It was quick – fourth overall pick in the 2014 Draft, Kyle Schwarber signed with the Cubs and arrived in Boise today.  The former Indiana Hoosier to me resembled the new Dan Vogelbach – with the same strong frame.

Will be posting video as the week goes on of his at bats, but here is a video from today’s press conference. (I appologize for the poor audio…)

Found this online today – a look at the new Boise Hawks interns in 2014…you’ll see them throughout the season at Memorial Stadium – including Chanse Ward, who served as my Social Media Intern last year.

It is official.

The email from trainer Toby Williams put the seal of approval on the 2014 Boise Hawks roster – that is, the players that will make the jaunt from Mesa to Boise tomorrow morning, meet host families, and grind through Media Day on Wednesday.

Initial 2014 Boise Hawks Roster

Just as it was last year, the 25-man roster does not include any 2014 draft picks – though the Cubs have not announced any signings of players so far.

Of the players – nine have previously played for the Hawks, seven are players selected in the Top-10 rounds of the MLB draft, with three players making their United States debuts.

Of the 13 pitchers on the roster, four have pitched previously in Boise – Ben Wells (2011), Trey Masek (2013), Trey Lang (2013), and Scott Frazier (2013). Wells helped the Hawks to the postseason in 2011 and was 9-6 with a 3.28 ERA in Daytona in 2013. Masek (1-0 2.16 ERA) and Frazier (1-2 2.61 ERA) were key contributors in last season’s South Division pennant, while Lang made six appearances early in the season for Boise.

Other notable pitchers include Josh Conway, the 2012 fourth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina, who is looking to recover from a pair of injuries that have sidelined him since college. Another 2012 selection, third-round pick Ryan McNeil, will return to the mound after missing 2013 due to injury.

Two others – Venezuelans Francisco Carrillo and Greyfer Eregua – will make their U.S. debuts in Boise. The righties combined for a 10-4 record and a sub 2.00 ERA for the Cubs Venezuelan Summer League affiliate, striking out 95 and walking nine.

Two catchers are on the roster, including returner Justin Marra – who hit six homers for the Hawks in 2013. Also behind the plate is Mark Malave, who was signed by the Cubs for 1.6-million dollars in 2011.

Of the infielders, only Jesse Hodges has worn a Hawks jersey – but has never played in Boise. The Victoria, B.C., native joined the club during both trips to Vancouver in 2013 – while hitting .210 with two homers and 20 RBI in Mesa. Middle infielder Guiseppe Papaccio, out of Seton Hall, has played at Kane County, Daytona, and Tennessee, while Tim Saunders began the year at Daytona.

Three of the four outfielders are former Hawks – Oliver Zapata (2012), Kevin Brown (2013), and Jeffrey Baez (2013). Zapata helped the Hawks to the 2012 East Division pennant, hitting a pair of homers and driving in 10, while spending all of 2013 in Kane County; Baez had a pair of triples for the Hawks late in 2013; with Brown spending a week with the team in Vancouver, going 2-for-7 with an RBI.

Additional roster moves are expected prior to the start of the season.

A six hour marathon of over 1,200 names called came to a close, with 30 new players added into the mix of who could potentially wear a Boise Hawks jersey in the future.

A boatload of high school talent – most of whom will end up sticking with their college plans (high profile schools such as Vanderbilt, Fullerton State, Oklahoma State, Texas) – mixed in with college seniors who will undoubtedly see what Boise is like and experience the summer that is the Northwest League.

But for me (and most Boise Hawks fans), two names stuck out – Joey Martarano and Andrew Ely.  Why?  They are from right here in the 208.

2014 Complete Cubs Draft Roster

It was fun to watch Twitter after the Cubs selected Martarano in the 22nd round – as the draft listed him as from Boise State – who does not have a baseball program.  Yes, he is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Broncos, but after some quick searching, most realized that he was one of two highly sought after players from the Gem State last year (along with current Padres farmhand Mason Smith) and turned down 100K from the Phillies after being drafted in the 12th round.

If Martarano signs, it will be fun to watch his progress – though he hasn’t played since starring for a very good Fruitland High team during his prep days – but made waves during the summer of 2012 competing on the summer baseball circuit.  Scouts love his swing (which he showcased at Memorial Stadium last summer in the BSU Charity Softball Game – hitting balls out of the park) and his 6-3 240 pound frame.

Ely, drafted in the 32nd round by the Cubs,  is coming off a great season at the University of Washington, helping the Huskies to the Oxford Regional final and earning All Pac-12 honors.  He was a four-time All-Southern Idaho Conference pick playing for Frank Wright and the Eagle Mustangs.  It will be interesting to see what Ely decides – whether he works out a deal with the Cubs to get his schooling paid for and begins his pro career – or whether he returns to the Montlake to finish his senior year in the brand new facilities at UW.

If they play in Boise, they will join the Pat McIntyre’s, the Jordan Latham’s, the Roger Evenson’s, and the Izaac Garsez’s – local kids in the last decade that play in the shadows of their home town, for their home town team.

One Day 3 arm sticks out to me (and has a stretch to the Treasure Valley) in pitcher Jordan Brink.  The 11th round selection out of Fresno State (Mountain West Conference – there’s the stretch) was 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in his first full-season as a pitcher.  Scouts and draft experts see him as an over-slot selection as he could return for his senior year and possibly have his stock rise.

Two infielders whom I feel will join the Hawks this summer will be Alex Tomasovich (20th Round out of Charleston Southern) and Chesny Young (14th Round out of Mercer).  Tomasovich hit .361 with 5 homers, 21 doubles, and 44 RBI at CSU, while Young (who hit .403 in 2013) hit .348 with 38 RBI, but had 28 walks and only 14 strikeouts in over 200 plate appearances.

Three outfielders intrigue me – Calvin Graves (27th Round – Franklin Pierce U.), Daniel Spingola (24th Round – Georgia Tech), and Charlie White (21st Round – Maryland).  White is the most obvious, since most Cubs fans were watching White’s Maryland teammate, Jake Stinnett throw against Virginia in the NCAA Super Regionals – with the center-fielder stealing the show by going 3-for-5 and make an amazing catch in the first inning to help the Terps win.  Heading into the Supers, White was hitting .284 with 13 doubles and 24 stolen bases.  Speed is what brings Graves to the table, hitting .319, but stealing 32 bags this spring for the Division II school.  And Spingola played for a outstanding Georgia Tech team, earning All-ACC honors after hitting .348 with 38 RBI.

Now comes the waiting period – who signs, when to they report, who gets assigned to Boise – considering the Hawks are less than 72 hours from arriving in the City of Trees.

I will have more on the Day 3 selections by the Cubs later tonight, but here is the complete 40-man 2014 first-year player draft roster of the Cubs, along with complete high school/college statistics for the 40 selections.

Once signed, many of these players will end up as members of the Boise Hawks – with three of the players having Northwest ties – U. of Oregon lefty Tommy Thorpe, U. of Washington (and former Eagle HS) infielder Andrew Ely, and Boise State football player (and former Fruitland High baseball standout) Joey Martarano.

Complete 2014 Chicago Cubs Draft Roster

Complete 2014 Chicago Cubs Draft Stats

A total of 21 pitchers and 19 position players selected by the Cubs (14 high school – not including Joey Martarano, who hasn’t played in college – 5 junior college players, 21 four-year college players)

The baseball pundits talked extensively for weeks that the Chicago Cubs were going to draft “pitcher heavy” this June – with Friday’s second day of the first-year player extravaganza living up to the bill.

The Cubs opened by selecting a speedy catcher in the third-round, but followed it up with not 1-2-3-4-5-6, but seven straight pitchers, including high school arms in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds.

For fans of the Boise Hawks, Day 2 is an interesting day – since high school arms rarely find their way to the Treasure Valley their first year (2015 could be special on the mound), while the Cubs selecting a catcher in the first and third rounds would suggest one is headed to Boise, one to Kane County.  However, three collegiate arms picked in Rounds 7-10, including a legitimate closer, could prove fruitful for the club.

One player in the group has Northwest ties – Oregon lefty Tommy Thorpe – who grew up in Vancouver, Wash., and was an All Pac-12 selection.  Depending on his signability, the southpaw may get an opportunity to pitch in his collegiate ballpark if assigned to Boise before the team heads to PK Park to take on the Eugene Emeralds on June 18.

Ryan Williams, a righty out of East Carolina, intrigues me.  Williams pitched in 32 games, all in relief for the Pirates, going 11-3 with a 1.81 ERA and seven saves.  With the Cubs pitching philosophy (guys not throwing consecutive days), it will be nice if the collegiate closer is assigned to Boise and given a chance to close games every other day (or every third day).

Virginia Tech catcher Mark Zaguris was the first player selected by the Cubs on Day 2 and really seems to be straight out of the Craig Biggio mold (most forget Biggio was a catcher before he moved to the outfield and then to second base).  A very good contact hitter with outstanding speed for a backstop – something that Gary Van Tol could utilize if he is assigned to Boise.  There are also Twitter reports that Zaguris has already signed a contract (615K – 100K under the 3rd round slot), which could fast-track him to Boise or Kane County.

Two other college players were signed – St. Louis righty James Norwood and Arizona righty James Farris. Norwood throws hard, topping out this season at 98 on the radar gun and could immediately become a fan favorite.  Farris had success for the Wildcats and drew the start in the College World Series championship game for UA two years ago.

The high school arms selected have upside – will they be Paul Blackburn or will they be Mark Pawelek?  Fourth-round pick Carson Sands has signed at Florida State and has drawn comparisons to Barry Zito; another lefty, Justin Steele has a good fastball and has signed at Southern Miss; with sixth-round pick, Dylan Cease a hard throwing righty that is headed to Vanderbilt, despite having some arm/elbow issues that limited his time on the mound in 2014.

Day 3 typically builds the nucleus of the Boise Hawks team – 30 selections in a six hour window.  Look for a complete draft roster and stats by Saturday evening.

 

Day 1 of the MLB First Year Players Draft is complete, with the Cubs selecting a pair of collegiate players with their first two picks.

That bodes well for the Boise Hawks – as traditionally, the Cubs, more often than not, have sent their top collegiate prospects to Boise to begin their professional careers.  In looking back over the last decade – Grant Johnson (pitcher from Notre Dame) and Jake Fox (catcher from Michigan) were the only early collegiate draft picks that skipped Boise.

The Cubs selected Kyle Schwarber (pictured right – courtesy of  Doug McSchooler/Indianapolis Star) out of Indiana with the fourth overall pick.  I went on record with the Idaho Statesman (though the quote was not used in a story) that I believed the Cubs would want one of the Top-3 arms in the draft, but if they weren’t available, would take the best available player on the board – and preferrably a catcher – which is where Schwarber fits in.

The 6-0, 240 pound left hand hitter is a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award after hitting 14 HR and driving in 48 runs in leading the Hooisers to the Big-10 title.  Analysts say that his probably has the most developed bat in the draft (we heard the same thing about Kris Bryant last year), but that he projects to be either a corner outfielder or a first-baseman.

If there was a first-round pick who skipped Boise, I could see it being Schwarber – just from the standpoint that the Cubs do not have a high-caliber catching prospect at either Kane County (Carhart, Brockmeyer, Remillard) or at Daytona (Contreras, Krist) – and may send him directly there (if they want to fast-track him up the chain).

With the 45th overall pick (following the sandwich/compensation picks), the Cubs grabbed a solid arm in Maryland right-handed pitcher, Jake Stinnett (pictured left, courtesy of U. of Maryland Athletics).  The hard-thrower was the Terps Friday night starter and has a 7-6 record and a sub 2.50 ERA  – with his club set to open Super Regional play tonight against Virginia.  Stinnett, a senior, was a two-way player during his first two years of college, but has only exclusively pitched the last two years.  He wowed scouts against N.C. State – going toe-to-toe with No. 3 overall pick Carlos Rodon, tossing a shutout in a 10-0 Maryland win.  Stinnett was honored as an All-ACC pick

He is someone who will probably spend a couple weeks in Boise, but because he has thrown 110+ innings in college, will be limited to 1-2-3 inning stints before he is shut down before instructs – just as Rob Zastryzny and Tyler Skulina were a year ago.

Stinnett has a tie to the Treasure Valley, as his high school teammate from Rancho Buena Vista High – Joe Vaz – will be a senior at the College of Idaho.

Rounds 3-10 will begin today at 11 a.m. and be televised on MLB.com and MLB Network, with rounds 11-40 on Saturday.

For years at the College of Idaho, I would invite the media to come to our field for a batting practice session – to drive some coverage of our teams.

Media Manager Courtney Garner and I each felt this thing could work for the Hawks as well – inviting all of the local media out for a couple hot dogs and a couple of rounds of batting practice.  Only issue – the team is not in town – so, the 38-year-old radio guy stepped up to the bump for the first time since Little League.

For the most part, I threw strikes, and tried to emulate the Tom Beyers’, the Mark Johnson’s, and the Gary Van Tol’s – throwing firm pitches from 45 feet, mixing in a bad curve ball and a knuckler.

As for the media guys –

Paul Gerke of KIVI-TV opened the BP session, showing he was a dead-pull hitter, roping line-drives to left, and driving a ball a few feet from the warning track.

Dave Southorn, beat writer for the Idaho Statesman and only newspaper guy in attendance, showed a great stroke – driving balls to all fields, including a pair of deep drives to center.

Bryan Levin of KBOI-TV took a little time to warm up, but once he did, crushed some balls to left, including a pair of shots that two-hopped off the wall.

A trio of KTVB-TV sports guys closed out the first round.  Ryan Larrondo rocketed balls to dead centerfield and also showed some pop to right; intern Justin McAfee showed a quick bat and hammered a few pitches; with Jay Tust finding his groove with pitches on the inner half of the plate.

Oh yeah, I took a few hacks as well – and yes, I swung and missed (once…); with my 6-year-old P.J. also getting a few swings – getting a couple balls out of the infield.

The group entered the Home Run Derby portion of the day – getting 20 swings (by this time, my arm felt like it was falling off), getting 1 point for a ball out of the infield, 2 points for a ball off the wall, and 3 points for a home run (0 points for anything else).

Final standings – Jay Tust blasted a pair of home runs and finished with 17 total points to win the event, with Bryan Levin and Ryan Larrondo right behind him with 13 points (and one shot each off the wall).  I finished fourth (with almost had warning track power) at 11; Paul Gerke finished with nine, with Justin the Intern and Dave Southorn each logging six.

Great Day – and Great Photos – with less than a week before the team arrives.

I had the opportunity to chat on the phone with Boise Hawks manager Gary Van Tol from the Under Armour Performance Center at Riverview Park in Mesa.

The skipper talked about the Cubs new digs in the desert, about the success of former Hawks up the ladder, and gave some insight as to how Extended Spring Training is going and dropped a couple names that might make the trip North.

It gets to be that time of year when I start surveying the Northwest League – before the mad scramble of getting player information together in less than a week to be ready for Opening Day.

Any new hotels? Any new restaurants? Any new affiliates?  Any good promotions during the summer?

The little things for a broadcaster on the road that gets the juices flowing during a long summer.

The one thing about the Northwest League, however, is it is one of the rare circuits in the minor leagues where things remain status quo more often than not.  All seven road hotels will remain the same. all seven road affiliates are the same (haven’t been a change in the league since Toronto came to Vancouver in 2011), and all seven other broadcasters are also back.  That makes it easy to know what ammenities you need for a trip and what options are close.

One of the things I enjoy is finding a go-to restaurant for a trip – especially one that I can get a good lunch and have left-overs for a postgame snack and also work well with the per diem.  Though I haven’t found any new restaurant openings near the seven hotels, I’ll definitely be scouting the lay of the land to see if any can replace –

Eugene (The Jail – enormous portions of teriyaki chicken); Everett (Buzz Inn – great comfort food); Hillsboro (McMenamins Roadhouse – Chipotle – love their bowls), Salem (Lucky Fortune – huge Chinese portions), Spokane (Panda Express), Tri-City (Panda Express), Vancouver (Dollarama/Fruiticana – Dollar Store to Stock the Room/Fresh Vegetables).

On to the promotions – excited for some of these:

June 19 in Eugene – Rodeo Night (should I bring my cowboy hat); June 23 in Spokane (Smokey the Bear Night – “Only you can prevent forest fires”); June 29 in Tri-City (Sunglasses Giveaway); July 3 in Tri-City (3rd of July fireworks); July 11 in Eugene (Duck Dynasty’s Mountain Man will be there – my son loves Duck Dynasty); July 12 in Eugene (Soccer Scarf Giveaway – actually something I don’t have); July 24 in Everett (Seahawks hat giveaway); July 26 in Everett (Turn Back the Clock Night); July 27 in Hillsboro (D-Baxter Appearance – Arizona Diamondbacks mascot appearance); August 15 in Hillsboro (Food Truck Rally – food trucks at the yard); August 19 in Vancouver (Shawn Green appearance); August 20 in Vancouver (Socks Giveaway – first-time I’ve seen this one).

There will also be post-game fireworks in Salem-Keizer, Tri-City, Spokane, Everett, and Vancouver.