can grow professionally, educationally, emotionally and financially. And not short-term, but throughout his career…and into retirement.
At Sosnick Cobbe Sports, individual attention is our focus and primary commitment to each one of our athletes. We’re not a player factory–we know our clients and their families. What’s more, we pay close attention to detail, which leaves our clients free to focus on what really matters: playing the game of baseball.
Take this for what’s it worth obviously, I have not heard a confirmation from the team or anyone surrounding the team, and until I do I’m not reporting this as fact, just purely as speculation from twitter. Stay tuned as Beliveau’s call up would be noteworthy as he is one of the better arms in pitching starved Cubs system.
Thanks for reading,
- George
A Look at Josh Vitters
In case you have not noticed Josh Vitters has had a great first half of baseball in Triple-A Iowa. Vitters was drafted third overall by the Cubs out of Cypress High School in Anaheim California. Considered to be the most polished high school hitter in the ’07 Draft it has been a little disappointing that he has not made it to the show yet. However, he is only 22 years old and has hit at every level he has been at, yet to many Cub fans it feels like he has been a bust. Well, in his first season at Iowa Vitters has been very good, making the All Star team as a reserve. His offensive numbers say all there is to know about his season thus far as he is hitting .302 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI’s. He also has an impressive 25 doubles and his OPS is .866.
Yes it has been a very good year for Vitters en route to the Triple-A All Star Game, but I am sure he has his sights set higher this year. As is the case with any minor leaguer he hopes to make it to the major leagues this year. With Ian Stewart done for the season and the only one ahead of him being Luis Valbuena it is possible for him to get the call at some point. Is he in the Cubs future plans? It is hard to tell, but it is nice to see him put up some pretty good numbers at Iowa. If he is not in the plans the success he has had should give the Cubs a nice chip to dangle to get a good return in a potential deal.
Josh Vitters will have an impact on the Cubs organization at some point, whether it is as a player or in a possible trade at a later date. With that said he should be celebrated on quite a first half and hopefully more continued success as the season continues.
Thanks for reading,
- George
