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From the Pages of Vine Line: 2014 Minor League Prospectus, International Impact
Shortstop Gleyber Torres was one of baseball's top international prospects in 2013. (Image by Bill Mitchell)
For many Chicagoans, February means cold weather. At Vine Line, it's all about the Cubs minor league prospectus. In the February issue, fans can check out frequent contributor Sahadev Sharma's player breakdowns for more than 45 of the organization's top prospects, from teenagers like Eloy Jimenez to elite talents like Javier Baez. We'll post some of the profiles here on the blog in the coming weeks so you can keep track of all the names to know in the Cubs highly ranked system.
Also from the series:
2014 Cubs Minor League Prospectus- The Elite
2014 Cubs Minor League Prospectus- Close to the Big Leagues
Over the past 15 years, the Cubs have done well on the international free agent market, especially in Latin America. From Carlos Zambrano to Starlin Castro to, most recently, Junior Lake, the organization continually produces international players who impact the major league roster.
However, while teams like the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees were competing for big-money players, the Cubs were content to sign low-cost free agents and hope their bulk purchases would eventually pay off. But with the signing of Soler in 2012, the new Cubs regime announced to the baseball world they were becoming serious players in the international community. Even with spending restrictions in place, the trend continued in 2013, as the Cubs blew past their allotted cap, signing numerous highly regarded prospects. Due to their free-spending ways, they will have even harsher limits on their spending next summer, but clearly Epstein and company believed the talent level available this year made it worth the risk.
Along with the many players inked during the international signing period in July, the Cubs also have some intriguing names who are young and still growing into their bodies. These raw athletes likely won't make an impact at Wrigley anytime soon, but they help create the depth necessary to ensure the Cubs system can consistently funnel talent to the big league roster.
At just 17 years of age, Jimenez is already a physical specimen. He was the consensus top player in last summer's international free agent class, and the Cubs paid him accordingly, giving him a $2.8 million bonus, the highest handed out in 2013.
The Dominican native already has great strength, and scouts expect him to display his tremendous raw power in game action as he continues to grow. Jimenez also has the strong arm and athleticism necessary to play a solid right field.
Many considered Torres the second-best prospect in the 2013 class, just behind Jimenez, but that's where the similarities end. Torres doesn't project to have much power—he might touch double-digit home runs at his peak—but he already has an advanced hitting ability and approach for his age.
If his development goes as expected, the Venezuelan could hit for a high average, knocking doubles into the gaps while playing plus defense at shortstop.
Of the big names the Cubs signed this July, the 19-year-old Tseng could be the most developed. He throws a lot of strikes with three strong pitches—a split-finger fastball, curve and slider—and his fastball can touch 95. With an advanced feel for pitching, it wouldn't shock anyone if Tseng started the year in Kane County.
The Taiwanese pitcher has already performed on a bigger stage than most international free agents, pitching for his home country in both the World Baseball Classic and the 18U World Championship Games. Though the overall quality of his stuff was down in his most recent outings, some believe it was due to heavy usage. Some time off should help as he gets acclimated to a less intense workload stateside.
Candelario first caught scouts' eyes in 2011, when he posted a .443 on-base percentage at the age of 17 in the Dominican Summer League. While those statistics should be taken with a grain of salt, he also performed well the following year in Boise, earning time at full-season Kane County in 2013.
While the numbers at Kane County don't jump off the page, his performance was still impressive considering his age and the league in which he was playing.
A switch-hitter with a feel for the zone, Candelario, who was born in New York but grew up in the Dominican, is still growing into what McLeod referred to as his "man strength," which should help increase his power numbers in the future.
In 2012, Balaguert was sent to Peoria (the Cubs' low-A affiliate at the time) and performed poorly, hitting only .208 in 149 at-bats. But he rebounded for a solid season after spending most of 2013 at Boise. He is still trying to figure out who he is as a hitter, but he's strong, has a lot of power and is learning to control the strike zone better.
Balaguert is the type of athlete with a wide variance of possible end points. In 2014, he could explode into a top prospect or struggle mightily and get lost among the numerous other talented players in the Cubs system. If things do click for the young Cuban, it'll be a credit to his tremendous work ethic as well as the Cubs' scouting and player development team for identifying and molding a truly raw kid into a valuable piece of the puzzle.
ERICK LEAL (RHP) – This 18-year old, acquired for Tony Campana, is tall and lanky with average velocity and good feel for a change-up. He's a strike thrower with minimal walks and a good understanding of pitching. The Cubs hope his velocity will tick up as he gains strength.
CARLOS PENALVER (SS) – The best defensive shortstop in the system, Penalver has smooth hands, easy transfer and plenty of arm strength. He also shows the ingredients of someone who can handle the bat, including a good idea of the zone and strong swing path. He needs to gain weight and strength to put his offensive skill set to use at the major league level.
JEFFERSON MEJIA (RHP) – Mejia has a big frame and projects to have three plus offerings if he fills out and adds velocity to his current 87-90 mph fastball. He works down in the zone and keeps bats off his fastball with an advanced change-up and a quality breaking ball.
ERLING MORENO (RHP) – This 6-foot-7 Colombian throws in the low-90s with a change-up that can miss bats and an average curveball. His athleticism allows him to repeat his delivery with consistency, something that can often be an issue with taller pitchers.
—Sahadev Sharma
From the Pages of Vine Line: Ron Coomer makes his Chicago return
New radio analyst Ron Coomer spent the 2001 season with the Cubs. (Photo by Stephen Green)
The following can be found in the February issue of Vine Line.
Who says you can never go home again?
After nine years working for the Twins—the team with which he made his major league debut in 1995 and spent the bulk of his professional playing career—Ron Coomer will join play-by-play man Pat Hughes in the Cubs broadcast booth for WGN Radio. He replaces Keith Moreland, who left after three years with the club to be closer to his family in Texas.
The affable 47-year-old, affectionately known as "Coom Dawg," most recently worked on the Twins' pre- and postgame shows for Fox Sports North and often filled in for Bert Blyleven during game broadcasts. He also hosted a music show on KTWN, the radio station that began airing Twins games in 2013.
For all intents and purposes, Coomer and his family were extremely happy in the North Star State, and they weren't looking to make a move. But when your dream job comes open, it's hard to pass up the opportunity.
And Coomer has been waiting for the chance to broadcast Cubs games since he hung on Jack Brickhouse's every word as a child growing up on Chicago's West and South sides. Throughout his career as a player and broadcaster, he has always been eager to get back to his hometown.
The Lockport (Ill.) Township High School graduate spent nine years as a major league player and was named to the 1999 American League All-Star team as a member of the Twins. When he reached free agency for the first time after six years in Minnesota, he signed with the Cubs in a matter of days. He spent only one year on the North Side before moving on to the Dodgers and Yankees, but he returned to establish the On Deck Baseball Academy in Orland Park following his playing career.
Once Moreland announced he was leaving, Coomer received a call from Hughes asking if he'd be interested in the job. That kicked off a series of interviews with WGN and the Cubs front office that culminated in his hiring on Dec. 13. We spoke to Coomer just after he joined the Cubs radio team, and needless to say, he's very happy to be coming home.
Vine Line: You went to high school on Chicago's South Side. How did you end up a Cubs fan?
Ron Coomer: I actually grew up right by Midway Airport. I was two blocks from Midway on that southwest side of the city. I grew up a Cubs fan for one simple reason: When you ran home after school, the Cubs game was always on in the daytime, and you could catch the last four innings of the game with Jack Brickhouse or whoever was broadcasting.
I couldn't get the White Sox games on our TV when I was a little guy. So that started me being a Cubs fan as a real little kid. Once I started doing that, then my dad would take me to Wrigley Field on a regular basis, and I just fell in love with going to Wrigley and watching the ballgames. I never really went to Comiskey Park back in the day. I always went to Wrigley. I wasn't real popular with my grandparents and some of the people in my family, but it's worked out pretty good so far.
VL: You'd been with the Twins for a long time. What made you want to chase the Cubs job?
RC: I had a very good situation in Minnesota. I do 100 broadcasts for Fox with Twins baseball. I have a music radio show here in town on the Twins Network that we do on drive time every afternoon from 3-7. I really enjoyed my time here. This has been home for a long time now. But I've always wanted to do games. Every player, when you get into the broadcast booth, you want to be a part of the game broadcast.
When the Cubs job came available, I didn't know if I would be thought of at all, but I got a call from Pat Hughes asking me if I was interested. Probably the only place I would go to leave Minnesota would be the Chicago Cubs. My situation with family and everything [in Minnesota] is phenomenal. But it's the Cubs job. It's been a dream of mine since before I knew I could hit a baseball.
VL: In baseball, you seldom get to choose the city in which you play or work. What's it like for you to get a chance to come home to Chicago?
RC: It's incredible. I can't even describe it. As a player, I became a free agent, and by 9 a.m. the first morning, [former General Manager] Andy MacPhail had a contract couriered over to my house. So at 9 o'clock in the morning, Day One of free agency, I had a great deal from Andy. Two or three days later, I was a Cub. I started fielding some calls from other teams, and I'm like, "Don't even bother. We're already done." And they're like, "But free agency just started." I go, "Nah, not for me it didn't. It's over." So that took all of three days. When this job became available, [it's a] lifelong dream. To be in Major League Baseball doing this—as crazy as the baseball life is—you couldn't ask for anything more.
VL: What's your relationship like with your new partner, Pat Hughes?
RC: Pat's just one of the nicest people in the world. I've always made a point when I come to the ballpark or I'm going to a game at Wrigley to see Pat and whoever was broadcasting, because they're such good people. So you want to say "hi" and kind of renew your friendship, even if it's just for that day. It's been that kind of relationship for a long time with Pat, where you really respect what he does and how he does it and the kind of person he is. So I've always made a point to try and see him, and we've been friends for a long time. Now we're going to be partners.
VL: Can you describe your style in the booth?
RC: I'm kind of analytical when it comes to understanding the little nuances of the game, whether it's your swing as a hitter or what certain things are happening with a pitcher. I basically talk about the pitcher from the hitter's perspective. So fans will get an idea of what's going on with the pitcher, what the hitter is looking for from the pitcher, how the pitcher is trying to set the hitter up, things like that. I love the intricacies of baseball and those little battles that happen throughout the day. Those are very fun for me, and they're fun to try and get across to the fans.
VL: Did you have any broadcasting idols growing up in the city?
RC: I grew up watching Cubs baseball. Jack Brickhouse was our broadcaster when I was a young kid—and I mean a young kid. You're talking 4, 5, 6, 7 years old when you're just watching with bright eyes and listening to how excited Jack Brickhouse would get over a Cubs game and a Cubs win. I think he stood out the most to me as a young kid.
VL: You're obviously not the first Ron in the WGN Radio booth. Is that legacy a little daunting?
RC: Without question it's daunting when you look back at the names, from Lou Boudreaux to Vince Lloyd to Brickhouse and all those people. And the analysts—Steve Stone was there forever. But Ron Santo and I became friends when I signed with the Cubs. You know, Ronnie was a third baseman. I was a third baseman. We'd go out after games on the road and go have dinner and hang out. You just loved his passion for everything he did. And if it had something to do with the Cubs, there was nobody more passionate than Ron Santo. It was infectious with everybody. It's one of those things I'll always remember. Some of his calls on the air were just priceless. You couldn't make them up. So it is daunting. As a Cubs fan, you look at that and go, "How cool is this that I'm going to be a part of that family that's been doing these games since I was a little kid?"
VL: You played for the Cubs in 2001. Do you have a favorite Wrigley Field memory from your time here?
RC: There are a few. I think Opening Day that year. It was great just to be part of Opening Day. I had some good games at Wrigley. You hit a couple of home runs or something like that. I remember a few games like that. But it was like a daily routine of you jog out to third base to start a game, and you look around the stands and go, "Yep, I sat over there. I sat over there. I was with my dad there watching a game." Now you're in uniform, and my friends and my family are coming out to Wrigley Field, and I'm on the field. The biggest memory of Wrigley is that—is having that emotion almost every day.
VL: How excited are you to call Wrigley Field your office again?
RC: Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are the last two of a dying breed. It's baseball. When you walk into Wrigley Field, and you come up from the concourse, and you look down at that green field and the ivy, that to me is what baseball is all about. It's not the new stadiums and all the big stuff. That's all great. All these new ballparks are phenomenal. Target Field is great here in Minneapolis. But when you look at those fields like Wrigley Field, that's what baseball is to me. It's a nostalgic old look and knowing guys like Babe Ruth were in the batter's box, and Ernie Banks and Santo and Billy Williams. All these guys have played in that ballpark. That's what baseball is—the old with the new.
VL: What's your take on what the Cubs front office is doing to try to build a winner?
RC: What the Cubs are doing is exactly what's been going on here in Minnesota for the last few years. It's the only way you can build a team and have it sustain itself. You can't go out and not have homegrown players make an impact on your club day after day. It just doesn't work. It might work for half a season. It might work for a season. But it doesn't sustain itself for the long haul. So you have to build from the bottom up, and you have to have homegrown players contribute in a big way to the success of the organization. Then you add pieces to that. That's the only way things work in Major League Baseball for any length of time.
VL: You've been in baseball your whole life. What do you do to get away from the game?
RC: I do a couple of different things. I'm a big golfer—love to play golf. I live on a golf course here in Minneapolis. So I'll play some golf in the summer in Chicago. And I'm a bike rider. I love to bike—pedal bike—so I'll be biking around the city. God knows I'll probably bike to Wrigley Field a few times.
Hot Off the Presses: The 2014 Minor League Prospectus
We always have mixed feelings about the February issue. The annual minor league prospectus probably takes more work, and more combined man-hours, than any other issue. To compile our comprehensive breakdown of the Cubs farm system, we pore through each of the organization's minor league affiliates, from Iowa to Kane County to the Caribbean.
That's a lot of players in a lot of different locations. To get our information, we read prospect reports, watch fall and winter league games, and talk to people in the know. By the time this issue goes to the printer, the whole Vine Line staff needs a nap.
But it's also one of the most rewarding magazines we publish, because it gives us a clearer picture of what to expect in the Cubs' future. And since President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, General Manager Jed Hoyer and Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod took over more than two years ago, the Cubs have been all about what's on the horizon.
The team has enjoyed top 10 picks in each of the last three drafts, has been among the most aggressive in baseball on the international free agent market, and has made shrewd trades to add young, high-ceiling talent. The process may be taking more time than many fans and even upper management hoped it would, but the efforts are paying off—and the evidence could soon become evident at Wrigley Field.
Baseball America's 2013 organizational rankings, released shortly after the season ended, had the Cubs system tied for fifth-best in baseball. And prospect experts such as MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo and Baseball Prospectus' Jason Parks rave about Albert Almora, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, C.J. Edwards, Pierce Johnson, Jorge Soler and others.
This month, frequent contributor Sahadev Sharma sat down with McLeod to review the organization's top players and talk about the system as a whole. Though it's the big names that rightfully grab the headlines, the Cubs farm now has enviable depth, especially in position players. A few years ago, for example, the team struggled to find a serviceable third baseman. In addition to Luis Valbuena and Donnie Murphy, they now have Kris Bryant, Mike Olt, Christian Villanueva, Arismendy Alcantara, Josh Vitters, Jeimer Candelario and others who could all effectively man the position.
We break down the Cubs talent into five categories: The Elite, Close to the Big Leagues, International Impact, Pitching Depth and Ready to Break Out. This is your primer on everyone, from seasoned talent that could make the jump to the major leagues this year to 17-year-old international prospects whose professional careers are just getting started.
For those who can't wait to see the organization's top young players, this may be the perfect year to head out to Mesa, Ariz., for Spring Training, because the team is opening Cubs Park, a state-of-the-art training facility that rivals the best in the game. In this issue, we take a look at the new facility and what it means for the organization's player development team.
Spring Training will also offer fans their first opportunity to hear the team's new radio voice, analyst Ron Coomer, a former Cubs infielder who has spent the last nine years broadcasting for the Twins. The 47-year-old Chicago native grew up rooting for the North Siders, so he understands the team's unique history and what it means to be a part of its rich broadcasting tradition.
"Probably the only place I would go to leave Minnesota would be the Chicago Cubs," Coomer said. "My situation with family and everything [in Minnesota] is phenomenal. But it's the Cubs job. It's been a dream of mine since before I knew I could hit a baseball."
Finally, in our monthly Wrigley 100 feature, we chronicle the ballpark's beginnings. This dates back to when the stadium seated only 14,000 people in a single deck; back to when it was called Weeghman Park; back to when it was known as the home of the Federal League's Chi-Feds, not the Cubs. It's an interesting tale not many people know, and it set the foundation for the last century of events at the Friendly Confines.
Cubs past, present and future. That's our mission, and we cover all the bases this month. Subscribe to Vine Line at cubs.com/vineline and follow us on Twitter at @cubsvineline.
From the Pages of Vine Line: 2014 Minor League Prospectus, The Elite
Top pitching prospect C.J. Edwards should start 2014 at Double-A Tennessee. (Photo by Aldrin Capulong/Daytona Cubs)
For many Chicagoans, February means cold weather. At Vine Line, it's all about the Cubs minor league prospectus. In the February issue, fans can check out player breakdowns for more than 45 of the organization's top prospects, from teenagers like Eloy Jimenez to elite talents like Javier Baez. We'll post some of frequent contributor Sahadev Sharma's player profiles here on the blog in the coming weeks so you can keep track of all the names to know in the Cubs highly-ranked system.
When President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein introduced Jason McLeod as the Cubs' VP of scouting and player development, Epstein referred to his new hire as a "secret weapon." More than two years later, it's easy to see why Epstein was so effusive in his praise.
Under McLeod's watch, the scouting department hasn't stopped working to revamp a system that's jumped from the lower third of baseball to arguably one of the best in the game. Whether it's through trades, international free agency or the draft, McLeod and his staff are grinding tirelessly to improve the Cubs farm system. This past season, he and former farm director Brandon Hyde oversaw one of the more fruitful years in recent memory in terms of player development, as prospects like Pierce Johnson, Javier Baez and Kyle Hendricks all took big steps forward.
Hyde will switch roles in 2014 to become new manager Rick Renteria's bench coach, and Jaron Madison, formerly the director of amateur scouting, will take his place. Madison will oversee a minor league coaching staff that experienced minimal turnover after undergoing a major overhaul heading into the 2013 season. That continuity gives the Cubs confidence their recent player development success at the minor league level will continue, and there is certainly reason to believe the positive trend in scouting will carry into 2014 as well.
One of the most important steps in the process—and certainly one of the most exciting—could take place this season, as some of the team's highly touted prospects may finally get a chance to shine at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs system has it all: elite-level talent, near-ready bats and arms, raw youth and some real pitching depth. It doesn't have a consensus top-of-the-rotation arm, but due to some shrewd trades and bulk drafting, it's stocked with pitchers to dream about over the next few seasons.
Without further ado, let's take a look at many of the key names to know. Some could be arriving at Wrigley soon—others still may be years away—but the Cubs hope they will all earn their stripes at some point down the line.
The Elite
Not long ago, the top of the Cubs system consisted of players who were lucky to break into the top 50 of most national prospect rankings. Those days are gone. Entering last season, it was all about the big three—Javier Baez, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler. After last June's draft, Kris Bryant entered the conversation. Then the Cubs traded Matt Garza for a little-known righty, formerly of the South Carolina bush leagues, named C.J. Edwards, who simply lit up the Florida State League and vaulted himself among the game's top prospects.
Having elite talent, or impact talent, as the front office often calls it, is a difference maker. The Cubs have done well in stockpiling high-ceiling players over the past few seasons and, in doing so, have increased their chances of producing a top-tier major leaguer in the near future.
There have been rumblings that both Baez and Bryant could reach the big leagues in 2014. While they both certainly have immense talent, forecasting All-Star-caliber production from the get-go may be a bit optimistic. But great expectations come with the territory, given the system the Cubs have assembled. All five of these players are aware of the pressure that comes with strong performance, yet they're prepared to try to live up to it. As Almora once said about hype, "Bring it on."
Watching Almora play, no one tool stands out as elite. However, it's the complete package, including his tremendous makeup and infectious confidence, that really sets him apart.
"For a guy without an 80 tool (the top grade on the scouting scale), he's a game changer," McLeod said. "He won't light up scouts with his power or speed, but he lights you up just by watching him play."
Like Soler, Almora was felled by injuries in 2013. A wrist injury sidelined him early and a bone bruise in his groin ended his season prematurely in August. However, Almora returned to action in the Arizona Fall League, posting a very impressive .307/.342/.480 line and playing his usual stellar defense despite being the second-youngest player in the league.
Baez's game can be described in one word: aggressive. But his style of play is both helpful and detrimental. The Puerto Rico native believes he can hit any ball 500 feet and make every play on defense. This can result in wild swings at the plate and poor decisions in the field.
"I've never seen anything like him, to be honest," McLeod said. "He's a tough one to put into one box. On certain nights, he looks like the best player you've ever laid eyes on, and then you might walk in and he's 0-for-4 with three punch-outs and looks awful doing it because the swing is so violent."
But Baez passed what many feel is the toughest test for a developing player (outside of the big leagues, of course) by crushing Double-A pitching, hitting 20 of his 37 home runs in 54 games at that advanced level. He'll always have high strikeout totals, even if he continues to improve, but a player who can hit the ball 430-plus feet to every part of the field is rare. As McLeod said, if he can take that final step and figure out when to be aggressive and when to tone it down at the plate or stick a ball in his pocket on defense, Baez can be as good as anybody.
The Cubs selected Bryant second overall in last June's draft, and it didn't take him long to make an impact. The slugging third baseman followed up a historic college season by hitting at every level, then going on to play in the AFL, where he was named league MVP.
Bryant may end up in right field when all is said and done, but when it comes to hitting, he is a true student of the game. The 22-year-old will likely rack up some strikeouts, but he has a chance to become a consistent star—someone who hits .240 with 25 home runs in a bad year and .280 with 40-plus bombs and an impressive on-base percentage at his peak. Bryant prides himself on his knowledge of the game and is always studying video, working to improve his swing and refining his defense at the hot corner.
With his combination of talent, work ethic and movie-star good looks, Bryant's face could someday be plastered all over billboards from Wrigleyville to Rockford.
Edwards has all the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation arm—a downhill fastball with nasty cutting action, big curveball and solid change-up. The question with him is whether he has the durability to handle the load of 180-plus innings in the big leagues.
At 6-foot-2 and just over 160 pounds, the "String Bean Slinger" is lean and lanky—hardly the prototypical build of a workhorse ace. The focus this offseason has been his training program, as the Cubs are attempting to add some weight to his frame to prepare him for the rigors of a six-month season.
Edwards certainly has the necessary work ethic to get his body where it needs to be. Even if he can't add much weight, he projects as an elite reliever who could help solidify the back end of the Cubs bullpen for years to come. Either way, Edwards will lead what looks to be a very impressive rotation in Tennessee next season.
After a stress fracture in his left tibia ended Soler's 2013 season early, he was left with a combined 89 professional games in the Cubs organization over two seasons. His limited playing time has evaluators wondering where his true talent level lies. Looking to shake off the rust, Soler played in the Arizona Fall League. At times, he looked uninterested, often failing to run out ground balls. But according to McLeod, Soler had been given specific instructions not to run too hard on easy outs to protect his recently injured foot.
The goal in the AFL was for the Cuban prospect to continue honing his swing mechanics (something the Cubs have been working on since he was signed), see some pitches and get some reps in the outfield.
The bottom line: Soler has immense power, a tremendous work ethic and all the tools needed to catapult himself back among the elite prospects. The hope is a healthy spring will allow him to start the year at Tennessee and finally put together that strong, full season the Cubs have been hoping for since he signed.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Q&A with Pedro Strop
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Pedro Strop in early July as part of the haul for starting pitcher Scott Feldman. The 28-year-old got an opportunity to be a late-innings reliever for the North Siders down the stretch in 2013, and the organization hopes he can contribute to the bullpen again in 2014. The following can be found in the January issue of Vine Line.
COMMAND AND CONTROL In Baltimore, I was passing through a bump in the road. I know I can pitch. It's just things weren't going my way. Since I got [to Chicago], I'm just doing the same thing. I'm commanding the ball better too, and that's been a huge part of my career so far—commanding my fastball. Since I've been [here], I've been able to command my fastball more consistently.
HEAD GAMES When you struggle like that, a bunch of stuff starts to come to your mind—a lot of negative thoughts. But I never lost my confidence. I just thought, "It's got to change. One day it's going to change. You've done it before. You know you can do it." But, honestly, you can lose confidence a little bit. That's the worst part is when you're struggling to just get your confidence back and pitch.
RESTORATION PROJECT When I got [to Baltimore] in 2011, they were in the same situation [the Cubs are in now]. They were building. And when I got to the Rangers, they were building too. I've been through that. So [the trade] wasn't a disappointment. I just saw the positive sides to it. I was getting more opportunities to pitch, and I could be part of another team that grows up.
THE CLOSER When you know somebody has confidence in you, it makes you feel more confidence too. About the closer situation, I'm just one of those kinds of guys. As a reliever, you want to be a closer. But I'm really not thinking about it right now. I just like to be ready for any situation that can help the team win. Just compete. I love to compete. I love the competition. Being up there in the seventh inning, eighth inning, ninth inning, it's competition. I love that. I don't care if it's the ninth or the seventh.
CLASSIC MOMENT Since the first WBC, I was wishing to be a part of that team to represent [the Dominican Republic]. It was huge for me to be a part of the [2013] team and be the big key for our wins. I was just giving it all I got. It was big. It was beautiful. … You know you're playing for your country. You're playing for the Dominican Republic. It was a dream.
FAN FAVORITES I always watched Jose Reyes. I used to play shortstop. As a pitcher, I always liked Mariano Rivera. He's a classic. He's unbelievable. He makes things look way easier than they are. I would love to do what he does.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Schierholtz speaks softly …
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The following ran in the November issue of Vine Line.
Last season, the man in the middle of the Cubs' lineup did most of his talking with the bat. Perhaps in the grand tradition of former President Teddy Roosevelt, Cubs right fielder Nate Schierholtz simply decided to speak softly and carry a big stick.
You probably didn't hear much about the outfielder's breakout season in the media, and you certainly didn't hear anything about it from Schierholtz himself. It's not that the 29-year-old Reno, Nev., native and San Francisco resident is at all unfriendly or reticent with reporters. It's just that before games, he was more than likely working on his craft in the batting cages. And after games, he was usually working out or getting treatment for one of the nagging little aches and pains he dealt with this year, mostly in silence.
"I just prefer to fly under the radar," Schierholtz said late in the season. "I guess I like to lead by example more so than being a loud, vocal guy. I just try to go out there and play hard every day and help the team win. I feel like I've learned that over the years, and that's how a lot of the guys were in San Francisco. It worked that way. Winning's everything. Winning's what makes this game fun."
No, the Cubs didn't win this year, but Schierholtz was one of the bright spots that may have been overshadowed by other developments. In many ways, it was a career year for the veteran, who has two world championship rings from his time with the Giants and also played for the Phillies at the end of 2012.
In 2013, Schierholtz put up a batting line of .251/.301/.470 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 21 home runs and 68 RBI. Both the home run and RBI totals represented career major league highs for the lefty. He also tied his career high in games played (137), which he first set in 2010 with the Giants, and he set new career highs in at-bats (462) and hits (116).
The key, no doubt, was that Schierholtz finally got an opportunity to play on a regular basis.
"My biggest priority last offseason was finding a team, first of all, that I fit in with and thought had a good future, but also a place where I could play more and get more consistent at-bats," he said. "That's something that I've never really had since maybe 2008 in Triple-A. I'm fortunate for the opportunity here, and I tried to do the best I could with it. I know I've got more to offer the team, but I was happy to get the playing time I've gotten."
Schierholtz began the 2012 season with the Giants but was traded to the Phillies on July 31, just before the trade deadline expired. (The Giants won the World Series and presented the outfielder with his second championship ring.) The Phillies didn't tender Schierholtz a contract following that season, so he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs just before Christmas.
"That was a pretty hectic week, but I had quite a few teams calling," he said. "In the end, I sorted through everything and decided that the Cubs were probably the best fit for me to come and win a job in right field.
"I feel like I contributed to both World Series. I'm proud of that. I'm proud of the two rings I've gotten. Being from the Bay Area, it meant a lot. It still does. It was tough to leave at first, but I also realized I'm getting a little bit older."
Although people may have been surprised by the outfielder's success—as a left-handed batter, he's gotten most of his playing time and done most of his damage against right-handed pitching—Schierholtz was not one of them.
"I haven't been surprised by anything, to be honest with you," he said. "I think I'll get better over time. I feel like my body's still young in the sense that I've been like a fourth outfielder the past five seasons. For me, it's just working hard this offseason and making a couple of little adjustments. I feel I've learned a lot this year playing every day in the sense that I have a better idea of what I have to do to prepare for next year, both physically and mentally."
Regardless of whether the Cubs were surprised by Schierholtz's good season, they were more than happy to get it. In a lineup that often lacked the necessary pop, the veteran outfielder provided a solid middle-of-the-order bat.
"No question he fulfilled what a lot of us and our scouts [thought]," said former Cubs manager Dale Sveum. "We thought if he could get that many plate appearances, he'd be able to hit 15-25 home runs and do some things with the bat. He runs well. He's played a really nice right field. He's done probably more than what we expected, really.
"He's that guy you dream of as a manager. You don't have to worry about him. You don't have to worry about him playing hard, preparing. He tries to make himself a better player every day. He's played with some nagging stuff. Obviously, he's picked us up and had a really, really nice year."
But Schierholtz brought much more than offense to the table this season. He also played a solid right field, and at Wrigley, that's no easy trick. The wind, the brick wall, the configuration of the park and the occasional 3:05 p.m. start, which leaves the right fielder looking directly into a blinding sun, have humbled their fair share of outfielders.
"There's a lot of different factors that go into it, from the sun to the wind and the whole playing surface," he said. "It's a little tougher than most big league parks. It's something you have to work on and remind yourself to grind it out to do the best you can.
"It's definitely [difficult], only because it's the sun field, and the wind can change from an inning or two. It can change from blowing out to blowing across. The wind, the sun—there are a few factors here that make it more difficult than most places."
Former first base coach Dave McKay, who worked with Cubs outfielders the past two years under Sveum, lauded Schierholtz's work in right.
"I think Nate's done a really good job," McKay said. "He had a couple of little nagging leg things. He's a tough guy. He had some issues where most guys probably wouldn't have played. There might be times where he wished he could have gotten a better jump or continued hard after something, but we've been real careful with him.
"He's a real pro. He knows how the game is played. He goes over the scouting reports on guys. You watch him out there, and he knows where I am [in the dugout positioning outfielders], and he adjusts to the count. As far as his defense in the outfield, I've been really, really pleased."
As a player with five-plus years of major league service, Schierholtz has one year of eligibility for salary arbitration remaining. So if the Cubs want him to remain in Chicago, he'll be back for at least one more season.
"I look forward to coming back next year," he said. "Beyond that, I'm not quite sure. I've enjoyed my time here. I have only positive things to say. Yeah, I'd like to be part of the future. I've said that for a while. I've also got things to work on to improve my game to help the team."
Schierholtz mentioned the word "improvement" on several occasions. He has an interesting baseball résumé and a tremendous background of success. In addition to playing parts of two seasons with world championship teams, Schierholtz was a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Olympic baseball team at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he played with future big leaguers such as Dexter Fowler, Stephen Strasburg and Jake Arrieta. These experiences have given him a sense of what he needs to do to get better and compete at the highest levels.
But if he wants to improve and earn even more playing time next season, he needs to work on his splits. He batted .262 against right-handed pitching but just .170 in limited action (53 at-bats) against lefties in 2013. He also did most of his damage in the first half of the season, batting .269 before the All-Star break compared to .230 after it.
"The grind of the season gets to you sometimes," he said. "I feel like the mental game's a little tougher than it is physically. That's just something that I'll keep in the back of my mind for next year. It's good to know as a player that you're going to go through ups and downs. It's just part of baseball.
"I worked out a lot last offseason. I learned a lot over the years as far as how to play the game. I just try to work with the coaches on the little things, making those little adjustments. I feel I got a lot done this year. There's always more to do."
—Bruce Miles
From the Pages of Vine Line: Jed Hoyer Q&A, Part III
(Photo by Stephen Green)
You don't have to tell General Manager Jed Hoyer how difficult the Cubs' 2013 season was. He was there for every pitch, hit and out. And no one in the organization—from the groundskeepers to the players to the men in charge—is happy with 96 losses.
But the GM also knows the organization has made a great deal of progress since he took the helm. The plan was clear from the get-go: Hire the best player development team in the business, stockpile as much high-ceiling talent as possible as quickly as possible, and develop a young, talented team that has the ability to compete year in and year out.
For the November issue, Vine Line caught up with the head man to discuss the 2013 season, improvements in the organization, changes within the club and what to look forward to in 2014. This is the final installment of a three-part conversation we had with the Cubs GM. For the entire conversation or more Cubs information, be sure to check out the November issue of Vine Line.
Jed Hoyer Q&A, Part I
Jed Hoyer Q&A, Part II
VL: You mentioned some of the young guys who are putting up good offensive numbers in the minor leagues. Javier Baez hit 37 home runs this year. Kris Bryant hit 31 home runs in college and continued to hit in the minor leagues. How difficult is it for you to be patient with those guys, especially when you need help at the major league level?
JH: There's no question it's fun to look at our minor league box scores now, and it's great that those guys are performing. But they're not finished products, and they need to keep developing. I always think the easiest way to remain patient is to look at the careers of other really good players and realize that being rushed, giving up all those developmental minor league at-bats [can be harmful]. You have to learn how to hit in professional baseball. You have to learn how to pitch in professional baseball. Rushing a guy through, at some point, the lack of development is going to catch up with him. We want to teach these guys how to play the right way in the minor leagues, so when they come up here, they're as ready as possible.
VL: High-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee had good postseason runs. You moved both Bryant and Dan Vogelbach up to High-A to get them some playoff action. How important is it for young players to experience high-pressure baseball and to learn to win together at the lower levels?
JH: That's the biggest focus and what you really want. We were going to send [Albert] Almora there also before he got hurt. You want them to have that experience of bonding together, playing in a playoff environment when every run is really important, every defensive play is really important. Playoff baseball is so much more focused than the games over the course of the whole season. When a player can experience playoff baseball, I think it helps them not only in future playoff games, but also in how they prepare for regular season games in the future. I think it's really important, and hopefully we'll have some really good minor league teams in the next couple of years so more players can get that experience.
VL: During the two years you've been here, the Cubs have gone from being ranked as one of the weaker minor league systems to one of the top three, according to most experts. How difficult is it to turn a system around quickly given some of the restrictions imposed by the new collective bargaining agreement?
JH: It's certainly more challenging than it had been. There was no question what our playbook was going to be coming in here. We were going to do exactly what we did in Boston and what I was doing in San Diego, which is really emphasizing spending on scouting and player development. You try to spend as much money on young players as possible. There's so much more impact to your dollars when you're spending them at that level, because if you're successful with those players, they can give you exponential value. There was no doubt we were planning to do that, and obviously the CBA restricts us. So as I said before, within the rules that have been given to us, we've been as aggressive as possible, and we'll continue to be.
VL: After losing clubhouse leaders like Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus, do you worry that there will be a leadership void in the clubhouse, or do you feel like you have guys ready to step up and assume that role?
JH: It's something that we're focused on. We need to add some guys who can help teach our young players the right way to do things. No coach can do what a player can do. Player-to-player teaching, player-to-player coaching is so valuable. When you have really good veteran players who can take these guys under their wing and show these guys what they've done—as hard as coaches work, it's difficult for them to have that same sort of relationship. So we know we have to add some leadership to the clubhouse, and certainly that will be a priority.
VL: If you could get one message out to the fans about where this organization is going or what to expect in the coming seasons, what would it be?
JH: From where I sit, I think we're about to enter an incredibly exciting time for the Cubs. We have a new Spring Training home this year. We're going to have a renovated Wrigley. The fans who follow us closely can see how much young talent we've added and how much we'll continue to add. I think all of those things are going to come together at roughly the same time, and when they do come together—when that baseball plan and that business plan come together at the same time—I think we have a chance to stay on top and be a really competitive team that has a chance to go to the playoffs every year for quite a while.
That's something Cubs fans haven't had in a really long time is a young, talented team that is competitive every year. That's what we're trying to build. We feel really good about where we're going. We've asked for a lot of patience. We'll probably still ask for some more. But I think everything is going to come together really nicely at the same time, and when it does, it's not going to be a one-year type situation where you're putting all your eggs in one basket. I think it's going to be the kind of thing where we can have that sustained success that everyone is looking for.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Jed Hoyer Q&A, Part II
(Photo by Stephen Green)
You don't have to tell General Manager Jed Hoyer how difficult the Cubs' 2013 season was. He was there for every pitch, hit and out. And no one in the organization—from the groundskeepers to the players to the men in charge—is happy with 96 losses.
But the GM also knows the organization has made a great deal of progress since he took the helm. The plan was clear from the get-go: Hire the best player development team in the business, stockpile as much high-ceiling talent as possible as quickly as possible, and develop a young, talented team that has the ability to compete year in and year out.
For the November issue, Vine Line caught up with the head man to discuss the 2013 season, improvements in the organization, changes within the club and what to look forward to in 2014. This is Part Two of a three-part conversation we had with the Cubs GM. The final segment will be posted later this week. For the entire conversation or more Cubs information, be sure to check out the November issue of Vine Line.
VL: You've said you and [Theo] Epstein had some pretty frank discussions with former manager Dale Sveum at the All-Star break. It seemed like momentum to replace him really picked up in the last few weeks of the season. How hard of a decision was it to let Sveum go after just two years, and what qualities are you hoping the new manager can bring to the team?
JH: For both Theo and for me, it was a very difficult decision. We've both known Dale since 2004. He's an incredibly hard worker. I think he wore a lot of losses in a really impressive way. He was very stoic about it. That's a difficult thing. You have to talk to the media twice a day. You have to talk to the team every day. When you're losing, keeping your chin up like that is really impressive. He did a great job of dealing with adversity. So it was very difficult.
I feel like when you list off some of the things we're looking for in the next manager, one of the problems is people right away say, "Oh, those are all things Dale didn't have." And that's simply not true. I think Dale can go on to be a really good manager. Theo used the analogy in the press conference. When we hired Terry Francona in Boston, he had, I think it was, four losing seasons with the Phillies and had really struggled there. He went to the Red Sox, and now he's a potential Hall of Fame manager. I think Dale certainly has a lot of the characteristics of a very good manager, and I certainly hope he gets the chance to do it again because I think he'll be successful.
VL: You're just finishing your second year with the team. How would you grade your performance so far?
JH: Like I said at the beginning, any answer that doesn't involve the wins and losses at the major league level is problematic. We've really tried to be as transparent as we possibly can. When we got here, we felt like there was a really big talent deficit, especially when you consider the other teams in our division. We've done everything we can under the new rules to try to make sure we can close that gap. In that regard, I think we've done a really good job. We're a lot closer today to playing in and winning a World Series than we were two years ago. And we just have to keep on pushing like that. But there's no question it's difficult.
Two years in a row, we've traded 40 percent of our rotation at the deadline. August and September of both years were real struggles, especially when in both years we actually played pretty well in July and had things going in a good direction. But we made all those decisions for the same reason, which is that we have to stockpile as much talent as possible to compete with teams in our division that have been doing that for a long time. We've tried to be transparent about what our goals are. Our goal is to build a team that can come into Spring Training year in and year out and have a chance to win, and we've been really focused on achieving that. In a lot of ways, we've been really successful in that, but we're nowhere close to our goal.
VL: How different has it been for you working in Chicago versus working in Boston or San Diego?
JH: One of the things I really like about being in Chicago and being with the Cubs is we have the same goal as the other 29 teams, but, in some ways, it's a bigger goal because it hasn't been done in so long. And I think we know just how much that means to the city.
When Theo and I started talking about this in October of 2011, a big part of why we were so excited to come here and be part of this was that we lived through 2004 [in Boston], and we saw just how much it impacted the city, just how incredible the entire thing was. Really, there's only one place in all of baseball that we have a chance to relive that. You don't ever need more motivation in this job because it's so obvious what your goal is, and winning is such a great thing. But here, if possible, it's even bigger because of what it means to the city and what it means to the fan base.
VL: How important is the impending stadium restoration to the organization? As beautiful as Wrigley Field is from a fan perspective, does it hinder the baseball side that the players are dealing with inferior facilities compared to most other major league teams?
JH: It's really important for us to get this done successfully—and hopefully sooner rather than later. We're not going to have the kind of revenues that a team in a city like Chicago needs to have until the renovations get going. We need to be able to have more signage. We need to be able to have a scoreboard so we can sell advertising. People don't realize how important that is to the organization. Those are the dollars that flow right back into the team. We should be a financial monster sitting here in the city of Chicago with a team that's unbelievably popular, but we can't be that until the stadium gets renovated.
And from a player standpoint, we do have inferior facilities. We don't have a really functional weight room. We have a batting cage that's out in left field. The layout of the clubhouse I don't think is conducive to the kind of oneness you want from a major league clubhouse. That's a really big factor, and I think when we do have the renovations here and we can give our players first-class facilities, it will be a huge plus in not only improving our current players, but also in improving players going forward.
VL: Pitching was the main priority last offseason. What are the main things you're focusing on going into 2014?
JH: You're always going to be looking for pitching. The teams that have pitching depth are able to survive the marathon of the season so much better, so I think you're always going to be looking for pitching every offseason. But our biggest focus—and it will be for quite some time—is improving our offense. We've got to get on base more. We have to have better quality at-bats. There's no way around it. Our current offense isn't good enough to be competitive. Obviously, we have a lot of young offensive talent coming in the minor leagues, but we need to add on top of that and really make our approach at the plate and getting on base a huge priority. Until we do that, we're not going to be as successful as we need to be.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Jed Hoyer Q&A, Part I
(Photo by Stephen Green)
You don't have to tell General Manager Jed Hoyer how difficult the Cubs' 2013 season was. He was there for every pitch, hit and out. And no one in the organization—from the groundskeepers to the players to the men in charge—is happy with 96 losses.
But the GM also knows the organization has made a great deal of progress since he took the helm. The plan was clear from the get-go: Hire the best player development team in the business, stockpile as much high-ceiling talent as possible as quickly as possible, and develop a young, talented team that has the ability to compete year in and year out.
For the November issue, Vine Line caught up with the head man to discuss the 2013 season, improvements in the organization, changes within the club and what to look forward to in 2014. This is Part One of a three-part conversation we had with the Cubs GM. The other segments will be posted next week. For the entire conversation or more Cubs information, be sure to check out the November issue of Vine Line.
VL: What positives do you take from a season like this?
JH: In a year like this, you have to focus on individual positives. Obviously, we're very happy with the way Travis Wood developed this year. He's worked really hard over the last two years with [pitching coach] Chris Bosio, [bullpen coach] Lester Strode and [staff assistant] Mike Borzello. He made huge strides as a pitcher, and that was really exciting to see. He was really consistent throughout the year, and his ability to use both sides of the plate helped him. You have to give him credit for working on it. And Welington Castillo really improved over the course of the year. He had a fantastic second half. He showed an ability to get on base. He's a good defensive catcher, and I think he'll continue to improve.
So I think you always look at individual positives in a year like this, and there are some. But obviously if there were a ton of individual positives, you'd have a better record.
VL: There were some positive developments this year. The pitching staff is much deeper than it was a year ago, and the infield defense—especially on the right side—was as good as anybody's.
JH: Our right side of the infield was excellent. I do think we played better defense this year. Obviously, we struggled in the bullpen early in the year, but I felt like we tightened up some of those holes later in the year. We acquired some power arms over the course of the summer that will really help our bullpen in the future. We've really tried to acquire as many power arms as we can because that was a weakness coming in, and we're starting to show some improvements in the bullpen with those guys.
The pitching staff in general, given the number of quality starts we had—especially before we traded [Scott] Feldman and [Matt] Garza—our starting pitching was good enough to compete. When you look at our offense, our relief pitching and our starting pitching, I would say the starting pitching was good enough to be a solid team. The other two areas are areas we definitely have to improve.
VL: Some of the key guys on the roster—mainly Rizzo and Castro—didn't develop like you expected in 2013. What can you do to reverse that trend heading into next season?
JH: That's certainly a major focus for us. I don't think either guy had the numbers they were expecting coming into Spring Training. There's no doubt both guys would say that. But both guys are hard workers. They're certainly committed to coming into 2014 and putting that behind them. Certainly in the case with Anthony, there's a guy that ended the year [sixth] in the National League in walks. He was [fifth] in extra-base hits. On a lot of defensive metrics, he was the best first baseman. So with Anthony, there are some silver linings. Obviously, his batting average wasn't where he probably hoped, but there were a number of positives in his year. If he can build on that—and certainly he has the ability to—with that many extra-base hits and that kind of patience, that's pretty exciting for a 23-year-old.
With Starlin, the beauty of Starlin is he's done it. He did it at age 20 and 21, and there's no question he can get back to that. A lot of great players have had a down year at the beginning of their careers and bounced back. For us to get where we need to go, those guys need to keep improving, but there's no doubt they're going to work hard this winter to get back to where they need to be.
VL: Do you think the emphasis on Castro trying to be more patient at the plate might have hamstrung his development a little bit this year?
JH: I personally think that line of thought is a little bit overblown. Every young player can improve. He had a great two seasons when he first came up, but I still think for the power that he has to come out, he's going to have to be able to hit in better counts. To say, "Just keep your hands off him, and don't try to improve him," we're not going to be a championship organization if guys don't continue to get better and better. Whether he tried to do some things that confused him during the course of the year or not—and he might have—we want all our guys to focus on getting a pitch in the strike zone and looking to drive it. That's how you become a really good offense. … We're not going to shy away from trying to develop players that way.
VL: You and Theo Epstein have talked a lot about building the core of this team. Have guys like Castillo and Wood put themselves in the category of players you want to grow with?
JH: Yeah, both of those guys really proved they can make improvements and keep getting better. And I think both of those guys are winning players, and that's what you're looking for is guys who will continue to improve, guys who are winning players. The more guys like that in their prime years we can acquire and have on our team, that's what the best teams have. We're excited to have both those guys.
VL: You called Castillo and Wood "winning players." What's your definition of a winning player?
JH: I think everyone has a different definition of it. Obviously, you have to be talented to be a winning player, but also someone who does all the little things necessary to win, whether that's making a productive out, being heads up on the bases, being clutch on defense, being into the game all the time or making your teammates better. Those are all characteristics of players who are on championship teams. Whenever I think of winning players, I think of someone that is a part of every play and someone that really makes everyone around them better. Certainly Welington, with the way he played in the second half, was that kind of player.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Q&A with RHP Justin Grimm
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs reliever Justin Grimm was solid in limited action after coming over from Texas in July's Matt Garza deal. In nine innings with the North Siders, the 25-year-old right-hander finished with a 2.00 ERA. Vine Line caught up with the newcomer to discuss his transition to Chicago, the differences between starting and relieving, and his newfound opportunity to get in on the action offensively. For all this information and more, check out the November issue of Vine Line.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS When I first came here back in April when [the Rangers] visited, the ivy wasn't on the wall yet, and I was like, "Wow, this place looks kind of gloomy, you know?" But when I got here [as a Cub], I think my first day was a gameday, and the ivy was on the wall, and we had a good crowd. It was awesome.
FAN SUPPORT I knew the [Cubs] were one of the top franchises. I heard the fans were awesome, win or lose, which is always good. You like to see fans do that, because I don't know if it was that way in Texas.
TRADE TALK One of the things I found hard is I came [to the Cubs] just trying to impress new people. And when you're trying to impress other people, you don't do what you're capable of doing at first. Then you finally get settled in, but it takes a little bit.
STARTING OVER I think the [transition to the] bullpen is going well, honestly. It's different—more mentally. Obviously, there's a physical component you have to get used to, but I feel like that's the easier part. It's more the mental transition of going from starter to bullpen, being locked in for six, seven, eight, nine innings every fifth day and knowing when you need to be ready, to coming to the ballfield ready to go every day.
DIFFERENT STROKES I feel like I throw more fastballs out of the bullpen, attacking them with fastballs and trying to get early swings and early outs. When you're starting, you're trying to do that too, but you have a little bit of a different game plan. The starter is setting up the plan so when the bullpen comes in, they'll be ready to go and be successful.
AL VS. NL The only difference I've seen is that you may have first and second with one out early in the game, and then the pitcher comes up. They lay down a bunt or they're swinging or whatever it is, but it's a free out. Well, I don't want to say a free out, because I've seen a lot of these pitchers hit. But [in the AL], you have a DH. You have a pretty powerful hitter in that spot instead of a pitcher. I'm not saying pitchers can't hit, but it's a little different when you've got a hitter practicing every day compared to a pitcher.
SWING COACH I think [my swing] is all right. It needs some work for sure. I haven't really swung since high school. I came into my first Triple-A at-bat and hit a single to right field. I had no clue what I was doing. But I think if I stay short with my swing, I've got a chance.
CAREER COUNSELOR My high school coach—he's the one who came to me and said, "I think one day you'll have a chance to play professional baseball." After I got hurt my junior year, we spent one day together, and we just talked. He was like, "You know, you can come out of this even better." From there on, I just took it and started working really hard and developed a strong work ethic.


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Bayer MaterialScience to Cut Staff Hours as Orders Decline
2:44 AM MST | January 27, 2009 | Natasha Alperowicz
Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) says it is holding talks with employee representatives on enforced part-time working, in response to a sharp decline in orders and "unsatisfactory capacity utilization" rates. The talks, which have started on Monday, are expected to lead to 1,500 employees being affected at BMS's plants in Germany, including at the company's manufacturing sites at Leverkusen, Dormage, and Krefeld-Uerdingen, from February; and Brunsbuettel from May. Cutbacks for managerial staff at BMS are also being discussed, the company says. "Our...
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Strong, lightweight and loaded with style, the new SL-K stem is one of the best ways to shed some excess weight and add a boat load of class to your bike. The boyd is 3D forged and CNC-machined from 7050 aluminum to be lightweight and stiff. The carbon fiber faceplate helps reduce weight and evenly distribute stresses evenly across high load areas.
Item No. » YS-S6DW
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text:
On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 12:08:00PM +0100, Chris Cannam wrote:
> On 11 June 2012 18:47, Robin Gareus wrote:
There is more to fix.
The meterbridge website still claims that those meters 'almost' conform
to some standards while in fact they even don't come close.
According to the standard, a VU measures the average of the absolute
value. For a steady input signal around 1 kHz, it must rise to 99% of
the real value in 300ms and overshoot it by 1 to 1.5% before falling
back to 100%. The one from meterbridge measures RMS and rises to the
final value in around 5.3ms, that is more than 50 times too fast (at
a sample rate of 48 kHz, and worse for higher sample rates).
According to the standards, a PPM or IEC meter must have a controlled
rise time of 5 or 10ms (depending on the standard). The one from
meterbridge indicates peak sample values instead.
A world of exhaustive, reliable metadata would be an utopia.
It's also a pipe-dream, founded on self-delusion, nerd hubris
and hysterically inflated market opportunities. (Cory Doctorow)
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| August 23, 2011 marks the 84th anniversary of the executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1927. To commemorate the date and to build opposition to the restoration of the death penalty in Massachusetts, the Hampden County Chapter of the Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty, in association with The Springfield Diocese: Catholic Charities Agency, will be sponsoring a memorial service in Springfield in memory of the wrongful executions of Sacco and Vanzetti.
The memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bishop Marshall Center of St. Michael's Cathedral at the corner of State and Elliott Streets in Springfield.
The event, which has been held annually since 1991, will also honor two individuals, who have worked for the abolition of the death penalty.
This year the main speaker will be Professor Michael C. White, of Fairfield University in Connecticut. Michael White is a professor of English and is also the program director of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and received his Ph.D. from the University of Denver. Michael White is the author of six novels, including "The Garden of Martyrs." He has also published over 45 short stories in national magazines and journals.
The Ken Childs Award will be given this year to Attorney James P. Rooney, the president of Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty. Rooney is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of California at Berkeley Law School. He has served as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, NY. He teaches at the New England School of Law and works in Boston as first administrative magistrate with the Division of Administrative Law Appeals. He has been an activist against the death penalty for all of his adult life. He does not remember how long he has been president of Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty.
Red Valley Fog will provide musical entertainment.
The Bishop Marshall Center at St. Michael's Cathedral is air conditioned and is located at the corner of State and Elliott streets in Springfield. There will be free public parking available. The general public is invited. Refreshments will be served.
John J. Fitzgerald
|Somers Congregational Church Annual Christmas Bazaar
|Somers Congregational Church Annual Christmas Bazaar
|Denist Partner
|Beginner Line & Partner Dancing
|Northampton Poetry
|Denist Partner
|Crafters Wanted!
|Wiggles & Giggles ( Mommy and Me Class)
|Bereavement Support Group
|Free Program for Veterans
|Magical Chanukah Dinner for Adults


text:
VagabondsBelfast, Northern Ireland
A very well maintaintained and cared for hostel. Great staff and welcoming atmosphere. Lots of art and travel pictures.
Hatters Hostel- LiverpoolLiverpool, England
Enjoyed my private roomen suite. Irish lad at front counter was very helpful and friendly.
The Fort Boutique HostelYork, England
Nice hostel in great location. Clean, convenient, friendly. Small common room.
HI - Washington DC HostelWashington DC, USA
dorm room quite dark but nice hostel and very nice staff
- Novice Nomad
- (4 reviews)


text:
By the end of the night, I will be on a late night flight to Italy. It sucks that I have to leave Luna behind (although she looked happy at the dog boarder's, ha!) and to be away from my family during Thanksgiving. I'm not sure how I will handle the flight – my hamstring injury requires me to be in motion or else it gets super sore.
But I know this trip will be amazing. I can't wait to meet new people, eat some delicious Italian food, and experience the beautiful Italian culture. I'm looking forward the new adventures and memories I'll be making in Italy.
Monday Voyages
Dear Sweet Summer,
You've been amazing in so many ways. I intended to do so many things such as Algonquin Park camping with Luna, cartwheels and headstands on the warm sandy beaches of Toronto, and picnics in Trinity Bellwoods… alas, I never got the chance to do so but instead, met new people, indulged in some delicious foods, tried new things, and made some new dreams.
As the leaves change from green to reds and yellows and the autumn chills creep in, I feel a desire to stay inside to knit with sweet Luna by my feet. But I know Luna will want to bask in this weather, and therefore, I will want to too.
I'm going to miss you, Sweet Summer. Can't wait to meet you again… but I am looking forward to autumn.
Monday Voyages
It's been a long while since I've actually travelled – my last trip being San Francisco in December 2012 – and I will finally have an opportunity to do so this year.
I know I will worry about leaving my little Luna behind, but I also know that she'll be with some reliable, caring people. She might have such a great time that, she'll even forget who I am! LOL.
I'm so excited about this trip. And I'm so grateful for the opportunities and the people in my life.
'The Questions We Ask'
What is adventure?
"The Questions We Ask" – Bruce Kirkby in a Kalum Ko film from Kalum Ko on Vimeo.
Love this short film to bits. It's so inspirational and tells an amazing story.
Tiny PMS Match
I started my design career working in print design after studying it in university. I worked in the print industry for a number of years before switching to the digital side. However, when I come across beautifully and thoughtfully designed posters, magazines and logotypes, I am so delighted.
When I saw Tiny PMS Match, I was pretty excited because it's fun and so well done. PMS is the acronym for Pantone Matching System – a global standardized colour matching system. It's primarily used in the design industry to ensure colour accuracy when printing. Since entering the interaction design industry, I hardly ever reference PMS swatches anymore.
Designer, Inka Mathew, seeks and matches small everyday objects to their Pantone® colours. Surprisingly enough, all photos are taken with an iPhone 5 and edited with Snapseed. It's a beautiful, simple project… that makes me smile! Loveeee.
[Images by: Inka Mathew]
Monday Voyages
It has been an incredibly long time since I've blogged. So much has happened in the last couple of months and I've been so grateful for the new friends and opportunities that have come my way.
I've had a leg injury for 2 months now and there are some good days where I can dance .. but most of the time, I have bad days where I can't sit through client meetings without wincing in pain. I hope I heal soon because my inactivity makes me feel like I'm setting myself back in dance.
Luna has made huge strides since my last post about her – she can now sit in a car without freaking out and she is interacting with my friends. She even let my friend leash her! This might seem minuscule to most people but this is actually a big step for her because she is learning to trust people other than me. I am sooo proud of her.
Well, summer is slowly passing, and there is still so much for me to do. I'm going to try even harder to blog because I do love it and miss it.
Happy week!
Meet My Little Luna
When I was growing up, my family had German Shepherds as family dogs. They're my absolute favourite breed because they're smart, fiercely loyal and great companions. I've always wanted to have a little curious German Shepherd puppy of my own but I knew in my heart, the right thing to do was adopt a shelter dog… since these gentle souls need some love too.
Meet Luna.
She's a 3-year old purebred German Shepherd, found on the streets of Toronto in the fall of 2013. It's been 7 months since I adopted her and it's been quite the journey so far. Every day noises were completely foreign to her from microwave beeps to the clanging of TTC streetcars. But she's a fast learner, and her intelligence/desire to learn never surprises me.
She has a few fear-based behaviour issues (people and large trucks). After a lot of research, I decided to enlist the help of the talented Andre Yeu of When Hounds Fly. Together, we are using positive, humane and science-based training that has been strengthening our bond but most importantly, counterconditioning her fears. So far, there has been a huge improvement and I know that one day, this will be a thing in the past for her.
Luna has taught me so much about money/time management, patience and understanding, and unconditional love. And I hope in the end, I would have taught her how to trust, love and enjoy life again.
A big thank you to Andre of When Hounds Fly for the guidance and confidence I needed to set Luna up for success. And a big thank you to Toronto Animal Services for picking up Luna and other helpless animals.
If you enjoyed my story, please consider volunteering with or donating to Toronto Animal Services here. If you're thinking about having an addition to your family, please consider adopting from Toronto Animal Services and other rescue groups and shelters.
[Photos by Jessica Hoang]
BANKS – Drowning
Deep song, beautiful video.
David A Smith – Sign Artist
David A Smith – Sign Artist from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.
This 15-minute mini documentary is about David A Smith and the craft of sign writing on glass and mirrors. David reveals techniques/skills that are a crucial part of creating these beautiful pieces.
Now take a look and be inspired.
Grace Chon
Babies are cute. Dogs are super cute. So what happens when you put babies and dogs together? You get a bundle of cuteness, oohs and awwwww's.
Photographer Grace Chon creates beautiful lifestyle portraits of both people and animals. In this set, Grace photographed her baby with her rescue dog wearing the same outfits. How adorable!
I love that she donates her photographic skills to dog rescue groups and photographs homeless dogs looking for their forever home. It's very touching and makes me want to hug my little Luna right now.
[Images by: Grace Chon]


text: Find this wine Find this wine DR Loosen Riesling 2011 Light, sweet, tasty, no acid, Brenda Likes this. Pin It Tweet one year ago by Patrick N. More posts Dr. Loosen 2012 Mosel Riesling Good value Moselle Riesling blend . Taste of Granny Smith apples with slight sweetness and tart finish. 88 3 months ago by Rangerralph6 Dr Loosen Bros 2012 Riesling Wine Bottle **** 1/2 Like Relax 7 months ago by Steve Dr 2012 Riesling DR Loosen 2012 Riesling. Wine club 2/22/14. Another good white wine. 9 months ago by Qllyons DR Loosen Bros 2012 Riesling Crisp, fruity, light. Not fully sweet, hint of sparkle. 11 months ago by Tiana 1. Dr Loosen 2012 Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Pfirsisch, Aprikose, Ananas, fruchtig 11 months ago by Dirk


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The first-year leader of the Terrapins talks spring ball with the NFP. Dave Miller
Maryland kicked off spring practice late last month following a 9-4 campaign in 2010, a season that concluded with a thorough victory over East Carolina in the Military Bowl. But the Terps have a new leader entering 2011. And the National Football Post was pleased to speak with first-year head coach Randy Edsall, who spent 12 seasons building Connecticut into an annual Big East contender, for the newest edition of The Coach's Corner podcast.
ICONRandy Edsall arrived in College Park after a 12-year stint at UConn.
Edsall, who took over for Ralph Friedgen in College Park after finishing his career with the most wins of any head football coach in Connecticut history, led the Huskies to a late-season surge and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl last season. As he discussed during the podcast, he couldn't help but jump at the opportunity to take over a program that he has been very familiar with for many years.
Quarterback Danny O'Brien had an excellent first season in College Park, tossing 22 touchdowns against just eight interceptions on his way to being named ACC rookie of the year. But his new coach praised backup C.J. Brown, and healthy competition at every position is what excites Edsall most about an offense transitioning into a new scheme.
There is concern at wide receiver after the loss of four scholarship players, including Adrian Cannon and Torrey Smith. Rising seniors Ronnie Tyler and Quintin McCree are the veterans of the group, but they have struggled to stay on the field this spring due to injuries.
On the defensive side of the ball, new coordinator Todd Bradford inherits some impact defenders, including 6-4, 220-pound Kenny Tate. Tate is one of a handful of Terps to switch positions as Edsall looks to maximize the unit's speed. Tate has moved from safety to linebacker, David Mackall from linebacker to defensive end, Mario Rowson from cornerback to linebacker and Desmond Kearse from safety to linebacker.
In the podcast, Edsall also discusses the Terps' academic situation after losing three scholarships because of a low academic progress rate score, the venue he is most looking forward to visiting in the ACC, how good former UConn running back Jordan Todman can be at the next level and much more.
The Terps conclude spring drills when they hold their annual spring game on Saturday, April 30.
Email firstname.lastname@example.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave
NFP's Introduction to Scouting Class is now registering for our Winter sessions! Save $200 if you register before December 20th! REGISTER NOW!
DEC 19 Joel Corry
The difficulty in trading Jay Cutler
A look at how the Chicago Bears could swing a trade to deal their high-priced quarterback.
DEC 12 Joel Corry
How the 49ers can bail from Kaepernick's contract
Should San Francisco decide to part ways with its quarterback, here's how it would work.
DEC 10 Erik Oehler
Dear Bills: it's not the refs, it's your coach
Sometimes they aren't out to get you.


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Just Keep Digging: A Brief History of Tunnels
Tunnel building may be boring, but its never dull. From spoons to high-tech TBMs, we dig into the long, winding story of the tunnel.
By Amanda Green
In The Great Escape, which is based on a true story, prisoners escape from a German POW camp by digging three tunnels they name Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images


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Results 1 to 5 of 8
December 2nd, 2012 04:56 PM #1Junior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Posts
- 14
Baby number 4 on its way! And no ideas for names!!! HELP!
I have been lurking on here for a few weeks but have been hesitant to post as there seem to be a lot of trolls on this forum. BUT none the less everyone seems to have fantastic name ideas and suggestions.
My husband and I have 3 children. 2 Boys and 1 girl.
Our boys are Jeremi@h nn Jem (9), Elias nn Eli (5)
And our little princess is Belen nn Lenny (4)
I am currently 34 weeks pregnant with our 4 child and we cant seem to agree on ANYTHING! Our boys both have biblical names but only because we actually liked them, not just because they were biblical. We pronounce Eli@s as El-EYE-IS) Our daughter's name means Bethlehem in Spanish. ( pronounced somewhat like BAYL-LIN or like the first part of the name Belinda)
We both have some Hispanic roots and the name had a lot of meaning to our family.
We have no idea what name to choose now and we dont know what name would make our mix-mash of names feel like a unit!
We dont know if it will be a boy or girl! Any ideas for Boys names?
Thanks so much!
December 2nd, 2012 05:12 PM #3
The first name that came to mind was Benjamin... but maybe that is too popular.
Are you looking for something Biblical that you like, again? Your other children's names are Biblical, so a Biblical or name of Hebrew origin would tie them together.
How about:
Zachary or Zachariah
Theodore (not Biblical or Hebrew, but I like it!)
Enjoy the name hunt!
December 2nd, 2012 06:45 PM #5Junior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
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Thanks lilysong..
I like Benjamin but I feel it is a little too popular as you said.
I like Ezra but my husband hates any alliteration in sibling names and since we have an Elias we cant! (Also all B and J names are out too! I suggested Theodore when I was pregnant with Eli@s but it was shot down! Maybe I will try again!
I like Nathaniel and very much like the nickname Nate but we have a little cousin with the name Nathan so I feel it is a little too close!
I do however really like Simeon and will be sure to bring it to my husband for approval! (LOL)
Anyone else have some ideas? It doenst have to be biblical it just has to sound nice with our other kidos!
December 2nd, 2012 06:54 PM #7Senior Member
Future Little PrinceIsaac - Solomon - Barnaby - Atticus - Ezekiel - Augustin - River - Jacoby - Castiel - Xavier
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Future Little PrincessFlorentina - Matilda - Theodora - Evangeline - Beatrix - Olwen - Jovi - Seraphina - Maeve - Clementine
December 2nd, 2012 07:15 PM #9


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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Withdraws Re-Election Bid
Seeking treatment for an abdominal tumor, Rob Ford says his brother will run in his place while he seeks a seat on the city council.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Hospitalized
Ford had been complaining of abdominal pains and an exam showed a possible tumor.
Toronto Mayor Suspends Campaign After Second Apparent Crack Video
The lawyer for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says Ford will take a leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Gets Daylight Saving Time Wrong
Ford mistakenly tweeted that people should set their clocks an hour back instead of forward.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Has Power Stripped, Knocks A Woman Over
The city council of Toronto voted Monday to strip 44-year-old Mayor Rob Ford of most of his powers as a lawmaker.
DC United Drops Toronto To Record 0-8-0
Chris Pontius and Hamdi Salihi scored second-half goals and D.C. United beat Toronto FC 2-0 on Saturday, relegating the Reds to the worst start in MLS history at 0-8-0.
A Hat Trick For De Rosario Is Not Enough DC And TFC Tie 3-3 At RFK
A wild game at RFK Saturday night gave way to familiar results for DC at home this year as they split the points with TFC after a 3-3 draw.


text:
Fathers of the Year 2012
The ones who showed us how it's done, from our new issue devoted to fatherhood
PLUS: Nominate Your Dad for Father of the Year on Facebook >>
Army Staff Sergeant Eddie Peoples
Sarasota, Florida
On leave from overseas military duty, Peoples was embarking on a fishing trip with his two sons. En route to their destination, they had stopped at a bank when a robber entered and demanded cash from the tellers, taunting Peoples and pointing a gun at his sons before fleeing. Peoples followed the robber, wrenching the gun from him and forcing him to the ground until the cops came. "When he threatened my son, I could not let that pass," Peoples later reported.


text:
Tuesday Morning Stir
-Perhaps as a swan song for The Office, Tongal is crowdsourcing a Super Bowl ad for Dunder Mifflin, the fictional paper company from the show that was brought to life in late 2011 when NBCU teamed up with Staples' unit Quill to sell real DM products. link
-With the Super Bowl almost upon us, R/GA has created a "Red Zone Reality" video to further explain its NFL season-long data visualization effort dubbed "In the Red Zone" (above).
-The FDA has tapped Draftfcb New York to create a multifaceted anti-tobacco campaign that's expected to break in late 2013/early 2014. DFCB NY will partner with Fleishman-Hillard on PR, subject-matter company Danya International, social media shop NMS, and Initiative for media buying.
-PR legend Daniel Edelman has died at the age of 92 from heart failure. link
-Now that he's confessed to Oprah, Lance Armstrong is reportedly in talks to return the sponsorship money he was paid be the United States Postal Service. link


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Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger is expected to live out the rest of his life in prison. Facing 32 criminal counts, including murder, extortion and racketeering, a jury convicted Bulger on all but one. The prosecution successfully linked Bulger to 11 out of the 19 murders charged at trial, according to the jury's verdict. For Tommy Donahue, whose father, Michael Donahue, was confirmed as a Bulger victim by the jury, the verdict was not everything he had hoped for.
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Blight ordinance up for vote
Rural community has mixed feelings about tighter rules
|A collapsed structure on Southbury Road in Roxbury. Town officials plan to present a blight ordinance to voters in the spring. Rick Harrison Republican-American
ROXBURY — The Board of Selectmen plans to ask voters to pass an ordinance controlling blight, pitting those who worry about their property values against those who believe they have a right to do whatever they want on their land.
"It's very, very hard," First Selectman Barbara Henry said. "What is blight to somebody is just the way of life for others."
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FAIRFIELD — Community groups in Fairfield and Suisun City have a number of holiday-related activities scheduled this week, including Easter egg hunts both Saturday and Sunday.
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What does WFPM stand for?
What does WFPM mean? This page is about the various possible meanings of the acronym, abbreviation, shorthand or slang term: WFPM.
We've found a total of 2 definitions for WFPM:
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Wildlife Fisheries & Parks Museum of Natural Science
FM-99.5, Battle Creek, Michigan
Still can't find the acronym definition you were looking for? Use our Power Search technology to look for more unique definitions from across the web!
"WFPM." Abbreviations.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2014. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http://www.abbreviations.com/WFPM>.


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routes du bonheur Suggestions for itineraries to discover the world
Hotel and restaurant in town. Spain,Madrid
All special offers at Hotel Orfila
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From 270,46 EUR (~ 333 USD) per person* For 2 night(s)This offer includes:
• Two nights in a Double Superior room, for one or two people, equipped with hydro-massage bath
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• Dinner in the restaurant "El Jardín de Orfila" (drinks nor included)
• Daily newspaper in the room
• Welcome Cava bottle in your room
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• Early check-in and late check-out freeAvailable from 28/05/2013 to 01/01/2015 Rate based on double occupancy. Offer is subject to hotel availability and booking conditions.
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Vintage Pillowcase Tank Dress:
Freezer Paper Stencil Snake Shirt:
Oh, perfect.. the fruit pictures are something I could whip up quickly & will be perfect for my newly painted kitchen.. Thanks a bunch..
after i left my last post I realized you were in Charlottesville! we lived there while my husband went to UVA then moved back to Ohio. There are definitely things we miss about it, Thanks for sharing these great patterns!


text:
He said, "You ask what speciality? Can't you see these two threads hanging down by his legs?"
The priest said, "Yes, I can see them."
The shopkeeper said, "If you pull the right thread - and nobody will be able to see it, nobody you have brought to introduce to the parrot.. You just slightly pull the right thread and immediately he gives the Sermon on the Mount."
The preacher said, "That is great, because my parrot used to give sermons but not the Sermon on the Mount. He used to repeat my sermons, and I was repeating others' sermons. And this parrot gives the Sermon on the Mount just with a slight hint to go? My parrot was not like that.
"He didn't know any signals; the moment he saw me he started, and unless I shouted and made much fuss, he wouldn't stop. Starting was no problem; the problem was stopping, because unless he stopped the whole sermon, it was very difficult to interrupt him. It was just a mechanical thing, he had to go all the way. But this is good. And what about the left thread?
The shopkeeper said, "If you pull the left thread he repeats the Christian prayer."
The priest was really amazed, and he said, 'What if I pull both the threads?"
"You are expecting a sermon? a Christian prayer?" said the parrot. "You son-of-a-bitch, can't you see I will fall on my bottom?"
Now, even a parrot has some sense, more than the priest asking about pulling on both his legs. Even the parrot could see that this was sheer stupidity. What kind of man is this priest!
So I am saying to you that, just parrot-like, man has been repeating words - but perhaps parrots are more alert. Perhaps they are just playing a game, perhaps they are just befooling you. You want to be befooled; you want to be entertained, and they are doing it. But deep down..
I have thought about it. I used to have a parrot myself in my childhood - I used to collect all kinds of animals. Looking into the eyes of the parrot, I had the feeling many times that when he was repeating the words that had been taught to him, he knew that these were just meaningless words. That was my feeling looking into his eyes. He was a very clever bird, because whenever I looked into his eyes, I would see a subtle smile. He knew why I was looking. I had an absolute certainty about his eyes: deep down we had not been able to deceive him. But I cannot say the same about so-called man.
Looking into the eyes of my professors who were saying, "Man has a destiny," I have not found that smile of the parrot. They really believed what they were saying, because they knew the meaning of the words; but they don't know the implications of the words. And the implications are many, and the most profound implications are indirect. They are never direct; you will not find them in the dictionaries.