From the Vineline: 50 names from the farm

[ryno4ever]

I got my Vineline today....and the entire issue is pretty much focused on the farm this month.... and it lists 50 names that you may hear from in the near future! (I loved it, as many of the Chiefs that I watched and even a few I met last summer are listed!)

The results are based on a survey conducted of the Cubs' minor league coaching staff....

(Listed alphabetically)
CLIFF ANDERSON OF (http://www.boisehawks.com/team/roster/index.html?player_id=49)
JOSE ASCANIO RHP (http://www.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=448857)
MITCH ATKINS RHP (http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=444444)
DARWIN BARNEY SS (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/tracker.jsp?mc=barney)
JUSTIN BERG RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Justin%20Berg&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=448753)
KYLER BURKE OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Kyler%20Burke&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=501965)
MATT CAMP 2B (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Matt%20Camp&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=501865)(who was my son's favorite Chief's player last year!)
RUSS CANZLER 1B (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Russell%20Canzler&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=444453) (who was MY favorite Chief's player.... ate lunch with him at our Pizza Party)
MARCO CARRILLO RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Marco%20Carrillo&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456150)
YUSUF CARTER OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Yusuf%20Carter&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=445175) (Joe Carter's nephew)
WELLINGTON CASTILLO C (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Wellington%20Castillo&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456078)
JOSE CEDA RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jose%20Ceda&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=469167)
STEVE CLEVENGER C/IF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Steve%20Clevenger&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502182)
TYLER COLVIN OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tyler%20Colvin&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502125)
JOSH DONALDSON C/IF/OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Josh%20Donaldson&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=518626)
JAKE FOX 1B/OF (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=444844)
SAM FULD OF (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=453539)
SEAN GALLAGHER RHP (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=451595)
BRANDON GUYER OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Brandon%20Guyer&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=446386)
ADAM HARBEN RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Adam%20Harben&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=448180)
KEVIN HART RNP (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=453954)
JIM HENDERSON RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jim%20Henderson&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=449104)
ROBERT HERNANDEZ RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Robert%20Hernandez&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=501229)
MICAH HOFFPAUIR 1B/OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Micah%20Hoffpauir&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=451687)
MARK HOLLIMAN RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Mark%20Holliman&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460089)
CHRIS HUSEBY RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Christopher%20Huseby&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=474706)
LEON JOHNSON OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Leon%20Johnson&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=489001)
JOSH KROEGER OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Josh%20Kroeger&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=430669)
TIM LAHEY RHP
JOSH LANSFORD 3B (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Josh%20Lansford&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453341)
ALEX MAESTRI RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Alessandro%20Maestri&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=493256)(Another one of my fave Chief's....he's ITALIAN! :))
CASEY McGEHEE 3B/C (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Casey%20McGehee&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=431171)JAKE MUYCO C (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jake%20Muyco&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456989)
JEREMY PAPELBON LHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jeremy%20Papelbon&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502533) (Yep, Jonathan Papelbon's little brother)
ERIC PATTERSON 2B/OF (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=452221)
MARK PAWELEK LHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Mark%20Pawelek&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=476263)
BILLY PETRICK RHP (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=459336)
CARMEN PIGNATIELLO LHP (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=450320)
MARK REED C (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Mark%20Reed&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=461861)
KYLE REYNOLDS IF/OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Kyle%20Reynolds&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=460100)
ROCKY ROQUET RHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Rocky%20Roquet&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=503352)
DREW RUNDLE OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Andrew%20Rundle&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502025)
JEFF SAMARDZIJA RHP (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=502188)
MARQUEZ SMITH IF (2B) (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Marquez%20Smith&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=456673)
GEOVANNY SOTO C (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=434567)
TONY THOMAS 2B (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tony%20Thomas&pos=2B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=506917)
DONNIE VEAL LHP (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Donnie%20Veal&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453264)
JOSH VITTERS 3B (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Josh%20Vitters&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519388)TY WRIGHT OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Ty%20Wright&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519447)JONATHAN WYATT OF (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jonathan%20Wyatt&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453367)


PITCHING:
Best Command: RHP MARK HOLLIMAN (who threw a no hitter in '07)
Runner(s) up: Billy Petrick, Mitch Atkins

Best Poise/Makeup: Jeff Samardzija
Runner Up: Billy Petrick

Best Athleticism: Jeff Samardzija
Runner Up: LHP Scott Koerber

Best Mechanics: RHP Mark Holliman
Runner Up: Jeff Samardzija


HITTING:

Best Contact: OF Sam Fuld
Runner Up: 2b/OF Eric Patterson

Best Power: 1b Micah Hoffpauir
Runner Up IF Kyle Reynolds

Best Plate Discipline: OF Sam Fuld
Runner Up: 3b Matt Craig (http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/pl/456/456573.html)

Best Clutch Hitter: OF Tyler Colvin
Runner Up: C Geovanny Soto

Best Situational Hitter: 3b/C Casey McGehee
Runner Up OF Ty Wright

FIELDING:
Best Range:
1b-Micah Hoffpauir
2b-Robinson Chirinos (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/Robinson-Chirinos.shtml)
ss-Darwin Barney
3b-Josh Lansford
OF- Fuld and Tyler Colvin (tied)
C- Wellington Castillo

Best Arm:
1b- Russ Canzler
2b Robinson Chirinos & Nate Samson (http://firstinning.com/players/Nathan-Samson-a/)
SS Dylan Johnston
3b Josh Lansford
OF Kyler Burke
C Jake Muyco

Best Throwing Accuracy
1b Micah Hoffpauir
2b Robinson Chirinos and Nate Samson
ss Carlos Rojas
3b Josh Lansford and Josh Vitters
of Sam Fuld and Kyler Burke
C Jake Muyco

Best Footwork:
1b Micah Hoffpauir
2b Robinson Chirinos
ss Darwin BArne and Carlos Rojas
3b Josh Lansford
OF Sam Fuld
c Jake Muyco

RUNNING:
Best Raw Speed: Chris Walker (OF)
Runner Up: Eric Patterson

Best Base Stealing Ability: Chris Walker
Runner Up: Eric Patterson

Best Home to First time: Chris Walker
Runner Up: Eric Patterson

Best Baserunning Instincts: 2b Tony Thomas
Runner Up: Eric Patterson

INTANGIBLES:
Best Heart/Work Ethic: Sam Fuld
Runner UP: of/if Matt Matulia

Best Competitiveness: Tyler Colvin
Runner UP: OF Sam Fuld

Best Baseball IQ: Sam Fuld
Runner Up: Casey McGehee

[ryno4ever]

I noticed we have a lot of catcher listed, and not too many other infielders, specifically short stops or second basemen listed.

I have to say that I had not paid a whole lot of attention to the Cubs farm system until back in 2006 when it seemed as if there was a daily batch of farm kids brought into the city every couple of days. Then, as I spent just as much time following the Peoria Chiefs as I did watching the Cubs last summer, it is really neat to see these kids starting to make a name for themselves. It is really neat to see kids like Fuld and Patterson sitting in the dugout at Wrigley Field when not too long ago I was watching them in Peoria!

[ryno4ever]

Out of this list.....

36 were drafted by the Cubs

2 were Rule 5 drafted

5 were Non Drafted Free Agent acquired

1 was a free agent acqisition

6 were acquired via trade

[ryno4ever]

I'd like to see Eric Patterson work to get out of that "runner up" position...

It's also nice to see that we do have some depth in the farm system.

[taz57]

I got my Vineline over the weekend, and was impressed with all the talent that we have in the minors. One thing I did notice though, was that Robinson Chirinos showed up prominently defensively, but was not listed in the top 50.

[CubsFan23]

I would like to see more depth at second and short. I believe EPatts days at 2nd are done. It just seems to me that our whole organization is week in middle infielders.

[dundeecub]

I would like to see more depth at second and short. I believe EPatts days at 2nd are done. It just seems to me that our whole organization is week in middle infielders.

has been for many moons: theriot, font, cedeno aren't exactly A grade prospects...

darwin barney and tony thomas look like they might be, but they're too raw/ low in the system to really have any idea.

Mark Holliman for the rotation this year is my tip btw... he hit a hr in that no-hitter too

[Bockstock]

I'm suprised they don't mention Oscar Acosta's son. He is supposed to be going right to Peoria.

Here is a list I made of BA's Top 30 cubs (I added Fukuome). I copied it from a spreadsheet, so if it looks crappy, my apologies.

The level is projected

Player, Age Level Pos
1. Fukudome 30 MLB OF
2. Vitters 18 A 3B
3. Soto 24 MLB C
4. Colvin 22 AA OF
5. Ceda 21 AA RP
6. Gallagher 22 AAA SP
7. Veal 23 AA SP
8. Donaldson 22 A C
9. Samardzija 23 AA SP
10. Thomas 21 A 2B
11. Hart 25 MLB RP
12. Petrick 23 AAA RP
13. Patterson 24 AAA OF
14. Burke 19 A OF
15. Huseby `19 A SP
16. Castillo 22 A C
17. Rhee 18 A SP
18. Hernandez19 A SP
19. Fuld 26 MLB OF
20. Fox 25 AAA OF
21. Suarez 17 A SP
22. Acosta 19 A SP
23. Russell, James 22 A SP
24. Barney 22 A SS
25. Ascanio 22 MLB RP
26. Roqueet 25 AA RP
27. Holliman 24 AA SP
28. Lansford 23 A 3B
29. Clevenger 21 A C
30. Lahey 22 MLB RP

[CubsFan23]

Lahey is 30th and it looks like we will have him on our MLB staff this year, or we \will have to offer him back to the Twins. (I actually am not sure if we have to offer him to the Twins(his original yeam) or the Rays (whom we paid to draft him for us)).

[Bockstock]

Lahey is 30th and it looks like we will have him on our MLB staff this year, or we \will have to offer him back to the Twins. (I actually am not sure if we have to offer him to the Twins(his original yeam) or the Rays (whom we paid to draft him for us)).

I'm not sure how Rule V work out, but maybe the Cubs can trade him

I'm confused as to why Hendry felt the need to add ANOTHER reliever when they were some 1b/OF types (like the guy the Cardinals got) who would have been more MLB ready.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I'm not sure how Rule V work out, but maybe the Cubs can trade him

I'm confused as to why Hendry felt the need to add ANOTHER reliever when they were some 1b/OF types (like the guy the Cardinals got) who would have been more MLB ready.I think Rule V guys can be traded. If the team that acquires that Rule V guy doens't keep him on the 25 man roster all year, he gets returned to the Rays.

Word is Lahey was scouted by many organizations outside of TB & the those scouts were very high on Lahey helping a team this year. The Rays farm system is loaded. The Cubs moved up to the 1st slot in the Rule V draft b/c their scouts loved him & he was highly sought after by other teams. If Lahey performs well in ST, I think there is a good chance he sticks.

[dundeecub]

I think he can be traded... but i wouldn't swear to it.

However, I seriously doubt his chances of making the team unless Demp or Marquis are traded for a non-bullpen player. Nonetheless, it's pretty much a no-lose situation going into ST.

[Bockstock]

I think Rule V guys can be traded. If the team that acquires that Rule V guy doens't keep him on the 25 man roster all year, he gets returned to the Rays.

Word is Lahey was scouted by many organizations outside of TB & the those scouts were very high on Lahey helping a team this year. The Rays farm system is loaded. The Cubs moved up to the 1st slot in the Rule V draft b/c their scouts loved him & he was highly sought after by other teams. If Lahey performs well in ST, I think there is a good chance he sticks.

cool, Thanks

From what I've read of him He seems like a Hendry-type reliever (Grant Johnson, Ceda,Wuertz, etc.) in that he is a big, hard-throwing dude. If I remember right, he was a C in college, but struggled with hitting higher level pitching.