MLB

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

With bigger names drawing the spotlight leading up to Friday’s trade deadline, the Cubs made an early move last night with one of their lesser names, but most highly sought after pieces. Andrew Chafin was perhaps the second most desirable lefty reliever on the market behind the Twins Taylor Rogers. But with Rogers suffering a finger injury this week, it is possible Chafin jumped to the front of the line, and the A’s were ready to deal two of their top 15 prospects to snag him.

Now, the Oakland farm system is not the strongest, so it is possible COF Greg Deichmann (#8 according to FG) and RHP Daniel Palencia (#12) will not rate as highly in the Cubs improving system (especially after they receive an even greater influx of talent over the next few days), but on the surface it does appear to be a pretty good haul for Chafin.

Injuries (as well as the missed 2020 season) have slowed Deichmann’s ascent through the Oakland system since they selected him in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft. Cubs VP of scouting Dan Kantrovitz was a member of the A’s front office at the time of that selection. The former LSU star has always possessed impressive raw power (probably a 65 or 70), but I have to admit his lack of flexibility concerned me greatly prior to the draft, casting doubt in my mind as to whether he would ever be able to access his power in the pros.

That seems to have come to fruition to some degree as 11 home runs (in 301 ABs in 2019) are his career high. Injuries no doubt played a role as well. He required surgery after being hit by a pitch in 2017, broke his hamate bone in 2018, and then a shoulder injury in 2019. On the positive side though, he was apparently recovered from the shoulder injury during his stint in the AFL after the 2018 season, where he was able to show off his in game power, leading the league with 9 dingers. No other batter hit more than 4.

All that missed time apparently led him to rework his body and devote time to adding flexibility during the 2020 layoff. I’m curious to see if these improvements will alter my pre-draft assessment of his athleticism once I get the chance to watch him regularly.

Deichmann has also come back in 2021 with a more patient approach at the plate. Never more than an average walk rate guy prior to this year, his BB% has jumped to 19% in AAA, leading to a .433 OBP so far. He is also currently hitting .300, but considering he is playing in hitter’s haven Las Vegas (and sporting a .401 BABIP), I would not expect that type of output in Iowa, let alone Chicago.

Of interest is Deichmann has managed just 4 homers in 261 PAs. He is pulling the ball more this season, and it seems to be leading to a higher ground ball rate. I’ll be curious to see if the Cubs try to make a tweak to his swing, or if they would rather him stick with the more patient and higher contact rate approach he’s taken in 2021.

What the lefty swinging Deichmann has done is absolutely mash right handed pitchers to the tune of .344/.487/.517. His corresponding numbers against lefties are obviously a concern (.186/.279/.288 in 59 PAs, so still a SSS), but even if he only fills a platoon role as corner outfielder (where he rates as average with an above average arm) and pinch hitter there is likely a job for him in Chicago sometime this season and heading into 2022.

Much less is known about Daniel Palencia. Signed as an overager by Oakland as part of their 2019 IFA period, and then like all other Minor Leaguers Palencia did not get a chance to pitch in game action during 2020, so his pro debut did not come until June of this year. The now 21-year old has jumped directly into the A’s Low-A starting rotation where he’s seen mixed results through 6 starts. Of the top of my head I believe the A’s were one of the organizations the Cubs held scrimmages against during instructs last fall and again in EXST this year, so I’m guessing they got a few looks at Palencia then.

I can understand why Palencia was probably not a highly sought after IFA, as he is a short right-hander (5’11”) and is officially listed at 160 pounds. He’s apparently added considerable mass to his frame since that time, as he now tips the scales near 200 pounds. His Manager at Stockton, former big leaguer Rico Brogna, described his build and mechanics as similar to 17-year MLB reliever Rudy Seanez.

The added strength has allowed Palencia to boost his fastball into the upper-90s, apparently sitting comfortably 95+ mph. He pairs it with a curveball which has flashed an ability to miss bats according to the latest update from Fangraphs. I’m not sure if those are his only two pitches, if so then Palencia will most likely profile as a reliever in the future, but given the Cubs lack of starting pitching depth right now due to injuries I’m sure they will continue to deploy him as a starter.

I’ll be doing a deeper dive on these two once I have a chance to review more video on them.

AZL

Giants Orange 7, Cubs 3

Top Performers

• Porter Hodge: 5 IP, 6 H 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (L, 1-2, 6.20)
• Owen Caissie: 1-4, HR (3), 2 R, RBI (.359)
• Reggie Preciado: 2-4, 2B, R (.387)
• Austin Romine: 1-2, 2B (.500)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Austin Romine has begun a rehab assignment in Mesa. Out with a knee injury for most of the season, the Cubs desperately searched for a replacement at backup catcher for a few months, finally settling on former farmhand and longtime MLB veteran Robinson Chirinos earlier this month. Chirinos has performed admirably on both offense and defense, while providing a boost of energy and appreciation for the opportunity. I’ll be curious what the Cubs decide to do once Romine is healthy. They could choose to carry three catchers, depending on how much roster depth remains after the trade deadline, with Willson Contreras perhaps given more frequent breathers from behind the plate and more opportunity at 1B.

I’m very anxious to see Reggie Preciado and Owen Caissie get a shot in Myrtle Beach, as I’m sure everyone else is as well, but I do think we’ll have to wait a spell. The Cubs will likely give college draftees CF Christian Franklin, CF Parker Chavers, RF Luke Matt, SS Liam Spence, 3B B.J. Murray Jr., and C Casey Opitz opportunities in full season ball first.

Preciado in particular is blocked in Low-A by not just Ed Howard, but Kevin Made (and to a lesser extent Luis Verdugo) as well. I assume Franklin will make it to South Bend before the year is out, and given Matt only signed for a $1,000 bonus I doubt they’d let his presence block Caissie from getting a call up, but Jordan Nwogu and Yohendrick Pinango might. Any additional prospects gained from trades this week will only add to the congestion. It is possible Preciado and Caissie are in Mesa for the duration (or they only receive a late call up).

DSL

Royals 3, Cubs Blue 2

Cubs Red 6, Tigers 5