That's pretty bold, considering he still has 2 major league options and we can send him back to AAA for no cost.
MLB: 2014 Chicago Cubs
- Thread starter Bret44
- Start date
That's pretty bold, considering he still has 2 major league options and we can send him back to AAA for no cost.
It's not bold. He flat out sucks. He's wasting a valuable 40 man spot right now. Same with Vitters. There is plenty of dead weight on the 40 man that will be cleaned up this off-season, led by those two.
And he'll most likely clear waivers and still be sent back down to AAA but there is absolutely no reason to have him on the 40 man right now.
And he'll most likely clear waivers and still be sent back down to AAA but there is absolutely no reason to have him on the 40 man right now.
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Szczur has never had a chance in the majors, hit .280 in Tennessee last year with 22 stolen bases, 75 strikeouts and and 50 walks. His OBP was better than Baez last year when they played on the same team because he's a walk machine.
I'm not saying he's a God at the sport, but he's far from sucking. He likely won't ever be a full time starter, but he's better than the crap we've had before (Jackson, Vitters, Campana)
Even if he ends up being our 5th outfielder in the future, or an outfielder in Iowa that we just bring up when we have an outfielder go to the DL, he's definitely not someone I'd like to see us DFA.
And I'm also not sure who on our roster you would prefer on the 40 man roster over him. I mean, 40 man roster doesn't really matter unless it's the Rule 5 draft or September. So who gives a rats *** who's on our 40 man roster.
And I'm also not sure who on our roster you would prefer on the 40 man roster over him. I mean, 40 man roster doesn't really matter unless it's the Rule 5 draft or September. So who gives a rats *** who's on our 40 man roster.
Walk machine? The guy has a .315 OBP in the easiest hitters league in the minors. And please don't compare him to Baez. Javy has the power to offset his lack of walks. Szczur has nothing to offset it.
His career OBP is .345. Not high enough if that's going to be your "strength".
Before this year, 2013 was his worst season in the minors. Lets see where Szczur ranked last year compared to the rest of the league.
OBP - 12th (.350)
Doubles - 9th (27)
SB - 15th (22)
BA - 7th (.281)
No rankings on Fielding %, but I'm sure his .988 was near the top of the league. It was better then 2 of the 3 OF gold glove winners in the NL, and tied with the top gold glove OF.
1 of 3 players with over 450 AB's and less than 84 strikeouts. (75)
And again, that was his WORST season up to that point.
He's not having a horrific year this year, either. It just isn't as oustanding as it's been in the past. Letting him go, at 24 and not giving him a chance to prove himself in the majors, would be downright stupid.
And the only Cub this year with an OBP higher than .345 is Rizzo.
OBP - 12th (.350)
Doubles - 9th (27)
SB - 15th (22)
BA - 7th (.281)
No rankings on Fielding %, but I'm sure his .988 was near the top of the league. It was better then 2 of the 3 OF gold glove winners in the NL, and tied with the top gold glove OF.
1 of 3 players with over 450 AB's and less than 84 strikeouts. (75)
And again, that was his WORST season up to that point.
He's not having a horrific year this year, either. It just isn't as oustanding as it's been in the past. Letting him go, at 24 and not giving him a chance to prove himself in the majors, would be downright stupid.
And the only Cub this year with an OBP higher than .345 is Rizzo.
If you have a guy this fast AND has this good of a glove, you don't just let him go. He's a perfect late game guy when you need a pinch runner or to replace an outfielder on defense.
Are we really sure Russell is going to be major league ready next season? That's a pretty big assumption. Leave Castro where he is, for as bad of a reputation as he has he is actually a pretty good defensive player. And why the hate on Sczcur, a guy that hasn't even played a major league game yet? Overall I'm hoping Cubs fans temper their expectations a little bit..Bryant and Russell will not be all stars immediately, although everyone seems to be thinking they will keep pace with what they have been doing in the minors. I'm jumping all over the place with this post so I'll just stop now.
Agree about the expectations. It's going to be an interesting 2015, but also a season full of strike outs, low 200 batting averages, and youthful errors. 2015 will be a period of growth, but there is zero guarantee the kids all pan out.
I was thinking Russell was a 2016 guy, but MLB has an "ETA" on prospects on their website, and project him and Bryant as 2015s. They were right on Baez and Alcantara so I think it's pretty accurate, at least near-term.
Castro is much improved and doing well at short. Id rather move one of the minor league guys at this point, but thats just me.
If a good portion of these guys pan out, someone is going to have to be shipped out. You can't start 5 outfielders and 2 shortstops.
Honestly, I'm holding out hope that they can get Schwarber up to snuff to be a major league catcher. That would give us a lot more flexibility in terms of personnel, since he wouldn't be taking up an outfield spot.
I was mainly talking about Bryant, Russell, Baez, Soler and Castro. I don't want any of them traded. They can trade Almora, they can trade Alcantara, they can trade Schwarber if they find the right deal. But those first 5 guys should be playing for the Cubs for the next 7 or 8 years if they pan out, at least.
I fully agree. I'd rather see Bryant shipped to the outfield, though. He's not great defensively on the infield and he's got a better arm than Castro. Plus he's a giant for an infielder. Physically, he looks more like an outfielder.
I think that ship has already sailed, he seems to be playing a lot more LF than C in Daytona.
