Cubs' Prospects FUTUREBONER thread

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

Some of the quotes I saw in Spring Training indicate that Almora is at least intellectually aware that he needs to not swing at everything...like just because he can hit a ball doesn't mean he should always try to.  One specific quote was (paraphrasing) "I took a pitch on the corner and thought I screwed up but the umpire called it a ball so I was like 'oh' like a lightbulb went off" that sort of thing.

I think it's clear the kid's smart and possibly even a little analytical.  That's not necessarily a good thing in general but if his approach is to see more pitches--and take more pitches-- and learn to discover what he can drive-- I'm okay with his BA and SLG taking a dip for the time being.  Let's see how his numbers look in July/August, shall we?

[Chuck to Chuck]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

[SKO]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

I don't know where you get your numbers but there's no way in hell a guy who has played 13 games total has slugged .720 over his last 10 and still has a season slugging % of .327

By my amateur and awful math he's slugging like .372 in his last 10 games.

Unless you mean he's OPS'ing .720 in his last ten games, in which case, woo?

[Yeti]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

[Eli]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

[SKO]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

[SKO]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

[InternetApex]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

I've completely written him off. If he turns into anything more than a 5th outfielder on a good team, that would be fantastic. I don't know if he will and I absolutely do not care. I was told that not all prospects pan out. Bryant and Soler look like they'll pan out. Russell, we'll see. I have hope for Baez but if some top prospect has to fail because science, I choose Almora.

[SKO]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

I've completely written him off. If he turns into anything more than a 5th outfielder on a good team, that would be fantastic. I don't know if he will and I absolutely do not care. I was told that not all prospects pan out. Bryant and Soler look like they'll pan out. Russell, we'll see. I have hope for Baez but if some top prospect has to fail because science, I choose Almora.

I don't know what it is. If a Hendry prospect was putting up Almora's numbers and we were spoonfed the same "he's a great kid" shit we'd have all cried bullshit from the highest rooftops, but acting like there's more reason to be concerned than than there is positive about Almora is like pissing directly on Theo Epstein's face or something. Like you said, prospects don't always pan out. You can be down on Almora and still think overall this front office has done an excellent job. If Jorge Soler and Kris Bryant alone were the only two successes of the draft/amateur signing side of Theo's rebuild that's still a massive haul. I'm guessing Russell and Schwarber are both also going to be good, but I don't see why pointing out the obvious that Almora doesn't look great is so controversial.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

You want to find someone who went .240/.270/.350/.620 In their first 200 or so plate appearances at AA who went on to become above-average?  If I had more time I'm sure I could unearth one but I suspect we're not exactly looking for a dodo bird.  Those numbers are not good but, like I said, I'm willing to see where he's at with double the plate appearances before I start thinking he's a bust.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

I've completely written him off. If he turns into anything more than a 5th outfielder on a good team, that would be fantastic. I don't know if he will and I absolutely do not care. I was told that not all prospects pan out. Bryant and Soler look like they'll pan out. Russell, we'll see. I have hope for Baez but if some top prospect has to fail because science, I choose Almora.

I don't know what it is. If a Hendry prospect was putting up Almora's numbers and we were spoonfed the same "he's a great kid" shit we'd have all cried bullshit from the highest rooftops, but acting like there's more reason to be concerned than than there is positive about Almora is like pissing directly on Theo Epstein's face or something. Like you said, prospects don't always pan out. You can be down on Almora and still think overall this front office has done an excellent job. If Jorge Soler and Kris Bryant alone were the only two successes of the draft/amateur signing side of Theo's rebuild that's still a massive haul. I'm guessing Russell and Schwarber are both also going to be good, but I don't see why pointing out the obvious that Almora doesn't look great is so controversial.

There's all kinds of manifested Id in this post...I think I'm just gonna keep walking.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

I've completely written him off. If he turns into anything more than a 5th outfielder on a good team, that would be fantastic. I don't know if he will and I absolutely do not care. I was told that not all prospects pan out. Bryant and Soler look like they'll pan out. Russell, we'll see. I have hope for Baez but if some top prospect has to fail because science, I choose Almora.

What about Russell makes you think he won't pan out? Or are you just saying it's still too early to tell yet?

[InternetApex]

Almora's is 4:5, so he's better than Schwarber.

It's good to see him drawing some walks, but I wonder if that's his sole focus right now because he's barely hitting anything. He's basically one more 0-fer from having his slugging percentage drop into the .200s.

His slugging sucks, but his last 10 games he's hitting .302 with 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 2Bs. .720 SLG last 10 games.

Maybe he's just working on the zone and contact?  8 days past B-day 21. Take your time, kid.

How many games?

720

Also the "he's just 21" argument is great for Javy Baez K'ing against big league sliders. For a position player in AA in his fourth professional season it's more or less par for the course. No one is saying give up on Albert Almora but to act like it's all fine because he's still some wet behind the ear kid going against tougher competition is misleading.

If he finally reaches the majors in 2017 as a barely average offensive player, if that, I think it's safe to say that's kind of a disappointing return on a top ten pick. Doesn't make him a bust or anything. Just a lot of meh.

Fine. I'll just predict that he'll make the majors in 2016 as a barely average offensive player.

In 2017 he'll be good.

Happy?

That's fine? I want him to be good. I don't hate the kid, I don't want him to fail in order to validate my own fear or opinion. I'm not Chuck. I just want someone out there to find a guy who put up the kind of numbers Almora's managed in AA so far and then went on to actually be any good.

I feel like the people shouting he'll be fine because "he's a good kid" and "he's got all of the tools" seem indicative of an outdated mindset. It seems to me most guys don't really do their growing in the majors. If they're good they usually just reach a point where they can do in the majors what they did in the minors, so if a guy isn't putting up any kind of good numbers in the minors, I think that's a 100% legit reason to be concerned, and no matter of "he's just figuring it out!" makes me any less concerned because literally every prospect in AA is "a good kid" who is "figuring it out". That's why farm systems exist.

Seriously, someone find that person. It'd make me feel better.

I've completely written him off. If he turns into anything more than a 5th outfielder on a good team, that would be fantastic. I don't know if he will and I absolutely do not care. I was told that not all prospects pan out. Bryant and Soler look like they'll pan out. Russell, we'll see. I have hope for Baez but if some top prospect has to fail because science, I choose Almora.

What about Russell makes you think he won't pan out? Or are you just saying it's still too early to tell yet?

I'm saying it's too early to tell. But the minor league numbers and age give me plenty of hope. He could even fail in this call up and get sent down and I'd have plenty of hope left in the hope vessel.

[Quality Start Machine]

Everyone's panning out, and the Cubs will have a minimum eight-peat as World Champions.