Editor's Notes: Sorry about my inconsistency life and its daily responsibilities have a way of getting front of best laid plans.
That said the Cubs system is at the the mid-season evaluation point, (40% plus of the season mark). end of split season in the minor leagues, beginning of the rookier and short-season A-class ball and finally the draft. Where do the Cubs stand?

• Major league level they are fovering around 4-games over .500, surviving. Concievably the race in the division is already dormant and unless the Cubs play extended .650 plus ball they will not be able to catch the Cardinals. Yet they are within a game or so of the wild card race where pragmatically thinking their chances are good.
  Derrick Lee continues in his quest for an historic hall-of-fame-like triple-crown performance batting .390 with 20 HR's and 60-RBI's. Projecting Lee over the remaining 93 games puts him at 47 HR's and 140 RBI's.


• Aramus Ramirez who was in a early season slump (batting .230 in mid-May) is now batting just under .300 (.296) and has 16 HR's and 42-RBI's. Ramirez projects out to 38 HR's and 100-RBI's.


• The other surprise is Jeremy Burnitz's seemingly consistent servicable offense out of RF where he is batting .288 , 12-HR's and 42-RBI's. He projects out to 28-HR's and 100-RBI's.


• Walker seems to have recovered from his knee injury batting .306 but his power has been diminished.


• Barrett is one of the best offenive catchers with batting .281, 8 HR's and 33 RBI's. He projects out to 20-HR's and 77-RBI's.


• Perez is a godscend at SS replacing Nomar's offense with better defense.


• The problem is LF & CF. Leftfield has been a disaster in what is usually a team's power hitting offense. Dubois has shown promise hitting the occassional HR (6) but batting .250 and 21-RBI's is not championship caliber. His platoon mate Todd Hollandsworth has been (as expected) no better even though he has recovered from disasterous early season slump. On the whole the mark of scoring 26 runs while driving in 42 from this position is why the Cubs are not ten games above .500.


• Now Corey Patterson, when you take a long look at the Cubs Patterson was the pivot point where the Cubs hoped the offense and defense would revolve around his speed and talent. Patterson has not developed and in fact mentally has regressed. Next year is his final year before free agency. Behind the scenes the Cubs appear to have an even more talented young CF (21 year old Felix Pie). Pie probably would benefit from one more campaign in the minors so the question is "what is to be done?" Patterson is batting .255 (.290-OBP and .701-OPS), with 10 solo HR's and 22-RBI's and only 33 runs scored. He is the reason why the Cubs are not competing with the Cardinals even with all the pitching injuries. Patterson must go.


• Pitching is the organization's strength except that injury has been endemic. Today it was stated that Mark Prior was going to return from his freak injury on Sunday while it is expected that Wood was going to return soon thereafter. This would reclaim the regular starting rotation of Zambrano, Maddux, Prior, Wood and the 5th TBD. Published reports state that Jerome Williams (RHP, 23-year old acquired from SF) is the slated 5th starter. This would mean that RHP Sergio Mitre and LHP Glendon Rusch would be reassigned. Ruscb is need in the bullpen as a swing-starter/long-relief /LOOGY. With Prior and Wood returning it will be expected that the Cubs will need long relievers for a while.


• The Cubs are going to qualify for the playoffs based on the effectiveness of their starting pitching over the last 93 games, they have to win 54 games or .600 ball, minimum. To be a true world series contender they need to find a true lead off hitter (preferably in CF) and a real .850 OPS in left field.

Minor Leagues tomorrow

Editors Notes: Again I have to apologize for my lack of consistency, my health is a concern so I am not always capable of updating my blog regularly. That said; Cubs made an interesting move this week calling up Rich Hill the 25 year old LHP from Iowa. Talking about a rapid rise Hill was not invited to the major league training camp in the spring and now is on the 25-man roster! He replaced the cup of coffee server John Koronka who started two games barely seeing the 5th inning in both games. At this point it is unknown what is Hill's role in that he has been a starter along but all reports indicate he may be a LOOGY out of the bullpen (LOOGY is the baseball term meaning Lefty-One-Out-GuY). In that he is a strikeout guy this might be a pitcher the Cubs have been searching for.

Other developments; Todd Hollandsworth appears to have earned his starting platoon role back over the last ten games batting near .400 and driving the ball as well. There are many internet commentators who are screaming over this turn of events because of Jason Dubois' status but so what, production in the last time at bat is baseball.

What does this insinuate regarding the big picture? Hendry is a GM who is one that is nothing else but thorough, seeking to constantly improve on the current roster with one eye on the future. He also possesses a keen sense of being a stable-master knowing what is real talent and what is hypeful-hopefuls. He also knows the value of a rich pitching oriented system. This year's draft is more of a reload than anything. He also was very keen on making sure all his high school draftees were sign-able.

Here is what his actions are indicating:

• Outfield will be the focus of this year's midseason trading as the middle infield was last yearr's focus. There is far to much smoke regarding Patterson as to ignore and in reality his value will only diminish with each passing day. Therefore I think Patterson will be traded in a blockbuster deal like A-Gonz was last year.
  


• Leftfield could be part of or an adjunct to the CF deal as Patterson could be traded for a big name LF where then Dubois & package could be traded for a servicable CF.
  


• Mitre is the pivot player in the starting pitching staff. Is he a starter that will take the Cubs through July after Wood returns and up to Prior's return? If he is then the Cubs would be able to move Rusch back to the swing position and bolster a continously shakey relief core?
  


• Borowski and Remlinger: Joe needs to go back and further rehab his shoulder while Remlinger might be looking at a retirement. Does this mean that the Cubs might call up Van Buren, Williams or Aardsma?
  


• Does the drafting of 25 pitchers, many who are college level push the system by elevating some Lansing players to Daytona, a few Daytona arms to West Tenn thus making a few West Tenn players available for a mid-season trade? Top prospects for trade bait; Nolasco, Pignatiello, Ryu, & Koronka. Remember Cubs have  

Editor's notes: This website was down for over 24 hours and I apoligize. Below is the list of 51 draft selections by the Cubs, 25 pitchers and 26 position players. My research through the first 18 rounds was that the Cubs chose big fastballers. They also maitained the pattern of selecting the breath of their prospects from collegiate ranks, (30) while also supplementing the remainder from JUCO ranks (10) and then finally (11) deliberate choices directly out of high school.

Editor's notes: This website was down for over 24 hours and I apoligize. Below is the list of 51 draft selections by the Cubs, 25 pitchers and 26 position players. My research through the first 18 rounds was that the Cubs chose big fastballers. They also maitained the pattern of selecting the breath of their prospects from collegiate ranks, (30) while also supplementing the remainder from JUCO ranks (10) and then finally (11) deliberate choices directly out of high school.

2005 Day One Cub's Selections 

1st round, 20th pick: Mark Pawelek, lhp, Springville H.S., Utah
2-68: Donald Veal, lhs, Pima C.C.
3-100: Mark Holliman, rhr, Mississippi
3-108: Michael Billek, rhs, Central Florida
4-130: Dylan Johnston, ss, Hamilton H.S., Chandler, Ariz.
5-160: Scott Taylor, rhs, Hermitage H.S., Glen Allen, Va.
6-190: Kyle Reynolds, ss, Baylor
7-220: David Taylor, lhs, Baylor
8-250: Dionisio Muyco, c, North Carolina State
9-280: Matthew Avery, rhs, Virginia
10-310: Joseph Simokaitis, ss, Nebraska
11-340: Michael Phelps, rhs, Central Missouri State
12-370: Yusuf Carter, c, El Paso CC
13-400: Brett Jackson, RHS, Modesto J.C.
14-430: Tyler Graham, of, Oregon State
15-460: Roger Evenson, rhs, Northwest Nazarene
16-490: Jon Mueller, rhs, Minnesota
17-520: Brandon Taylor, 3b, Brigham Young
18-550: Victor Liriano, rf, El Paso C.C.

"I want to sign," said the shortstop and recent Chandler Hamilton graduate about five minutes after the Chicago Cubs drafted him in the fourth round of the major league draft Tuesday. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid."

RHP Scott Taylor of Hermitage (Va.) High School was selected in the fifth round, is a Virginia Commonwealth recruit, although he stated yesterday:

The 6^th and 7^th round found the Cubs select two Baylor U. drafting SS-1B Kyle Reynolds and LHP David Taylor. Reynolds had a .270-BA in his 55 games recording 8-HR’s along with driving in 33 RBIs, David Taylor who is a senior came away with a 7-5 W/L (3.43-ERA) in 17 games. Last year the Cubs like Taylor drafting him in the 20^th round. Reynolds, who started each of Baylor's first 55 games this season at first base before suffering a broken thumb, was previously a 50^th-round selection of Arizona D-backs coming out of high school in 2001. Then Taylor was drafted 2^nd round by the Rockies out of high school in 2001 before the Cubs last year. You can see his entire profile at this link: David Taylor is a good middle of the rotation college pitcher and his link give his background

The RHP Matthew Avery, another big future Cub hurler being 6’-5" and 230 lbs. His record was 6-5 W/L (4.34-ERA ) where he struck out 71 in 85-IP. A link to his college article is here.

The Cubs then selected U of Nebraska shortstop Joe Simokaitis, who batted .300 and recording 16 stolen bases, as the Cornhuskers were 54-13 this year where they are facing Miami this weekend in the NCAA tournament. The 3-time All-Big 12 shortstop where he is a four-year starter holding who school and conference records for career assists (676), this year establishing a school-record of 202 assists. This year This spring committed just eight errors in 285 chances where he had a stretch of 159 straight chances without an error earlier this season. His college bio is here:

In the 12th round, the Cubs selected their second catcher, Yusuf Carter out of El Paso Community College. Carter batted .354 with 13-HR, 7-3B, 10-2B, 68-RBI’s. You can access his picture here:

The Cubs then selected their first outfielder in Tyler Graham of Oregon State in the 14^th round. Graham, who switched from shortstop to the outfield last season, hit .319 for Oregon State this year. You can access his bio here:

Coming into the close of the first day the Cubs selected two more right-handed pitchers; Roger Evenson of Northwest Nazarene College in the 15th round. Evenson, is 6-4, 235-lbs and is (7-6, 4.09-ERA in 112-IP striking out 116 while walking 29, going 20-30 overall in his career. In an interview with Idaho Statesman

In the 16^th round the Cubs chose Jon Mueller of Minnesota in the 16^th has a 90 mph fastball. His bio can be found here:

All told of 19 players chosen by the Cubs yesterday they selected 12 college players, 4 junior college players and three high schoolers.

Editors Notes: Cubs drafted the number one rated high school pitcher LHP Mark Pawelek out of Utah. Pawelek is the state strikeout leader in Utah, and went 8-0 this year. He did not allow an earned run over 51 innings and struck out 109.  Mark Pawelek was 26-2 his first three years at Springville with a state-record 341 strikeouts. His fastball has been clocked at 94-95 mph.

In an article from Baseball America they describe Pawelek in this snippet: 

"He has everything you want," a National League scout said. "Fastball velocity, movement, control, he controls his secondary pitches and they're big league potential pitches."

Pawelek separates himself from other high school pitchers by sustaining his velocity deep into outings. In his last start, he never threw a fastball below 91 mph and, according to scouts, has touched 95 mph this season and hasn't thrown a fastball below 90 in four outings.

His mechanics need cleaning up but his arm works well when he maintains a consistent arm slot. 

"I think the mechanics are raw but they're not hurting him," the scout said. "It depends on how you look at him. The arm's quick enough, he gets out in front and he gets good extension and the stuff in between isn't bothering him.

"That's probably his only real flaw, if there is one."

He complements his fastball with a good curveball, a developing changeup and also mixes in a split-finger fastball, a pitch he says he picked up by watching Roger Clemens demonstrate it on a FOX telecast one summer afternoon.

Pawelek's repertoire helped him to a 3-0 record in four appearances with 49 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings. He had surrendered three hits and one unearned run, though he had hit four batters. "I like to keep people off the plate," he said with a benign chuckle.

First-Class Character

Southpaws with mid-90s heat and a good feel for pitching can't be found on just any street corner, which makes Pawelek one of the 2005 draft's top commodities. But his personality is every bit as unique as his package of tools.

News about RHP David Aardsma (the recent acquisition from S.F.) where it is reported that he will be returning to the bullpen as soon as he perfects his stuff. here is a quote from Scout.com

"The key is to work on my breaking ball and get it tightened up," Aardsma said. "I had pretty good success last year at Triple-A out of the bullpen. I like coming into the game and closing it out..."

...And so it appears that Aardsma is slowly getting used to being a member of the Cub farm system. In two starts, he is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, eight walks, and seven strikeouts.

"There is still a lot of stuff going on," Aardsma admits. "I still have a car in Fresno. It feels like one long road trip right now. It's going to hit me soon. I just want to be a part of the Cubs' organization."

Editor's Notes: The Major League level Chicago Cubs (30-25) are in the midst of a bona fide 180-degree season turnaround finishing their first West Coast trip of 2005, (6-1), best trip in almost 34 years, that is 1971 for Cub historians. In the present summer time span they have stormed to their longest winning streak in the Baker era, seven, (7) and have won nine of their last ten (9-10). The turnaround is more apparent when you realize that they have won 17 out of their last 25 (.680 ball) when they were 11-14 (.440) in their previous 25. (They were 2-3 out of the gate in the first week of the season.) It will be interesting to see how the next 25 games pan as the schedule pits them against the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Marlins, Yankees, Brewers (2), White Sox (rematch), and Nationals (who are now in first place). They have thirty-two games before the All Star break and if they can gain two-to-four-to-six games above the .500 mark, (17-15, 18-14 or 19-13) over that span they will have put themselves in position to compete for a playoff spot.

Kerry Wood received some positive press this week where it was admitted that he was adjusting his faulty mechanics relieving the stress on his ailing shoulder. As of now he is throwing long tosses and off the mound in a re-hab regimen. Next up are some simulated game sessions and then another minor league rehab assignment. Reasonably he will not be pitching a game in the big leagues for at least 21 more days at the earliest, (June 28^th against Milwaukee or July 1^st against the Nationals). That is four starts that either Mitre or Koronka will have supplemented he and Prior).

AAA Prospect Watching
Newly acquired RHP Jerome Williams (1-0) recorded his first win in his second start as an I-Cub, getting six innings completed and only allowing two runs with three hits allowed while also striking out three batters.
Stat line: (1-0) 2-GS, 3.00-ERA, 12-IP, 7-K, 3-BB

SS Ronny Cedeno extended his hitting streak to six games and continues to hit exceedingly well with a .391 batting average and has hit in 12 of his last 13 games (20-46, .435). The 22 year-old is now being groomed as next year’s starting shortstop where it is quietly being stated to beat writers that Cubs are projecting to moving this year’s shortstop major league surprise (Neifi Perez) from SS to 2B.
Stat Line: 32-G, 115-AB, .391-BA, 18-R, 45-H, 6-2B, 0-3B, 5-HR, 14-HR,.441-OBP, 1.061-OPS

2B Mike Fontenot the 24 year-old has hit in six of his last eight games (10-32, .313) and is now playing all three positions on the infield being prepared for a utility role on the big leagues.
Stat Line: 37-G, 127-AB, .285-BA, 22-R, 26-H, 9-2B, 4-3B, 4-HR, 19-RBI, .388-OBP, .900-OPS

OF David Kelton the 25-year old hit homers in back-to-back (#’s 6 & 7) over the weekend. Before last Friday night when he was 2-4 he had just two hits in his last 23 (.087) and did not have any extra-base hits since May 24. Kelton tallied his 30 RBI in his first 34 games.
Stat Line: 53-G, 210-AB, .286-BA, 26-R, 60-H, 15-2B, 1-3B, 7-HR, 36-RBI, .327-OBP .794-OPS

LHP Rich Hill pitches tonight.

AA Prospect Watching:
The vaunted Diamond Jaxx fell out of first place this weekend when they lost a series to (1-3) to the North Caroline Mudcats. Jim Hendry was down in Jackson Tenn scouting the organization’s minor league crown jewel as the Cubs traveled to California. The beat writer was able to talk with Hendry on the Diamond Jaxx . Overall he said that

''We knew this would be a very good club coming out of spring training...They're good kids and quality prospects, ...but he's not thrilled with the idea of breaking up the Jaxx just yet. We've got guys hurt like Mark Prior and Nomar Garciaparra - you don't just replace guys like that with kids from Double-A,. These guys are very good, but I'd like to see them get as many at-bats as they can down here and have a good summer, instead of rushing them." Hendry highly praised outfielders Felix Pie and Matt Murton.

Felix Pie is the most coveted player in the Cubs farm system, Will Carroll, from Baseball Prospectus described Pie as the next Michael Jordan of baseball. It is interesting what Hendry said about Pie; ''He's going to be a solid major league player for years. He plays the game hard and makes everybody around him better. It was also noted that Pie’s 45-K’s in 209-AB’s is disconcerting where Pie needs more development.
Stat Line: 52-G, 209-AB, .306-BA, 38-R, 64-H, 16-2B, 3-3B, 11-HR, 24-RBI, .357-OBP.926-OPS

OF Matt Murton has raised so many eyebrows in baseball that some scouts are worried to trade with Hendry anymore as it appears he has stolen MVP candidate Derrick Lee from Florida and last year’s club MVP Aramus Ramirez from Pittsburgh a year earlier. Now Murton still leads the (AA) in hitting. ''We liked Matt when he was with the Red Sox, and now he's even better than we imagined,’ ''Murton was key in that deal for Garciaparra. If we hadn't gotten Matt, we wouldn't have done the deal.''
Stat Line: 53-G, 212-AB, .373-BA, 32-R, 79-H, 12-2B, 3-3B, 5-HR, 32-RBI, .439-OBP .967-OPS

RHP 23- year-old David Aardsma, temporarily is in the starting rotation, only allowed two runs on five hits over six innings in his last game yesterday. Aardsma was acquired from SF Giants for LaTroy Hawkins will be moved back to a closer role after he gets more innings in and more work on his mechanics.
Stat Line: (1-0) 2.45-ERA, 2-GS, 11-IP, 8-BB, 7-K

RHP Ricky Nolasco still is tied for the lead the AA Southern League with wins (6-0and the second-lowest ERA (2.08). Unfortunately Nolasco lasted only four innings and gave up five earned runs on 10 hits against the Tennessee Smokies last week.
Stat Line: (6-0) 2.64-ERA, 11-GS 64.2-IP, 19-BB, 69-K’s

1B Brandon Sing still leads the league with a .616 slugging percentage through 50 games, although once a week he attempting to play an outfield spot to make him more versatile in the major leagues. Brandon is 6’4" and finally filling out his frame but remains quite athletic.
Stat Line: 51-G, 172-AB, .302-BA, 35-R, 52-H, 18-2B, 0-3B, 12-HR, 37-RBI, .425-OBP, 1.041-OPS

Other notes; IF Richard Lewis (.188-BA in 40-G in AAA) and LHP Renyel Pinto (1-2, 9.53-ERA in AAA), would rather have stuck in (AAA)Iowa but after struggling in early in Iowa, the two are now performing fine with the Jaxx. Lewis, (who was the 2004 Southern League MVP), is 5-for-9 in four games. Pinto who last year had a stellar season with the Jaxx, has been lights out, with a 1-0 record and a 1.71-ERA in five games.

Advanced A: Prospect Watching:
Daytona (26-26) RHP Sean Marshall (4-3) tossed a seven-inning complete game in game one but picked up the loss in his first complete game since May 11 of last year It is interesting to note that left-handed hitters have still yet to score on him this season in 12 2/3 innings.

The More foreboding is the offense of Brian Dopirak whose slide continues. He went a combined 0-for-5 in this past Saturday's doubleheader, his batting average falling to .235. More curious is that 29 of his 46 hits have come bases empty. Even more scary is that Dopirak is batting just .191 with runners on base and .087 (2-for-23) with runners in scoring position with 2 outs.

On a positive note J.J. Johnson is red-hot (8-for-11 in his last 4 games) now batting a season-best .296. Johnson was the D-Cubs' top hitter in May with a .323 average for May. 2002 Detroit first round pick, Scott Moore also continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-6 and stealing his 11th base. Previously he had 5 career stolen bases when in the Tiger organization.

A-ball Prospect Watching
Peoria Chiefs are also at the .500 mark (28-28) RHP Lee Gwaltney (4-1) made it two straight starts without an earned run, allowing just two hits over seven innings. He now has a 1.49 ERA over his last four starts. OF Bo Flowers (266-BA) leads the team with 45 strikeouts is off to a 5-for-13 start. His strikeouts are significant where he has whiffed at least once in each of his last seven games, and 15 of his last 16 overall.

Editors Notes:  Cubs extended their win streak to seven, most in Dusty Baker's Era, pushing the Cubs to 4 games over .500 and only 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis and 1 1/2 games behind the wild card leader (AZ). More over they Cubs are 8-2 over their last 10 and 15-6 since starting out 1-7 in May. That my friends is a turnaround. LHP Glendon Rusch (4-1; 1.96-ERA) is the epiphany of the scrap heap revival! Speaking of starting left-handed pitchers the last time the Cubs had back-to-back sins by starting southpaws was way back in the time machine, 7/22-23/87 when Steve Trout and Jamie Moyer recorded victories. Derrick Lee only leads the majors in runs scored, runs batted in, hits, home runs, batting average on base average, slugging average, and total bases.

With Koronka, Mitre and Dubois now becoming instrumental on this team it shows the importance of an effective minor league system. As of today the Cubs organization lead the baseball world with a 112-100 overall record. This is something to watch and a big change since earlier era's.

AAA Prospects  Iowa is a place where players either refine their MLB level readiness or are parked for insurance oragnaizational depth purposes.

Prospects who are preparing  

#1) SS Ronny Cedeno (22 yrs. old),  he already spent a few weeks in late April to mid May appearing in 10 games, 16-AB's (3 as a starter) where he batted .313, 1-HR, 5-H, 2-RBI's. Cedeno has the best infield arm, with great range and glove. He impressed everyone in spring training and the only thing in his way is Neifi Perez's surprising resurgence at SS.
Stats: .385-BA, 28-G, 100-AB's, 16-R's 38-H's, 5-2B's, 5-HR's, 13-RBI's

#2)2B-IF Mike Fontenot (25 yrs. old next week), also has spent a few stints on the 25-man roster filling in when Walker went down. Acquired in the Sammy Sosa trade Fontenot is a left-handed bat, appeared in 7 games, although only 2-AB's, scoring 4-runs on 0-hits, 2-BB (go figure). Fontenot has good speed and now is playing multiple infield positions so he could accend in a utility capacity.
Stats: .285-BA, 33-G, 111-AB's, 17-R, 33-H, 7-2B's 4-3B's, 4-HR, 19-RBI's

#3) RHP Jon Leicester (26 yrs. old), Jon who spent most of last year in middle relief last year, pitching effectively has not stuck this year as Wuertz and Wellemeyer have passed him by. Leicester has a good stock of a 93+mph four seam fastball and slider (in relief) and a change when starting. His role is really a 'swing man' meaning long-relief, spot start and occasional middle relief. This year his stats aren't good, (0-2, 9.00-ERA)
Stat line: 0-1, 3.46-ERA, 4-G, 3-GS, 13-IP, 9-K, 7-BB

#4 LHP Raul Valdez (27 yrs. old) a refugeee from Cuba, by way of Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Valdez had to try five times to leave the Cuban National team. His break through occurred last winter where he impressed Cub scouts before incurring a non-throwing arm injury in late February. He started out in (AA) before promoted on May 9th. Valdez's big pitch is a nasty change that he uses in all situations, he also has a fair fastball, slider and curve.
AA Stat:   2-0, 5.09-ERA, 5-GS, 5-G, 23-IP, 18-K, 3-BB
AAA Stat: 3-1, 3.38-ERA, 5-GS, 4-G, 24-IP, 20-K, 7-BB

#5) LHP Rich Hill (25 yrs old), Rich has accended rapidly this year after showing pretty well in Advanced-A lst year and then dominating (AA) early on in April and May in West Tenn. He leads the minors with 104 K's. He has the systems best big tight curve ball, that he couples with a 90-92 MPH four seam fastball and a developing "cutter". Control was historically his trouble but this year that appears to be solved. Hill is next in line if Mitre or Kornonka falter or are traded.
AA Stat:   4-3, 3.28-ERA, 10-GS, 10-G, 57.-IP, 90-K, 21-BB
AAA Stat: 0-1, 5.01-ERA, 1-GS, 1-G, 6.2-IP, 14-K, 2-BB

Other than that Iowa Cubs have OF's Ben Grieve and Dave Kelton who are out of options who could fill in during emergencies or major roster moves. Kelton (25 yrs. old) and the last player cut in spring continues to lead most of the offense batting .284, 4-HR.s, 32-RBI's, 15-2B's. The other player is 1B Jim Huffpauir (25-yr. old) the big left-hander who is batting .292, 2-HR, 2-2B, 3-3B's and 3B Cody Ransom, CF Trinidad Hubbard, C Geovany Soto, 3B Scott McClain and LHP Russ Rohlicek. Except maybe for Grieve & Kelton they all appear to be AAA 1/2 level players

got to go will try to finish later today!

Editor notes: Last night Cub fans witnessed the debut of two Cub left handed pitchers, something probably as unique as back-to-back contending seasons. Left-handed Cub pitchers are few and far between, I can recall but a few starting with: Ken Holtzman who actually blossomed in Oakland, Steve Trout and Jamie Moyer. Please tell me more for my memory is short in this regards.

John Koronka last 5 innings facing a faltering LA Dodger team. After starting out 12-2 this year the Dodgers are now a game sitting on .500 losing 10 games to the mark over the last 30 days or so. Koronka pitched as I expected, nibbling and a fiddling forcing many a batter to dribble until they adjusted the second and third time through the lineup. Koronka is expected to start again in Wrigley against Toronto.

The other dubut was 25 yr. old Rich Hill, another left-handed pitcher who hurled almost 7-innings and striking out an amazing 14 for (AAA) Iowa. That is 14 out of the 20 outs he recorded, that is 70%. All told he has recorded 54% of his outs in 64.1-IP this year.  Rich Hill leads the minors with 104 K's, (90 in AA) with the systems best curve ball, alongside a "cutter" and four-seam 90-92 mph fastball. The lanky tall (6'4" 185 lbs) former U of MI hurler is catching the eye of everyone in the MLB futures world.

Editor's Notes:  Here is background on John Koronka  tonights starting pitcher for the Cubs.

Koroncka is 6'1", 185 lbs., 24 yrs. old (turning 25 July 3rd), originally drafted in the 12th round by Cincinnati way back in the last century when he was just seventeen years old and pitching for high school in Clearwater Fla. He was acquired by Texas in the winger of 2003-'03 as a Rule V draftee but then returned to the Reds after he posted a 6.75 ERA in those five spring-training appearances.. The Cubs acquired him last August in a minor league swap of left handers, (Phil Norton) who sipped a few cups of MLB coffee with the Reds and now is back with the Iowa Cubs.

Koroncka has not been impressive this year, (the same going for most of the AAA team outside the performances of Cedeno, Fontenot and Kelton), compiling a (4-5) W/L, 4.73-ERA. 10-G, 9-GS, (53.3-IP), where he allowed just over a hit an inning (56-H), giving up 29 runs, (28-ER), with 21-BB and 37-K's.

Koronka's scouting reports states that he has a good changeup and a high-80s fastball, but his fate will be determined on whether he has developed an effective breaking ball.” 

In short he is constantly in trouble, a nibbler who has pretty good control. The Dodgers are not a great hitting team so the Cubs might get 5 innings out of him before the major leagurers start hitting him the 3rd time around. It is good that RHP's Zambrano and Wuertz 1-hit the Dodgers last night pitching nine innings yesterday. By-the-way RHP Dempster recorded his 6 (out of 7) save last night.

Newly acquired RHP Jerome Williams pitched for Iowa last night where he showed well hurling a solid game, going six innings giving up two runs by scattering seven hits and striking out four before being lifted in a tied game. The I-Cubs bullpen then allowed seven runs (6 attributed to Dailey) over the next two innings.  SS Ronny Cedeno continued in his hot hitting going 2-4, (1-R) now batting .380 in 26-G and 92-AB's. 2B Mike Fontenot was 0-3, he is batting (.291).

Editor's Notes: This afternoon I was notified that LHP Rich Hill (24 yrs old) and leading the Southern League in strikeouts was promoted to Iowa to replace LHP Jon Koronka (24 yrs old) who is being called up to the Cubs. Each pitcher is scheduled to start tomorrow.

In a related matter I was told that the Cubs are talking to Oakland about LHP Barry Zito (27 yrs old), the former 2002 Cy Young winner who will be free agent next year.

Also I was told that Jim Hendry was in Jackson TN with Cubs Director  Player of Development looking at the (AA) prospects. It was reported that they took special interest in OF's Feliz Pie and Matt Murton. What that foretells is speculative bu the beat writer seems to be excited.

Editor's Notes: The Cubs have are not listing under .500 as they approach one of the toughest stretches of the season where they are projected to play 19 straight games against teams with above .500 records. This includes the upper echelon of MLB like the Padres, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox and of course the White Sox. I was told today that depending on the outcome will determine the pace of the transition plans for the current major league roster. 

Here are some things to watch: 40-man roster changes, if the Cubs move one of their top organizational prospects for instance the likes of: (AA) RHP Nolasco, (AA) LHP Rich Hill, (AAA) LHP Raul Valdez or (AA) LHP Carmen Pignatiello that would have to move one or more of the following. In light of my recent report from the beat writer in the Southern League (AA) that Cubs Director of Player Personnel, Oneri Fleita  desire "to keep the West Tennesee Jaxx team together for the awhle ... if at all possible". Today I was also told that in all probability the Cubs will not make a major move until they approach July unless something jumps out. In either case for the Cubs to move their bona fide talented prospects up they will have to move some players on the their 40-man roster, here are some names to review,

Pitching: what kind of trade value do these individuals possess?

Dave Crouthers RHP (25 yrs old) (AAA)**
Angel Guzman RHP (23 yrs old) (AA) still on rehab,*
John Koronka LHP (24 yrs old) (AAA)*
Jon Leicester  RHP (26 yrs old) currently on MLB roster*
Sergio Mitre RHP (24 yrs old) currently on MLB roster*
Roberto Novoa RHP (25 yrs old) currently on MLB roster*
Renyel Pinto LHP (22 yrs old) (AA)**
Russ Rohlicek LHP (25 yrs old) (AAA)**
Todd Wellemeyer RHP (26 yrs old) currently on MLB roster*
Mike Remlinger LHP (39 yrs old) and on DL*

Position Players what kind of value do these players represent?

Jermy Burnitz RF (36 yrs. old) MLB roster, FA 6/19/05 restriction*
Jason Dubois LF/RF (26 yrs. old) MLB roster*
Ben Grieve LF/RF (29 yrs. old) (AAA)**
Jerry Hairston 2B/OF (29 yrs. old) MLB roster**
Todd Hollandsworth (32 yrs. old) MLB roster**
Richard Lewis 2B/SS, (24 yrs. old) Adv-A just demoted from (AAA)**
Jose Macias IF/OF utility (33 yrs. old) MLB roster**
Cory Patterson CF (25 yrs. old) MLB roster*
Enrique Wilson IF utility (31 yrs. old) MLB roster **

* designates lower probablity of removal from 40-man roster from editor
** designates higher probability of removal from 40-man roster by editor

Other minor league notable mentions:

Note the following, Cubs director of player development Oneri Fleita is impressed with Pignatiello's development this season (5/26/05).

"The difference with him than in years past is that he has learned to command his fastball," Fleita said. "He's always had a good changeup and curveball. When you can throw a fastball on both sides of the plate, everything else is easy for him. He's not going to blow people away, but he can pitch." (attributed to Jeff Vorva Daily Southtown)

Another possible promotion candidate could be Cuban refugee LHP Raul Valdez (27 yrs old), where he emigrated from Cuba to the Dominican Republic and, finally, to the United States. He defected in 2002, signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and recently promoted to the Iowa Cubs. Des Moines Registar

"It's a neat story," Chicago Cubs minor league player director Oneri Fleita said. "He came out of nowhere to us. He speaks no English, so he relies on his baseball instincts, which are very good because he's been playing baseball for a long time."

Valdez, has pitched five seasons on the Cuban National baseball team, trying to escape five times and leaving behind his mother, father and brother. Reportedly Valdez has a nasty changeup, where unfortunately he missed spring training and joined the Iowa Cubs on May 9 after going 2-0 with a 5.09 earned-run average at West Tenn. (AA).

USA Today had a nice repot on Gallagher:

A future player to watch: RHP Sean Gallagher of the (A) Peoria Chiefs. In his first full professional campaign the 19-year-old did not allow an earned run until his 41st inning (May 11), now posting a 0.75 ERA. During that span he struck out 47 batters in just 42 innings, walking only 10 and while allowing a mere 17 hits, in all establishing a Midwest League record for innings without a allowing an earned run, Through that span he did allow seven unearned runs before being tagged for an earned one on 5/11/05.

All told two of Gallagher's starts were hitless, the first on 4/20/05 as the (in a combined 10-inning no-hitter) then two starts later he tossed six more hitless innings, in that game he struck out 10. Gallagher was born in Boston, the later moved with his family to Florida, where he high school last spring,  before being selected by the Cubs in the 12th round. Last summer he made an impressive, debut at the complex-level Arizona League, going 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 games, where he struck out 44 and while walking 11 in 35-IP. He is armed with a fastball that can reach the low 90s, an  effective changeup and a traditional 12-to-6 curveball which is his out pitch. At  6' 1", 210-pounder he came to camp after working out all winter with a personal trainer, where Oneri Fleita said he was ready where he later was quoted that

"..every outing, you'd look and say, wow, another good one." Fieta continues to say  He's enthusiastic, a little hyper, exactly what a 19-year-old should be. He works fast, he's a great competitor, he holds runners well and fields his position. The big thing is just getting through the first full season, There is no 'how to' book. This will teach him a lot about himself, how to take the ball every fifth day and know what it feels like at the end of a season. I'd like him to have a good start on the ground floor of his career."

Finally we must discuss the injured prospects of Guzman, Blasko and Johnson.

In 2003  RHP Angel Guzman underwent season-ending shoulder surgery and did not resurface until the following May at Class High-A Daytona, where he struck out 40 batters without allowing a single walk in 30 innings pitched. From there he was sent to West Tenn. But after only four starts, Guzman was again shut down for the remainder of the season, this time it was said to be due to shoulder fatigue.

now at the Spring Training 2005 Guzman appeared in four games, including two starts where he registered on the radar regularly between 94-96 mph, then he was is placed on the disabled list to begin the year. Now, two months plus into the season, Guzman still isn’t quite ready yet. Inside the Ivy report

“Angel will probably start his throwing program in about two weeks,” said Fleita. “He’s had some forearm tightness. It’s similar to a bad hamstring injury in that its just taken longer to heal than we would have liked.”

Then there is RHP Chadd Blasko, the  2002 first round pick out of Purdue U who showed great promise the 2003 season, going 10-5 with a 1.98 ERA in 24 starts at Advanced-A Daytona. Entering last year's season, Blasko was considered one of the most exciting prospects in the Cubs’ system, but he struggled from day one West Tenn where he had shoulder surgery where his return date is not expected till 2006 as the Cubs want to be careful.

Then there’s RHP Grant Johnson, last year's first overall pick in last year’s out of Notre Dame. Going into 2005, Johnson was hoped to be ready by the time minor league rosters were set lst April but instead, he suffered a strained hamstring last winter. In May, Johnson told the Cubs he wasn’t sure exactly when he’d make debut now expected to be in early June. Johnson, turning 22  yrs. old , is said to be recovered from the hamstring problems, is working on fine-tuning his mechanics after having not pitched in a game in almost one a year.

Editor's Note: Yesterday the Cubs made a curious move acquiring (AAA) utility infielder Enrigue Wilson from the Orioles organization (Ottawa) and then in what could only be considered as a related move the Cubs traded Iowa infielder Mike Moriarty to the Orioles (Rochester) for future considerations. (Moriarty was batting .217 in 18 games for Iowa). Wilson had received promises that he could cut his own deal if the Orioles did not bring him up by 5/15 but decided to keep Chris Gomez instead. I was told that the Cubs and Orioles are talking about returning Hairston when Walker returns from his rehab.

As for Todd Walker he continues to have severe plate woes now 0-15 (0-8 in the DH last night). Don't expect him for the Chicago White Sox series.

To make room for Wilson in Chicago the Cubs sent down SS Ronny Cedeno (22 yrs old), to continue his development. My sources tell me that by all accounts, (barring injury) he will be back in September and probably compete for the SS spot next spring. To make room for Wilson on the 40-man roster the Cubs placed RHP Chad Fox on the 60-day DL diagnosed with ulnar neuritis in his pitching elbow.

(AA) Affiliate West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (27-11) ; 1st place Southern League

The Diamond Jaxx remained in first place extending their lead over the Mudcats to a game and a half over the past week. Overall they are 27-11 and 6-4 over the last ten games. The are simply the hottest hitting team in the league led by LF Matt Murton (24 years old), who is hitting (.403) as of last night. CF Felix Pie (20 years old), is 4^th hitting (.355) while 1B Brendon Sing (24 years old), is 5^th batting (.342) and 3B Casey McGehee (23 years old) rounds out the top ten with a batting average of (.322). RF Adam Greenberg (24 years old) is the other full time regular batting over (.303).

The Diamond Jaxx are getting attention, especially the big three of Murton, Pie and Sing where scouts and minor league beat writers are now making comparisons. Brendan Sing got a plug on Cubs.com talking about how a demotion last year back to Daytona provided him the confidence to re ascend to (AA) ball and dominate. Last year he was MVP in the (Advanced A) Florida League. Felix Pie is getting nothing but praise with accolades now saying he could be the top prospect in all of the minors being the next Dominican Republic star. And what can’t be said about Matt Murton who was acquired last July 31^st from Boston as doing nothing but hit, hit, hit. Another month or so of continued domination and the quiet whispers among those near the Cub organization is that two, possibly all three could be demoted to (AAA) at least by the mid-season break and infuse talent to the lowly Iowa Cubs.

Game notes (4-2) May 17^th The Jaxx made it two in a row over 2^nd place Carolina Mudcats as they clipped them 4-3. Starting pitcher LHP Carmen Pignatiello (4-2) pitched seven solid innings to pick up the win allowing one run on three hits walking two and striking out three. The offense made it 3-0 in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Felix Pie and added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two out RBI single by Casey McGehee.

May 16^th LHP starting pitcher Rich Hill (4-1) continued to carve up the Southern League as the southpaw using a devastating mix of fastballs, curves and change-up to fanned 14 over seven shutout innings! The Jaxx plastered Carolina 8-2, Brandon Sing hit 2 HR’s and a RBI single, (Sing is tied for the league lead with 10 HR’s), while Felix Pie drove in two on a sacrifice fly and hits batsman and 3B McGehee drove in one with a single.

May 15^th: West Tenn scored four runs in the top of the first inning and cruised to a 7-3 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts. Felix Pie and Adam Greenberg led the game off with back-to-back HR’s while

Brandon Sing and Buck Coats had RBI doubles to cap off the four run first inning. Sing , Pie & Coats had two hits for the game to pace the Jaxx ten hit attack. RHP Jae-kuk Ryu (4-1) pitched seven innings for the win allowing three runs on eight hits with just one BB and eight strikeouts.

May 13: For the first time this season the Jaxx have suffered back-to-back losses. LHP Renyel Pinto (0-0) made ‘05 Jaxx debut, giving up three runs on five hits in six innings. Murton led the attack with three hits and one RBI to pace whole Felix Pie and Ryan Theriot had two hits each to highlight a thirteen hit attack. Casey McGehee’s RBI double brought the Jaxx within one and then in the 9^th a RBI single by Matt Murton tied the game, to only lose in the bottom of the 9^th.

5/12/05: The Jaxx four-game winning streak came to a halt Thursday where Jose Reyes, Aron Weston and Matt Murton provided the Diamond Jaxx offense with one hit a piece. LHP Carmen Pignatiello (3-2), gave up five runs (four earned) on ten hits in six plus innings of work.

5/11/05 The Jaxx continued their winning ways on Wednesday as rising star LHP Rich Hill (3-1) with the aid of four relievers combined for shutout against Tennessee Smokies 5-0. Hill pitched the first six innings, allowing just four hits giving up two walks and striking out eight. With those eight strikeouts Hill raised his Southern League leading strikeout total to fifty-nine.

Prospect Watch

Position Players

LF Matt Murton (.403-BA), 36-G, 27-R, 56-H, 10-2B, 2-3B, 4-HR, 24-RBI, 19-BB, 14-K, 2/8-SB, .481-OBP, 1.171-OPS

CF Felix Pie (/355-BA), 35-G, 28-R, 49-H, 14-2B, 2-3B, 7-HR, 17-RBI, 11-BB, 6/13-SB, .404-OBP, 1.042-OPS

IB Brendon Sing (..342-BA), 33-G, 29-R, 38-H, 14-2B, 0, 3B, 10-HR, 27-RBI, 25-BB, 32-K, 1/0-SB, .467-OBP, 1.216-OPS

3B Casey McGehee: (.322-BA) 33-G, 20-R, 38-H, 11-2B, 1-3B, 2-HR, 20-RBI, 7-BB, 17-K, 0/0-SB, .360-OBP, .843-OPS

RF Adam Greenberg (.303-BA), 33-G, 22-R, 33-H, 7-2B, 0-3B, 2-HR, 11-RBI, 118-BB, 31-K, 0/7-SB, .408-OBP, .830-OPS

2B Ryan Theriot (.299-BA), 35-G, 18-R, 38-H, 11-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 16-RBI, 19-BB, 14-K, 2/7-SB, .385-OBP, .787-OPS

Pitching

RHP Carlos Nolasco (6-0) 2.06-ERA, 8-GS, 48.0-IP,48-H, 11-ER, 2-HR, 14-BB, 48-K’s

LHP Rich Hill (4-1) 2.64-ERA, 8-GS, 47.2-IP, 31-H, 14-ER, 6-HR, 16-BB, 3-K’s

LHP Carmen Pignetiello (4-2) 3.74-ERA, 9-G, 6-GS, 43.1-IP, 40-H, 18-ER, 1-HR, 15-BB, 36-K

RHP Jae-kuk Ryu (4-1) 3.73-ERA 7-GS, 41.0-IP, 45-H, 17-ER, 6-HER, 12-BB, 34-K

LHP Renyel Pinto (0-0) 4.50-ERA, 1-GS, 6.0-IP, 5-H, 3-ER, 0-HR, 1-BB, 3-K’s

at 3:37 PM Cubs acquired Enrique Wilson from Ottawa were he opened the 2005 season in (AAA), batting .279 with 4 doubles, 3 homers and 8 RBI in 20 games. He last saw big league action in 2004, hitting .213 in 93 games for the Yankees.

Posted earlier in the day

Editors Note: This morning I have learned tha the Cubs will make a trade for an experienced utility infielder and then send down Ronny Cedeno (22 years old). Cedono needs playing time and Baker is not happy about giving him playing time especially with Todd Walker returning within the next week. Look for the Cubs to trade disgruntled 2B-OF Jerry Hairston Jr. when Walker returns.

AAA Affiliate Iowa Cubs (13-24) last place PCL (American North)

The I-Cubs continue on their losing ways (.351 winning percentage), currently on a three-game losing streak and winners of only three of their last ten. The Cubs are currently mired in a three-game losing streak for the fifth time this season. Their longest skid this year was six games back between April 24 to May 1. The I-Cubs are a season-low 11 games under the .500 mark, the last time the Cubs were 11 games under was back on June 6, 2003. For stat freaks the last time the Cubs were as many as 12 or more games under .500 was at the end of the 2000 season (57-87).

On the rehab watch 2B Todd Walker has been hitless in his two games going (0-7) and grounding into three double plays while striking out last Sunday for a bad day. RHP Joe Borowski walked one in a scoreless eighth inning in his sixth rehab appearance Saturday. Borowski has thrown six total innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs while striking out three and walking two.

Game Notes: On May 15^th RHP Bobby Brownlie (1-3) was tagged with 3-2 loss in relief of starter of recently demoted RHP Jon Leicester. May 14^th Iowa Cubs lost the series opening game in Salt Lake City, 6-2, where the only Iowa runs scored, when 3B Scott McClain hit his sixth HR. Recent AAA free agent pick up RHP Darren Oliver, was tagged with the loss allowing six earned runs on nine hits in six innings. The other notable item was Todd Walker who went 0-3 with a walk in his first rehab game, while RHP Joe Borowski, also on rehab, walked one in one inning of work.

May 13th The Cubs dropped the finale Co Springs 4-2, RHP Sergio Mitre (2-4) lost despite a strong outing, allowing four runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. On May 12th LHP Raul Valdez (27 years-old), in making his first start after being promoted pitched seven solid innings allowing one run, on three hits while striking out four, retired seven of the first eight batters beating CO Springs 3-1.

LHP Russ Rohlicek pitched a perfect eighth for Iowa and turned it over to RHP Jermaine Van Buren who closed out the victory. Back on May 11^th LHP John Koronka (2-4) pitched 6 2/3 dominant innings and OF Calvin Murray,1B Micah Hoffpauir hit his first AAA HR, as did SS Mike Moriarty, while OF David Kelton contributed three hits driving in two runs to power the I-Cubs to a 13-0 victory. May 10^th beginning a 4-game set with CO Springs, LHP Phil Norton (0-2) took the loss, (17-5), surrendering five runs and three hits in just three innings. Three other Cubs pitchers were hit even harder, RHP Joe Borowski during his rehab assignment allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning, and just demoted RHP Roberto Novoa yielded four runs in an inning and a third. The bright spot was OF David Kelton offense who had two hits as IF’rs Mike Fontenot and Richard Lewis each hit triples.

May 9^th RHP Bobby Brownlie pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs and striking out 5 in a losing effort against Memphis’s final game. LHP Rohlicek and RHP Van Buren pitched a scoreless relief.

Rehab Watch

2B Todd Walker (.000-BA) 2-G, 7-AB, 0-R, 0-H, 0-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 0-RBI

RHP Joe Borowski (0-0) 3.00-ERA, 6-G 0-GS 0-SV 6.0-IP, 3-H 4-R 2-ER 2-HR 2-BB 3-K

Prospect Watch

Position Players

OF Dave Kelton (320-BA) .367-OBP, 33-G 125-AB 17-R 40-H 13-2B 0-3B, 3-HR 26-RBI. 858-OPS

2B Richard Lewis (.209-BA) .294-OBP 34-G, 110-AB, 11-R, 23-H, 2-2B, 2-3B, 0-HR, 8-RBI, 2-BB, 9-K,.553-OPS

Pitching

RHP Sergio Mitre (2-4) 5.31-ERA, 7-G 7-GS, 0-SV, 39.0-IP, 44-H, 23-R, 23-ER, 5-HR, 12-BB, 29-K

RHP Brownlie (1-3) 5 .59-ERA, 7-G, 6-GS, 0-SV, 37.0-IP, 34-H, 23-R 23,ER, 5-HR, 16-BB, 23-K

RHP Jermaine Van Buren (1-1) 2.16-ERA, 17-G, 3-SV, 16.2-IP, 10-H, 5-R, 4-ER, 2-HR, 11-BB, 19-K

LHP Rich Rohlicek (2-0) 2.30-ERA, 14-G, 1-S, 15..2-IP, 11-H, 5-R 4-ER, 0-HR, 12-BB, 17-K

RHP Roberto Novoa (1-1) 4.11-ERA,14-G, 0-GS, 2-SV, 15.1-IP, 13-H 7-R, 7-ER, 1-HR, 6-BB, 9-K

RHP Jon Leicester (0-1) 4.50-ERA, 3-G, 2-GS, 0-SV, 10.0-IP, 8-H, 5-R 5-ER, 1-HR, 3-BB, 6-K

LHP Raul Valdez (1-0) 1.29-ERA, 1-G, 1-GS, 0-SV, 7.0-IP, 3-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 0-HR, 3-BB, 4-K

Editor's post script note: Tomorrow Southern League's leading West Tennessee Diamnond Jaxx.

Chicago Cubs (16-20), 4^th place; 7.5 games behind St. Louis

The major league level Chicago Cub’s continue to experience an injury epidemic, ("could it be that the field manager is a ‘typhoid Mary’ or merely incompetent in managing risk?") as now Carlos Zambrano has come down with "tennis elbow". All this has created a new charter flight service subsidiary in the Tribune Company running out of Pewaukee Airport to Des Moines Iowa (or travel ports on the away schedule).

On field developments witnessed LF Jason Dubois emerged as the regular starting outfielder over floundering journeyman Todd Hollandsworth. Actually a Tribune Cub beat reporter (Sullivan) revealed this over the weekend but Hollandsworth was still in the starting lineup on Monday (May 9^th). Then Dubois started 5 games consecutively going 6-23 (.260) 2-2B’s, 1-HR, 4-RBI’s, 3-R’s over that stretch.

Ronny Cedeno was in the starting lineup going 2-for-4 Sunday, meaning Jerry Hairston Jr. was on the bench and Perez at 2B. MLB.com reports that Cubs manager Dusty Baker had hinted he would give Cedeno more playing time because Hairston has been ‘scuffling’. Hairston, who is batting .255 in 30 games with one RBI, is the first to admit the first month isn't what he expected. Ronny Cedeno, battted .279 last season AA, West Tenn, made his third start for the Cubs, he is currently batting .313.

This week (May 14) 2B Todd Walker began his rehab stint in recovering from a left knee injury went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Triple-A game on Saturday night. It was his first game Walker played for the I-Cubs after spending two days in an extended spring training camp. Todd Walker is trying to be ready for the cross-town classic series that starts on Friday. On Sunday Walker had a very tough day grounding into three double plays in his first three at-bats and then struck out in his final trip to the plate. So he is 0-7 to date.

On the pitching mound, RHP Joe Borowski who also is on a rehab assignment who is recovering from a fractured right wrist, Saturday night threw a scoreless inning with one walk. The Cubs want to see how he responds from back-to-back appearances before they bring him back to the parent club. He did not pitch Sunday night. The Sun-Times is reporting that Joe Borowski wants the Cubs to end his minor-league rehab. Instead, the Cubs have told him that they want him to pitch another AAA before they will consider him ready. Other unpublished reports suggest that Borowski has lost something off his fastball measuring in the mid ‘80’s.

Other notable roster happenings; Cubs recalled 2B Mike Fontenot where in the 9^th inning on Saturday night was hit by a pitch from Nationals closer. Fontenot who has been in 6 games but only 2 official AB’s, yet has scored 3 runs with no hits! Go figure, he has 2 BB’s. RHP Sergio Mitre was recalled and then optioned back to Iowa between May 10^th and May 12^th. RHP Jon Leicester was promoted from Iowa on May 9^th started that night and then optioned back to Iowa the following day pitching 3-IP giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 2-HR’s. RHP Roberto Novoa (0-1, 6.23-ERA) was optioned back to Iowa after being recalled on April 27^th. He appeared in 5 games (4.1-IP), giving up 6 hits and 3 runs with 5-BB and 4-K’s.

Rookie Watch

Position Players

LF: Jason Dubois: .280-BA (.321-OBP), 20-G, 50-AB, 7-R, 14-H, 5-2B, 0-3B, 4-HR, 13-RBI, 1-BB, 19-K 0/0-SB,.941-OPS

SS Ronny Cedeno .313-BA (.313-OBP), 10-G, 16-AB, 1-R, 5-H, 0-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 2-RBI, 0-BB, 3-K, 0/0-SB,500-OPS

Pitchers

RHP Michael Wuertz (1-1) 3.72-ERA 20-G 0-GS, 0-SV, 19.1-IP, 14-H, 10-R, 8-ER, 1-HR, 11-BB, 19-K

LHP Cliff Bartosh (0-2), 2.13-ERA, 10-G, 0-GS, 0-SV, 12.2-IP, 9-H, 4-R, 3-ER, 1-HR, 6-BB, 11-K

LHP Will Ohman (1-0) 0.00-ERA, 9-G, 0-GS, 0-SV, 6.0-IP, 5-H. 0-HR, 0-R 0-ER, 5-BB, 6-K

Editor's Note: I have decided to schedule weekly updates as follows: Monday-Chicago Cub roster developments and rookie watch; Tuesday-Iowa Cubs weekly review and prospect watch, Wednesday-West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx weekly review and prospect watch; Thursday-Daytona Cubs weekly review and prospect watch and then Friday-Peoria Chiefs weekly review and prospect watch.

Finally a side note: A friend who works for the Tribune Co. that is associated to the Cub organization told me how clairvoyant I was when I coined this year as a "transition year in disguise". That every roster move be it caused by injury or by performance will be thought through under the premise of how it relates to a transition year. I was told that the Cubs will be very active following Memorial Day right through July adjusting there organizational roster. They naturally will say that they have not thrown in the towel and will set their sites on a wild card but it is safe to say this edition is not a world series contender.

Players to watch who could be moved: Burnitz and Hollandsworth (both have varying degree of value to a contender), Walker and Hairston (if Cedeno sticks both of them have value to a contending team), Remlinger, Leicester, Borowski & Mitre.(Except for Remlinger & Borowski, they are players who have value to rebuilding or small market teams.)  That all said the Cubs like Burnitz who they think can provide stablility until the rest of the rookies emerge. Now don't get too excited about Dubois being the left fielder of the long term future as one Cub scout privately said that his defensive liabilities might rank with the Brewer's Carlos Lee or another former Cub LF'ers, namely Dave Kingman or 1B coach Gary 'the Sarge' Matthews. They all hope he shows very well the first time through the league, especially the swing through the American League opponents. Dubois is big and strong and will hit HR's and extra base hits but he also might give away as many outs over the long haul.

Editor's Note: I got a report that I cannot verify as of yet on the wires that RHP Angel Guzman's strained right forearm is really like a strained or pulled hamstring has been extended 10 more days in Mesa AZ for rehab. If he shows improvement he is then expected to join up with the AA Jaxx sometime in MID-JUNE!

If he was healthy he would have replaced Wood in the rotation.

Editor's Note: I have been told in confidence that all signs are pointing towards an imminent and significant change of the leadership to the "on field leadership in the big league ball club". That is all I was told even though I followed up with a slew of questions.

On a related note the Cubs assistant to Vice President/General Manager Jim Hendry and roving catching instructor has made his tour of farm system as the Cubs continue to re-arrange their teams. All signs point to Grady Little to replace Baker & Co. sooner than later. The big league call club is disorganized and undisciplined with players determining their own roles and game strategies.

Little who was a bench coach to the Indian's Manager Manual was best known to being highly organized where he came up through the Yankee's organization. Best known for gambling and losing with Pedro Martinez in the 7th game of the 2003 playoffs Little had a record of winning 95 and 96 games before being fired.

With Little, the club will probably accelerate its transition from the Sosa era. Whether that means trading some of their touted 10th ranked farm propsects or promoting them and trading veterans or a combination of both it remains to be seen, but changes are on the horizon.

A-level Affiliate Peoria Chiefs (13-19) last place (8^th in Western Div of the Midwest League)

The Peoria Chiefs are experiencing the same disease its parent club has been myriad with since ’04, injuries to key players where they now have four players on the DL,:RF Ryan Harvey (back), RHP Will Fenton (shoulder), CF Sam Fuld (shoulder), 1B Ryan Norwood (ankle). This does not include the following walking wounded officially not on the DL; 2B Eric Patterson has missed eight straight games with a sore hamstring, and RHP Jon Hunton our for the last three games (sore arm), among other the other usual daily bumps and bruises. Somehow the Chiefs have played .500 ball over the last ten, although not making any ground on the field.

Last night, Bo Flowers, (and two others) had three hits, and Aaron Smith slammed a two-run homer when the Chiefs out slugged Beloit 10-4. On May 7^th Day the Chiefs rallied from a 7-3 deficit with two outs in the ninth inning to win 10-7 in front of big crowd in Geneva. Despite losing 5-1, RHP Lee Gwaltney (2-1) established a new career high with nine strikeouts but allowed seven hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings the night before.

On May 6^th RHP Sean Gallagher extended his scoreless streak to 35 with six more innings but took a no-decision for the third time this season. Gallagher entered the game fresh off a no-hit, 10 strikeout, six-inning performance against the Cougars. The Cougars did score an unearned run in the game, a result of an error and wild pitch. Gallagher finished the game with six innings of two-hit ball. He struck out four and walked three on the night, Gallagher is next scheduled to start tonight in Beloit. The Chiefs franchise is 36 set by Mike Tidwell in 1992. Unfortunately LF Bo Flower was 0-for-4 snapping his six game hit streak that night.

On May 6^th the Chiefs saw two of their bona fide prospect go down with injury as RF Ryan Harvey has been placed on the 7-day disabled list with back spasms. Harvey left May 1’s game at O'Brien Field with back spasms and missed the entire four game series against Fort Wayne. In 21 games Ryan was batting .280 with a team high 5 HR and 16 RBI. In addition to Harvey’s injury, 2B Eric Patterson left May 7^th’s game after re-aggravating a prior hamstring injury. Patterson leads the Midwest League in batting average and on-base percentage. His return is unknown.

2B Eric Patterson: .417-BA, 18-G, 19-R, 25-H, 3-2B, 1-3B, 2-HR, 8-RBI, 13-BB, 10-K, 10/2-SB 1.017-OPS

LF Bo Flowers .307-BA, 25-G, 16-R, 27-H, 4-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 12-RBI, 8-BB, 19-K, 3/0-SB, .851-OPS

RF Ryan Harvey .280-BA, 21-G, 15-R, 23-H, 3-2B, 0-3B, 5-HR, 16-RBI, 5-BB, 25-K, 4/1-SB, .844-OPS

RHP Sean Gallagher (2-1) 0.00-ERA, 6-GS, 35-IP, 7-R, 0-ER, 9-BB, 41-KK

Advanced A Affiliate Daytona Cubs (16-13) 2^nd Place ½ game behind Vero Beach (LA Dodgers)

Daytona sniffed at first place this past week when they held a ½ game lead briefly on Saturday but fell back losing their 3^rd straight. Overall they had a five-game winning streak that was interrupted with two rainouts as they recorded a 6-4 record over the last ten games.

Brian Dopirak hit 2 HR’s, (5/1 and 5/3) one being a noteworthy mammoth blast (his 4^th) when it became the scout the talk of the evening as it struck a light tower in left field well over 400 ft. away. RHP Billy Petrick had a good outing dueling a Met in a no-decision as he hurled seven strong innings, scattering five hits, while walking one and allowing just one-run. RHP Carlos Marmol pitched five solid innings surrendering just one unearned run on two hits and striking out three to improve to a perfect 4-0 on the season.

Prospect Watch

Position Players

1B Brian Dopirak .269-BA, 28-G, 12-R, 29-H, 5-2B, 0-3B, 5-HR, 15-RBI, 7-BB, 22-K, 0/1-SB, .768-OPS

OF Chris Walker .276-BA, 28-G, 18-R, 27-H, 7-2B, 0-3B, 6-HR, 24-RBI, 17-BB, 19-K, 5/2-SB, .914-OPS

SS Scott Moore .287-BA, 30-G, 23-R, 33-H, 4-2B, 2-3B, 1-HR, 10-RBI, 14-BB, 29-K, 18/4-SB, .766-OPS

Pitchers

Billy Petrick (1-3) 5.00-ERA, 6-G, 27-IP, 25-H, 0-HR, 10-BB, 17-K

Carlos Marmol (4-0) 2.62-ERA, 6-G, 34.1-IP, 13-H, 3-HR, 16-BB, 34-K

Sean Marshall (2-1) 2.33-ERA, 5-G, 27-IP, 24-H, 2-HR, 9-BB, 22-K

Tomorrow I will review the Peoria Chief's (A).

Editor's note: I am changing the format where each week I will publish six daily entries focusing on each different level in greater detail. Today it is the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. Without question the top performing team in the system. They have eight bona fide MLB propsects of varying levels of expectations led by two outfielders and two pitchers. Tomorrow I will publish reports from Florida, Wednesday reports from Peoria, Thursday reports from Iowa and Friday summarizing the roster developments of the big league club. When the Boise league gets going I will then devote a day for them.

AA Affiliate West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (22-8) 1^st Place (1/2 game lead)

The Diamond–Jaxx overtook Southern League’s North Division rival Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) this week as they are 8-2 over their last ten games. Diamond Jaxx left fielder Matt Murton (23-year old R-R) continues to hover above .400 with a .407 batting average (.492-OBP) for the season (27 games), leading the talent-rich Southern League in hitting. 1B Brandon Sing leads the league in slugging (.675-SLG) and is fifth overall five HR’s.

Felix Pie is having a stellar season (.349-BA) but has been caught stealing six times, (leading the league in this dubious statistic), on the bright side he is also leading the league in doubles (12). On the mound RHP Ricky Nolasco's has recorded five wins measuring a luminary 1.03 ER which ranks ranks him first among league starting pitchers. LHP Rich Hill's 51 strikeouts measuring a strong lead (10) over his next league competitor.

Rich Hill Named BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week for April 25 - May 1,. LHP Rich Hill of the Jaxx was nearly unhittable in his two starts during the week, allowing only three hits in 14 innings of work. On April 25, Hill picked up his first win, pitching seven innings, allowing one earned run, while striking out 14. The lefty was even more dominant when he took the mound April 30, Hill threw a no-hitter through seven innings, but was removed from the game when he reached 100 pitches. The 25-year-old struck out 12 batters, bringing his total for the week, whopping 26 strikeouts. Hill was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2002 draft out of the University of Michigan.

Game Highlights for the week: May 3^rd Felix Pie hit his fourth home run of the season and Brandon Sing hit a three run homer (5) put the Jaxx in front to stay for winning pitcher Raul Valdez (2-0). May 4^th RHP Jae-kuk Ryu (3-1) pitched the first five innings to pick up the win as the Jaxx fought back from a 3-0 deficit. May 5^th, Jaxx completed a seven-game with a 9-2 victory Ricky Nolasco (5-0) picked up the win over 5.2 innings; Nolasco allowed just three hits and one run while striking out three. May 7^th the Jaxx (22-8) moved into a tie for first place, Matt Murton delivered a clutch two out single to drive in Theriot in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Jaxx held on to win 8-7 in the rubber game. Brandon Sing and Matt Craig both homered, while Jose Reyes drove in two to highlight the offense. Felix Pie chipped in with three hits and threw two runners out one at the plate to end the eighth inning. May 8^th Jaxx split a doubleheader, n the opener, LHP Rich Hill (2-1) gave up an unearned run in six solid innings to lift the Jaxx to victory. Hill allowed just three hits over six innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. Matt Craig hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to give the Jaxx the lead for good.

Prospect Watch

Position Players

OF Felix Pie .349-BA, 27-G, 106-AB, 20-R, 37-H, 12-2B, 2-3B, 4-HR, 12-RBI, 8-BB, 23-K, 9/6-SB, .395-OBP, 1.109-OPS

OF Matt Murton .413-BA 28-G, 109-!B, 22-R, 45-H, 6-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 20-RBI, 16-BB, 13-K, 6/2-SB, .496-OBP. 1.064-OPS

1B Brandon Sing 346-BA, 24-G, 81-AB, 18-R, 28-H, 10-2B, 0-3B, 6-HR, 21-RBI, 15-BB, 23-K, 0/0-SB, .454-OBP, 1.145-OPS