The first big international free agent signing by the new Cubs front office was a 20 year old Cuban left handed pitcher named Gerardo Concepcion. He was touted as a quality prospect. The Cubs signed him to a major league contract for $6 million.
Last season, Concepcion was assigned to Class A Peoria.
He pitched poorly. One scout from another organization said Concepcion did not know how to pitch. Another scout said that he did not understand why the Cubs paid so much for a marginal talent.
Concepcion stat line was:
2-6 record, 12 starts, 0 complete games, 52.1 IP, 6 HR allowed, 30 BB, 28 K, 1.911 WHIP
On December 21, 2012, the Cubs took Concepcion off the protected 40 man roster and outrighted him to Kane County (Class A).
However, the current Kane County roster does not have Concepcion as a player. There is no injury/transaction note on the Cubs web site. Concepcion is not listed on any Cub affiliate roster, including Arizona development league. He is not listed as one of the Cubs top 20 prospects.
Concepcion, the Cubs $6 million man, is missing in action. He is under contract with the Cubs, but he is not listed as injured or on a current roster. Did Concepcion and/or the Cubs give up?
Showing posts with label Concepcion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concepcion. Show all posts
April 16, 2013
December 22, 2012
PASS THE BUCK
Instead of left handed pitchers Raley or Rusin being axed from the 40 man roster, the Cubs (to make room for Villanueva, Schierholtz and E. Jackson) waived Rosario, who was claimed by another team this off season (Giants), lefty pitcher Beliveau who was claimed (by the Rangers) and a third move that was surprising: outrighting Gerardo Concepcion to Class A Kane County.
Concepcion was one of the first big money international signings by Epstein and Hoyer. They signed the young unproven player to a major league contract and large signing bonus before the new CBA caps took effect.
During last season, at least one scout from another organization reported that Concepcion "was horrible." The report was an indictment of the Cubs scouting - - - and signing a 19 year old to a major league deal - - - when the skill set was apparently lacking from the beginning. Concepcion's Class A stats in 12 starts were 2-6, 7.39 ERA in 52.1 IP, 70 hits, 52 runs, 6 HR allowed, 30 BB, 2 HBP, 4 balks and 3 wild pitches. For a highly touted prospect with a major league deal, this was a poor showing to say the least; major star prospects should eat this level of competition alive.
Yesterday, the Cubs announced that they outrighted Gerardo Concepcion to Class A Kane County after the left-hander cleared waivers. What does that mean?
When a team "options" a player, the player sent to the minors but he is still on 40-man roster.
When a team "outrights" a player, the player sent to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster. This is often the end result of a young player being designated for assignment (outrighted players must pass through waivers, thus the player involved is usually a marginal prospect at best, anybody valuable would be kept on the 40-man roster). A veteran (5+ years of service time) who is DFA'd and clears waivers usually chooses to become a free agent rather than report to a minor league team.
In this case, Concepcion was put on waivers - - - and every major league team passed on him. Teams would rather claim a Rosario or a Beliveau over Concepcion. Concepcion still gets paid on his deal, but it really puts a damper on his prospect status if every other team's scouting department passed on him. It raises a concern that the Cubs evaluation of talent is more myth than a fact.
Concepcion was one of the first big money international signings by Epstein and Hoyer. They signed the young unproven player to a major league contract and large signing bonus before the new CBA caps took effect.
During last season, at least one scout from another organization reported that Concepcion "was horrible." The report was an indictment of the Cubs scouting - - - and signing a 19 year old to a major league deal - - - when the skill set was apparently lacking from the beginning. Concepcion's Class A stats in 12 starts were 2-6, 7.39 ERA in 52.1 IP, 70 hits, 52 runs, 6 HR allowed, 30 BB, 2 HBP, 4 balks and 3 wild pitches. For a highly touted prospect with a major league deal, this was a poor showing to say the least; major star prospects should eat this level of competition alive.
Yesterday, the Cubs announced that they outrighted Gerardo Concepcion to Class A Kane County after the left-hander cleared waivers. What does that mean?
When a team "options" a player, the player sent to the minors but he is still on 40-man roster.
When a team "outrights" a player, the player sent to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster. This is often the end result of a young player being designated for assignment (outrighted players must pass through waivers, thus the player involved is usually a marginal prospect at best, anybody valuable would be kept on the 40-man roster). A veteran (5+ years of service time) who is DFA'd and clears waivers usually chooses to become a free agent rather than report to a minor league team.
In this case, Concepcion was put on waivers - - - and every major league team passed on him. Teams would rather claim a Rosario or a Beliveau over Concepcion. Concepcion still gets paid on his deal, but it really puts a damper on his prospect status if every other team's scouting department passed on him. It raises a concern that the Cubs evaluation of talent is more myth than a fact.
February 3, 2012
DEPTH CHARGES
Cubs management continues to drone on adding "depth" to the organization.
In the last two moves, the Cubs added pitchers at both ends of the prospect spectrum.
The team has signed Australian southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith to a minor league deal, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The Australian southpaw compiled a 4.57 ERA and a 1.64 K/BB ratio in 362 2/3 innings with the Mariners from 2007-10. Rowland-Smith, 29, spent last season in the Astros' minor league system, 2-10 record, 6.19 ERA in 22 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 104.2 IP, 131 H, 77 R, 41 BB, 87 K and 1.643 WHIP. In 2010 with Seattle, he was 1-10, 6.75 ERA in 27 games (20 starts), 109 IP, 141 H, 46 BB, 49 K, 1.692 WHIP.
This signing is merely a roster placeholder for AAA Iowa. At 29, Rowland-Smith has not been on an improvement track, but putting up bad numbers in AAA after failing with the Mariners. The very high WHIP indicates a real control issue.
The other signee is from the international arena, where the Cubs are keen to develop talent with the new, state of the art training academy in the Dominican. In a field of 10 teams allegedly offering him a contract, Cuban defector Gerardo Concepcion signed a $7 to $8 million contract with the Cubs. The contract will become official once Concepcion passes a physical. Concepcion's age is unclear, either 18 or 19 years old. He was a rookie in the Cuban National League in 2011. He went 10-3, 3.36 ERA in 21 games (16 starts). He was the league rookie of the year. At 6'2", the slender left hander throws a low 90s fastball.
This signing is a calculated risk. Some organizations view the Cuban baseball leagues as being Low A caliber. On the other hand, some organizations also view the Cuban national team as being a High AA-AAA caliber talent. With only one professional season to review, there is not much history with Concepcion. But the Cubs committed first round draft money in the Cuban.
Rowland-Smith has no future with the Cubs, but Concepcion is Hoyer's first big new talent signing of his GM tenure.
In the last two moves, the Cubs added pitchers at both ends of the prospect spectrum.
The team has signed Australian southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith to a minor league deal, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The Australian southpaw compiled a 4.57 ERA and a 1.64 K/BB ratio in 362 2/3 innings with the Mariners from 2007-10. Rowland-Smith, 29, spent last season in the Astros' minor league system, 2-10 record, 6.19 ERA in 22 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 104.2 IP, 131 H, 77 R, 41 BB, 87 K and 1.643 WHIP. In 2010 with Seattle, he was 1-10, 6.75 ERA in 27 games (20 starts), 109 IP, 141 H, 46 BB, 49 K, 1.692 WHIP.
This signing is merely a roster placeholder for AAA Iowa. At 29, Rowland-Smith has not been on an improvement track, but putting up bad numbers in AAA after failing with the Mariners. The very high WHIP indicates a real control issue.
The other signee is from the international arena, where the Cubs are keen to develop talent with the new, state of the art training academy in the Dominican. In a field of 10 teams allegedly offering him a contract, Cuban defector Gerardo Concepcion signed a $7 to $8 million contract with the Cubs. The contract will become official once Concepcion passes a physical. Concepcion's age is unclear, either 18 or 19 years old. He was a rookie in the Cuban National League in 2011. He went 10-3, 3.36 ERA in 21 games (16 starts). He was the league rookie of the year. At 6'2", the slender left hander throws a low 90s fastball.
This signing is a calculated risk. Some organizations view the Cuban baseball leagues as being Low A caliber. On the other hand, some organizations also view the Cuban national team as being a High AA-AAA caliber talent. With only one professional season to review, there is not much history with Concepcion. But the Cubs committed first round draft money in the Cuban.
Rowland-Smith has no future with the Cubs, but Concepcion is Hoyer's first big new talent signing of his GM tenure.
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