http://mbpelicans.mlblogs.com/2016/01/21/cubs-con-interview-series-part-4-cubs-director-of-player-development-jaron-madison/
Thanks, Blue. I really enjoyed that interview. Madison is a major guy in the farm area, but I don't recall hearing him talk very often. Seemed practical and nice.
Two notes:
1. He talked about Happ being full-time conversion to 2B. Obviously he doesn't mean that's forever, but sounds like for this spring/summer, 2B is the story. I like that. If he can play a solid 2B, his bat could be really valuable. Zobrist has a limited window. Baez and Torres are other candidates, obviously, but including Happ in that 2B mix is nice.
Madison suggested that bat-wise, Happ would default for Myrtle. But, he wasn't sure with the 2B defense whether he'd be a Myrtle guy or South Bend. South Bend could have a pretty strong lineup, if it had Happ 2B, Eloy, probably DeWees, possibly Martinez in center, possibly even DJ Wilson? Could be a strong group.
2. Madison had some favorable comments about Caratini. I've never really heard much inside commentary about how they view him. Madison suggested Caratini was hitting the ball hard, in bad luck, first half. Noted that his defense needed work.