Torres: 0-5, 2 K, .209 in August
Considering his age, is this the first time he has played so many games? Could he simply be worn out? Wouldn't seem to be a very good sign if that is the case, though some weight training and improved conditioning might overcome it next year if that is the problem.
4. Eloy Jimenez, lf, CubsTeam: short-season Eugene (Northwest)Age: 18Why He’s Here: .308/.367/.692 (8-for-26), 8 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 3 SOThe Scoop: Two Julys ago, the Cubs flexed their financial muscle when they hauled in Jimenez and Gleyber Torres, two tantalizing international prospects, for a combined $4.5 million. So far, those investments are paying off. Torres is turning heads in the Midwest League, and Jimenez is more than holding his own against older competition in the Northwest League. His .340 on-base percentage and 16.7 percent strikeout rate both bode well for his future in a stocked Cubs system.
16. Oscar de la Cruz, rhp, CubsTeam: short-season Eugene (Northwest)Age: 20Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 13 SO, 1 BBThe Scoop: De la Cruz played shortstop growing up, but when the Cubs signed him out of the Dominican Republic they were much more impressed with the arm than his bat. Quickly converted to a pitcher, de la Cruz understandably needed a little time to adjust, but he dominated the Dominican Summer League last year in a return trip, and he’s been just as good this season in the Northwest League, where he’s among the league leaders in strikeout rate (9.3 per nine innings), opponent average (.217) and WHIP (1.04). The 6-foot-4 righthander has an above-average fastball and a developing curveball with a clean delivery.
Ed (Surrey): Do you think Javier Baez has made the necessary adjustments to succeed in MLB and if so, will he have more to offer than Addison Russell?J.J. Cooper: I think they end up fitting together in the Cubs middle infield with Russell at short and Baez at second (although that’s a waste of a very good arm). Yes, I think Baez is starting to realize that he doesn’t have to swing on every pitch like he’s trying to set a Statcast record for HR distance. His bat speed is so good, his hands work very well that if he can tone down some of the noisier parts of his stance/swing he will get to enough of his power to be a solid big leaguer. We’re seeing some signs that he’s doing that in the PCL.
Justin (Iowa): Could a package of Vogelbach and Alcantara land a mid rotation sp from an AL team this offseason?J.J. Cooper: No. I think you’d have to have a better top piece in the deal. Vogelbach can hit but he has little trade value because he’s a DH who struggles to play 1B. That’s not the guy teams build a deal around for a mid-rotation starter usually.
4. Eloy Jimenez, lf, CubsTeam: short-season Eugene (Northwest)Age: 18Why He’s Here: .308/.367/.692 (8-for-26), 8 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 BB, 3 SO