• Cubs Convention
  • Interviews
  • MLB Transaction Glossary | Rules
    • Major League Baseball Transactions Glossary
    • MLB Rule 7.13 – Collisions at Home Plate
    • MLB Slide Rule on Double Plays Adopted for 2016 Season
  • Archives
    • Chicago Cubs Online General Info
    • Community Blog Archives
    • CCO Cubs-Metrics
    • CCO Cubs Podcast
    • CCO Feedback
    • CCO Predictions
    • CCO Opinion – You Know Better
    • The CCO Wrigley Perspective
    • Fantasy Baseball
    • The Northside Media Guide
  • Cubstory

Chicago Cubs Online

A Site for The Cubs Faithful Since 2005

  • Home
  • News | Transactions
    • News and Transactions
    • Cubs Regular Season Notes
    • Cubs Spring Training News Reports
    • Cubs Off-Season News Reports
  • Minor Leagues
    • Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 2008 to Present
    • Minor League Transactions Glossary
    • Cubs Minor League Players and Pitchers of the Year 1990 – 2017
    • Minor League Updates – 2005-2007
  • Rumors
    • If The Ivy Could Talk – Cubs Rumors
  • Game Day
    • Let’s Play 2 – Game Recap
    • Talkin’ Cubs Live
    • Cactus League-Spring Training
  • Opinion
    • The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville
    • Notes from the Soap Box
  • 40-Man Roster | Contracts
Chicago Cubs Online > Back to the Minors > Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/23/11

Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/23/11

August 23, 2011 1:00 am By Tom U. 23 Comments

Special Assignment – Peoria Chiefs v. Kane County Cougars

Recently, I had the pleasure of being able to cover a game between the Chiefs and Kane County. Not only was I able to have a birds-eye view from the press box, I was able to interview some of the members of the team. I’d like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations for the Kane County Cougars, as well as Manager Casey Kopitzke, Broadcast and Media Manager Nate Baliva, and Team President Rocky Vonachen of the Peoria Chiefs for their hospitality. Interview – Peoria Chiefs Manager Casey Kopitzke
Peoria Manger Casey Kopitzke was kind enough to spare a few minutes to answer questions before the game. Here are some excerpts from that interview:

ChicagoCubsOnline: Casey, the Chiefs have had an up and down season, but now that seems to have stabilized. To what do you owe this to?

Casey Kopitzke: Right now, we’ve been able to put out a consistent line-up, and the team has reflected that consistency. Call-ups are a part of the game, so you just need to try to stay positive.

CCO: That seems to be part of the territory for a minor league manager. Just as you have someone playing well, they’re gone. That seems to have affected your bullpen the most.

CK: Yeah, right now, we have Dan Berlind (as closer). He’s a little older guy, and has some experience in the league. That’s helped a great deal in that at area.

CCO: We hear a lot about having a good clubhouse and team leaders. Who are some of the leaders on the Chiefs?

CK: Some of the older guys like Richard Jones and Anthony Giansanti… They were here last year, and they know what to expect… And Greg Rohan…Greg came back, and was asked to play third base. He didn’t hang his head or anything…worked hard, and now it’s paid off.

CCO: And he made a great catch in Austin Kirk’s no-hitter.

CK: Yeah, his versatility was really a plus.

CCO: We know you like all of your guys, but who has impressed the most this season?

CK: Well, all the guys who have gone up have been impressive. I guess you look at players like Dallas Beeler and Marcus Hatley…guys who not only went up a level, but went two (levels up) and to see how well they are doing, it makes you feel good. That’s what it’s all about down here, helping the guys learn.

CCO: Who are the guys that keep the team loose?

CK: (laughs) Well, we’ve got a lot of those. It’s a good clubhouse.

Video Interviews and Highlights

Outfielder Taiwan Easterling

Pitcher Eric Jokisch

Player Highlights

Scouting Reports
Here are some of my impressions of the performances of some of the Chiefs, in alphabetical order.

  • Arismendy Alcantara – Has a very impressive set of tools … played second base that evening … showed good mobility and excellent range, going out into medium right field for a pop fly … strong throwing arm …well above average speed, nearly beat out a routine grounder and advanced from first to third on a single most players would have stopped at second … looks good at the plate, is able to keep his hands back and drive the ball up the middle
  • Taiwan Easterling – Very good speed and arm strength for centerfield, very fluid in his turns … threw out a runner trying to advance to third … needs to work on routes to the ball, should have cut off some balls that went into the gaps … has good hitting instincts, but looks like he can use more experience
  • Dustin Geiger – Appears to be a little overmatched offensively, but looks “hitterish”… has a nice approach and is able to drive the ball … tough night defensively at third, as several wicked hops ate him alive … showed a “plus” arm (in an amusing instance, after shagging an errant throw from Richard Jones in warm-ups, Geiger let loose a laser beam from two steps into foul territory, across the diamond, short-hopping the wall of the opposite stands)
  • Anthony Giansanti – For someone who started the season at third base, showed excellent mobility in the outfield …very good arm strength, causing several runners to retreat to first base … appears to be overly aggressive at the plate
  • Richard Jones – Classic power hitter with a quick step and long stroke … when he is able to get his hips turned, the ball goes a long way … showed good mobility at first … was able to run down and tag out a batter before a runner from third was able to get home
  • Austin Kirk – Seemed to have trouble finding the plate that evening … was able to get ahead of batters, but let them off the hook … strikeout on a wicked breaking ball … fastball seems to average to above average, reaching the mid 90s
  • Ben Klafczynski – Can see why people are excited about him … diamond in the rough … very athletic, looks very fluid in his movements … exceptional arm strength, nearly throwing out a runner at home from deep left … appears a little overmatched offensively at this point, but has skills … was able to keep his hands back and drive a ball for a single … can see why the organization is trying to “fast track” his development
  • Pete Levitt – Big, powerful, and intimidating … has the look of a future closer … fastball in the mid to upper 90s … popped leather with every pitch … high leg kick

Follow the CCO on Twitter: @TheCCO

Filed Under: Back to the Minors Tagged With: Anthony Giansanti, Arismendy Alcantara, Austin Kirk, Ben Klafczynski, Casey Kopitzke, Dallas Beeler, Dan Berlind, Dustin Geiger, Eric Jokisch, Greg Rohan, Marcus Hatley, Pete LeVitt, Richard Jones, Taiwan Easterling

Archives


Memories of Mr. Cub

A Tribute to Mr. Cub

Forever, THE Cub
What is Eamus Catuli
What is Eamus Catuli?
Lakeview Baseball Club

Subscribe to the CCO

Get Cubs Updates in Your Inbox

Tweets by TheCCO

Stats


Trips to the North Side

Copyright © 2021 5 & 11 Online Productions
Privacy Policy | Commenting Policy | About | Contact
ChicagoCubsOnline.com is not affiliated with the Chicago National League Ballclub

7ads6x98y